Training Times - May 2013
Announcements
Welcome to the May Training Times! It's hard to believe the end of the school year is approaching for many of our young customers throughout the system. Our libraries will soon be filled with children and teens signing up for Summer Reading. Please remember all MLS employees must view the Summer Reading Training Video located on MyMetrolibrary. You have until Monday, July 1st to view the video and mark your self complete on the MetroU LMS.
2nd Quarter Safety Training
There are some big changes coming to Safety Training! Although there is a change, the nice part is that you will no longer have turn in the signed Safety Training document to your supervisor or HUM. It will all now be tracked on the MetroU LMS. You will be receiving an e-mail from Human Resources within the next few days detailing how to complete this training. The training will consist of two readings and an online course on the MetroU LMS. Trainings will be due on Friday, June 14.
Zinio and Reference USA
In addition to all these online trainings, we have some great classroom trainings this month. This includes trainings over our new magazine service, Zinio and an update overview from our Reference USA representative, Luke Christensen. Please check the schedule below to sign up for these trainings.
Training Spotlight
Jennifer Jones is an Associate Librarian at CH. She has attended many Strategic Government Resources (SGR) workshops over the past few years. Last month she attended the workshop over Effective Communication Skills. Here is a brief summary over her experience.
Our Planning department offers an array of workshops and training courses to further our professional skills. I recently enjoyed a course titled "Effective Communication."
Did you know that the majority of communication is not in the words you say, but in how they are said, and the body language that accompanies them?
It is reported that 93% of communication is non-verbal. But the number one key to good communication is building rapport. In this workshop, I learned that rapport refers to a relationship of mutual trust and affinity. Clearly, developing rapport among your co-workers and customers is an essential tool for good communication and good business. The theme of trust is carried on from the previous workshop, 'Leading by Example.' It's no secret that trust is a necessary component of leadership, and communication is a big part of that.
Keys to making communication better include knowing how to listen, recognizing coming wrenches that stop productive communication, and a new great skill I learned called "fogging."
You might go into a communication workshop thinking that you are going to learn how to talk to people, or convey information. What we learned was quite the opposite. It turns out that the majority of good communication is comprised of good listening. We learned five listening skills; paraphrase, perception check, ask productive questions, fogging, and negative inquiry. Finally, we learned how to invite others to listen when we have something we need to convey.
The most valuable thing I learned was fogging and negative inquiry. These are two good skills that I can use every day on the job. The goal of fogging is to lessen the tension in a conflict, and build rapport. What it doesn't accomplish is dealing with 'truth.' In an environment where you deal with the public and also diverse personalities in the workplace, this skill will be great to help reduce conflict. Fogging is the ability to agree with the truth in a critical statement directed at you. When you are able to do that, the focus moves past an unecessary conflict, the 'fight or flight' response is avoided, and you can allow the other person to vent. Response to criticism begins with statements like, "You're right," or "That's probably true." While this reponse may not manufacture a solution to the problem, it can diffuse an intense situation. Ideally, the second step after fogging would be negative inquiry. Negative inquiry guides the other person to criticize you in specifics rather in generalities, and in turn focus on pinpointing the issue so a solution can be found. While attempting this tactic, avoid condescension and wandering off topic, and allow plenty of silence (on your part) and venting.
When it's your turn to talk, how do you invite others to be good listeners?
First you must address the "wrenches." This can be common sense things like timing, or distractions. You also must make sure you avoid things like strategic omissions and political posturing, if effectively communicating is your goal. While addressing your message, pursue feedback. Finally, exhibit confident humility. "Know what you know...and what you don't." Know your skills...and where you lack skills. Know your empowerment...and your limitations."
This workshop is a part of series of workshops offered by Strategic Government Resources. It is available at the Edmond Cross Timbers Complex and Midwest City Charles Johnson Neighborhood Services Building. This month's course offering is 'The Art of Planning Ahead.' Please check the course schedule below to enroll.
Class Schedule
Training |
Date |
Time |
Location |
|
| Intro to Young Adulthood Development |
Wed. May 8 |
8:00AM 12:00PM |
Downtown Library | Submit Enrollment Request |
| Prepare - Workplace Bullying | Thurs. May 9 | 1:30PM 4:30PM |
The Village Library | Submit Enrollment Request |
| Chick-Fil-A Leadercast | Fri. May 10 | 7:30AM 3:30PM |
Crossings Community Church | Submit Enrollment Request |
| The Art of Planning Ahead | Tues. May 14 |
1:00PM 5:00PM |
Edmond Cross Timbers Complex | Submit Enrollment Request |
| The Art of Planning Ahead | Wed. May 15 | 8:30AM 12:30PM | Midwest City Charles Johnson Neighborhood Svcs. Building | |
| Fundamentals of Circulation | Thurs. May 16 | 1:30PM 4:30PM |
Service Center |
|
| Zinio Training | Tues. May 21 | 9:00AM 10:00AM | Warr Acres Library | |
| Zinio Training | Tues. May 21 | 11:00AM 12:00PM | Edmond Library | |
| Zinio Training | Tues. May 21 |
1:30PM 2:30PM |
Northwest Library | |
| Zinio Training | Tues. May 21 |
3:30PM 4:30PM |
Service Center | |
| Zinio Training | Wed. May 22 | 9:00AM 10:00AM | Southern Oaks Library | |
| Zinio Training | Wed. May 22 | 11:00AM 12:00PM | Midwest City Library | |
| Zinio Training | Wed. May 22 | 1:30PM 2:30PM | Belle Isle Library | |
| Zinio Training | Wed. May 22 | 3:30PM 4:30PM | Downtown Library |
|
| Reference USA Update | Thurs. May 23 | 9:30AM 11:00AM | Midwest City Library |
|
| Reference USA Update | Thurs. May 23 | 1:00PM 2:30PM | Edmond Library | |
| Fundamentals of Materials & Reserves | Wed. May 29 | 1:30PM 4:30PM |
Service Center |
Class Descriptions
Intro to Young Adulthood Development - Dr. Jane Humphries
This course will assist participants in understanding adolescents as they make the transition to young adulthood. Content will include a base of research and theory, milestones of growth and development, and a review of the sequential stages of adolescent development. Further, participants will gain insight regarding the pressures facing youth today. This training includes active participation, small and large group discussion, media as well as instructor lecture. Come casual, ready to learn and have fun!
Chick-Fil-A Leadercast
Access the knowledge and experience of world-renowned leaders by attending this year's Chick-fil-A® Leadercast® at Crossings Community Church on Friday, May 10, 2013 (8 am - 3:30 pm). This one-day leader development event broadcasts LIVE from Atlanta, Ga. to hundreds of sites throughout the nation, and includes these speakers: Jack Welch, Former Chairman and CEO of General Electric Andy Stanley, Best-selling leadership author and communicator Mike Krzyzewski, Head men's basketball coach, Duke University and Team USA John Maxwell, Best-selling author and leadership expert Dr. Henry Cloud, Best-selling author and leadership consultant LCDR Rorke Denver, Navy SEAL and star of the 2012 movie Act of Valor Sanya Richards-Ross, 2012 London Olympic gold medalist, track & field David Allen, Best-selling author of Getting Things Done and productivity expert Condolezza Rice, Secretary of State (2005-2009) , via exclusive Simply Lead video interview Last year, over 100,000 leaders from 14 countries attended Chick-fil-A® Leadercast®. In its 14th year, this full day, experiential conference is predicted to reach its largest audience to date.
The Art of Planning Ahead - (SGR)
The Art of Planning Ahead encourages participants to think one step ahead. Building on this foundation of strategic thinking, participants discover skills that can improve both communication and time management in the workplace.
Fundamentals of Circulation - 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-check 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 system.
Zinio Training
Zinio is a multi-platform distribution service for digital magazines, with more than 5,500 magazines from a wide range of publishers. This is an hour long overview of the service.
Fundamentals of Materials & Reserves - Kevin Sendall
Customers and staff need to be able to efficiently and effectively locate library materials using our online library catalog. Currently, the library system uses two Internet-based Grafic-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 them 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 in library operations and for support staff wishing to better understand the basic functions of our system.
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