Nationally, public libraries spend $16.96 per capita for total staff expenditures, and this averages more than 64% of all operating expenditures. This makes library personnel a very valuable resource. One important component in the growth and development of quality library service is the caliber of the personnel. A new building, healthy funding, and supportive board members are all important factors, but none of these can be effective without qualified, motivated, and (ideally) passionate personnel to provide services and programs, and to interact with the community.

This book provides a practical guide for ensuring ongoing staff development, which is critical in the “connective era” of organizational development, marked by an ever-changing networked environment demanding ever-changing skills and abilities. The thirty-seven contributors to this book represent personnel from many different types of libraries, with years of experience in the field.

The book addresses the underlying principles and theories of adult learning, with the emphasis shifting from “teaching” to “learning.” Consideration is given to the characteristics of adult learners and how these characteristics should direct the type, content, and requirements of learning opportunities.

The book suggests that staff development programs need to include strategies that facilitate change, involve staff in the planning process, target opinion leaders, and keep staff informed of desired and undesired outcomes. The practical aspects of building a staff development program are highlighted. It stresses that administrative support should include intentionality, diversity, and financial support. The book emphasizes an often overlooked, but important, step in the process—evaluation of the training. Did the training meet the employees’ and the organization’s needs? Was the intended outcome achieved, in that the organization now provides better service or better programming? This evaluation of outcomes allows for refinement of the staff development process in a continuous cycle, remaining reactive to the changing organizational and information environment.

This book provides good background theory, practical suggestions for implementation, and great sample forms. It should be read by anyone responsible for offering continuing education activities for adult learners.