Present: C. Donick, L. Duebert (Chair), J. Meyer, K. Tomaseski, J. Cohen, M. Advocate, R. Smith Aldrich, S. Hermans
Not attending: S. Alderdice, B. George, W. Fuller, P. Keaton

• Minutes from 11/16/05 meeting; Approved by C. Donick, seconded by J. Meyer. Actions were reviewed.
• The mission of the committee was reviewed.

Attendance & program statistics

• MHLS CE attendances increased 17% between 2003-2005. In 2005 over 1000 attendances by library staff / trustees. 67 MHLS training events offered with additional regional opportunities advertised.
• Issues discussed: How to help trustees and community understand the level of professionalism in MHLS member libraries. How to promote member library staff receiving ongoing professional development to the community and legislators. Suggestions: Press releases, Library newsletters, Inform state and county legislators.
• Trustee attendance: 91% of MHLS member libraries have sent at least one trustee to a MHLS education session since 2002 - all but 6 libraries (Livingston, Amenia, Hunter, Highland, Phoenicia, Pine Hill). Issue discussed: What might these trustees be interested in learning? Committee recommended comparative tracking of trustee attendance by library is most relevant when viewed three years at a time.
• The success of the MHLS online calendar was noted with the ability to see all relevant events, register online, check registration, and receive an automated reminder.

Review of Workshop Evaluation Summaries

• Committee reviewed the Workshop Evaluation summaries from MHLS events that had occurred since the last meeting.
• Committee discussed altering the data collection form as follows: (see ACTION 1)
  • Add the following questions:
    • "Did this workshop meet or exceed your expectations? If no, why not?"
    • "What could make this workshop better?"
  • For staff programs pilot asking only for one important thing learned, not three, to see if it improves results. Ask for three from trustees.
  • Committee asked that workshops be summarized in the Bulletin to help spread the learning to those who could not attend. Suggestions for 'words of wisdom from the workshop': include the top main points, helpful tidbits, comments from the evaluation summaries. (see ACTION 2)

2006 CE

• Attendance statistics for first half of 2006 reviewed.
• Upcoming CE schedule for the second half of 2006 reviewed by committee, noting that it covered a wide range of interests and the topic areas designated by DLD.
• New programs of specific interest included:
  • Friends Group Programs at entry and advanced levels
  • Library Blog Creation & Management
  • Millennium for New Library Staff following each Orientation for New Library Staff
  • Green Buildings Workshop

2006 CE Report from Central Library

• A new PPLD web site coming up at the end of June will include a number of pathfinders. S. Hermans will take suggestions for future pathfinders.
• Issue discussed: The committee requested that the Central Library explore the option to allow access to the PPLD databases by all library directors. (see ACTION 3)
• S. Hermans distributed a report of the trainings she and her staff provided during the first six months of 2006.
• Issue discussed: How to increase the number of member library staff receiving the core trainings offered by the Central Reference Library. Suggestions included tracking attendance by library, scheduling open training in each county that is advertised through the standard ways (Workshop Notices, registration through the MHLS online calendar, info in Bulletin), providing a financial incentive.
• Issue discussed: Asking directors to training schedule dates for their county. Committee noted that not all counties have directors groups established enough to collectively schedule training. Recommended that S. Hermans contact the head of each county directors group with a date range for training and ask for a date preference.
• Committee asked the Central Library / Collection Development Advisory Committee to provide info regarding the CRL Plan of Service and budget. (see ACTION 4)
• Committee suggested more information about the Central Reference Library training opportunities be promoted in the Bulletin. (see ACTION 5)

Library Administration Program update

• First class is finishing up. Current registrants will take preference for fall Legal session. There is a waiting list.
• Positive comments submitted by current participants was provided to committee. K. Tomaseski shared her experience as a participant. She is very happy with the course and finds it valuable as a library director.

Plan of Service 2006 - 2011

• Draft of Element 4 of the MHLS POS, related to Continuing Education & Training was shared with the committee. Of specific interest was: the connection between training and quality service, the ongoing need for core knowledge, integrating customer service in all front-line staff training, capitalizing on opportunities for teachable moments.

ACTIONS

1. MHLS staff will alter the Workshop Evaluation template as follows:
   1. Add the following questions:
      1. "Did this question meet or exceed your expectations? If no, why not?"
      2. "What could make this workshop better?"
   2. For staff programs ask only for one important thing learned, not three. Ask for three from trustees.
2. Workshop presenters or facilitators will summarize workshops in the Bulletin to help spread the learning to those who could not attend. Suggestions for 'words of wisdom from the workshop': include the top main points, helpful tidbits, comments from the evaluation summaries.
3. Recommendation to be passed on to the Central Library / Collection Development Advisory Committee to requested that the Central Library explore the option to allow access to the PPLD databases by all library directors.
4. Recommendation to be passed on to the Central Library / Collection Development Advisory Committee to see CRL Plan of Service and budget. Committee is seeking a better understanding of how CRL money is spent on behalf of member libraries.
5. Committee suggested more information about the Central Reference Library training opportunities be promoted in the Bulletin.

Next meeting: Tuesday, October 24 from 10am-2pm.

Report to DA

• MHLS CE attendances increased 17% between 2003-2005. In 2005 over 1000 attendances by library staff / trustees. 67 MHLS training events offered with additional regional opportunities advertised. Issues discussed: How to help trustees and community understand the level of professionalism in MHLS member libraries. How to promote member library staff receiving ongoing professional development to the community and legislators. Suggestions: Press releases, Library newsletters, Inform state and county legislators.
• Committee asked that workshops be summarized in the Bulletin to help spread the learning to those who could not attend. Suggestions for 'words of wisdom from the workshop': include the top main points, helpful tidbits, comments from the evaluation summaries.
• Upcoming CE schedule for the second half of 2006 reviewed by committee (attached), noting that it covered a wide range of interests and the topic areas designated by DLD.
• Letters will be sent to board presidents prior to the fall Trustee Education sessions noting their library's representation at MHLS trustee education.
• A new PPLD web site coming up at the end of June will include a number of pathfinders. S. Hermans will take suggestions for future pathfinders.
• Draft of MHLS Plan of Service 2006 - 2011Element 4, related to Continuing Education & Training was shared with the committee. Of specific interest was: the connection between training and quality service, the ongoing need for core knowledge, integrating customer service in all front-line staff training, capitalizing on opportunities for teachable moments.

Submitted by Rebekkah Smith Aldrich/Merribeth Advocate, June 6, 2006