Summary of findings of Learning Review 2
It's worth mentioning that the response rate was much higher than for the first review, and that the information provided was far more detailed. Perhaps this indicates that the Branching Outers had recognised the value of long-term personal evaluation?
The data showed that everyone felt that a lot was expected of them in their role as an agent of change, both by Branching Out and by their authority. They felt that they were expected to significantly raise the profile of reader development, often acting without enough time or perhaps support from colleagues or senior management. One said:
'I'm expected to be very proactive in spreading the 'gospel' of reader development to my colleagues.'
They also felt that they were expected to promote stock selection changes, reader development projects and partnerships with external agencies.
However, it was also clear that many participants appreciated the opportunity that Branching Out had given them to increase their status within their authority, even in some cases to influence senior management decision-making processes. This had obviously given them a sense of personal and professional achievement. Comments made included:
'I have made a major contribution to real changeĀ and this gives me a sense of achievement'
'It makes me feel involved at all levels of the department.'
Overall, respondents felt that their colleagues and senior managers were now more supportive of Branching Out than before, particularly as there were now many visible, concrete outcomes in the form of reader development projects:
'Colleagues [are] now more aware of the benefits of Branching Out and my time spent on projects'
'I think the concepts and ideals of Branching Out have become clearer and colleagues are able to see some of the initiatives are now coming through'.
Participants were generally unsure whether library users now had a more positive attitude towards reader development, although a number believed that changes in this area were beginning to take place. They said, for example:
'Having spoken to several readers' groups, set up various 'reader's choice' type of promotions etc., it's very apparent that there is a great need and enthusiasm for activities around reader development.'
The overall message to emerge from the second learning review was that participants had derived significant professional benefits and personal satisfaction from their involvement in Branching Out, and felt that improvements were also being made in their local authority as a result of the work they had done.
Click here for a full text version of Learning Review 2
