{"id":4003,"date":"2020-05-07T14:45:31","date_gmt":"2020-05-07T14:45:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/?p=4003"},"modified":"2021-06-25T13:26:16","modified_gmt":"2021-06-25T13:26:16","slug":"library-staff-learning-surges-on-webjunction-amid-covid-19-closures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/library-staff-learning-surges-on-webjunction-amid-covid-19-closures\/","title":{"rendered":"Library staff learning surges on WebJunction amid COVID-19 closures"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As libraries have closed their physical spaces and adapted services to remote work, we\u2019ve seen library staff spend more time than ever on professional development and online learning. In a poll conducted during the recent OCLC virtual town hall<\/a>, 81% of attendees reported that they have engaged in more professional development since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

As a free resource open to all, WebJunction has long been \u201cthe learning place for libraries.\u201d But the increase that we\u2019ve seen in time spent learning on webjunction.org between March and April 2020 has been, put simply, extraordinary.<\/p>\n

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March and April saw a record-setting spike in WebJunction Course Catalog usage (650% increase in users and 1,791% increase in hours spent learning). In fact, we had approximately as many learners in WebJunction\u2019s catalog in the month of April alone as we had during all of last year.<\/p>\n

When we saw this massive spike in activity, we wanted to know what type of learning content was most used by library staff during this time.<\/p>\n

WebJunction\u2019s 10 most engaged online learning topics during COVID-19 library closures were:<\/p>\n

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  1. \u201cDealing with Angry Patrons<\/a>\u201d<\/li>\n
  2. \u201cDealing with the Difficult Patrons<\/a>\u201d?<\/li>\n
  3. \u201cBeing Customer-Focused: New and Emerging Trends in Customer Service<\/a>\u201d<\/li>\n
  4. \u201cCultivating Protective Factors for Safe Libraries and Resilient Communities<\/a>\u201d<\/li>\n
  5. \u201cService Excellence in Challenging Times?<\/a>\u201d<\/li>\n
  6. \u201cExtreme Customer Service, Every Time<\/a>?\u201d<\/li>\n
  7. \u201cCreating a Culture of Yes at Your Library and in Your Community<\/a>\u201d?<\/li>\n
  8. \u201cReaders\u2019 Advisory Services<\/a>\u201d<\/li>\n
  9. \u201cReducing Workplace Stress with Mindfulness?<\/a>\u201d<\/li>\n
  10. \u201cAccompanying the Young Reader: Helping to Choose Appropriate Books<\/a>\u201d?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Interestingly, we noticed a definite trend toward customer service topics in this top 10 list. During this time where \u201cnormal\u201d services have been disrupted and communities (and library systems) are unsure of what is coming next, library staff are expanding their customer service skills to help serve patrons who are experiencing challenging circumstances.<\/p>\nLibrary workers are investing heavily in professional development time during the COVID-19 crisis. #OCLCNext <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n

    OCLC has seen increased learning activity across many of our virtual professional development resources. For additional free professional development opportunities, explore the WebJunction course catalog<\/a> and take a look at some of the resources below:<\/p>\n

    Listen\u2014OCLC webinars<\/h2>\n