The best kind of learning is that which never ends—and a culture of training means that staff will be more flexible and responsive to new ideas and strategies, imperative in today's libraries. In this practical resource, leading workplace trainers Reed and Signorelli offer guidance on improving the effectiveness of training programs. Their book takes readers through the entire process of developing, implementing, and sustaining training programs and communities of learning, in order to

• Empower individuals to become leaders and teachers by cultivating a culture of ongoing learning


• Connect library staff and users to information resources so they can effectively use them to their benefit


• Develop skills among both managers and workers for practicing continuous formal and informal training

Lori Reed is the Employee Learning & Development Coordinator for the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, where she plans and oversees the learning and development of over 550 employees at 23 libraries. With over 15 years of experience in the workplace learning and development field, Lori is a North Carolina Master Trainer, certified Synchronous Learning Expert, and was named a 2009 Library Journal "Mover & Shaker."

Paul Signorelli has nearly 30 years of experience working for libraries and other learning organizations. As Director of Staff Training (six years) and Volunteer Services (14 years) for the San Francisco Public Library, he created, implemented, and managed numerous training plans. As a consultant working with the California Library Association, he is serving as Library Advocacy Training Project Manager. And, as a writer-trainer-presenter-consultant, he explores, writes about, and helps others become familiar with successfully moving from onsite to online- and blended-learning environments as well as building and sustaining online communities and collaborations to nurture positive change. He earned his MLIS from the University of North Texas; is active at a variety of levels in the American Library Association, Arizona State University’s ShapingEDU community, and Association for Talent Development (formerly ASTD).

Acknowledgments

1 In the Beginning: Getting to the Table
2 Collaboration: Creating a Community of Learning
3 Trainers as Internal Consultants and Facilitators of Change
4 Preparing to Deliver: From Initial Idea to Moment of Delivery
5 In the Middle: Trainers as Leaders in the Classroom
6 When Learning Happens: Supporting Learners after Class
7 Learning from Success and Failure: The Importance of Effective Evaluations
8 Master Trainers, Master Learners: Training the Trainers
9 The End Is the Beginning: Leadership and Learning in an Onsite-Online World

Appendix: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Employee Learning and Development Curriculum