Deep in the heart of Texas, there is a 37-foot-tall kinetic sculpture resembling a gigantic cuckoo clock overtaken by black birds. I know this because I saw it last month, at the Austin Public Library. When I asked about it, I was told the clock is inspired by Austin’s grackle population (my Merlin Bird ID app confirmed there is a lot of this type of bird in Texas!) and by the recurring role that black birds play in books like Edgar Allen Poe’s famous poem, The Raven.
The clock at Austin Public Library
I got to see this clock, plus a life-size sculpture of a bull and a mouse diorama, during a tour of libraries in Texas last month. The staff I spoke with had a diverse set of roles. I met collection developers, reader services managers, library marketers, acquisition librarians, and more. It was a whirlwind trip with one purpose: To learn more about what libraries need to make their jobs easier.
There was one clear takeaway for me: Libraries want help training staff. In fact, I'd go as far as to say the library staff craves professional development training that truly helps them to do their jobs. I totally understand. As a library marketing professional, I am always looking for cost-effective training options to build my confidence and make my work more effective.
That’s why I’m excited to announce a powerful new addition to NoveList’s professional development platform for libraries: Learn with NoveList Plus. Now libraries can have greater control and flexibility over their staff training programs, making it easier than ever to manage and monitor professional development. Here’s why it’s so amazing.
A personalized learning area: The Classroom
With a subscription to Learn with NoveList Plus, a library gets its own dedicated, digital classroom. The classroom allows anyone who oversees training at a library to:
- Manage Learners: Easily add or subtract staff learners as needed, ensuring that everyone who needs training has access.
- Course Enrollment: Enroll staff in the courses that will benefit them the most, helping them develop the skills they need to excel.
- Progress Monitoring: Keep track of your staff's progress through the courses, so you can provide support and encouragement where it's needed most.
Why is this a big deal?
As I toured Texas, I heard the same three requests from libraries.
- “It seems like we’re in a constant state of re-hiring and needing to train our new staff.” That’s okay! New hires can be added to Learn with NoveList Plus at any time.
- “It’s impossible to get our staff together at the same time to attend professional development training.” We hear you! Flexible, self-paced learning that staff can do on their own schedule is part of what makes Learn with NoveList Plus a great option.
- “Staff need cross-training and upskilling opportunities to build their confidence and capacity.” There is always something new to learn in a Learn with NoveList Plus subscription! From genre training to promoting your library, to creating successful partnerships, our courses cover the most valuable skills library staff need to have. You can see previews of all our current courses here.
What libraries are saying
Our learners have seen the impact of a subscription to Learn with NoveList firsthand:
“Humans communicate through stories. While it is incredibly important to collect statistics, data doesn’t convey the depth of our libraries. The Library Storytelling course was a good reminder, with straightforward steps, tips, and examples of how to communicate my library’s story.” Emily B., School Librarian, Massachusetts
“If you need to work on your reader's advisory skills and learn some strategies to help patrons with a variety of genres, [Learn with] NoveList could really help. I feel more confident with some of the genres that I struggle with like fantasy and sci-fi. This course made me want to take more [Learn with] NoveList classes!” Allison J., Teacher Librarian, Colorado
"Learn with Novelist training changed the way in which the library staff perform their everyday job. Not only did we learn how to engage patrons in conversation about books, but we also learned ways to enhance our service by recommending books that patrons may not know about. By the end of the training, we were enthused about reader advisories!" Paula S., Circulation Supervisor, Indiana
How to get a free demo and trial
I think the most valuable way to see if a Learn with NoveList Plus subscription is best for your library is to get a free demo and trial. Ready to take your library’s professional development to the next level? Learn with NoveList Plus is here to help.
Angela Hursh is Manager of Library Engagement, Marketing, and Professional Development for NoveList. She is currently reading What’s Next: A Backstage Pass to the West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy of Service by Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack.
