Library Training Guides: Interpersonal Skills

This Library Training Guide covers the major issues related to the planning, design and delivery of interpersonal skills training courses for all levels of library staff. Particular emphasis will be placed on the need to devise carefully structured learning events, and on techniques for doing so, such as group composition; experiential workshop design / methods; and facilitator / trainer skills. The guide draws on 'real life' examples of activities in all types of library organizations. Emphasis is on the variety of design choices and training methods available to meet any set of training objectives. A good deal of stress is placed on the creation of a productive climate for participation in interpersonal skills training. With this in mind, the author addresses the problems and issues facing an organization wishing to implement an interpersonal skills policy: resourcing limitations; paucity of library-oriented materials; the challenges of facilitating role-play and other participatory activities; cultural differences in the perception of interpersonal skills; lack of training skills experience on the part of either trainers or staff.