The problem

In the realm of library staff development, the abundance of resources has never been greater. Yet, these valuable assets are often dispersed across various platforms, from organizational websites to training providers, making the comprehensive organization into coherent topics and themes a rare occurrence.

This dispersion has led to a substantial challenge: the assembly of current, role-specific resources for positions like Circulation Supervisor, E-Resources Librarian, or Archives Technician becomes a time-consuming endeavor, often stretching from hours to weeks. Libraries preparing to launch new services encounter similar obstacles, striving to compile and maintain resources without an efficient system for sharing or updating them.

Despite these hurdles, many libraries have developed exceptional training, workshops, and documentation to support their teams in meeting the diverse needs of their patrons. However, a cohesive system for storing and disseminating these materials for future use is often lacking.

The solution

Skilltype empowers teams with immediate access to pertinent and up-to-date resources, positioning the library at the forefront of future-ready service.

Leveraging a comprehensive Skills Ontology, Skilltype connects users to an expansive global database, featuring over 11,000 library-centric training resources and forthcoming events. It enhances professional development by providing personalized training Recommendations tailored to individual interests and institutional requirements, accessible within the daily workflow, bypassing the need for traditional conference or workshop settings.

Skilltype’s Central Index is a powerful tool for essential skills in the modern library landscape, encompassing areas such as circulation, data management, and IT. It curates content from esteemed library conferences and training providers such as ACRL, the Charleston Conference, CNI, and Library Juice Academy, ensuring a trusted and high-quality learning journey.

Libraries generating in-house training content can integrate their materials with Skilltype’s standardized skills vocabulary, enhancing the discoverability of their resources and aligning them with the Central Index’s offerings.

Skilltype also introduces the innovative concept of a training List, akin to a music playlist, which allows for the curation of resources on specific topics or themes, fostering skill development. Team Managers can share these Lists with their groups, merging Skilltype’s vast training database with the library’s own resources, for a synergized learning experience.

In conclusion, Skilltype is transforming the landscape of library staff training, organizing internal resources into coherent themes that complement industry-wide materials, and facilitating collective learning that aligns with the strategic goals of the library and its teams.