On the road again. Well, that is an understatement. I've been on the road basically nonstop since 3/21 between PLA and Spring Break, but today is a little different. Today is a return to in-person, full day, staff training. I did have 1 program in person, in IL this summer, but this is the first trip I have taken in 2 years. And it is one of 2 this month.
While I have been able to adapt my programs to virtual and still make them interactive, no one wants to be trained all day by someone on a screen.
Today, I will be at the Tamarack District Library in Lakeview, MI working with the entire staff for the whole day. I will walk them through my signature series of RA Service training with breaks for exercises.
Although I no longer post the slides for every training I do, I thought today it was useful to post the slides and the schedule to serve as an example for other libraries who are starting to get back to in-person staff training.
Please note, I work with every library to create a schedule that works for their needs and their time constraints, as a result, the below list is but one example of what I can offer. You can also go to my Recent and Upcoming Presentations page to see more examples of what I am doing for other libraries and systems.
And now, here is what is happening all day today in Lakeview Michigan as I get back to business.
8:30am-10:30am: RA for All: Flip the Script and Think Like a Reader: Readers Advisory belongs in every library, no matter its budget. The implementation of this vital service is the responsibility of every staff member-- from pages to directors, from those behind the scenes to the ones on the front lines. This program will remove the mystery behind providing great RA service. Using her “Ten Rules of Basic RA Service” as a guide, Becky Spratford will use your own love of your favorite books to show you how to help any patron find their next great read. It's not as hard as you think. But more importantly, you will learn why a staff that can harness the power of sharing a great read will become a stronger team and improve service to all patrons, especially the hardest to reach ones.
10:30-10:45am: Break
10:45-Noon: Booktalking Your Way to the Friendliest Library in Town: Booktalking is at the heart of what we do with patrons each and every day at the public library. Whether we are sharing books informally at the services desk, presenting a prepared list of books, or posting information online, talking about books is something we do each and every day. It is a core service, but it is also hard to teach. Booktalking is more of an art than a skill, but with the right guidance and some practice, it can go a long way toward engaging your patrons and re-energizing your staff. Join experienced Readers’ Advisory Becky Spratford as she shares the secret behind delivering great book talks, giving you tips and tricks you can begin using right away to hone your own skills. Rediscover the power and joy that comes from sharing books with patrons.
Noon-1pm: Lunch
1-1:15: Conversation Starter Exercise: I have a series of note cards with conversation starter questions that we will be tackling in small groups.
1:15-1:30: Break
1:30-2:50pm: Demystifying Genre: Nothing is scarier than trying to help a fan of a genre you yourself don’t enjoy. You want to help that, for example, Romance reader find the perfect book, but you are having trouble knowing where to begin because...eek!... you don’t read Romance. You are afraid they will find out you are a fraud. How can YOU possibly help THEM?!? Never fear, in this program, Readers’ Advisory expert, Becky Spratford, will teach you the basic appeals of the major genres, give you the inside track on what a fan of that genre is most drawn to, and provide you with talking points to get your genres readers to tell you what they want. This program focuses on providing you with a diverse and inclusive list of up-to-date authors with at least 40% of the example titles representing “own voices”. You will leave this session with the confidence and skill to help fans of every genre, regardless of whether or not you have ever read a book in that genre yourself. And that will leave a trail of happy patrons in your wake.
2:50-3pm: Break
3- 4pm: Speed Reading Exercise and Ask Becky Anything
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