Idaho Commission for Libraries

Attended Competencies for Your Staff: From Implementation to Integration, a CLENE-RT preconference session. Highlights:

Betha Gutsche, Curriculum Developer, WebJunction, presented information about the index development for the curriculum on the new web platform. Major areas include: Library Administration, Technical Services, Reference & Information Services, General Patron Services, Systems and Information Technology, Personal Competencies, Young Adult Services, Children's Services. View Report. "if you change the conversation, you change the culture." Peter Block So,

be Curious
put your Heart into your work
take Action
Nix the negativity
set realistic Goals for yourself
Exchange knowledge freely = CHANGE

Lori Reed, Library Trainer, Public Library Charlotte & Mecklenberg County, presented information onf Information Technology Core Competencies. Changed from model of Funding supporting staffing, collections, facilities, and technology to new Model of Funding support integrated technology in Highly Skilles & Trained Staff, Real & Virtual Collections, Real & Virtual Facilities. So rather than just IT knowing how to do basic troubleshooting, everyone has a core competency to perform basic troubleshooting so that when IT is not available, the little issues still get fixed. Distributing responsibility.

Catherine Vaughn, HR, Lee County Library System, Fort Myers, FL, provided overview of preparing competencies for Reference Staff. Key terms: passion, ethusiasm, develop professional and personal skills, get buyin at all levels: administration and staff. When implementing competencies be sure to give staff a parachute (skills and knowledge) so they can be successful.

Thomas Galante, Director, Queens Public Library, New York, presented competencies from management perspective. Quotes: "organizations are about people." "Compentencies are not what you do, but HOW you do it." Vision, Listen, Communicate, Heart, Mobility, Use your nose, Stomach, mind over matter -- key points for change agent.

See powerpoints of presentations at CEBUZZ

During the discussions, I shared our Conversation Cafe process as a means to create open lines of communication among staff. Also talked about University of North Texas Le@D program which provides competencies, evaluative and professional development tracking tools.