Library staff in-service training focuses on Library of the Future

The library of the future was the topic of conversation at a recent staff in-service training day at the West Chicago Public Library District. Administrative Librarian Melody E. Coleman designed an agenda that covered several aspects of library services and programming for the 21st century, presented by various Library staff members, as well as safety and security issues presented by the West Chicago Police Department.

Another central part of the day's agenda was covered by the newly hired firm of Dewberry Architects, Inc., the Library's space utilization consultants. After approving a new five-year Strategic Plan for the Library at their November Board meeting, the Board of Library Trustees moved swiftly to engage the space consultants to help set the tone for strategic initiatives at the Library moving forward. Representatives from Dewberry surveyed Library staff regarding their visions of library services in the future to gather additional perspective for their plans. This survey follows Dewberry's presentation and fact-finding at a Board Retreat held in January.

“We are excited about the possibilities our new Strategic Plan offers for continuing to provide responsive and innovative 21st century library services to our patrons,” said Coleman. “Today's in-service staff training program helped hone our vision for our library in the future and provided our staff with some wonderful learning opportunities.”

Staff in-service training is held at the West Chicago Public Library District three times annually, closing the library for the day on February 8 in order to offer staff with unique and timely training. The Library re-opened for business at its regular time at 9 am on Saturday, February 9.