Working Ideas for Staff Development in the Academic Library

Staff development helps to introduce new technologies to staff and gives them the tools and training to use them successfully in their specific work areas. Staff development also helps to keep employees connected to what is going on in their work environment as well as the library as a whole, and gives them a sense of power and usefulness, thus increasing the likelihood that they maintain enthusiasm for their work. This article presents a working example of how committees can be formed within library organizations to implement successful staff development. Characteristics of such programs include needs assessment, planning, and the carrying out of training and other activities.