Strategic Plan - Staff Development

STAFF DEVELOPMENT: Ensure excellent customer service as our community needs evolve through proactive staff development and training.

 

Identify and provide opportunities for deliberate staff growth

  • Review and assess opportunities for job shadowing, cross training and cross departmental teams in order to expand staff knowledge and leadership opportunities
  • Evaluate and reinvigorate onboarding, training, skill development and mentorship opportunities to meet the needs of 21st century libraries
  • Offer training in library advocacy so all staff can speak to the importance of the library in the community
  • Encourage staff participation in professional conferences and organizations

 

Hire and develop staff who are inclusive and welcoming to all

  • Actively pursue diverse candidates when filling open positions
  • Offer staff training opportunities in the following areas:
    • Trauma informed care
    • Antiracism
    • Implicit bias
    • Customer service and language barriers
    • Customer service for those with physical or intellectual disabilities
    • Anti-oppression
    • Mental Health First Aid

 

Develop staff tools for assessment and planning

  • Train in and employ future casting techniques to ensure the Library is aware of broader nationwide trends
    • Research library and retail trends to determine how they affect the Ames community
    • Awareness and knowledge about broader worldwide trends and how they affect libraries
  • Develop a library-wide system for evaluating programming based on intended outcomes