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 < [email protected]> 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 > [email protected] > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Jason Etheridge" <[email protected]> > To: "Evergreen Discussion Group" < > [email protected]> > 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: [email protected] > | 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: [email protected] > > > 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 [email protected] 1-877-OPEN-ILS www.esilibrary.com
