Beginning with a strong foundation

Running an effective training workshop requires a strong understanding of your topic and your audience. Understanding the skills (and skill gaps), needs and expectations are all vital if the training is to make an impact. While there is no ‘one size fits all’ template to running an effective workshop, we outline here some of the key considerations that have proven useful in a successful workshop — particularly in the South.

In March 2013, we conducted research into how the consortium of libraries in Uganda could ensure that the training events they organise are consistent in terms of quality of outcomes. The steps outlined here were applied to our work with CUUL and the impact is to be followed over the first year.

INASP presented on this work at the 10th Northumbria International Conference on Performance Measurement in Libraries and Information Services in July 2013. The conference paper, ‘Assessing the impact of workshops run by the Consortium of Ugandan University Libraries – measuring performance through effectiveness of training activities’ is to be published in the conference proceedings.