Fall Winter 2024 Courses Available

 Staff Development and Training

 Winter 2024 Courses

v Remember to check with your supervisor before registering for classes.

v If a course is offered more than once, you can register for either date.

v If you need to change/cancel a class, please contact SD&T as soon as possible.

 

Adaptive Change Management

Instructor:  Tony Daniels, CCBC

Date:  12/19/23

Time:  9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Location:  Poe Room, Central

Credit Hours:  7

We don’t always respond positively and productively to change. During times of change, a common reaction is to default to a mode of self-protection which makes it difficult to use our problem-solving skills to best meet the challenges and opportunities of changing circumstances and expectations. 

Adaptive change management provides techniques for productive and positive responses to change and maximizes the resilience of individuals, teams, and organizations.

We’ll discuss establishing trust within teams and the organization, managing assumptions about other staff members, and what to do and how to ask for information when sudden change occurs.

Recommended for:  all staff who work within teams, and public service staff in all locations

 

Better Business Writing

Instructor: Mary Ellen Wehr, CCBC

Date:  11/20/23                                             Date:  11/30/23

Time:  9 a.m. – 5 p.m.                                   Time:  9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Location:  Poe Room, Central                       Location:  Poe Room, Central

Credit Hours:  7                                             Credit Hours:  7

 Could your grammar use a quick polish?  Are you struggling with report writing and details, or trying to improve the clarity of your communications? Could your emails be clearer and more concise?

This course is designed to help you improve the knowledge and skills needed to write more effective business correspondence. Participants will review the importance of correct spelling, grammar and structure, and will be introduced to proper forms and styles for business memos and correspondence, including e-mail.

Topics to be covered include spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure; the three Cs (clear, concise, and correct) of business writing; business memos and correspondence; jargon and acronyms; and writing effective e-mail messages.  We'll also be discussing how to tighten your report writing abilities.

Recommended for:  staff who write reports on a regular basis, supervisors, and anyone who would appreciate a quick grammar refresh.

The Role of the Supervisor

Instructor: Tony Daniels, CCBC

Date:12/13/23                                               Date:  1/16/24

Time:  9 a.m. – 5 p.m.                     OR        Time:  9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Location:  Creative Arts, Central                   Location:  Creative Arts, Central

Credit Hours:  7                                            Credit Hours:  7

In this course we’ll discuss the basics of supervision, starting with the importance of strong supervisory skills, a review of theories of management and supervision, and the roles and responsibilities of staff who supervise other staff.

Topics covered will include the differences between managers and leaders and how to be effective at both, understanding the situational leadership model, and developing a balance between a concern for task and a concern for people to increase overall effectiveness.  You’ll also start to develop an action plan to increase your personal supervisory effectiveness and become a team leader.

Recommended for:  new managers and those wanting to become managers, but also current managers who would appreciate a review of the basics.

Situational Leadership:  Leading High Performing Teams During Change

Instructor: Tony Daniels, CCBC

Date: 1/10/24

Time:  9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Location:  Creative Arts, Central

Credit Hours:  7                                           

Successful organizations require effective leadership. This course will review principles for building and leading high performing teams such as the impact of different leadership styles, basics of team dynamics, the stages of team formation, motivating teams, developing trust, and using coaching and reinforcing skills to be a catalyst for high performance.

Organizational change is inevitable and creates both challenges and opportunities. Strong leadership is never more important than during times of organizational change. Participants will be given a step-by-step roadmap for strategically managing change which will include an emphasis on adaptive change management and proven methods for supporting teams, employees, and customers amidst change.

Recommended for:  managers and supervisors at all levels who want to strengthen their leadership skills and improve the performance of their teams.

 

Team Communication and Engagement

Instructor: Mary Ellen Wehr, CCBC

Date: 11/28/23

Time:  9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Location:  Poe Room, Central

Credit Hours:  7

Organizational change is constant and delivering clear, positive, and honest messages is an essential skill for leading teams through challenges and changes. This course focuses on understanding and improving the communication and interpersonal skills central to a supervisor’s effective interactions with the individuals that they lead as well as with other teams, management, and outside customers.

Topics will include a presentation of the communication process model and selected communication skills, barriers to effective communication, introduction of a personality profile instrument and the impact of personality types on communication, and active listening skills.

We’ll be discussing how to reframe conversations, coaching staff, team building, resilience, and flexibility.  When to ask and how to answer difficult questions, assertiveness, transparency, and building trust will also be discussed.

Recommended for:  managers and supervisors in all divisions

 

Workplace Communication Strategies

Instructor: Mary Ellen Wehr, CCBC

 Date:12/11/23

Time:  9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Location:  Creative Arts, Central

Credit Hours:  7

Effectively communicating is an essential workplace skill. Learn techniques and tools for more effectively communicating with organizational leadership, supervisors, coworkers, and library patrons. This includes strategies for both written and spoken communications as well as the importance of good listening skills.

We’ll be including discussions of resilience, interpersonal conflict, navigating hierarchy and working across divisions, and how to handle small problems before they become big problems.

Recommended for:  all staff, but especially public service staff in all locations

To register for a program or if you have any questions, contact the Staff Development and Training Office

training@prattlibrary.org

 410-545-7524

Introduction to Homelessness Resources - Webinar Recording available

Topic: Introduction to Homelessness Resources
Date: Apr 29, 2021 09:46 AM Eastern Time

Speakers:  Michael Stafford and Jessi Stevens, Mayor's Office of Homeless Services

Below is the link for the program we ran this morning.  Please note that the beginning of the recording is missing, but it picks up at the end of Michael's introduction.

https://marylandlibraries.zoom.us/rec/share/pNOTNtrPpfYzvgHoK5qaxzr4UzQxJFL0bEobnVVUruf80zKgKybj9QuZiuJUAAT7.nOAD7N1Iiz62BdC9 

Passcode: *0i7$3Xq

The resources that go with this program are now available under the new Resources for Staff and Customers page of the blog.

Also, the transcription was done by auto-transcript, so try not to laugh too hard - Lisa

PCI webinar archives for the Maryland public library staff

 We now have statewide access to the PCI webinar archives for the Maryland public library staff. All content should be available without needing to be assigned. These webinars are approved for CEU hours using the recorded webinars format.

To register you will need to create an account using your public library employee email, as access will authenticate using the email domain just as the Ryan Dowd Homelessness Training Academy currently does. 

So if you already have an account with Niche (that uses your work email), you should be fine.  Otherwise you will need to register but it just takes a minute.

To access Maryland Libraries PCI Academy please click on the following link: Click To Access Maryland Libraries PCI Academy

Here are a few of the available programs:

 

Access and Equity resources on WebJunction.org

Our access to WebJunction includes their list of resources for libraries that are looking for ways to "stand in solidarity, to take action, and to ensure library services and programs are equitable and safe for all."  

WebJunction has their page sorted by the following categories.  Some items are articles, some are webinars, and some are links to other pages.  There is a wide variety of information for library staff.

Take a look, there is a lot of great information.

On WebJunction

Statements and Resources from Libraries

Online Resources

For Supporting Youth

Creating Diverse Collections

Articles

Booklists and Books

Multimedia

On Accessibility

https://www.webjunction.org/explore-topics/access-equity/see-also.html?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=June+17+2020+Crossroads&utm_campaign=&utm_term=WebJunctionCrossroads_COMM

Return to Work Safety Videos and Quiz

In preparation for returning to the library we are asking all staff to view a series of videos that will help keep you and everyone else safe while at work.  

View the videos below, and then complete the quiz and send it to your supervisor to show that you completed this requirement.  If you have any questions, please speak with your manager or supervisor.

Wearing a cloth mask properly  (1 min 42 sec)  

Hand washing ( 1 min 26 sec) 

Glove removal (1 min 12 sec)

Preventing Coronavirus at work  (2 min 28 sec) 

Clean your workspace (1 min 16 sec)

Quiz:  to access the quiz, click on the link below.  Once you are in Google Drive, Select File, then Download, and Microsoft Word. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uyOv9tEKyil5Hcd6GcoI2yfyKz87D6WBZ6mubJiapXI/edit?usp=sharing

Registration for webinars and programs that have fees - what to do while we are out of the office

We've been sending out training opportunities for staff, and some of you have questions about those that charge a fee.  We will continue to pay these fees for staff, and the process to request funding is similar to the usual process. 

1. The staff member identifies a program they wish to attend.  There is a fee involved.

2.  The staff member creates a 354 request with a goals statement (and any registration information needed) and sends these by email to their supervisor.

3.  If the supervisor approves, they forward the email (with the form and statement) to their division chief with a statement like "I approve this."  If not approved, supervisor notifies staff member.

4.  If the division chief approves the request, they forward the email and attachments to SD&T, also stating "I approve this," or similar.  If not approved, chief notifies supervisor.

5.  SD&T will register the staff member for the program and pay the fee.  Staff member will get confirmation of registration from SD&T.

6.  When the program is complete, the staff member forwards confirmation of completion to SD&T.

Once we return to the library, the forms will be printed and appropriate signatures will be required.

No requests without the appropriate paper/email trail can be considered, so please follow the directions carefully.  

If you have any questions, please let us know.

NicheAcademy webinars

Looking for ways to develop your skills while working from home?  There are a lot of interesting recorded webinars on NicheAcademy that can be accessed from their website without having to create an account.  

These range from Diversity/Inclusive topics like "Cultivating Strong Girls" and "Serving Individuals with Autism,"  to general library topics like "Practicing Intellectual Freedom," and even some topics for managers like "Best Practices for Developing Employees' Soft Skills."

Not everything is CEU worthy, so be sure you are selecting topics that are appropriate to your work at the library, and that you are accessing webinars and not just informative articles.  Remember, the webinar has to be at least 60 minutes long to count for credit.

These are recorded webinars, so you'll need to include a review/discussion of the program with your CEU form when you submit it.  I'll attach the information about recorded webinars, which can also be found on the blog.

https://www.nicheacademy.com/blog  

Library 2.0 Mini-conference March 26, 2020

It's easy and free to join Library 2.0 but plan ahead because it can take a day or two for membership approval.

We are expanding our planned Library 2.0 special broadcast webinar for librarians to a special mini-conference, being held in conjunction with PCI Webinars and Andrew Sanderbeck. Please note the new expanded times. DATE & TIMES: Thursday, March 26th, 2020 | 1:00 - 6:30 pm US-Eastern Time (4 one-hour sessions with 1/2-hour breaks) COST: Free REGISTRATION: To register for the mini-conference, please join Library 2.0. Those who are already members of Library 2.0 do not need to do anything. ATTENDING: The schedule with the live session links will be sent to all members of Library 2.0. PLATFORM: The mini-conference platform is Zoom. To make sure your computer or mobile is configured for Zoom, please visit zoom.us/test. SESSIONS: 1. SELF-CARE DURING A CRISIS: BREATHE, THINK, AND GROW 1:00 PM US-Eastern Daylight Time Click here to see in your own time zone As libraries deal with the global crisis of 2020, staff have many difficult choices to handle every day. From deciding whether to stay open to managing the constant flow of information, the work can be all-consuming. In this webinar, we will talk about how to take time out of your day to focus on yourself and to nourish your own growth. Participants will: Learn methods and exercises for staying in the moment and remaining mindful while dealing with stress and uncertainty Spend time discussing their challenges and how they are working to handle them, while planning mindfully for the future Focus on healthy self-care activities Cari Dubiel Adult Learning and Information Services Manager at Twinsburg Public Library Cari is the Adult Learning and Information Services Manager at Twinsburg Public Library. She is also a writer, teacher, and podcaster. She is a former Library Liaison to Sisters in Crime, an organization of 3600 crime writers and readers nationwide. 2. WHY AND HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR ONLINE SERVICES DURING THE QUARANTINE 2:30 PM US-Eastern Daylight Time Click here to see in your own time zone We are certainly "living in interesting times" ... and working in them too. Even if your building is closed, your library is still offering services—but are you telling people that? While it's tempting to look at these pandemic-related closures as much-needed downtime, librarians don't have that luxury. People still need you. In fact, people who haven't used libraries in years need your boredom-breaking services and your long-trusted guidance, too. So it's vital to keep marketing your libraries now, for three reasons: 1) telling people what's available online and how to get it; 2) being the trusted source of info that people expect; and 3) proving your value to retain funding after the crisis. In this webinar, specially created to help your library be as useful as possible during the current Coronavirus pandemic, library marketing maven Kathy Dempsey will share her best advice on these topics: Working at home (Dempsey has worked at home for 10 years) Turning today's chaos into a Crisis Communications Plan in the near future Exactly what services and products to promote (some might surprise you) How to get the word out, beyond your own social media followers How to approach messaging in trying times Why today's promotion will help secure next year's library funding Why to scratch out mini marketing plans to make your work effective Resources for self-care and for social sharing In a time where everyone is inundated with information, the world still needs their librarians and librarians. The "new normal" will likely have super-tight budgets, so proving how essential you are during this crisis may well determine whether your organization survives the virus. Kathy Dempsey Libraries Are Essential Kathy Dempsey wrote the popular how-to tome The Accidental Library Marketer and founded her own marketing consultancy, Libraries Are Essential. Her work is dedicated to helping librarians and information professionals promote their value and expertise in order to gain respect and funding. Kathy has been the Editor of Marketing Library Services newsletter for 25 years, and was formerly Editor-in-Chief of Computers in Librariesmagazine. She also blogs at The 'M' Word. She's a member of the New Jersey Library Association, and Founder of the Library Marketing and Communications Conference, which she chaired in 2015, 2016, and 2017. This writer, editor, and marketing maven has been giving presentations across the U.S. and Canada for 20+ years, always sprinkling them with humor to make marketing concepts more interesting and accessible. She continues to fight the stereotypes that librarians are boring and that "marketing" is a dirty word. 3. SERVING PATRONS IN A CRISIS 4:00 PM US-Eastern Daylight Time Click here to see in your own time zone Helping people make decisions based on facts and evidence is what libraries of all types do everyday. With libraries closing to the public and reducing services because of COVID-19, how can we continue to provide the facts in this fast-paced changing environment? And how can libraries provide the services that their communities will need to remain vital to the health and welfare of their communities? This interactive and informative webinar will help attendees find the latest resources and information available to help them serve their patrons and communities, as well as looking into how libraries are responding to community needs of today and will focus on the work ahead as we shape the future of library services after the pandemic passes. Andrew Sanderbeck PCI Webinars Andrew has been developing and conducting training programs for libraries and library organizations for more than fifteen years. He has presented Web-based, On-line, and Face-to-Face sessions on Management and Leadership, Customer Service and Communication Skills in the U.S. and numerous countries around the world. He is a board member of the Haywood County Public Library and a monthly donor to EveryLibrary, advocating for libraries everywhere that support is needed. Kathy Zappitello Executive Director of the Conneaut Public Library in Conneaut, Ohio Kathy has worked for fifteen years in Ohio libraries and is currently the Executive Director of the Conneaut Public Library in Conneaut, Ohio. Kathy serves on the National Board of Directors for the Association for Rural and Small Libraries and is co-chair of the Partnership committee. Locally, she produces educational content for one of Ohio's cable access channels that provides programming to households in Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. 4. PREPARING YOUR DIGITAL BRANCH FOR INCREASED USE 5:30 PM US-Eastern Daylight Time Click here to see in your own time zone As libraries engage in social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are placing new emphasis on our online services. Is your organization ready? In this interactive and Informative program, we will discuss how to prepare your digital branch for an influx of users, and examine best practices for virtual reference and digital collections as you work to meet your community's needs. Nick Tanzi Assistant Director of the South Huntington Public Library Nick Tanzi has been incorporating emerging technologies into the library as a children’s librarian, the founding member of a digital services department, and most recently, as the Assistant Director of the South Huntington Public Library. During this time, he has spoken in the U.S. and abroad on topics ranging from social media marketing to 3D printing. He is the author of Making the Most of Digital Collections through Training and Outreach (2016), and Best Technologies for Public Libraries (2020). He writes “The Wired Library” column for Public Libraries Magazine. Tanzi was named a 2017 Dewey Fellow by the New York Library Association, and currently serves as President of its Making and STEAM Round Table.

How can we help you?

Jobs are changing - are your skills doing the same?

Are you growing?

How can SD&T help you to improve your abilities?

ALA Annual - Trends in Librarianship

Before I share some highlights of what I learned at the conference, I want to relay what complements the Pratt received courtesy my badge labeling my place of employment.  EPFL was readily recognized for going fine free, for the wash and learn initiative, and for its architectural beauty and renovation.  I hope this kudos brighten your day by proxy.

Trends in Librarianship

One pair of sessions I attended speaks to the ever evolving nature of our profession.  “A Hard Look in the Mirror,” presented by Greater Victoria (Canada) Library (GVPL), shares how they reorganized librarians’ roles (with plans to augment library assistants’ in future) to be less about audience served – age and otherwise – and more about niches they call “portfolios.”  Librarians now split their time between branch operations and portfolio work that serves the whole system.  The idea is to look up from the mundane coordination and oversight to develop true leadership in librarianship.  The primary categories, “pillars,” involve lifelong learning, storytelling, and digital literacy; they are further broken down into specialties according to staff strengths and interest.  These are the result of two committees’ work: service design and service delivery.  It is stressed that libraries looking to follow suit explore and define how best this model works for their own communities.  In a nutshell, GVPL refers to their model as Community-Inspired Library Service.  A toolkit is available at issu.com/docs/hard_look_in_the_mirror_reflecting.

“Going Deskless” is right up our alley as we continually seek to diminish barriers – physical as well as financial.  Hillsboro (Oregon) Public Library (HPL) presents how they accomplished the feat of completely removing public service desks in favor of “orbiting” with the added tools of a “service layer,” ranging from a large logo button to the popular three-pocket apron, and technology “perches” stationed throughout the library.  Staff buy-in gets achieved by inviting input during planning, providing time to reflect, and empowering change adaptation.  None of the changes have been based on assumptions: a “design thinking” process involves staff and patrons alike, utilizing a variety of steps including focus groups and surveys.  All the while, staff are encouraged to practice “work like a patron day” occasionally as a worthwhile test and means to perspective.  HPL sums up their philosophy with a triad of points.  Libraries today are not about the books but service; we should not be transactional but interactional; and we use more and more automation and thus shift our focus to high-quality personal service. 

Health Outreach and Programming

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) and their National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) – the latter with regional coordinators who collaborate with and assist all libraries in their jurisdiction, including public libraries – presented “Transforming Communities through Health Outreach and Programming.”  It is fundamental to support health literacy, especially in the face of both health disparities (e.g. abilities, genetics) and healthcare disparities (e.g. socioeconomics).

Their free information resources abound, and I share a sampling here.  Medline Plus is designed to be not academic but accessible for consumers and even offers a print quarterly for distribution!  HealthReach is multilingual and multimedia to help even more patrons decipher their health needs.  News in Health has digestible tidbits and offers its own print monthly newsletter to libraries.  Go4Life is especially for seniors. 

NNLM has the area covered in terms of programming.  Their Engage for Health materials help libraries teach community members how best to speak with their doctors.  The NNLM Reading Club has kits for a thematic book club and is always adding new titles.  There is a wealth of materials to uphold National Health Observances.  They even promote Tales & Travel Memories, a fun programming initiative for those with dementia.

I will wrap up rather than diving in to NLM’s support of Citizen Science.  But I will insist that EPFL be sure to join the NNLM for full access to and assistance with health resources and programming for Baltimoreans. 

Lauren Read

Periodicals

Some networking notes from the Association for Talent Development annual conference

I recently attended the ATD conference, and went to a relly interesting session on networking, called Networking for People Who Hate Networking.  In the workshop, they defined networking as creating meaningful and beneficial connections one person at a time.  This was interesting, as we generally think of networking as meeting a bunch of people at an event, but if you don't gain something from the interaction then it's just talking.

Both extroverts and introverts can be successful networkers; they just need to approach it differently.  Introverts don't have to fake being extroverts in order to network successfull, but they should do a bit of preparation before the event so that they can be confident in their interactions.  Introverts may have more difficulty starting a conversation, but they tend to develop more meaningful connections.

Here are some tips that you can use to improve your networking skills, regardless of the situation in which you find yourself:

• research in advance - what is the purpose of the event, why are people there, who is likely to attend and what connections would you like to make?
• volunteer to help with the event - particularly good for conferences or meetings since people are always glad to have help and you become an instant "insider" with lots of opportunities to talk to others
• arrive early to group events - it's less daunting and you have time to focus on each of the newer arrivals rather than trying to navigate a large group
• spot check before you arrive - are you pulled together?  Have your business cards handy?
• get in a line - this sounds funny, but often we meet interesting people while waiting in lines, and you never know who might be a good connection
• eat or (soft) drink before the event, this keeps that magic spinach from appearing in your teeth
• if you take someone's business card, take a moment to make a note on the back of who they are and why they talked to you, so when you follow up later you can remember who they wereand why you have their card (this works for vendor rooms too, what did you discuss with that company?)
• practice active listening, don't look over someone's shoulder when you are talking to them and focus your attention on what they are saying
• be authentic - don't try to impress someone, just share your information and thoughts
• don't hang on one person all night, you need to circulate (be a best-seller not a research tome)
• follow up after the event, remind the person where you met and what you discussed (from your notes on the business card), otherwise you aren't building a connection

Kids are Customers, Too 2018

Registration is now OPEN for Kids are Customers, Too! 

If you wish to attend, your paperwork must be received by SD&T by September 14.

Kids are Customers, Too 2018

Start Date: 10/18/2018 8:30 AM EDT 
End Date: 10/18/2018 4:00 PM EDT

Venue Name: BCPL - Owings Mills Branch

Location:

10302 Grand Central Avenue
Owings Mills, MD  United States  21117

Event Website: https://www.bcpl.info/locations/owings-mills/

Organization Name: Maryland Library Association

Contact:

Christine Freeman
Email: Christine.Freeman@montgomerycountymd.gov
Phone: 301-820-1244

Sponsor: Children's Services Division

The “Kids Are Customers, Too” conference is an opportunity for staff working with children in public libraries and school media centers throughout the state to meet new people, renew contacts, and learn the latest information affecting the diverse field in which they work. Join us at the Owings Mills Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library on October 18th from 8:30am-4:00pm as we feature a day’s worth of presenters sharing fresh ideas and practical tips that can be applied directly to day-to-day programming and services.

Working with Patrons from Poverty

Today we held another successful session of the "Understanding and Working With Patrons from Poverty" program.  For those of you who could not attend, or those who might be interested in more information on this topic, here is a link to a curated list of books on this subject:

https://www.bestmswprograms.com/50-best-books-on-poverty/

Many of the books on this list are in our collection, although some are only available as ebooks.

Other books on this topic include Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance, and Evicted:  Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond, which are both in our collection.

MLA 2018 - ALA Advocacy Bootcamp

I attended ALA Advocacy Bootcamp training at the MLA/DLA Joint Conference. In it, we learned the power of storytelling. There is no more effective tool in communicating the value of libraries to members of your community or to those of the political class. 

Remember – the library story is not about the books, or the computers, or the programs. Who cares? It’s about the hero journey. What keeps you in the seat at the movie theater, not counting the exorbitant ticket cost?  The answer: wanting to know what happens next. To who? The hero, that’s who. For our purposes, our hero is the library user. 

Here’s the story structure. Use it.

1)      Give me a real person.

Ex: Caiden was 3 years old.

2)      Give me the problem

Ex: He stuttered. 

3)      Give me a library intervention.

Ex: The library offered a “Read to Dogs” program.

4)      Give me a happy ending (no Greek tragedies here, people).

Ex: Caiden doesn’t stutter anymore.

5)      Give me one fact.

Ex: Hundreds of libraries offer this program.

6)      Give me a phrase that pays.

Libraries transform lives.

Other phrases-that-pay are Libraries transform communities, Librarians are passionate advocates for lifelong learning, and Libraries are a smart investment.

If you had your choice, people who actually use the library are the best advocates. Look to your Friends group or regulars who love your library and have a story to tell. The process: “Find the advocate. Give them the speech. Let them practice it with you. Book it five times in your community.”

 If you have to tell the story yourself, you now have the structure. Go tell some stories.

Morgan Stanton
Edmondson Avenue Branch