2nd Annual CSA Training Day

Submitted by the Circulation Supervisors

Was this you on March 28? Or maybe more like this?

If so, you may have been feeling the effects of No-CSA-itus. What happened on March 28? The second annual CSA Training Day!

On Friday, March 28, all the Collection Support Aides gathered together at the Denmark Library for CSA Training Day. It was a day filled with learning, yes, but it was also with fellowship, laughter, and smiles. 

Our day began with our illustrious Director Adrianne Junius, who spoke to the CSAs about her background as a shelver, and her vision and hope for FCPL. She acknowledged how hard the CSA job is, and we (the circulation supervisors) agree! The CSAs are the workhorses of every branch, and if you emptied bins, shelved carts, or checked-in courier last week, you’ll likely agree.

Next up, Nikki Watkins introduced a mentorship program that will pair CSAs with Information and Youth Services staff so that they can learn about those positions by shadowing, training, and talking to IS and YS staff. The 8 week program is designed to assist CSAs who would like to grow into new positions. 

Next, Anthony Caspanello reviewed the Patron Behavior Policy and how CSAs can help Information and Youth Staff be aware of policy violations, especially during busy times. 

After that, the CSAs got to tour the beautiful Denmark Library and the Bookmobile, which made a special guest appearance. From the Friends Terrace to Bookworm Garden and from the snazzy study rooms to the Bookinator, the CSAs got to see first hand what a brand new library is like. (Oh, how orderly everything was!) 

After awing over Denmark and the Bookmobile, the CSAs were treated to skits performed by Lorraine Lane and Teresa Santangelo about patron interactions gone wrong. These two brought the laughs while showing the importance of involving Information and Youth Staff in patron interactions. 

And, finally, what can only be considered the cherry on top: puppets! Erin Palmer shared some tips on programming help CSAs can provide, including puppeteering. She and Amy Szvetecz performed a puppet show for the CSAs, and Erin demonstrated some techniques for making the puppets more life-like. Everyone got to adopt a puppet and try it for themselves. 

 

Overall, it was a fun and informative day, and we are already thinking about how to improve for next year!

Thank you to all of our guest speakers, including Adrianne, Nikki, Brooke West, Jeanine, Erin and Amy S.! A special thank you to Denmark staff for hosting us on your second day open. And, to all who covered the CSA tasks on Friday, thank you for giving us the opportunity to bring all of our CSAs together for this very important day. 

If you would like to see our CSA's in action along with grateful staff, check out this video.