Cutting Edge on a Shoestring: Providing Technology Training with Limited Resources

The Washington State University Libraries launched a series of halfhour, informal training sessions called Learning Breaks in 2006. Designed to increase training opportunities without incurring huge costs in terms of time and money, to provide more opportunities for staff to present and attend, and to foster a sense of community and communication, the series has proven to be quite popular. In addition to technologyrelated sessions on specific products and tools, they have also had Learning Breaks on a wide range of topics, including leadership, information literacy program development, and book repair. Shoreline Community College found itself needing to provide access to training opportunities without having a budget, and they applied the Learning Break model to design their Technology Moments. At SCC, the training has benefited not just the library, but has become popular across campus, leading to new opportunities for the librarians to conduct outreach and create new collaborative relationships. The presenters will talk about creating and promoting this type of program, benefits gained at both campuses, and directions they are planning for the continuation and expansion of the training series