State Library/Library Association and Government Information Training Topics

State Library/Library Association and Government Information Training Topics

The following survey asks questions pertaining to the topics covered in learning opportunities offered to public librarians by your State Library/Library Association. This survey should take about five minutes to complete. For purposes of this survey the word training refers to any courses, programs, seminars or organized learning experiences made available to public librarians. Thank you for your time.

1. What is your state library/state library association’s staffing full-time equivalent (FTE)? _____FTE

2. Does you state library offer any training, professional development, or continuing education for library staff? Yes/No

3. What is your overall yearly budget dedicated to providing training, professional development, or educational opportunities to member libraries/librarians?

$__________

NA

4. What was your total annual training, professional development, or continuing education program attendance this past year?

___________

5. Is the provision of library training, professional development, or educational opportunities tied your organization’s mission?

Yes/No

6. What importance does your library place on providing library training, professional development, or educational opportunities?

Very important 1 2 3 4 5 Not important

7. What types of training, professional development, or continuing education have you provided in the past year? (Choose all that apply)

In-person Virtual

Classes – a series of cumulative, formal instruction on a regular/semi-regular basis

Workshops – training that is one-time only for special occasions/needs

Tutorials – mediated or unmediated step-by-step instruction upon request

Resource Materials –reference items provided (in some cases prepared)

by State Library/Lib Association Free Use For Fee

On-line materials

Print materials

Other (please specify) ____________________________________________

8. Who provides the training, professional development, or continuing education? (Choose all the apply)

State library/association staff _______

Other library staff not from state library/association _______

Community volunteers _______

Commercial vendors _______

Outside consultants _______

Other (specify) _______

N/A _______

9. Where does library training, professional development, or continuing education occur? At the: (Choose all the apply.)

State library/association head quarters _______

Affiliate/satellite offices _______

Member libraries _______

Other _______

NA _______

10. Does your state library offer any training, professional development, or continuing education to librarians to help them instruct patrons on the following:

YES NO Don’t Know

1. Accessing information from the internet 1 2 99

2. Finding government information? 1 2 99

3. Instructing underserved populations? 1 2 99

The next set of questions specifically deals with training topics concerning government information. In particular we are interested in services that pertain to government information at all levels (local, state, federal) of government. This information may include anything from health and housing, education and employment opportunities, legal and law enforcement issues, military service, and even how to fill out tax forms.

11. How often have training, professional development, or continuing education programs related to government information been offered by your state library/association?

Several times a year __________

Monthly __________

Once __________

Never __________

Other (specify) __________

12. What types of training, professional development, or continuing education on government information do you provide?

In-person Virtual

Classes – a series of cumulative, formal instruction on a regular/semi-regular basis

Workshops – training that is one-time only for special occasions/needs

Tutorials – mediated or unmediated step-by-step instruction upon request

Resource Materials –reference items provided (in some cases prepared)

by State Library/Lib Association Free Use For Fee

On-line materials

Print materials

Other (please specify) ____________________________________________

13. What types of government information topics are covered through your training, professional development, or continuing education programs? (Choose all that apply.)

TOPIC	Classes	Workshops	Tutorials	Reference Service	Special Collections
Family (or household), Neighborhood, Community- examples of this include marriage licenses, credit reports, government assistance
Education, Jobs, Military - examples of this include getting a job, seeking military benefits, student loans
Housing and Property - examples of this include purchasing a house, issues with a landlord, and zoning issues
Health, Nutrition, and Food - examples of this include food stamps, Medicare/Medicaid, nutrition programs for children/families
Law and Politics - examples of this include voter registration, immigration, courts/laws, tax
Recreation - examples of this include local/state/national parks, fishing/hunting licenses
Other

14. Who provides the training, professional development, or continuing education for government information topics? (Choose all the apply)

State library/association staff _______

Other library staff not from state library/association _______

Community volunteers _______

Commercial vendors _______

Outside consultants _______

Other (specify) _______

N/A _______

15. Where does library training, professional development, or continuing education on government information occur? At the: (Choose all the apply)

State library/association headquarters _______

Affiliate/satellite offices _______

Member libraries _______

Other _______

16. What determines the types of training, professional development, or continuing education topics that are offered at your state library/library association? ____________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

17. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about how your state library/association makes training, professional development or continuing education resources focusing on government information available to member libraries? __________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

-----------------------------------------------Thank you for your time. --------------------------------------------

If you have any questions about this study, please contact the Library Research Center at (217) 333-1980 or via email at [email protected]