“Thanks for volunteering to go to the mandatory training” is one of management’s favorite sayings when it comes to getting employees in a room or online for some education, knowledge, and worthwhile tools. The problem starts with defining what are “worthwhile tools” for employees and what is required that they learn and know versus what is merely “nice to know” to help them do their jobs. We want to value their time with us, in the library and in the classroom.
It can help to see employee training as both a requirement and a reward. Required training helps our library leaders, risk managers, and legal colleagues feel that staff is getting what they need to stay compliant with policies, procedures, organizational protocols, HR rules and guidelines, and the Code of Conduct, especially if these are new or updated.
Other trainings may have more to do with being fun or useful without being legally necessary. Classes on team-building, new programs and new book arrivals at the library, and training gatherings with both content and a holiday theme fit both parts.
So where does training in providing skilled service to patrons, safety awareness training, and security training (which has a definite personal protection feel to it) fit in? Is it required or is it useful? Can it even be fun? (It is if Steve Albrecht has anything to stay about it.) Can we create training programs that staff really want to attend? That grow through word of mouth? That make them feel valued in their work and as important parts of the library organization?
About the Speaker
DR. STEVE ALBRECHT. Since 2000, Dr. Steve Albrecht has trained thousands of library employees in 28+ states, live and online, in service, safety, security, and supervision. His programs are fast, entertaining, and provide tools that can be put to use immediately in the library workspace with all types of patrons. In 2015, the ALA published his book, Library Security: Better Communication, Safer Facilities. He is currently writing the sequel, The Safe Library: Keeping Users, Staff, and Collections Secure, for Rowman & Littlefield. Steve holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration (D.B.A.), an M.A. in Security Management, a B.A. in English, and a B.S. in Psychology. He is board-certified in HR, security management, employee coaching, and threat assessment. He has written 24 books on business, security, and leadership topics. He lives with six dogs, two cats, and three chickens. (Not all in the same room, of course.)
