From A Concise History of Discovery Day...
As Dean Nancy L. Eaton and Associate Dean Sally Kalin made departmental visit in 2004-2005, two needs emerged from the conversations. Staff wanted to become more familiar with the services and processes of other departments to better serve patrons as well as to advance personal professional development. They also wanted others to understand the work of their unit to create a more positive work environment.
The inspiration for In-Service Day was sparked in the minds of the head of Access Services and the head of Public Services, ignited by a suggestion that the library be closed for a day so that staff could take time to train and visit other departments. However, department tours were not a compelling enough reason to warrant a closed day. No special time needed to be designated for training on applications that are used on a daily basis, such activity could occur at any time. Instead, the vision developed for a professional-level conference; a day rich with multiple concurrent sessions on a variety of topics that would serve to keep Libraries personnel current with issues in the profession and locally. Interaction with colleagues would allow staff to meet or become reacquainted with each other. Presentations delivered by staff would serve to spotlight the work of other departments. Dean Eaton agreed to the concept but In-Service day would occur with Libraries open for business on a Friday during January intersession when demand for service is typically low.
In 2008-2009, suggestions were taken to rename In-Service Day. Since this day is about professional development as well as developing a rapport with colleagues and providing individuals an with with public speaking opportunities, Discovery Day was selected.
In 2006, Ann Snowman & Laurie Probst presented a poster summarizing the first in-Service day at a Continuing Library Education and Networking Exchange event held at the Annual American Libraries Association Conference in New Orleans, LA, June 22-28. That poster, "Staff Training Staff: Building an Effective Workforce" can be viewed here. (pdf - 948KB)
On October 2nd, 2011, Ann Snowman, Tim Auman, Susan Lane, Sandy Hoffmaster & Sherry Roth gave a presentation at the 2011 Pennsylvania Library Association entitled "Staff Development on a Shoestring" that documented the history and the logistics behind Discovery Day and how other libraries can launch a similar staff development event.
Information on this presentation can be found on the 2011 PaLA Presentation page.
Discovery Day Archives
