Feedback from FredCo

My outlook has changed significantly-—for the better—-about 2007 library philosophy and the technology available to our community today. I feel less creaky in my brain. My vocabulary has expanded. I have new skills that I have already begun to put into practice.
--Patty, FCPL

One of our staff members posted the above quote on her blog. Sentiments like that were the most rewarding to read...watching apprehensive colleagues move from theory to practice.

learning style
Many participants appreciated what one person called the self-paced but with guidance format. They liked the hands-on activities (23 Things reminded me how true it is that you learn by doing…It was a great way to learn stuff that the patrons expect us to know about).

A few said that while they were at first anxious about reading each week’s things, they quickly surprised themselves as they accomplished each task.

teamwork and connections
FCPL’s two liaisons did assist staff via email and phone, but what we heard far more often were stories of staff helping each other (I especially enjoyed exploring new technology with some of my co-workers).

This program gave staff a chance to connect between branches and across departments in a deeper way. Our system is in a time of great growth, just in the sheer numbers of new staff, so it seemed like they had been waiting for an opportunity like 23things, something that would give them a chance to connect.

We got to know more about each other by exploring our blogs and through coaching each other through the tasks.

criticisms
While the reaction to the format was largely positive with many saying that they’d participate in similar learning opportunities were they presented this way in the future, a few staff did comment openly about their desire for more standard, classroom-style instruction.

Due to the pace of the program, some staff did not see it through to the end.

Some had problem with the time of year. Many staff said that Summer is one the busiest times in their branches due to programming, vacations (both personal vacations and covering for staff who are out), Summer Reading Club, etc. Therefore, many found it difficult to find time to work on this.

Many of the staff who finished the program did so on their own time, often at home. Some took issue with that. Others did not. The division seemed to be between staff who saw this as "work" and staff who saw it as continuing education and "learning for learning's sake."

I, personally, believe that linking the 23things to CEU credit was problematic. Sure for some, it was the carrot that encouraged participation; however, in some people's minds, it was the very act of linking this program to CEU credit that effectively made it "work" (training). For some, like those who chose not to participate (it was voluntary) or did not complete the program, they had a hard time seeing how "play" could be "work."

Final thoughts
Our system completed the program in August. All finishers were eligible for a prize drawing. The grand prize was a coveted Nintendo Wii which we gave away November 2nd.

23things was a great program. Its immediate benefits could be felt in small but powerful ways. For example, staff who now recommend Zoho Writer or Google Docs to patrons seated at Internet PCs without the MSOffice suite.

Now, however, the real work begins. While many 2.0 tools are interesting and useful, in and of themselves, some staff thought that the true power for libraries might lie in finding creative ways to employ 2.0 tools that improves accessibility, transparency, functionality of existing and traditional library resources, both for staff and the public. Motivated by the program, there are a few teams who are investigating ways that we might do this.

--James Kelly, FCPL