[OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Fwd: [OpenILS-feedback] Consideration of Computer Based Training for Evergreen suite

[McCanna, Terran]

I agree about the policy and workflow differences from system to system. One of the beauties of Evergreen is that it's so flexible to meet different needs of different types of institutions and consortiums. 

In PINES, our training integrates policy training along with software usage and best practices training. When there are changes due to upgrades or to policy changes, we usually create short videos to send to our staff that cover just those changes. We are in the very beginning stages of working on some online, self-paced courses for our libraries, but our plan is to include our policy training in those as well. 


Terran McCanna 
PINES Program Manager 
Georgia Public Library Service 
1800 Century Place, Suite 150 
Atlanta, GA 30345 
404-235-7138 
tmccanna at georgialibraries.org 
----- Original Message -----
From: "Grace Dunbar" <gdunbar at esilibrary.com>
To: "Evergreen Discussion Group" <open-ils-general at list.georgialibraries.org>
Sent: Friday, September 25, 2015 11:35:37 AM
Subject: Re: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Fwd: [OpenILS-feedback] Consideration of Computer Based Training for Evergreen suite

Terran,
My thinking exactly.  It would be a lot of work to create and maintain but
is also a good opportunity for folks who want to pitch in.  I also think
that many consortia use Evergreen so differently that they would prefer
their training to be more specifically geared toward their own
implementations.  Not that a general set of videos wouldn't be helpful, but
I think staff need things that won't lead them astray when it comes to
local policies.

Grace

On Fri, Sep 25, 2015 at 10:28 AM, McCanna, Terran <
tmccanna at georgialibraries.org> wrote:

> I think it would be a good community project, but it would definitely be
> an extraordinary amount of work to do and to maintain. Since more people
> have been joining the community recently, perhaps that would be a great way
> to get involved? (I do not have the capacity to volunteer to coordinate
> something like this at this time, though.  Yamil, can you clone yourself?
> :D)
>
> For libraries that are seeking video training resources immediately, Sitka
> / BC Libraries Cooperative has created a series of videos for their users
> that are very helpful at: https://bc.libraries.coop/support/videos/
>
>
>
> Terran McCanna
> PINES Program Manager
> Georgia Public Library Service
> 1800 Century Place, Suite 150
> Atlanta, GA 30345
> 404-235-7138
> tmccanna at georgialibraries.org
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jason Etheridge" <jason at esilibrary.com>
> To: "Evergreen Discussion Group" <
> open-ils-general at list.georgialibraries.org>
> Sent: Friday, September 25, 2015 9:07:03 AM
> Subject: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Fwd: [OpenILS-feedback] Consideration of
> Computer Based Training for Evergreen suite
>
> Sharing this (below sig) with their permission.
>
> --
> Jason Etheridge
> | Community and Migration Manager
> | Equinox Software, Inc. / The Open Source Experts
> | phone: 1-877-OPEN-ILS (673-6457)
> | email: jason at esilibrary.com
> | web: http://www.esilibrary.com
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: anonymous
> Date: Thu, Sep 24, 2015 at 2:26 PM
> Subject: [OpenILS-feedback] Consideration of Computer Based Training
> for Evergreen suite
> To: feedback at open-ils.org
>
>
> I have worked in academic libraries for most of my life and I recently
> began working at a public library where Evergreen software 2.7 is
> being used. I must admit, as fast paced as a public libraries/ media
> center is, Evergreen is quite overwhelming to learn. I am just curious
> if there is or has there been any discussion on creating Computer
> Based Training (CBT) programs for libraries currently utilizing
> Evergreen software. Academic libraries use CBTs and it makes a world
> of difference. "
>
> I have gone through the liberty of responding to the questions on a
> forum I found connected to Evergreen software suite:
>
> Provide as many answers as possible to the following questions:
>
>
> * What is the feature?
>
> The feature is a Computer Based Training (CBT) program for circulation
> clerks or any new user of the Evergreen suite.
>
>
> * What does it do, what problem does it address, how do you see it
> functioning?
>
> Creating a training program would streamline the knowledge base of
> library staff. As it is now, the Evergreen suite is slightly
> overwhelming not to mention the frequent upgrades / bug fixes
> /updates. This CBT program would enable staff to learn programs with
> limited distractions and make the program more user friendly, which in
> turn would increase appeal of this software suite.
>
>
> * Where does it “fit” in the Evergreen software suite – staff client,
> cataloging, circulation, reporting, public catalog, or somewhere else?
>
> It fits into all aspects of Evergreen software suite.
>
>
> * Is it similar to a feature you have seen in other software?
>
> Yes, many academic libraries utilize CBTs for ultimate user knowledge.
> Any changes are easily integrated into a CBT program which enables
> libraries to continue operating efficiently.
>
>
> * Who does the feature benefit — library users, library staff, or a
> specific community (teens, catalogers, homebound users)?
>
> As a whole, every single person who utilizes a library will benefit
> from the program because it adds to proficiency. In addition, it will
> create knowledgeable and confident staff. Learning a program’s
> minutiae directly from those who have created it will lead to less
> errors, dissatisfaction, and productivity all around.
>
>
> * Does the feature benefit your library specifically or could it apply
> to other libraries? Some? Many? Most or all of them?
>
> Yes. I see an opportunity for the CBT program to benefit all libraries
> utilizing the Evergreen software suite.
>
>
> * Can you provide a use case for the requested feature? In other
> words, can you describe the feature’s workflow, who would use it, how
> you see it functioning? Tell us a story.
>
> As stated previously, I have previously worked in academic libraries
> where CBTs are the chosen training methods for new hires.  These CBTs
> allow users o encounter normal transactions and the modules escalates
> to more difficult transactions which circulation assistants deal with
> on a daily basis. The CBTs are even programmed to throw in some rare
> issues faced in a library such as loan forgiveness. Essentially, CBTs
> teach an assistant how to react to most situations confidently because
> he / she has learned the software properly.
>
>
> As to my knowledge there currently are no CBT programs for Evergreen.
> I have recently begun working at a public library. The pace of public
> libraries / media center does not allow staff to sit down and train
> employees. They are much too busy. This creates numerous issues when
> using the software as it becomes a cramming session and
> learn-as-you-go training. This method is not ideal. Learning in this
> manner is not beneficial as assistants miss out on essentials that the
> software allows.  In the end, the software suite gets a poor
> reputation for not being user friendly. Again, this is not ideal, as
> the new hire loses out on a great deal and may not gain the intended
> effectiveness from the program. However, completing modules capable of
> recreating the most common situations, e.g., log on, Cassie (the cat)
> usages, holds, issues that pertain to holds, patron search, patron
> registration etc. could be highly effective.
>
>
> In précis, providing additional resources for your customers
> (libraries) to become more productive and efficient is never a bad
> call for a company. In addition, it simply becomes another tool in
> increasing the product reputation of Evergreen. I am simply sharing my
> thoughts on this matter as I see a need for it. Thank you greatly for
> your time.
>
> Kind Regards,
>
> Anonymous
>



-- 
Grace Dunbar, Vice President
Equinox Software, Inc.  -  The Open Source Experts
gdunbar at esilibrary.com
1-877-OPEN-ILS    www.esilibrary.com