Learning and leadership in the library

For Immediate Release
Tue, 04/26/2011

Contact:

Jill Davis

CHICAGO — The best kind of learning is that which never ends — and a culture of training means that staff will be more flexible and responsive to new ideas and strategies, imperative in today’s libraries.

Using real-life examples of trainers who serve as leaders within libraries and their communities, “Workplace Learning & Leadership: A Handbook for Library and Nonprofit Trainers” from ALA Editions sheds light on an underappreciated but important component of library operations.

Leading workplace trainers Lori Reed and Paul Signorelli take readers through the entire process of developing, implementing and sustaining training programs and communities of learning, in order to:

  • Empower individuals to become leaders and teachers by cultivating a culture of ongoing learning;
  • Connect library staff and users to information resources so they can effectively use them to their benefit;
  • Develop skills among both managers and workers for practicing continuous formal and informal training.

Reed is the employee learning and development coordinator for the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, N.C., where she plans and oversees the learning and development of more than 550 employees at 23 libraries. With more than 15 years of experience in the workplace learning and development field, Lori is a North Carolina master trainer, certified synchronous learning expert and was named a 2009 Library Journal “Mover & Shaker.”

Signorelli has more than 20 years of experience as a learning leader for libraries and other organizations and businesses. For the San Francisco Public Library system he created, implemented and managed numerous training plans. He continues to serve as a writer, trainer, onsite and online presenter and consultant for a variety of organizations and remains active in the American Library Association Learning Round Table and with ASTD (the American Society for Training & Development).

ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness, and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide. ALA Editions publishes resources used worldwide by tens of thousands of library and information professionals to improve programs, build on best practices, develop leadership, and for personal professional development. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a growing range of print and electronic formats. Contact ALA Editions at (800) 545-2433 ext. 5418 or editionsmarketing@ala.org.