Why learning is part of work culture and staff engagement
At the risk of stating the obvious, training and continuing education are critical to ensuring staff are prepared for the work they are expected to do, and essential for staff to stay engaged in the organization and their role in it.
As the rate of change continues to accelerate, it is sometimes difficult to decide what to prioritize for training and development—much less find the time to schedule and conduct it. But learning isn’t just another task to complete, it’s a fundamental part of building an engaged, resilient workforce. Find the time, and start somewhere, even if it’s small.
Can you carve out an hour for yourself or your team? That’s enough time to participate in a WebJunction webinar, which can lead to further discussions with companion Learner Guides. Or take a standalone self-paced course, which can be completed incrementally—even fifteen minutes at a time can be dedicated to completing a course that will bring new skills and perspective.
Growth isn’t optional—your work, library staff and the communities you serve are depending on it. The added benefits are that with regular training, staff will not only be better prepared, but they will also feel more valued and invested in, which can lead to higher job satisfaction and better retention. It also cultivates a growth mindset, helps create a community and culture of learning, and builds a more cooperative and supportive workforce.
At WebJunction, we strive to identify and share emerging and priority topics to keep public library staff aware, engaged, and prepared.
Over the course of the coming months, please continue to watch for updates on:
- New and updated courses on topics like customer service, library staff well-being, and foundational librarianship skills.
- Webinars that give you a chance to learn and connect with your peers. Upcoming topics cover information literacy and trust, building community in a changing climate, and embracing change.
- Projects and resources to support your library’s work in areas including digital literacy, climate action, and responding to the ongoing opioid crisis.
- Fresh content each week on topics that matter to you, including new learning pathfinders for specific library roles, topical resource collections, and articles and interviews.
Building a culture of learning and development can empower library staff to stay adaptable, confident, and prepared for the evolving needs of their communities. By investing in staff development, libraries create an environment where employees feel valued and supported.
Stay in touch with us—subscribe to Crossroads, WebJunction’s twice-monthly newsletter, to keep up with the latest priority topics, new webinars, and highlighted courses.
