Staff development planning in an academic health sciences library.

Area of Science:

• Library and Information Science
• Organizational Development
• Human Resources Management

Background:

• Academic health sciences libraries require continuous staff development to maintain high service standards.
• A dedicated Staff Development Committee (SDC) was established within a three-facility library system to address this need.
• The committee's mandate included program development, communication, and fostering staff engagement in learning opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement targeted staff development initiatives within an academic health sciences library system.
• To enhance workplace skills and promote personal growth among library staff.
• To increase staff participation in available professional development programs.

Main Methods:

• A Staff Development Committee (SDC) was formed with specific objectives for program creation and promotion.
• A survey was distributed to staff, achieving an 80% response rate, to guide event planning based on identified needs.
• 15 development events were planned and executed, with committee members acting as liaisons, supported by various communication channels.

Main Results:

• Staff development needs and preferences were identified through a comprehensive survey.
• A total of 15 staff development events were successfully planned and implemented in the first year.
• First-year attendance reached 459 participants, indicating successful engagement with the offered programs.
• Utilized a multi-channel communication strategy including announcement sheets, email reminders, and the library's intranet.

Conclusions:

• The implemented staff development model effectively addressed staff needs and preferences.
• The committee's approach facilitated successful program planning and execution, evidenced by high attendance.
• This model provides a replicable framework for program development and implementation in diverse organizational settings.