Last updated on
2024年9月4日
How do you motivate and retain your library staff in a changing environment?
由人工智能和领英社区提供技术支持
One of the first steps to motivate and retain your library staff is to communicate your vision and goals for the library, and how each staff member contributes to them. You can use various channels and methods, such as staff meetings, newsletters, emails, or social media, to share your library's mission, values, and objectives, and to solicit feedback and input from your staff. By communicating your vision and goals, you can align your staff's expectations and roles, and inspire them to work towards a common purpose.
-
To motivate and retain library staff in a changing environment: Provide professional development: Offer training and opportunities for growth. Encourage innovation: Foster a culture of creativity and experimentation. Recognize achievements: Reward and acknowledge staff contributions. Foster a positive work culture: Promote teamwork, collaboration, and a supportive atmosphere. Offer competitive compensation: Ensure fair wages and benefits. Listen to feedback: Value staff input and address concerns.
Another way to motivate and retain your library staff is to provide opportunities for professional development and career growth. You can encourage your staff to pursue learning opportunities, such as workshops, webinars, courses, or conferences, that are relevant to their interests and skills, and support them with funding, time, or recognition. You can also create mentoring, coaching, or peer learning programs within your library, where staff can share their knowledge and experience with each other. By providing opportunities for professional development, you can help your staff acquire new competencies, enhance their performance, and advance their careers.
-
In any space that I enter where I am in a leadership position I ask my team members what their goals are. I do not care if it is in libraries or outside of libraries and I put no pressure on them to give me a solid answer. Once we get some type of communication flow going we create a plan on tailoring training and experiences to their goals. You as management can almost always tie in house professional goals to their personal goals. I feel as though this has made staff feel more appreciated as well as more supported both personally and professionally.
A third way to motivate and retain your library staff is to recognize and reward your staff's achievements and contributions to the library. You can use formal and informal methods, such as awards, certificates, bonuses, or thank-you notes, to acknowledge your staff's accomplishments and efforts. You can also celebrate your staff's milestones, such as work anniversaries, promotions, or retirements, and create a sense of community and appreciation. By recognizing and rewarding your staff's achievements, you can boost their morale, satisfaction, and loyalty.
-
Saying thank you goes such a long way. Many feel as though this is their job and duty an expect no recognition and many managers feel as though they should not have to recognize someone for "doing their job". I disagree. It is so important to show your team that you see when they are doing things without being asked, that they are doing them correctly and that you do appreciate them/ Staff is more likely to stay in places where positivity is spoken and acted upon.
A fourth way to motivate and retain your library staff is to promote work-life balance and wellness among your staff. You can implement policies and practices, such as flexible hours, telework, or leave options, that allow your staff to balance their personal and professional responsibilities and needs. You can also provide resources and support, such as wellness programs, counseling services, or employee assistance programs, that help your staff cope with stress, health, or personal issues. By promoting work-life balance and wellness, you can enhance your staff's well-being, productivity, and retention.
A fifth way to motivate and retain your library staff is to involve your staff in decision-making and innovation in your library. You can solicit your staff's opinions and suggestions on various aspects of your library's operations, services, or programs, and involve them in planning, implementing, or evaluating them. You can also encourage your staff to experiment with new ideas, technologies, or methods, and provide them with resources, feedback, or recognition. By involving your staff in decision-making and innovation, you can foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and ownership in your library.
-
I have found discussing the options for a decision with staff invaluable. Insights and experiences are shared that I might not otherwise be aware of, and these can have a fundamental impact on the final decision. Once the choice is made, the action to deliver the objective is a shared goal and one we continue to report back on to each other as small pieces of progress are made. It makes our progress visible which is motivating, an opportunity for praise and enables refinement of actions needed.
-
True involvement of your library staff in the decision-making process is key. It's not enough to provide staff with the opportunity to offer opinions and ideas through meetings, focus groups, one-on-ones, etc., you need to take this input seriously and demonstrate that your staff's experience and energy are respected and considered. Nothing kills staff motivation faster than the perception that soliciting their input is only to impress your own bosses and that your decisions have already been made.
-
Totally agree Carol 100% ?? Always discuss ideas and problems, both ad hoc and in our regular LM meetings. My assistant has different skills and perspective, always valuable
-
My book The Networked School Librarian which is about school librarians working with and leading teams is now at editing stage with Facet publishing & due out in autumn- pleased to see I covered all these points!!! ??
A sixth way to motivate and retain your library staff is to address challenges and issues that may arise in your library promptly and fairly. You can establish clear and consistent policies and procedures, such as performance appraisal, grievance, or disciplinary systems, that outline your expectations and standards for your staff, and apply them equitably and transparently. You can also communicate with your staff regularly and openly, and listen to their concerns, complaints, or suggestions, and take appropriate actions or solutions. By addressing challenges and issues promptly and fairly, you can maintain trust, respect, and harmony in your library.
-
Sarah that is true, honest, trust, appreciating and giving the training is very important. Meeting with the juniors and giving update of what is going to happen maybe next few days.
-
I would give them space to vent their frustrations while explaining why the changes are happening. Also allow them to participate in the changes as long as it aligns with the company's goal.
-
Talk to your staff about their future and where they see themselves; if it is to become a professional librarian, discuss graduate school, locations of various schools, tuition reimbursement etc. If these subjects are never discussed, the employee may not feel the impetus to move ahead.
更多相关阅读内容
-
Library ServicesWhat do you do if you want a library services career with better work-life balance?
-
Educational TechnologyWhat do you do if your work-life balance is slipping while advancing in educational technology?
-
Database DevelopmentHere's how you can prioritize work-life balance to retain database developers within a company.
-
Educational TechnologyHere's how you can achieve work-life balance as an educational technology professional.