Training Times - March 2013

Fundamentals of Circulation

Taught by Kevin Sendall

Circulation is an integral function in our library system.  Each year the MLS circulates approximately 6 million materials system-wide using our own unique software known as V-Circ.  This program is also associated with other circulation-related functions such as handling monetary transactions and the copy/self-machines.  V-Circ is also essential in the issuance of library cards. 

In this course, employees will be introduced to the Policies and Procedures related to the circulation of library materials and financial resources.  Employees will have the opportunity to explore the V-Circ program including the functions of issuing library cards and recording monetary transactions.  

This course is designed for all new employees working in library operations and for support staff wishing to better understand the basic functions of our systems.  

Leading By Example

Taught by SGR

As employees move into leadership roles, the example they set becomes increasingly important.  Leading By Example challenges partiipants to acknowledge both the existence of influence and the power that it wields. This class explores the concepts of leadership and helps the participant recognize leadership opportunities in the workplace. 

Fundamentals of Materials & Reserves

Taught by Kevin Sendall

Customers and staff need to be able and effectively locate library materials using our online library catalog. Currently, the library system uses two Internet-based Graphic-User-Interface (GUI) programs - CyberMARS and Staff Catalog. CyberMARS is the interface the public uses both inside and from our website to search our library catalog for materials. Staff Cat is reserved for library staff and can only be searched from within the library using a staff computer. What is different is the amount of information available for each item (staff can see more). 

Using these programs, staff and customers are able to reserve materials and have thm sent to a preferred library location for pick-up.  The reserve function is like placing your name on a waiting list for items currently checked out/on order or saving an item in your name until you can come to the library and check it out.  

This course is designed for all new employees working library operations and for support staff wishing to better understand the basic functions of the system. 

Book N' Library Rooms - Room Manager

Taught by Candace McDaniel

Room Manager is an MLS software program used to schedule events, reserve rooms, and track programming within the Metropolitan Library System. Why was Room Manager created?  Room Manager was designed to make collecting data about room use and programming statistics easier and more consistent. Two major imporvements are the ability to count attendance per meeting, program, or event and the ability to book single rooms or combined rooms in one simple step.  

Prepare: Foundation Course

Taught by Linda Hyams and Stacy Schrank

This is a foundation course developed by the Crisis Prevention Institute.  Prepare training is designed to promote respect, service, and safety at work and can be used with customers, coworkers, and others you come into contact with in your life. Consisting of modules, the highly interactive training focuses on helping the participants learn how to:

• Recognize the early warning signs of anger and hostility
• Use personal space, body language, and paraverbal communication to relieve tension and defuse hostility
• Foster respectful relationships and promote positive outcomes by using emphatic listening skills, and apply the skills and strategies learned to realistic confrontational situations you may encounter in the work place