Developing Student Leaders: Expanding Training Using Instructional Strategies

Instruction folx and Access Services folx walk into student training. "Ouch" they all say. At our library we have an elevated student worker program, called "Student Leads." These students help staff at the desk with training new student assistants, technical assistance to patrons, and tend to be the most knowledgeable of all issues at the desk. This year, we redeveloped our Student Leads training through an instructional lens - identifying learning goals, outcomes, and assessment not only for training but for our entire Leads program, which first meant ensuring all staff were on the same page with how instruction planning is handled and adapted to access services. Then we began breaking down task-oriented responsibilities into their ultimate goals, such as effective communication, demonstrating initiative, and encouraging curiosity and independent learning (all through an equity lens). We developed learning goals for the training that were not only addressing the work required at the desk, but skills that Student Leads could take into their next role outside of the Libraries. Join us as we discuss our process of redefining the Student Leads program into a robust learning and professional development opportunity.