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G2S Project Code: 2023-PA-93727
State: Pennsylvania
Fiscal Year: 2023

Grantee
Pennsylvania Office of Commonwealth Libraries

Project Director
Director Name: Julie Moore
Director Phone: (717) 525-5834
Director Email: julmoore@pa.gov

General Information
Title: Professional Development
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2022
End Date: 09/30/2024
Abstract: Professional Development for the Field provides Pennsylvania library workers with continuing education and training that is structured on a framework of providing reliable and up-to-date resources, responding to trends, establishing statewide best practices, enacting a future-focused methodology, and building on interactive educational sessions. Professional Development is provided for library directors, board and trustees, volunteers, and all levels of staff members. Through evaluations and feedback from the field, the training reflected the emergent needs of PA libraries of all shapes and sizes.
State Goal: Libraries integral to the lifelong educational ecosystem

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$345,763.90

$0.00

$345,763.90

Intent(s)
Improve the library workforce.
Library Infrastructure & Capacity
Continuing Education and Staff Development

Activities
Activity Details
Title: WebJunction
Narrative: Pennsylvania's Office of Commonwealth Libraries (OCL) is a contributing member of WebJunction, a learning organization that provides training opportunities, free of charge, to all library workers in the country. OCL joined with over 30 state library agencies who believe that strong, nationally available continuing education resources are key to library success. Through this cooperative investment, countrywide, more than 24,800 library staff enrolled in nearly 75,000 WebJunction courses in the last 12 months, both via the open and free online catalog and in live, virtual webinars. In Pennsylvania, 440 library staff enrolled in over 1,000 courses in WebJunction's online course catalog. WebJunction is a place that library staff can turn to not only for continuing education, but also news, and information to help them navigate through uncertainty and challenges, and find inspiration for new ideas, services, and programs.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual

Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 73
Number of presentations/performances administered: 18
Average number in attendance per session: 33

Partner Information

Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
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: 505
Academic Libraries: 48
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 11
Special Libraries: 1
School Libraries: 2
Other: 24

Activity Details
Title: People Connect Institute Webinars
Narrative: OCL subscribes to People Connect Institute (PCI). PCI curates relevant and engaging speakers to deliver professional development on a variety of topics to library staff across the country. Holding an annual subscription to People Connect Institute offers Pennsylvania’s library workers (public, academic, special, and school) weekly webinars that are available to watch live or on-demand through the PA Library Staff Academy.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual

Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 60
Number of presentations/performances administered: 24
Average number in attendance per session: 22

Partner Information

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

Activity Details
Title: PA Library Staff Academy
Narrative: The Office of Commonwealth Libraries supports the statewide continuing education efforts of library staff, trustees, and volunteers through the purchasing and statewide availability of PA Library Staff Academy, a learning management system hosted on the Niche Academy platform. The PA Library Staff Academy houses on-demand webinars that are available to all library workers across the state to flexibly participate in professional development opportunities. Users can keep track of their enrolled and completed courses and generate completion certificates to verify that they have completed required continuing education hours. This year, 1,346 tutorials were available to be utilized by library workers, trustees, and other library affiliated individuals to meet stated learning goals. This total included 24 tutorials purchased and added from People Connect Institute (PCI), 8 tutorials purchased from HR WebAdvisor, and 7 from the American Library Association. Number of learners who enrolled in PA Staff Academy tutorials was 1,312.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual

Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 60
Number of presentations/performances administered: 488
Average number in attendance per session: 9

Partner Information

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

Activity Details
Title: New Director Orientation
Narrative: In March 2024, the Bureau of Library Development held two, two-day long sessions of New Director Orientation. This program is intended to support public library directors who are still within the first two years of their role. Public library directors often come to their positions having little to no experience with many of the responsibilities that are required of them -- staff management, facilities management, board and trustee relationship building, and budgeting/fiscal management. The first day of this workshop was an introduction to the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, the outcome of which was that new directors would better understand the functions of OCL and it's staff. The second day of this workshop was professional development, offering sessions on board governance and fiscal management in libraries.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Virtual

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 300
Number of sessions in program: 2
Average number in attendance per session: 35
Number of times program administered: 2

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 42
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 14
Agree: 10
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 7
Agree: 15
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 4
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 11
Agree: 13
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 11
Agree: 11
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 4
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0

Activity Details
Title: Artificial Intelligence in Libraries
Narrative: This two-part series focused on introducing library workers to concepts related to artificial intelligence. Library technology consultant Nick Tanzi presented two sessions to Pennsylvania library workers to help make sense of it all. The sessions - AI in Libraries: A Primer and Getting Your Library AI Ready -- offered an introduction to AI, presented the benefits and drawbacks, provided an understanding of how AI might be useful to libraries in the future, and best practices in how to prepare library staff and the organization for this evolution in technology.
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: 88
Number of times program administered: 2

Partner Information

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

Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 39
Agree: 43
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 3
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 29
Agree: 48
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 9
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 25
Agree: 49
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 11
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 1
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 25
Agree: 47
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 15
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0

Activity Details
Title: Understand the Importance of a Professional Development Plan
Narrative: This 90-minute workshop provided attendees with the foundational skills to build their professional development plan and identify their personal brand. Attendees learned how to identify their core values, strengths, and development areas and the importance of setting timelines on which to achieve their professional goals. Attendees received a digital workbook as a blueprint to draft, revise, and produce an effective professional development plan. Additionally, the presenter, S. Michele Echols, built an interactive self-paced course in the PA Library Staff Academy, which is able to be accessed asynchronously by all PA library workers and produce the same outcomes as if they had attended the presentation live.
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: 54
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

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

Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 6
Agree: 17
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 2
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 4
Agree: 17
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 4
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 6
Agree: 15
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 3
Disagree: 1
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: Applying what I learned will help improve library services to the public.
Strongly Agree: 6
Agree: 14
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 5
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0

Activity Details
Title: Homeless Training Academy
Narrative: The Office of Commonwealth Libraries purchased a statewide subscription to Homeless Library Academy by Ryan Dowd. This resource provides all Pennsylvania libraries with empathy focused de-escalation and conflict resolution training. The Homeless Library Academy programs can be easily accessed through the statewide learning management system, PA Library Staff Academy. The statewide subscription also provides access to free, live webinars with Ryan Dowd and his team/partners. These are offered on a semi-regular basis only to subscribed members.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual

Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 60
Number of presentations/performances administered: 54
Average number in attendance per session: 13

Partner Information

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

Activity Details
Title: Leadership and Training of Library Workforce
Narrative: Opportunities through the Leadership and Training of Library Workforce was structured on a framework of resources, trends, best practices, future-focused methodology, and interactive educational sessions for library staff on all levels. Through evaluations and feedback, training opportunities reflected the emergent needs of Pennsylvania libraries of all sizes. For statewide library leaders, they were afforded the opportunity to develop the higher-level skills, shared experience and teamwork that positively builds equitable services and excellence in practice in the library field.
Intent: Improve the library workforce.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Other
Format: Combined in-person & virtual
Other: Conferences and trainings

Quantity

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

Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Library workers reported an increase in confidence in every professional development workshop that was offered. In particular, the artificial intelligence workshops were well attended and all survey respondents indicated that they agree or strongly agree that they intend to use what they learned in service to their communities. The move to virtual a/synchronous professional development has made obtaining required continuing education hours more accessible. In addition, the learning management system offers such a large variety of tutorials that we are now equipped to meet the needs of different sizes and types of libraries across the Commonwealth.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The results form the AI workshops were in direct response to library professionals stating a need for more information and education on the topic. Going forward, it is important that we remain receptive and responsive to needs that are communicated directly from the field. This is how we will ensure that PA library workers have the support needed to be successful in their roles and provide the level of service that we want available at every Pennsylvania library.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
It is challenging to balance the need for face-to-face connection and the flexibility that virtual instruction provides. While library staff indicate a desire to return to in-person workshops, as a way to connect with their peers, in reality, the complexities of library building management make that a challenge that is difficult to overcome. We need to find a better and more effective way to foster connection in a digital landscape in order to both meet the need for relationship building while also maintaining the integrity of our physical spaces through open doors and available staff. This is a challenge that any person responsible for coordinating professional development is facing right now.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
No
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:

Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative

Project Tags: Professional Development, Continuing Education