Supervisiors:  Is your staff member attending a Learning Libraries Workshop?

Here's what you can expect, and how to help your staff make the most of their experience:

• What We're Doing

Your library is sending a team of people who will have this goal:  Teams from Maryland library organizations develop a shared understanding of Principles of Learning Libraries and use them to plan, implement and evaluate a project that results in positive change within their respective library systems. Participants will continue to use the tools learned to create positive change.

• How You Can Help
  Your staff member will be working with the team on a project that will take approximately a year to complete.  For some participants, this will be their first experience working with a team to create and manage a change.  But even those with experience will need support from their supervisors in order to frame their project, gain the support they need from others, and stay on track.  By sending your staff member to this workshop, your system is making a substantial commitment to their development and to the library's future.  You will play a key role in ensuring that your library's investment in developing leadership skills pays off for everyone.

•  What We're Asking You to Do:
  •  Before the workshop, meet with your staff member and let him or her know that you are interested in their success.  If you are familiar with Learning Libraries, share your experience.  If you aren't familiar with Learning Libraries, you may want to review the background information on this wiki and talk briefly about it with your staff member.  Help your staff identify a broad goal area they might consider for their project, but let the team come up with the final idea.  Talk with them about how they will share what they learn with you and others in your library.
  • After the workshop, ask them to check in with you to share their learning and their project plans.  They will be asked to build support for their plan, so be prepared to offer your suggestions to strengthen their plan--but allow them to learn from the normal struggles that come with trying to bring about a change. 
  • During the year, they'll be asked to post information to the Learning Libraries wiki and attend a short mid-year workshop.  Recognize their efforts to meet their project milestones, and encourage them to keep you in the loop.  Include their work on this project in their performance review, recognize their successes, and coach them as they learn from their experiences.
  • At the end of the year, they'll be invited to a statewide celebration and sharing of projects.  Help them celebrate their success and their hard work!  We'll also be asking you to tell the Learning Libraries team whether (and how!) your staff member is continuing to use their new skills on the job.

 Here's a checklist to help you prepare your staff:

Supervisor Checklist.doc