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The Training Monster

Glenda Myers & Devind Peter, University of the Witwatersrand Health Sciences Library 

When does success become too much of a good thing? This case study presents the evidence of how end user training programmes within an academic setting can grow to become all-consuming. Unless these training programmes are carefully managed, they can rapidly assume the characteristics of a “pac-man like” monster, rapidly gobbling up every available resource, from human to bandwith.  Advantages as well as disadvantages of end user training, from the dual perspectives of both end user and librarian, are presented and discussed. Various methodologies for end user training are discussed, with practical and experiential guidelines for what works, and what does not.  

New competencies for librarians are also considered in relation to the skills and formal training offered by LIS schools, both in the past and at present. Suggestions are offered for what could be included in LIS curricula on the theoretical level to improve competencies in this area, and also how new competencies can be acquired informally in relation to the librarians’ training role.   

This paper presents a practical “how-to” guide for all who are involved in end user training, or would like to become more involved in this exciting and sometimes overwhelming aspect of information practice.

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