Tag Archives: training tips

Training

Training Tips: Disaster Planning

US-NationalWeatherService-LogoAt our last Board meeting, we were chatting about disasters in libraries, and the assorted issues that can arise. It’s a pretty shockingly long list of things! Of course, there are high-profile disasters in the news that may happen in your library; but there are all kinds of disasters that you should also be considering and preparing to happen.

Have you looked at your library’s disaster plan lately? Does your library even have a disaster plan? You can not assume your parent organization (school, college, city, corporation, or whoever) will include you, or that they will understand enough about what you are doing to include meaningful information. When disasters strike your library, you want to be ready with procedures that will quickly help you to cope.

Think realistically about the kinds of disasters that might strike your library. In Minnesota, we do not need to worry about hurricanes; but tornadoes, power outages, and fires are all pretty likely. I have seen library policies dealing with bears in the parking lot and rattlesnakes in the stacks; if these are likely to occur in your library – set up a plan! Are you ready in case your library’s website falls victim to a ransomware demand for Bitcoin? (see Radiolab podcast: Darkrode) It is starting to be an issue for hospitals – libraries could be vulnerable without protection and backup. (Wired: Hospitals as targets).

As with so many things, we can just follow the procedures other libraries have created. If you look at your disaster plan (or the blank space where a plan should be), and see that it could use some updating, you have a few basic options:

  • call other libraries in your area to see what they are doing (we are great resources for each other!),
  • check in with your system to see what suggestions they have (see: this entry!),
  • look online at other libraries and their plans,
  • browse through plans for other types of organizations,
  • talk to your parent organization about their suggestions for updates, and ideas on how you will fit into their plans.

Here are a few resources you might look to as you prepare your own disaster planning:

This is definitely something we can work on together as a system. If you want some organized training, or a writing session where we all work together, or just someone to be a sounding board as you start your disaster plan work – let us know!

Programs, Training

Training Tips: Creativity at Work

White Marshmallows

I love to have creativity at work.

I have no artistic skill, I can’t dance, can’t draw, can’t sing – but I like to have new/fun/interesting things to do for work! Happiness at work (and in general!) is very important to me; and for me, having some creativity in the way I work, in my work environment, and in the work that I do makes me happy.

Probably, I’m not alone in this. I’m guessing that most people like to have an element of creativity or fun in the things you do. And you would be correct in thinking that’s a great way to go!!

Creativity at work means we think of new things to try. We solve old problems in new ways. And we have a whole new set of issues we can explore, once we start bringing creativity to the workplace!

Hopefully you are not in one of those stale organizations, where growth has fizzled out, and the robotic response to everything suggested is “But we’ve always done it that way.” (Okay, just typing that made me grind my teeth in annoyance!! Boo!!) Even if you are in there, you can start sneakily adding in creativity to the way you are working. Use colored folders, you rebel, you! Switch up your tea. Suggest a therapy dog program (backed up by funding plans, and research on the positive ROI.)

If you are the one thinking up your annual Staff Training Day program (or whatever your organization calls it), I love this activity! Do you know the marshmallow/spaghetti tower challenge?? You get the chance to try some creative problem solving, and reading through the supporting materials gives you so many ideas about other ways to build teams and solve problems in new ways!

Watch the video below. Or maybe consider reading the instructions and trying this for yourself (get colleagues to help you!), and THEN watch and learn the “secrets” behind the project! (Spoiler Alert: no real secrets; just interesting facts and approaches.)

Here is the material from Tom Wujec’s website on the challenge.

There are millions of other ways to be creative, and to practice your own workplace creativity! We will talk about more strategies; so feel free to leave yours below, or send us an email to admin@cmle.org!

Tech, Training

Training Tips: The basics of tech troubleshooting

Gnome-computer

Working in a library means people will ask you questions about their technology problems. You may be fully trained and ready to answer anything people throw at you, but a lot of us are not fully ready to be a tech troubleshooter. So we are going to look at a few basics. When you are trying to fix things, you can start here with these steps.

  • Turn it off and back on. It’s surprising how often that works, no matter what the problem is – hardware or software.
  • Check to see if things are plugged in. If there is a plug in the device, check that. Then check the other end to be sure it’s actually plugged into an outlet.
  • Pause here. Is your device plugged into a power-strip? Be sure that’s plugged too, and that it’s turned on.
  • If a program or an app is open, turn everything off. If the cursor isn’t responding, see if your mouse needs a new battery.
  • Are you getting an error message? Write it down – letters and numbers – and then Google it.  You can find out a bunch of good information, and maybe just what you need to solve your problem right here.

After that, then try Googling the symptoms of the problem. You might not be able to fix everything with these steps, but they will help you to at least ensure you let your patrons know that you are doing everything you can to help them solve their problems!

Have you checked out the classes on Lynda.com? How about classes on coursera.org? Edx.org? There are a lot of free sources for learning more about technology! Try out some classes, or some training, so you are ready to solve your tech issues, and to help your patrons!