New Staff Professional Development Resources from Gale

In hopes of assisting libraries in providing tools for staff professional development, Gale has compiled a list of eBook titles using the ​nomenclature compiled by WebJunction​ for the 2014 Competency Index, and bundled them by competency. 

The eBooks are from 4 leading publishing partners, focused specifically on library professional development topics and can provide an affordable self-directed option for staff looking to build or advance their skills. By creating a sub-collection within GVRL, staff will enjoy simultaneous access, article-level indexing,  PDF options, highlighting and notes and flexibility. 

The 2014 Competency Index was compiled by WebJunction and delivered to the community by OCLC. Input from a number of library practitioners, leaders and organizations was gathered and reviewed by subject matter experts. This index is endorsed by ALA.

 

You may read the full Index here, but in summary there are 5 overarching competency areas, as well as sub-topics/skills areas supporting each.

 

1. Essential  Library  Competencies: These  competencies  are  the  underpinning  of  all  of  the  other  sections  of  the  Competency  Index.  Core  technology  skills  and  strong  interpersonal  skills  are  fundamental  for  everyone  who  works  in  a  library  in  any  position.  Librarians and  library  staff  who  possess  all  of  these  qualities  will  build  a  vibrant  and  relevant  library. Personal/Interpersonal Competencies are key In  most  situations  in  life,  where your  effectiveness  is  enhanced  by  clear  communication,  strong  relationships,  ethical  behavior  and the  flexibility  to  be  a  leader,  team  player  and  lifelong  learner.
2. Library  Collection  Competencies: Library  collections  exist  to  meet  the  diverse  lifelong  learning  needs  of  their  users  and  communities.  Laws  and  policies  guide  practice.  Efficient  workflows  and  practices  help  provide  organized  and  expedient  access.
3. Library  Management  Competencies: Today’s  organizational  cultures  are  less  traditionally  hierarchical  in  structure  and  focus  more  on  collaboration  and  empowerment.  Library  directors  and  leaders  manage  traditional  responsibilities  like  finances  and  facilities,  but must  also  be  excellent  communicators  who  inspire  others  and  act  with  the  larger  community  in  mind.
4. Public  Services  Competencies: All  of  the  services  that  interface  directly  with  the  library’s  users  come  together  under  the  heading  of  public  services.  These  frontline  staff  anticipate and  meet  the  needs  of  users  in  the  most  visible  way.  Fully  supported  by  all  of  the  other sectors  and  departments,  they  work  to  provide  the  best  possible  programs  and  services  to  the  library  community.
5. Technology  Competencies:  Systems  and IT: Technology  is  now  ubiquitous  in  libraries  and  IT intersects  with  all departments. Depending  on  the  size  and  type  of  library,  there  may  be  strict  divisions  between  the  responsibilities  of  IT  staff  and  other  library  staff,  or  the  line   may  be  more  indistinct  as  it  is  for  “accidental”  systems  librarians  in  small  libraries.  Certain IT functions may be handled by consultants, too. 

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About the Titles

This package includes more than 100 2012-14 titles across 4 leading publishers—all current. 60 of the titles are copyright year 2014.

• Chandos Publishing: An imprint of Elsevier, Chandos Publishing is a leading publisher in library and information science and social science, producing books combining theory and practice into high-value resources. Chandos represents more than ½ the total package and has titles covering everything from leadership to social media marketing.
• Information Today: Information Today, Inc. is the publisher of several Internet and Technology magazines, newsletters and books all geared toward the library, information & knowledge management community. Available in this package are a dozen eBooks including titles like Career Q&A: A Librarian’s Real-Life, Practical Guide to Managing a Successful Career, The Accidental Systems Librarian, The Cybrarian’s Web, and more.
• Libraries Unlimited: An imprint of ABC-Clio, Libraries Unlimited serves academic, public, school, and special libraries by producing library science textbooks, reference works, practical handbooks, and professional guides designed to help library professionals keep current with leading-edge trends and acquire new skills through every phase of their careers.
• Wiley: Wiley is a leading publisher of global research, professional development and education materials. Hand-selected specifically for this collection are titles which can help libraries advance in the areas of marketing and leadership including eBooks such as Great Leadership Creates Great Workplaces, The New Rules of Marketing & PR, and Pinterest Marketing: An Hour a Day. 

For titles and pricing information, click here.

There are some changes afoot

On January 9th Linda Crowe, Califa's Executive Director announced her retirement and today Susan Hildreth was announced as her successor. Ms. Hildreth will start on March 1.

Dear Colleagues,

It is with both regret and a sense of anticipation that I officially announce my retirement today. I came to PLS in 1983 and have seen PLS grow and move forward in a true model of sharing and collaboration. The work in building the mega systems and PLP has been challenging and rewarding. While I have been Executive Director of Califa, we have had many entrepreneurial enterprises and opportunities that have benefited all libraries in California, both from a visionary as well as a cost-savings perspective. I will continue to work part-time for Califa with CENIC on the broadband infrastructure project.

I expect that an announcement will be made next week regarding my successor and the timing of the transition, but I wanted to give you this information personally.

Linda Crowe

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The Peninsula Library System, a consortium of public and community college libraries in San Mateo CA, is pleased to announce that Susan Hildreth will be joining the System as its Executive Director.  She will also assume the responsibilities for its affiliated partners, the Pacific Library Partnership, a California Library Service Act system and Califa, a 501(c)(3) not for profit membership organization that provides services and programs to libraries throughout California.  Hildreth served as the State Librarian of California from 2004 – 2009 and has served in leadership positions in California public libraries since 1980.  Hildreth will complete her term as the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, DC, on January 18, 2015 and will assume her new position on March 1.