Thursday, August 7, 2014
PLMI Year 2 Day 4
Robert Benson did a 2 hour seminar on empowering staff, we tossed the ball and answered what job in the past was our favorite. It was interesting to hear everyone, some had little to do with their present job, but for a large part of us it was the library in some way. My favorite job was being the genealogist for 18 years. I can see how doing this with the staff would help you see where they have been and were they would like to go in the future. I will be reading the mentioned books, the information will be invaluable.
PLMI Year 2, Day 3
I would like to get my staff more training to better serve the public and the library. Technology, computers and working with the circulation system are necessary skills that need yearly training. I will have trainers from the regional library come and get other trainers from local sources.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
PLMI Day 2
Today, Maggie Bahou gave a presentation on evaluations and managing performance, it was refreshing that she was just rehashing the same old line. I agree with her that giving feedback to the staff in a productive way makes my job easier and able to get feedback back for myself. I am firm believer that you should always maintain a dialogue with anyone you work with, allowing them to come to you and work to find solutions to any problem. Annual reviews will allow me to help find problems not just in my staff, but with my leadership, in doing so I will be able to correct both. Ms. Bahou gave wonderful examples of how to change negatives to positives, especially by not using numerical systems to grade people, having been on the receiving end of these, I never found them beneficial in any way.
Today, Maggie Bahou gave a presentation on evaluations and managing performance, it was refreshing that she was just rehashing the same old line. I agree with her that giving feedback to the staff in a productive way makes my job easier and able to get feedback back for myself. I am firm believer that you should always maintain a dialogue with anyone you work with, allowing them to come to you and work to find solutions to any problem. Annual reviews will allow me to help find problems not just in my staff, but with my leadership, in doing so I will be able to correct both. Ms. Bahou gave wonderful examples of how to change negatives to positives, especially by not using numerical systems to grade people, having been on the receiving end of these, I never found them beneficial in any way.
Monday, August 4, 2014
Staff Days
Years ago in my early days of the library, we had Recognition days, the staff and volunteers would meet for a nice meal and camaraderie at a local restaurant. Prizes would be given, people would congratulate each other and everyone left feeling appreciated. Over the years, this practice disappeared as we were led down the road to professionalism, having your job or volunteering was supposed to be enough to keep you happy and productive. Rewards and recognition was something for the manager, not to be shared with the staff.
In the last three years, I have slowly turned this back and tried very hard to make sure recognition is passed on to everyone that deserves it. I am often told that since becoming Director, the Library has been turned around and great things are happening. I am quick to point out that without my staff and board of directors, none of these wonderful things could have happened. After today's class it is time to bring back this tradition as Staff Day to show the staff and volunteers what their hard work means to me and the community.
Staff Development
The staff is kept up to date with monthly staff meetings, workshops and classes that are offered for free during or after work hours. Delegating different projects to department heads and letting them inform me and the rest of the staff of their progress or lack thereof, has been very good for morale. I know it is not enough, but I keep adding and trying new ideas, keeping the ones that work and moving on with the ones that don't.
Years ago in my early days of the library, we had Recognition days, the staff and volunteers would meet for a nice meal and camaraderie at a local restaurant. Prizes would be given, people would congratulate each other and everyone left feeling appreciated. Over the years, this practice disappeared as we were led down the road to professionalism, having your job or volunteering was supposed to be enough to keep you happy and productive. Rewards and recognition was something for the manager, not to be shared with the staff.
In the last three years, I have slowly turned this back and tried very hard to make sure recognition is passed on to everyone that deserves it. I am often told that since becoming Director, the Library has been turned around and great things are happening. I am quick to point out that without my staff and board of directors, none of these wonderful things could have happened. After today's class it is time to bring back this tradition as Staff Day to show the staff and volunteers what their hard work means to me and the community.
Staff Development
The staff is kept up to date with monthly staff meetings, workshops and classes that are offered for free during or after work hours. Delegating different projects to department heads and letting them inform me and the rest of the staff of their progress or lack thereof, has been very good for morale. I know it is not enough, but I keep adding and trying new ideas, keeping the ones that work and moving on with the ones that don't.
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