Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Last summer, the Division for Libraries and Technology (DLT) commissioned a study of barriers to participation in professional development opportunities for public library staff. WiLS was selected to conduct the study as the result of an RFP process. WiLS gathered data using various methodologies, analyzed it, and developed a list of recommendations. You can download the final version of the Wisconsin Public Library Professional Development Participation Research Study Report.
DLT is committed to maximizing the effectiveness of professional development opportunities for library staff. The assessment of barriers delved into issues such as staffing, director certification, funding, and awareness of opportunities. Professional development ties into all five goal areas of the LSTA Five-Year Plan for Wisconsin: Technology, Resource Sharing, Leadership Capacity, Community Engagement, and Inclusive Services. In addition, equity of professional development is a critical component of numerous Public Library System Redesign (PLSR) Recommendations, most notably: Developing Standards, Best Practices, and Accountability Structures;, Enhancing Collaboration by Creating Incentives and Removing Barriers; and implementing a Learning Management System for Professional Development.
This external study will: a) help identify specific challenges related to library staff absences, b) increase understanding of existing practices in other states/regions, and c) offer options to DLT and our stakeholders for possible solutions. Moving forward, DLT will consult with system continuing education consultants later this month to discuss the findings of the report. In addition, DLT staff are analyzing the report and its recommended action steps in relation to existing professional development efforts.
Written by:
Tessa Michaelson Schmidt
Public Library Development