Learning Opportunities Plan

A five-month round of interviews at every level of the Rutgers University Libraries revealed four major areas of interest for professional training: Technologies, Communication, Professional Development, and Health and Wellness. For the 2012-13 academic year, the Learning Opportunities Subcommittee of the Teaching and Learning Committee was charged with re-envisioning the TLC website, increasing its robustness, interactivity, and visibility within the Libraries.

Regular updates will be made to resources in three of the four subject areas, including but not limited to:

1. Technologies
   1. Training for updates /changes to software used within the Libraries
   2. Self-paced learning, including online tutorials, webinars, webcasts, and fee-based online training
   3. Hands-on training for current and new mobile technologies
2. Communications
   1. Managers
      1. Supervisor/employee relations
      2. Writing of grant proposals, resumes, meeting minutes, annual reports, etc.
      3. Campus/University-wide communication protocols
      4. Etc.
   2. Staff
      1. Peer relations
      2. Writing of resumes, self-assessments
      3. Use of internal email software
      4. ublic/community relations
      5. Etc.
3. Professional Development
   1. Management skills training for present and future managers
      1. Project management
      2. Diversity training
      3. Conflict resolution
      4. Research and assessment
      5. Etc.
   2. Leadership Skills for present and future leaders
      1. Effective meetings and meeting management
      2. Diversity training

The new website will also offer greater interactivity with employees of the Libraries, including utilities for suggesting new courses, providing feedback, and feedback forms for any courses registered through the website. Courses will be open to all employees, assuming a priori supervisory review and permission where appropriate.

In its 2013-2014 session, the Learning Opportunities Subcommittee is charged with revisiting many of the fundamental ideologies of training and education within the Libraries, with an eye to creating documentation for the use of supervisors and employees in negotiating long-term professional development.