University of Minnesota Libraries SDT: Budget, Mentoring, and Courses

Staff Development and Training (SDT) manages an annual budget line of $15,000, which is to be used to support registration costs for training that is of a local or regional nature and that usually will not require additional funding support. These funds will allow staff to take advantage of local training opportunities that are work related and will enhance their job skills. Currently, there is no maximum number of classes that an individual can take; this policy is reviewed periodically to avoid abuses. SDT will fund registration costs of $150 or less for training activities that are work-related. Generally, a training activity is a class, course, workshop, institute or preconference. SDT does not reimburse the cost of attending receptions and luncheons at which a speaker or panel in part of the event. This fund supplements the money within each team and is primarily used by support staff. One employee working on an MLS received $150 each semester as partial payment for the graduate class he takes. Another example is providing $65 so an individual, who does brochures, can take a layout/design class through the community college.

In 2001, the Libraries implemented a mentoring program through which each assistant librarian working toward continuous appointment and promotion is paired with a senior librarian, who has agreed to serve as his or her mentor. We provided all participants in this program with articles on mentoring and had an orientation session. We chose mentors outside the individual’s team or unit and have checked back with the mentors at three-month intervals to ensure that contact is continuing to occur. Informal comments received so far indicate that the program is working well and providing the kind of support and counsel that we hoped.

Our classes offered by SDT are organized into five categories: core classes, multimedia skills, office skills, personal/professional development, and supervisory skills. In 2001, we implemented mandatory training for Libraries employees. All employees are required to take:

• New Employees Orientation
• Ergonomics
• Understanding and Implementing Libraries Policies

Supervisors are required to take:

• Budgets and Contracts in the Libraries
• Developing a Checklist for New Hires
• Improving One-on-One Training Within Your Team
• Review of Civil Service/Bargaining Unit Performance Appraisal Process
• Student Supervisor Policies and Procedures
• Understanding the Roles of Supervisors: Effective Management Techniques
• What Supervisors Need to Know: Libraries Policies and Procedures

Submitted by:
Peggy Johnson
Assistant University Librarian
University of Minnesota Libraries
m-john@tc.umm.edu
December 7, 2001