While the library was closed to the public for Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the library staff gathered for our annual Staff Training Day. It’s a day we fill with sessions to sharpen our library skills and activities to strengthen our team bond. It’s always a really fun and valuable day.
This year, we explored our online resources (Learning Express and Mango in particular), reviewed some procedures we haven’t had to do much lately, and practiced our reference interview skills. (A “reference interview” is the conversation process we use to make sure staff understand what patrons are really asking us for.) Autumn also taught us how to efficiently cover both hardback and paperback books.
Good food is an essential part of any training day, as everyone knows. This year’s enchilada lunch (catered by Little Cabin Catering) was delicious! The only bad thing was that the portions were perfect and we didn’t have any leftovers.
For team building, we played “Human Bingo” and learned which of us cannot whistle (spoiler: it’s Elise and me). Next, Jacinda had us partner up and guide our blindfolded teammate through a duct tape minefield. The winning time was just under five minutes, but I’m happy to report no one stepped on a bomb. Finally, Mac asserted his athletic prowess by winning our first ever Library Staff cornhole tournament. Be sure to congratulate him when you see him!
I am always happy to work with the staff at your library. They are a group of professionals who work hard to make sure your library is serving our community to the best of our ability. Staff Training Day is a wonderful reminder to me that the Library’s staff is also filled with kind and considerate people who are so much fun to be around. I am so grateful for the staff we have and the community we serve!