Home > News > March 2005 > 08-Mar-2005

e-Learning course aims to boost reader development in libraries

Camden Council is one of the first local authorities to offer a new e-training package to its public library staff.

The ‘Frontline’ online reader development training course was launched last week to 250 delegates at the annual Camden Library Service Staff Conference by Rachel Van Riel, Director of Opening the Book.

The Arts Council-funded course aims to help public library assistants - who deal with members of the public on a daily basis - improve their skills at encouraging readers to try out new book choices and increase their enjoyment of reading. Camden’s first member of staff is starting the course this month.

"The scheme shows how e-learning can give staff the chance to improve the way they do their jobs and provide a better service for local residents," said David Jones, Head of Camden Library Service. "They can connect what they learn online to the real, practical things that they are doing in the library, for example creating book promotions targeted at their customers’ needs.

"We focused on reader development at this year’s staff conference and this training will help our staff look at how we can further encourage reading and book borrowing throughout Camden Library Service."

Local authority library services are to manage the training themselves through a ‘supervisor’ scheme, in which staff who have successfully completed the course go on to support colleagues through it. Opening the Book will monitor the supervisor system to make sure that a high quality of training is maintained across all library services.

Launching the training at Camden Library Service’s conference, Rachel Van Riel said, "I hope that ‘Frontline’ will become one of the largest workforce development programmes in local government. Those involved in this first wave will be able to share their experiences and knowledge with fellow professionals in other parts of the country.

"I’m delighted that Camden is one of the first local authorities taking part in the roll-out and I hope many of its library staff will be training over the next year."

Frontline is funded by the Arts Council England which awarded grants to the Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) for the Branching Out project to promote reader development from 2003-6. SCL appointed Opening the Book in an open tender process as its strategic partner to further develop the project.

The free course has been piloted around the UK over the last two years and is expected to be put in place by local authorities across England during 2005.

External links

The Branching Out project

Camden Libraries

Opening the Book

Please note: Training Reference is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites.

Related information

For related news, case studies, articles and research, visit our
e-learning home page

Books for training professionals

• Bookshop home page
• e-Learning books
• Blended learning books

Find e-learning providers

Visit the Training Reference Directory to view supplier details for a wide range of courses, products and services.

Sponsored links

Back to top