This comprehensive 145-page study presents data and commentary from 50 academic libraries about how they train librarians, non-librarian staff and student workers. The reports presents detailed data on the number of new hires, and how they are trained, including information on training budgets and the percentage of the overall budget devoted to training. It presents data on library management level of satisfaction with the library training regime, for library and other full-time staff, and separate data for student workers. The study includes highly detailed information on the source of training information and services, including use of training tools and services from major national library associations, state library associations, regional library associations, and other sources, including use of outside and internally developed webinars and other training resources.
The report also enables its readers to pinpoint exactly the areas in which training is given, with separate data points for training in cataloging, special collections, archives, information technology, information literacy/teaching, building and facilities management, collection development and other areas. The study also looks at succession plans, mentorship and professional development organizations, and other tools of employee and organizational development. Survey participants give their advice and opinions n best practices and means of improvement.
Just a few of this report’s many findings are that:
Community college libraries in the sample hired a mean of 2.43 non-librarians in the past year.
52% of the libraries sampled trained new hires in customer service methods.
93% of colleges with fewer than 2,000 students trained new library hires in circulation-related work responsibilities while only 36% of colleges with more than 10,000 students did the same.
Satisfaction levels with training programs for students were vastly different from satisfaction levels with training programs for new librarians and other full time hires.
38% of colleges sampled used training webinars from outside organizations.
Data in the study is broken out by college enrollment and tuition, by type or Carnegie class, for public and private colleges, and by size of library staff.