Jerry Hurst training and consultancy

Clients' comments

e mail Jerry Hurst

Telephone:
+44 (0)20 8364 6166

Mobile:
+44 (0)7950 408347

 

 

 

 

 


Supporting work with readers and learners of all ages, interests and abilities

Jerry Hurst BA (Hons) Dip Lib MCLIP is an experienced independent freelance practitioner, trainer and consultant. He works across the UK and beyond, with Public Library Services, Schools, School Library Services, Education Services, Museums, Galleries, Archives, Youth Services and other agencies. Jerry contributes to work with children, their parents and carers, teenagers or adults and to programmes covering the full range of service provision.

Photograph from museum eventPhotograph from library event

For details of Jerry's training, click here or select the 'Training' option at the top left of this page.

New training for 2010, in response to client demand... Managing behaviour: making positive connections with young people. This training, for public library, museum, archive or gallery staff, equips participants with confidence in tried-and-tested practical techniques for positive personal engagement with young people.

New training... Creating a customer-centred service: a practical approach. The practical essentials of customer focus, customer service and customer care, for front-line staff. Jerry has an established track record of delivering high quality staff training in this field, including large-scale programmes for Cumbria Libraries and Reading Libraries. This training addresses the rapidly changing roles of library, museum, archive or gallery staff as they become more focused upon creative interaction with customers. 'We’ve had nothing but positive feedback from staff about these training days – everyone genuinely enjoyed the course and took something away from it, even staff who are not always easy to convince. The whole programme was very successful.' Sue Cochrane, Business Development Manager, Cumbria Library & Archive Services.

New training... Reading making connections. A practical, introductory day for public library staff, foster carers and residential care staff, exploring the essentials of partnership working. 'The feedback from staff was very positive and they engaged with and enjoyed the training very much. It was highly interactive and activity based. Very good, lots of practical ideas and a good survey of different approaches and different kinds of material available. Very enjoyable, relaxed and entertaining – messages were put across very well.' Matt Ferguson, Tales of the City Project Leader, Edinburgh Libraries.

New training...
101 ways to a vibrant, inspiring and creative Primary [or Secondary] School Library. The School Library can play a central role in increasing attainment and supporting a wide range of academic, personal, social and emotional learning outcomes. If you are looking to develop the School Library in support of key school priorities, including personalised learning, pupil voice, transition, creativity and the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) agenda, then this is an invaluable training opportunity. 'This was one of the best training days we have delivered in North Lanarkshire. This is down to Jerry and his approach. It was as close as you can get to a perfect training day; one that has already had impact, as we have seen how staff have begun to adopt approaches talked about during the day.' Russell Brown, Children's and Young People's Library Service Manager, North Lanarkshire Education & Learning Services.

New training... Beyond Behaviour Management: effective engagement for learning in the Secondary School Library. This training option enables Secondary School Library Staff to develop awareness, knowledge and skills to engage positively or more positively with students, within the school's behaviour policies and protocols. 'Thank you once again for running another successful course for us. I liked the comment from one of the delegates that this was 'the best course I have ever been on.' Lynn Downey, Librarian, Kent School Library Advisory Team.

For details of Jerry's consultancy work, click here or select the 'Consultancy' option at the top left of this page.

To see what clients have said about Jerry's staff training and consultancy, click here.

To see what participants have said about Jerry's training, click here.

If you need further information, or would like to discuss your training or consultancy requirements, please e mail jerry@jerryhurst.co.uk or telephone +44(0)20 8364 6166.

'The training was brilliant, so relevant to how we promote our service and how we can do this much, much better. All of the approaches we discussed were readily do-able. Everyone recognised this was the case and was enthused by it. The day was relaxed, friendly and approachable, the feedback from all those who attended was positive. There was not a negative comment amongst them. We were all absolutely delighted. One of the comments on the evaluations was "This course today has made me feel proud to be a librarian." The training was also great value, we will definitely be arranging more!'
Annie Thompson, Libraries, Information and Archives,
Dumfries & Galloway Council.

‘A good mix of listening and doing. Many of the participants had their expectations of a school reading group completely changed. I think they will use a far wider range of formats and engage in a lot more interesting and creative activities with the children. Jerry held the interest of the group well and encouraged them to participate and share their thoughts. His style is very inclusive and gives lots of opportunity for comment and discussion; no death by PowerPoint!’
Ann Leeming, Manager, Cambridgeshire Schools Library Service.

'The training was stimulating and imaginative. It was well planned and structured and Jerry was able to engage with a broad range of learners. Jerry has a high level of knowledge and understanding of the subject area. He immediately put everyone at ease and was able to adapt to people's specific requirements. Jerry was approachable and enthusiastic and the training was clear and interspersed with relevant examples from his comprehensive experience. Participants were fully engaged at all times through a range of activities mixed with periods of thought and discussion.'
Janis Wilson, Senior Librarian, Children & Young People, Hull Libraries
.

Further background
Throughout 2007-2009, Jerry worked with Merseyside Libraries (Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St. Helens, Sefton, Warrington and Wirral) on the highly effective Merseyside Libraries Making a Difference programme for the North West Improvement Network. Here he created and delivered an extensive package of consultancy and training in support of staff development and strategic planning and evaluation.

For The Reading Agency, Jerry is a trainer for Participate and for HeadSpace, national programmes to develop engaging library spaces run in partnership between libraries and young volunteers, for the Chatterbooks children's reading groups programme, for Enjoying Reading, in support of school / public library partnership and for Summer Reading Challenge. Jerry is also a consultant / trainer for Their Reading Futures, the library workforce development initiative.

Jerry is a trainer for Renaissance East Midlands (Museums) and a Learning Consultant for Young Cultural Creators, the innovative reader and writer development programme funded by Museums, Libraries and Archives London. He has also been a trainer for FPM Training, on the Leading Libraries leadership programme for Public Library managers.

In the 1990s Jerry was Head of Young People's Library Services in the London Borough of Southwark, where he developed library-based Homework Help Clubs and Reading Groups for children, teenagers and families. Prior to this, Jerry was Head of Young People's Library Services in the London Borough of Waltham Forest.

Jerry has been a key member of senior management teams in the planning of services, the development of a new library (Peckham, in Southwark), the co-ordination and delivery of funding bids and the development of marketing, promotion and customer care strategies. He has worked as a Youth Librarian and as a Branch Librarian in Hackney and in Enfield, as a storyteller and as an occasional reviewer of children's books for publications including The Guardian. He has also appeared on BBC TV and radio and has been a judge for the Branford Boase Award.

'Hands-on' or strategic consultancy work
Jerry is available on a consultancy basis to advise on and support strategic planning and to deliver practical reading and learning programmes.

Training to support work with readers and learners of all ages, interests and abilities

Jerry provides high quality on-site training, adaptable to the client's specific requirements. The content, level, approach and intended learning outcomes are always designed to reflect the client's brief. Jerry is also happy to create new courses to meet specific needs. This approach ensures that outcomes for participants are closely aligned with local service and staff development priorities.

Here are the current training options. Jerry is also happy to create new courses or combine elements from different courses, to meet specific needs:

Consulting and involving young people
Leading and being led: working with children and young people in promoting fiction and wider reading
Leading and being led: young people as partners in service development and delivery
Reading making connections: partnership working with looked-after young people and residential care staff
Riding the tiger! Student involvement in school libraries and learning spaces in the 21st century
The right stuff! Working with children and young people to create relevant and inspiring libraries

Customer service
Creating a customer-centred service: a practical approach
Creating a successful library for teenagers: a role for everyone
Creating a welcoming, inspiring library: a whole staff approach
Libraries inspiring young people: a role for everyone

Library-based study support
Planning, running and evaluating public library-based study support
Planning, running and evaluating out-of-hours school library study support
Supporting learning: planning, running and evaluating public library-based homework support

Library provision for children and young people
101 ways to a vibrant, inspiring and creative Primary School Library
101 ways to a vibrant, inspiring and creative Secondary School Library
Babies, bounce and Bookstart
Beyond behaviour management: effective student engagement for learning in the Secondary School Library
Children's reading: a practical introduction
Children's [or family] reading groups: a practical introduction
Children's [or family] reading groups: next steps
Children's and young people's customer focus
Creating a successful library for children and young people: a role for everyone
Getting the whole school reading: a practical approach for primary schools
Getting the whole school reading: a practical approach for secondary schools
Hitting the mark: planning, evaluation and advocacy for children's and young people's library services
Leading and being led: working with children and young people in promoting fiction and wider reading
Leading and being led: young people as partners in service development and delivery
Libraries inspiring young people: a role for everyone
Libraries supporting learners: self-evaluation in the school library resource centre
Making them matter: effective school class visits - a practical approach
Managing behaviour: making positive connections with young people

Marketing and promoting public library services to children and young people
More than just reading out loud: storytelling with books for public libraries
More than just reading out loud: storytelling with books in school. Foundation to Key Stage 2
Moving the library forward [school libraries]
Planning for success: self-evaluation in the primary school library
Planning for success: self-evaluation in the secondary school library / LRC
Planning, running and evaluating public library-based study support
Planning, running and evaluating out-of-hours school library study support
Public libraries for children and young people: issues of social inclusion
Reader development, ICT and the new media: approaches with children and young people
Reading for pleasure… it’s a boy thing!
Reading making connections: partnership working with looked-after young people and residential care staff
Riding the tiger! Student involvement in school libraries and learning spaces in the 21st century
The right stuff! Working with children and young people to create relevant and inspiring libraries
School reading groups: a practical approach
Stronger together! Effective partnership working with schools
Structure for learning: an introduction to the National Curriculum at Key Stage 1, 2 and 3
Supporting learning: planning, running and evaluating public library-based homework support
Teenage reading: a practical introduction
Teenage reading groups: a practical introduction
Teenage reading groups: next steps

Library provision for teenagers
101 ways to a vibrant, inspiring and creative Secondary School Library
Beyond behaviour management: effective student engagement for learning in the Secondary School Library
Creating a successful library for teenagers: a role for everyone
Libraries inspiring young people: a role for everyone
Managing behaviour: making positive connections with young people

Planning, running and evaluating public library-based study support
Public libraries for children and young people: issues of social inclusion
Riding the tiger! Pupil involvement in school libraries and learning spaces in the 21st century
Teenage reading: a practical introduction
Teenage reading groups: a practical introduction
Teenage reading groups: next steps

Marketing and promotion
The essentials of marketing and promotion for archives
The essentials of marketing and promotion for museums
The essentials of marketing and promotion for public library services
Marketing and promoting public library services to children and young people
Writing a marketing plan

Partnership working
Reading making connections: partnership working with looked-after young people and residential care staff
Stronger together! Effective partnership working with schools

Planning, evaluation and advocacy
Good school libraries: making a difference to learning
Hitting the mark: planning, evaluation and advocacy for archives
Hitting the mark: planning, evaluation and advocacy for children's and young people's library services
Hitting the mark: planning, evaluation and advocacy for museums
Hitting the mark: planning, evaluation and advocacy for public library services
Hitting the mark: planning, evaluation and advocacy for school libraries
Libraries supporting learners: self-evaluation in the school library resource centre
Managing: up, down and all around
Planning for success: self-evaluation in the primary school library
Planning for success: self-evaluation in the secondary school library / LRC
Project management: an introduction

Reader development
101 ways to a vibrant, inspiring and creative Primary School Library
101 ways to a vibrant, inspiring and creative Secondary School Library
Adult reading groups: a practical introduction
Adult reading groups: next steps
Babies, bounce and Bookstart
Children's reading groups: a practical introduction
Children's reading groups: next steps
Getting the whole school reading: a practical approach for primary schools
Getting the whole school reading: a practical approach for secondary schools
Inspiring the library user: reader development in action
More than just reading out loud: storytelling with books for public libraries
More than just reading out loud: storytelling with books in school. Foundation to Key Stage 2
Practical, 'hands on' workshops
Promoting reading in the primary school
Promoting reading in the secondary school
Reader development, ICT and the new media
Reader development, ICT and the new media: approaches with children and young people
Reading for pleasure... it's a boy thing!
Reading making connections: partnership working with looked-after young people and residential care staff

School reading groups: a practical approach
Teenage reading: a practical introduction
Teenage reading groups: a practical introduction
Teenage reading groups: next steps

Reading activity workshops
Practical, 'hands on' workshops

School class visits
Making them matter: effective school class visits to the library / museum / archive - a practical approach

School library self-evaluation
Libraries supporting learners: self-evaluation in the school library resource centre
Planning for success: self-evaluation in the primary school library
Planning for success: self-evaluation in the secondary school library / LRC

Social inclusion - planning and practice
Free for all? Cradle to grave? Practical approaches to inclusion
Public libraries for children and young people: issues of social inclusion

Reading making connections: partnership working with looked-after young people and residential care staff
Social inclusion in public library services: planning and practice

Stock selection and promotion
Future libraries: New challenges, fresh opportunities for resource selection and promotion in the Secondary School
Never mind the width, feel the quality! Library stock promotion on a shoestring
Setting out our stall: approaches to library stock, layout and presentation
The write stuff? Stock selection and promotion as a focus for partnership with users and potential users

Storytelling with books
More than just reading out loud: storytelling with books for public libraries
More than just reading out loud: storytelling with books in school. Foundation to Key Stage 2

Training designed to inspire and involve staff
The difference we make: ideas and approaches for improving our service
The strongest link! How to work as an effective team member

***

Thanks to the following for kind permission to use photographic images
Bedfordshire Libraries; BEWHICH Libraries in North London; Cambridgeshire Libraries; City of Norwich School; Haringey Libraries; Hertfordshire Schools Library Service; Highland Libraries; Kent Libraries; Knowsley Libraries; Leicestershire Libraries; Library Services for Education, Leicester & Leicestershire; Liverpool Libraries; Middlesbrough Libraries; Milton Keynes School Library Service; Nlarge/Knowle West Media Centre, Bristol Libraries and ASCEL - for Libraries through the lens images; Norfolk Libraries; Norfolk School Library Service; North East Wales School Library Service; Solihull Libraries; Southwark Libraries; Stoke-on-Trent Libraries; Torfaen Libraries; Wirral Libraries; Wrexham Libraries.

This website was last updated on February 7th 2010
Text and images © Jerry Hurst