| August 1st, 2005 |
|
To date, I have received no feedback but someone asked to use my materials for their program.
Subject of Suggestion:
Did you know the library has an online resource that can be accessed from home that would help you with your grammar? Or help you get up to speed on math skills? The library even has a resource that can help you learn to speak Spanish.
Over half of students in the college/university system are nontraditional students. That is, they are over 25, working a full time job and often have dependents. Concerns of this group are getting to library services and finding enough time to do their work. The fears they face are so great that the greatest percentage do not make it past the first year.
Many County employees are nontraditional students trying to advance themselves economically. Many are able to take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program. From the County’s website: Hillsborough County info:” TUITION REIMBURSEMENT - Employees may be reimbursed up to $1000.00 per fiscal year for classes at an accredited college or university that enhances their ability to perform current job duties. Executive Employees Only: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - 40 Hours per year for each executive employee required to develop an annual professional development plan.
In order to provide these employees with an additional safety net and support, Library Services and the Human Resources training department should join together to present an on site program called: “Back to School…Again” offered at City Center and other locations with computer facilities.
This program would highlight books, databases, remedial issues and tips to help the returning student them make the grade, find a study style, learn time management, grasp modern research techniques and other issues of concern when going back to school – again.
Additionally, should this program be a success, it could be used in the community as outreach to other companies with tuition reimbursement programs and to also show prospective companies looking at the Tampa Bay area County services that improve both work and quality of life. Local companies with tuition reimbursement programs include Raymond James, GTE, Bright House and Verizon.
Also, many other Human Resources departments in companies offer ongoing training to their employees. For instance, Tropical Sportswear offers a “Tropical University, the in-house training division that offers courses in everything from internal programs to English, Spanish and smoking cessation.” ( Tampa Tribune, July 2002). By developing in-house programs that have application in the business community, the County
Describe the present method or condition. Be specific. Document your statements.
Presently there is no program like this and to the best of my knowledge, the Library hasn’t been used as a resource to enhance County worker’s work or personal lives. Programs such as “Write a School Paper using Word” are scheduled for teens in the afternoon. “Intro to the Library’s Web Site: hcplc.org” is offered in the mornings, but doesn’t remotely suggest to a potential attendee the vast resources that this class could present to the returning student.
The library’s website is a rich community resource that has application from business’s generating business leads to running your own book discussion group to writing research papers at home. In the past year and ½ I have put on a successful class called “50 Ways to Find New Business @Your Library” that taught a mere fragment of what the site offers.
Describe your suggestion. State how and where it can be used. (Include drawings, sample forms, or other information in File Upload Area below.)
With many people participating in online classes, the traditional semester format no longer exists. This program could be offered every other month or once a quarter. For those signing up for tuition reimbursement for the first time, it should be a part of the benefits package to insure their success and provide them with additional support. If they are unable to attend, class materials could be provided to them for their review. While some colleges require that new students take a Library Resources class, many online courses do not. And those that do, teach their resources and not necessarily the County library’s resources. Additionally, these classes would be presented so that attendees would be in a class with their peers where they would feel more comfortable asking questions and even communicating with the librarian outside of the class.
The class would be no more than two hours. Depending on the availability of a computer lab, it could be offered as hands on or as a class format.
Describe benefits to the County. Explain how it will increase productivity; eliminate waste; eliminate or reduce expenditures; generate additional revenue; or improve operations or safety.
• By providing support, education and a framework where further assistance could be sought by the nontraditional student; the County would be getting a better employee, a more productive citizen, improving family’s opportunities and strengthening its tuition reimbursement program.
• Students who are able to complete their studies strengthen the County’s economic base and build a better workforce.
• Meets the Library and County’s goal of an informed populace and promotes the positive way tax payer dollars are used.
• While many other counties have built joint use facilities with Community Colleges and other higher learning centers, this county has yet to do so. Most returning students have dependents, dependents that are more readily welcomed into public libraries where family’s can research and study together. The class would also demonstrate how many projects could be done online so that many assignments could be done from home or on a lunch break. This would ease issues of childcare and time management.
• According to the U.S. Department of Education, adults enroll in college for both personal enrichment and to obtain additional skills for career advancement. Supporting such goals makes Hillsborough County an attractive employer and community positive.
|
|
"Free Money for Artists/Writers" Powerpoint on my site, Sellitwithsizzle.com |
|
|
|
| Top of Page |
Powered by LiveJournal.com |
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
libraryprograms's journal