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G2S Project Code: 2014-VT-73819
State: Vermont
Fiscal Year: 2014

Grantee
Vermont Department of Libraries

Project Director
Director Name: Mara Siegel
Director Phone: 802-828-2727
Director Email: mara.siegel@vermont.gov

General Information
Title: Continuing Education for Vermont Library Workforce
State Project Code: VT-2014.08
Start Date: 10/01/2013
End Date: 09/30/2015
Abstract:

To ensure that citizens will have access to a well-trained library workforce, the Department of Libraries offered a program of continuing education and professional development for employees of Vermont libraries, with emphasis on public libraries. The Department also managed the "Certificate for Public Librarianship" program for public library employees in which individuals can earn certification credits by successfully completing continuing education classes, including four required 5-day core classes.

State Goal: Vermonters will have access to a wide range of high quality library services to meet their lifelong learning, informational, recreational, and occupational needs and interests

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$115,938.80

$5,768.80

$0.00

$121,707.60

Intent(s)
Improve the library workforce.
Continuing Education and Staff Development

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Strategic Planning
Narrative: One-day workshop for public librarians on how to develop a strategic plan

Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 300
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 23
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No

Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

Public Libraries: 17
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Network Troubleshooting 101
Narrative: Half-day workshop for public library staff to review the basic components of computer networks and basic procedures for identifying the sources of networking problems.

Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 180
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 5
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 5
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Legal Issues for Librarians
Narrative: Half-day workshop for public librarians on legal issues, including confidentiality, safety, ADA, and copyright.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 180
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 6
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 6
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: First Aid for PCs
Narrative: One-day workshop for public library staff providing simple steps to take to get library computers back up and running before making a service call.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 300
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 4
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 4
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Technology Planning
Narrative: One-day workshop for public library staff to introduce the elements of a comprehensive technology planning process, including the assessment which serves as the basis for creating a plan and for budgeting purposes, and aligning tech plans with strategic plans.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 300
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 14
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 14
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Young Adult Services
Narrative: One day workshop for public library staff: Morning session with Megan Emery, Young Adult Librarian at the Chattanooga (TN) Public Library, with an overview of how and why to work with teens. Afternoon session: reports and ideas for working with tweens and teens from Vermont librarians.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 300
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 38
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 38
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Edge Benchmarks and Impact Survey in Vermont
Narrative: Half-day workshop with Samantha Becker, Principal Research Scientist for the U.S. IMPACT Study, a University of Washington Information School) presented information and answered questions about talk about the (national) Impact Survey; and two Pennsylvania librarians spoke (via video-conference) about their experiences using the (national) Edge Benchmarks program in their small public libraries.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 210
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 40
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 40
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Collection Development
Narrative: Five-day Core Certification Course for public library staff, which covered philosophical issues and practical aspects of collection development, including policy making, intellectual freedom, and selecting, ordering, weeding, and maintaining a collection. Attention was given to all formats, including ebooks, audio books, and online materials. Each attendee presented a collection project tailored to his/her library. Each day involved sharing experiences and best practices with fellow attendees.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 360
Number of sessions in program: 5
Average number in attendance per session: 19
Number of times program administered: 2

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 38
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: LibraryWorld Day
Narrative: Full-day user-group sharing session for libraries who use LibraryWorld for their Integrated Library System (ILS). The discussion was led by experienced LibraryWorld library staff.

Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 300
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 22
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 22
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Chronicling America
Narrative: In this two-hour hands-on workshop for public library staff, participants explored features of Chronicling America, the online, searchable database of historic American newspapers from 1836-1922, located on the Library of Congress' website. Workshop attendees practiced search strategies on Vermont topics, explored online resource guides, and learned ways to re-purpose and reuse content.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 120
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 8
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 8
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Guerilla Storytime
Narrative: Two-hour idea-swap workshop for public library youth services staff. Participants shared ideas and success stories on preparing for and executing storytime programs for young children, including books, songs, puppetry, and finger plays.

Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 120
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 9
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 9
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: One Person Library
Narrative: One-day workshop for public library employees who work in small, rural "one-person" libraries. Workshop leader provided tips and important survival skills to help employees be more efficient and effective in their jobs.

Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 300
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 14
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 14
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Adult Programs: Key to Community Engagement
Narrative: This workshop, a series of 5 one-hour webinars for public library staff, each on a different topic, was designed to enable the public library to engage the community through programming for adults. Session topics:
#1: Intro & Scope, including summer reading programs, general resources, and staffing.
#2: Targeting 22‐45 year old citizens and marketing programs to that audience.
#3: Marketing to new audiences, and improving attendance.
#4: Library collection issues and circulating non-book materials.
#5: Defining success for adult programs.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 5
Average number in attendance per session: 39
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 39
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Basic Public Library Administration
Narrative: This five-day Core Course required for Certification was designed for individuals leading a Vermont public library with very little, if any, formal library training. It offered an overview of political, philosophical, and practical questions of public librarianship:
• What are the roles of trustees, librarians, Friends, and town officials?
• How can the librarian know if he/she is doing the right things .. or doing things right?
• How can the librarian use limited resources wisely?
• How can the librarian work effectively with staff, volunteers, the community, and customers?
• How can the librarian get the word out about library services?
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Combined in-person & virtual

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 300
Number of sessions in program: 5
Average number in attendance per session: 28
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 28
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Edge Assessment
Narrative: In a short one-and-a-half hour session for public library staff (both in-person and via video-conference), participants learned about the Edge Benchmark assessment experience. Topics covered:
Online assessment questions and scoring results
Action plan, using strategies suggested for each benchmark
Brief evaluation of the Edge Assessment process
Implementation of the Edge assessment in Vermont

Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Combined in-person & virtual

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 90
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 20
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 20
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Chronicling America Webinar with the Vermont Digital Newspaper Project (VDTNP)
Narrative: A one-hour virtual session with personnel from the Vermont Digital Newspaper Project on Chronicling America, the online, searchable database of historic American newspapers from 1836-1922 on the Library of Congress website.

Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 5
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 5
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Make It: Process Projects From Craft Time to Maker Spaces
Narrative: This 90-minute webinar offered a web discussion led by the Youth Services Consultant for public library employees. Topics of discussion: the process of hands‐on learning, why hands-on crafts and maker space programs are important, and a showcase of ideas for less stressful, more exploration‐based programs.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 90
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 11
Number of times program administered: 2

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 21
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Library Science Collection
Narrative: The Vermont State Library, located in Montpelier, maintains a collection of library science books and journals. Materials in the Library Science Collection (LIS) are available for direct borrowing (or via interlibrary loan) for all employees in academic, school, public and special libraries and by public library trustees. THE LIS has an emphasis on public libraries, library technology and library trends.

Number books in the LIS collection: 4,051

Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical

Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 58
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 183
Academic Libraries: 27
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 5
School Libraries: 304
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Software for Online CE Calendar
Narrative: Subscription to software which displays an online continuing education calendar and handles workshop registrations.

Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Procurement
Mode:
Format:

Quantity
Number of equipment acquired: 0
Number of acquired equipment used: 0
Number of hardware items acquired: 0
Number of acquired hardware items used: 0
Number of software items acquired: 1
Number of acquired software items used: 0
Number of materials/supplies acquired: 0
Number of acquired materials/supplies used: 0

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 183
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
We used an online Survey Monkey collection tool to collect individual evaluations of continuing education workshops and it proved to be a fairly effective tool, though not all participants completed evaluation surveys. We received 235 surveys for workshops presented July 1, 2014-June 30, 2015 though not everyone answered all the questions. Overall, the responses were positive. They also included helpful comments for improving our professional development offerings. Here are the results from two questions asked on each survey: (1) Q: Did the workshop/class fulfill your expectations? 172 reported a clear "yes." (2) Q: Do you plan to use ideas from this workshop/class to make changes in your library? 174 answered with a clear "Yes" and gave examples.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
Vermont has 183 public libraries; 83% of these libraries serve populations under 5,000. The majority of Vermont libraries are staffed by individuals without professional library degrees and who had little or no library experience or training at the time they started their library jobs. Only 31.73 FTEs with an MLS (Masters Degree in Library Science) work in the 152 libraries that serve populations under 5,000. Overall, Vermont public libraries have only 75.18 FTE MLS librarians (from: Vermont Public Library Annual Report, FY2014). Challenges for Vermont include: (1) no graduate library school in the state; (2) low wages and a high number of part-time positions result in significant turnover in Vermont's library workforce. Certification of School Library/Media Specialists is the statutory responsibility of the Vermont Agency of Education and our Department does not typically offer continuing education opportunities for school or academic library personnel.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Survey
Review of Administrative Data
Based on outputs, outcomes and/or other results, explain any significant lessons learned from these findings for either the SLAA or others in the LIS field:
This year we experimented with using both virtual and "blended" (virtual/live) presentations and we received valuable feedback from attendees on how to make these instructional techniques work better.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
No
Do you anticipate any change in the project's scope:
No
Do you anticipate any other changes in the project:
No

Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative

Project Tags: Continuing Education, Professional Development, Certification