Library Staff Training
Marigold provides opportunities for training and professional development to support member library staff in growing their knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Training is provided in-person at member libraries or Marigold Headquarters or by webinar.
Contact your Library Services Consultant or the Digital Experience Consultant to schedule training sessions.
The Marigold Staff Academy provides access to tutorials and recorded webinars to help library staff excel. (The Marigold Staff Academy is available to Marigold member library staff and board members only.)
Learn at your own pace:
- eResources
- Computer/Technology Skills
- Library Skills
Duration: 2 hours ea.
Polaris & Leap in-person training is provided as "train the trainer". This training is provided for library management and/or senior staff members. It is then up to those trained staff members to provide training to new staff members. Webinar training is available to all staff members.
Polaris is the ILS (Integrated Library System) shared by TRAC to perform library circulation, bibliographic, and reporting functions.
Leap is the web-based version of Polaris. Leap can be used in-library or at any location with wi-fi access (to facilitate outreach services).
*additional training material, including manuals and recorded webinars, is available on the Shared Drive.
Duration: 1 hour
SimplyReports is a program that gathers data from Polaris allowing library staff to create custom reports on patrons, holds, and items. SimplyReports provides more in-depth reporting options than are available through the reports section in desktop Polaris.
SimplyReports Quickstart Guide
No Shovel Required! Dig for Data with SimplyReports (recorded webinar)
Duration: 2.5 hours
This session introduces library staff to the website template and teaches how to create, edit, and maintain all sections. Customized tutorials on specific sections are also available (approx. 0.5 - 1 hour per section).
Duration: 2 hours
LibraryAware is an online tool designed to help libraries quickly create professional-looking marketing materials such as posters, flyers, bookmarks, social media posts, eNewsletters, and more.
Check out our recorded LibraryAware Basics webinars on YouTube
Emily George, Collection Services Consultant
emily@marigold.ab.ca
403.934.5334 / 1.855.934.5334 (toll free)
ext. 260
Contact Emily to schedule training on collection services:
- adding paperbacks and periodicals to Polaris
- what to look for in a good bibliographic record
- volume control
- record sets/bulk changes
Nancy Smith, Direct Services Clerk
directservices@marigold.ab.ca
403.934.5334 / 1.855.934.5334 (toll free)
ext. 230
Contact Nancy for assistance and questions about Relais.
If patrons are unable to locate desired materials through TRAC, they can search for and place holds on library materials at any participating Alberta Public or Academic Library using the Relais Inter-Library Loan service.
Relais D2D (public-facing)
Relais (staff site)
Duration: 1.5 hours
Several library eResources are available for mobile use through free apps. This session will cover all of the library apps currently available for both iOS and Android.
A selection of mobile devices will be provided for hands-on learning or staff is welcome to bring personal mobile devices to follow along.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Learn how to use the library's eBook services with a Kobo eReader.
Library eBooks can be downloaded to a PC and transferred to a Kobo eReader using Adobe Digital Editions free software.
Laptops and Kobo eReaders will be made available for hands-on learning, or staff is welcome to bring their personal laptops and Kobo eReaders to follow along.
Self-directed learning is available through Niche Academy online tutorials.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Learn how to use the library's eBook services on mobile devices using free apps for iOS or Android.
A selection of mobile devices will be available for hands-on learning, or staff is welcome to bring personal mobile devices to follow along.
Self-directed learning is available through Niche Academy online tutorials.
Duration: 15 - 30 minutes ea. (excluding eBooks)
Learn how to use the many great eResources available to your patrons through Marigold and TRAC.
Sessions can be combined according to your needs.
Self-directed learning is available through the Niche Academy staff site.
Other Opportunities