Jerry Hurst Training and Consultancy Clients' Comments

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

Training, consultancy and front-line delivery, for Public Library Services, Schools, School Library Services, Education Services, Museums, Galleries, Archives, Youth Services and other agencies.

During 2009, 100% of clients rated training or consultancy as 'excellent' or 'very good'

During 2009, almost 85% of participants rated training as 'excellent' or 'very good'

Clients include:
ASCEL South West - Barnet School Libraries Resources Service - Bedfordshire County Council - BEWHICH North London Staff Development Consortium (Barnet, Enfield, Waltham Forest, Hackney, Islington, Camden, Haringey Councils) - Blackburn with Darwen School Library Service - Bournemouth Borough Council - Bristol City Council - Cambridgeshire County Council - Cheshire Education Library Service - CILIP School Libraries Group, London and the South-East - Cornwall County Council - Cumbria County Council - Dumfries & Galloway Council - Durham County Council - East Riding of Yorkshire Council - East Sussex County Council - Edinburgh Information and Learning Resources - City of Edinburgh Council - Essex County Council - Essex School Library Service - FPM Training - Gloucestershire County Council - Gloucestershire Schools Library Service - Gwynedd Council - Hertfordshire School Library Service - The Highland Council - Hillingdon School Library Service - Hull City Council - Kent County Council - Kent School Library Advisory Team - Knowsley Council - Knowsley School Library Service - Leeds City Council - Leeds Schools Library Service - The Libraries Agency - Library Services for Education, Leicester & Leicestershire - Lincolnshire County Council - London Borough of Brent - London Borough of Camden - London Borough of Croydon - London Borough of Hackney - London Borough of Haringey - London Borough of Islington - London Borough of Lewisham - London Borough of Merton - London Borough of Newham - London Borough of Redbridge - London Borough of Southwark - London Libraries Development Agency - Louth County Libraries, Ireland - Merseyside Library Authorities - Middlesbrough Council - Milton Keynes School Library Service - Museums, Libraries and Archives London - Museums, Libraries and Archives Yorkshire - Newport City Council - Norfolk County Council - Norfolk School Library Service - North East Wales School Library Service - North Lanarkshire Council - North Lincolnshire Council - North Yorkshire County Council - North Yorkshire School Library Service - Nottinghamshire Education Library Service - Peterborough City Council - Powys County Council - Reading Ethnic Minority Achievement Service - Reading Borough Council - Redcar and Cleveland Schools Resources Service - Renaissance East Midlands (Museums) - Right to Read [Looked-After Young People], Knowsley - School Library Association - School Library Association (S.W. Wales) - School Library Association (Yorkshire and the Humber) - School Libraries Group (London) - School Libraries Group (Wales) - Scottish Borders Council - SELPIG South-East London Staff Development Consortium (Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwish, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark Councils) - SHARE West London London Staff Development Consortium - Sheffield School Library Service - SKILLS North & West London Staff Development Consortium (Brent, Camden, City of Westminster, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Kensington & Chelsea Councils) - Somerset Resources for Learning - South East Wales Training Consortium - Staffordshire School Library Service - Stoke-on-Trent City Council - Suffolk School Library Service - Surrey County Council - Tales of the City [Looked After Young People] Project, Edinburgh - Time To Read North West Libraries Reader Development Partnership - Torfaen County Borough Council - Wakefield School Library Service - Western Education & Libraries Board (Northern Ireland) - Wigan School Library Service - Wirral Schools' Library Service - Worcestershire Schools' Library Service - Wrexham County Borough Council - Youth Libraries Group, London -Youth Libraries Group, North East - Youth Libraries Group, North West - Youth Libraries Group, Scotland - Youth Libraries Group, South East - Youth Libraries Group, South West - Youth Libraries Group, Wales - Youth Libraries Group, Yorkshire and the Humber.

As part of the Young Cultural Creators programme for London Libraries Development Agency and for Museums, Libraries and Archives London, Jerry has worked with:
Bruce Castle Museum, Haringey
Hall Place Tudor House and Gardens, Bexley
Handel House Museum
Keats House
The National Archives
The National Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery
Tate Britain
Tate Modern
The Theatre Museum and National Museum of the Performing Arts (a branch of the Victoria & Albert Museum)

'I couldn’t have been happier with the day – the feedback was only positive, and staff have suggested some follow up in the next 6 months. The day has achieved just what I hoped it would and has identified some ways forward in the coming year. Thanks!'
Tracey Collins, Right to Read [Looked-After Young People] Project Co-ordinator, Knowsley.

'The training covered everything I was hoping for - and more. It was spot-on. The day threw up some challenging points as well as reinforcing what participants already know and was authoritative and laced with good- humour. Sweets are a nice touch! There was a good mix of activity and listening and given the logistical challenge of a big region I think it was good to cover as much as possible on the day. People don’t like travelling and then feeling they haven’t got good value. There were no surprises for me on the day, in that you had asked for everything you needed well in advance, which meant that it could all run smoothly. Thank you very much.
Jane Mathieson, Regional Reader Development Co-ordinator, Time To Read (North-West Libraries Reader Development Partnership).

'Jerry was able to adapt the session to address our librarians’ specific needs. This made it very useful and relevant. He has a very entertaining presentational style which engages people and puts them in a good frame of mind to learn. I have never laughed so much during a training session.'
Beverley Jervis, Manager, Hillingdon Schools' Library Service.

'Staff really valued someone who understood library issues as well the challenges facing looked after children. I liked the way discussion was interspersed with activities that could be transferred to any situation and were easy to deliver. The course notes were also very helpful. It was really fun and engaging... thank you for a great day.'
Sarah Mears Children's Services Development Manager Essex Libraries.

'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

'Staff were very receptive and enthusiastic and came away with a better understanding and with ideas to help them do this area of work. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, even in cases where some individuals started with some cynicism. They were won over by your style, approach and message that learning support is key to what libraries do. As ever, you accentuated the positive and caused some opening of minds.

I anticipate the staff being more sympathetic, competent and confident in giving support to children using our service. Many thanks.'
Geoff James, Manager, Library Services to Children & Young People, Islington Libraries.

'Jerry is a very professional trainer who delivers important messages in a fun way. He recently delivered Boys into Books training to 204 teachers across eight sessions. Everone found the style and pace spot on. From an organiser's perspective Jerry is very easy to work with. He is efficient and delivers exactly what he says he will.'
Susan McCulloch, Head of Young People's Library Services, Cornwall Libraries

'The training was exactly what we were after. The staff were highly motivated by Jerry and his approach. The content was not only appropriate but went beyond the parameters we had set and left us with real food for thought regarding reader development. It has given us some great ideas on how to take reader development forward as an authority.

The training was delivered in a fun way. Jerry’s enthusiasm shone through and the content was thought provoking, interesting and motivating.

Jerry had delegates eating out of the palm of his hand within minutes of starting. He is clearly an expert in the area and has years of practical experience he was able to pass on during the training day. The training style was easy going and fun. He built up a great rapport with the delegates, who all commented on how enjoyable Jerry had made the day.

'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 into their everyday reader development and book group activities.'
Russell Brown, Children's and Young People's Library Service Manager, North Lanarkshire Education & Learning Services.

'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.

'Excellent. Content over both days was very relevant to staff, as well as being informative and interesting. There were great handouts with plenty of information for staff to refer back to. The two days were great and most enjoyable for staff. We felt much more confident following the training and motivated to follow through with marketing our library service. I would have no hesitation in recommending Jerry for any further training course for library staff.'
Amanda Branigan, Senior Executive Librarian, Louth County Council, Ireland.

'A very enjoyable, stimulating day, which left delegates with much to take away, think about and put into practice. The day included fun strategies which you can see working in school. It was very inclusive and great to include the public library staff; I think this might be just the stimulus we needed to work more closely together.

The content was spot on! It got delegates thinking and reflecting on their day-to-day practice; young people were right at the heart of the day, which is just how it should be!

The presentational style was great - a relaxed and easy style makes it feel easier for participants to contribute. There was a willingness to adapt the programme to suit the audience’s needs and a real sense that the trainer has tried and tested the techniques with young people. There was lots of opportunity for discussion and sharing ideas in small groups, as well as larger group sessions. There were comprehensive and detailed handouts - it's good to be able to listen and reflect rather than having to take copious notes at the same time and I like having the advance information, enabling delegates to prepare some ideas.

Thanks very much for a great day. From an organiser’s point of view, thank you for being so easy and enjoyable to work with!'
Liz Smith, Chair of S.W. Wales S.L.A., Librarian, Pembroke School.

'We’ve had nothing but positive feedback from staff about the customer care 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.

'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 [Looked After Young People] Project Leader, Edinburgh.

'To what extent did the consultancy meet our requirements? - 10/10'

'How useful was the consultancy in helping us to achieve our intended service outcomes? - 10/10'
Liz Bowe, Library Operations Manager and Mike Lister, Area Library Manager Carlisle & Eden, Cumbria Library & Archive Services.

(Creating a successful library for teenagers: a role for everyone - a package of strategy development, practical implementation and staff training & support).

'Jerry worked well to the brief in creating a marketing plan for Stoke-on-Trent Libraries. He familiarised himself with the Stoke-on-Trent structure, concerns and priorities very quickly, involved staff at all levels and threw himself into the task with energy and enthusiasm. Jerry quickly gained an excellent working knowledge of City and Library Service priorities, enabling him to produce a quality plan with excellent ideas which we will be implementing. He became a familiar face at all our libraries and was keen that all staff should contribute to the plan and have ownership of it.'
Anne Mackey, Customer and Support Services Manager, Libraries and Archives, Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

'Jerry Hurst is an acclaimed, inspiring trainer. Teachers on a previous course led by Jerry commented, 'A smashing day - productive, creative, mind-boggling, challenging, effective!'
Lorraine Rackley, School Library Service Manager, Blackburn with Darwen.

'Again, an excellent course that got important messages across to the staff about working with teeanagers, proven by the participation of staff and their enjoyment expressed afterwards.

The importance of a relevant library service for teenagers was reinforced in staff minds with pertinent anecdotes and quotes. Important messages about patterns of behaviour and stereotyping were put across well and the notion that working with teenagers is optional was well and truly buried.

The course took various approaches which suited different learning styles and was delivered with humour and the confidence of one who knows their subject.'
Gerry Williams, Young People’s Services Manager, Knowsley Library Service.

'The storytelling courses were a very good fit to the brief we gave. We were particularly pleased with your emphasis on encouragement – not being frightened to “give it a go” – also the way you use humour to deliver the message. And the pig was lovely!

Many of the participants really lack confidence in their ability to deliver a story session, so not putting anyone on the spot was just right. Leading by example was the best way to go with these groups. Something for everyone – from the novice, to the experienced needing a refresher and new ideas.

The handouts will be good to refer to and it is also useful for people to have a “Tried and Tested” list.

Excellent, feedback from the participants has been very positive.'
Nicci Shepherd, Senior Young Persons Development Librarian, Reading Borough Libraries.

'The training was what I had hoped for and met all my requirements. It was enthusiastic, honest and made everything and anything seem achievable. It was a good combination of talk and group work so everyone had a chance to participate and act on the information / ideas that had been discussed.

A great day of training. All staff left feeling confident, inspired and ready to go back to their branch with lots of ideas to try out. Also useful for me personally and as the lead on CYP work to discuss more strategic ideas and how the work with young people can be extended across the borough.
Joanne Moulton, Children and Young Persons Librarian, Lewisham Libraries.

'The training was geared towards our needs and addressed borough issues around serving young people. Staff have been given food for thought and appear enthusiastic and more confident. I thought the presentational style was formal at the right points and when required informal, a good balance.

As a result of the training I have started a working group to develop services to young people.'
Elaine Walters, Children's Services Manager, Southwark Libraries.

'Just the right mix of theory and practical tips. It certainly left everybody thinking in a positive and creative way and I've received several very favourable emails about the course. It was the right balance, delivered in bite-sized chunks, with a good mix of talk and practical work, enabling delegates to share their ideas and experiences. Jerry is extremely knowledgeable but does not present materials in a dictatorial or threatening way. Delegates were empowered to use the course in a way they felt comfortable with. Thanks for a great day!'
Karen Horsfield, Manager, Resources for Learning, Somerset.

'Participants left feeling inspired, enthused and more confident. Jerry is truly a great trainer, allowing time for delegates to understand issues and building in a programme that allows more important areas to take precedence, helping to give a better understanding of the areas being discussed. Plus his enthusiasm is infectious! He is a delight to work with, totally reliable, committed, and all his training is very well planned and organised.'
Audrey Kato and Adam Lancaster, Hertfordshire School Library Service.

'At the end, the delegates filled in evaluation forms, and the response to Jerry’s course was uniformly excellent, with many delegates commenting very favourably on Jerry’s presentation style (easy going and inclusive), and on his knowledge of the area he was training them in.

As a result of Jerry’s course, the delegates were given fresh approaches to teenagers' reading, and practical tips on how to set and run a teenage reading group. The setting up of reading groups and the appointment of a Youth Librarian, in some measure stemmed from the work Jerry has done.

Jerry also supplied excellent handouts so that the delegates went away from the course well armed with a tool kit to carry on the impetus that he engendered on the training day.

I can recommend Jerry as a very knowledgeable, approachable and engaging trainer.'
Mike Treacy, Senior Librarian, Youth Services, Kingston Libraries.

'It was very good to work with Jerry; his professionalism made my job (as YLG course co-ordinator) much easier than anticipated, given that it was the first time I had been asked to do this.

There was a high level of participation and a vibrant atmosphere; I would not hesitate to recommend this course to other colleagues.'
Jenny Cochrane, YLG North West and Senior Development Manager, Sefton Libraries.

'One of the most professional days I've been to - I also liked the sense that you'd done this stuff yourself - some trainers are a bit too distanced and give academic answers, but there's nothing like someone who has been on the frontline!'
Lynne Hackett, Chair of Yorkshire and the Humber YLG and Children's Reader Development Librarian, Children's & Schools' Library Service, Calderdale Libraries.

'Yesterday, one person from the training, who was adamant that she couldn't stand up in front of children and parents did songs and stories for 35 children and 16 parents and then ran an Easter Egg hunt. She regularly gets 30 people at her sessions now - and she's brilliant!

We felt that the training had been very sensitively tailored to the needs of our group. Jerry was reassuring and encouraging in equal measure which was just what we wanted and needed.

Staff arrived at the sessions feeling a bit apprehensive, but the majority left with a glow of confidence having taken part in a light-hearted training course that gave them lots of support, loads of ideas, plenty to laugh at and time to talk through their worries.

One of our library managers, who was previously nervous about storytelling in front of a group, couldn’t wait to put her new-found enthusiasm into practice and told some stories to a class “without worrying about making mistakes” first thing the morning after the course.

Jerry was warm, approachable, adaptable and made everyone smile. He also offered his email details to all the staff on the course in case they wanted to talk anything through with him once they were back in their branches. We really felt that he was interested in the people on the course.'
Cathy Myers, Early Years Librarian, Lewisham Library and Information Service.

'The effect on staff has been overwhelming.'
Kate Turner, Resources Librarian & Libraries' Training Officer, Cheshire Libraries.

'It was great to work with you. Your session was really inspiring.'
Jane Davies, Engish Adviser, Gloucestershire County Council.

'Excellent training delivered in an inspiring and accessible way. Early sessions created a real buzz among staff which rubbed off on those who weren’t due to attend until later. There is now a real groundswell of feeling among the majority of front line staff to change the way in which they interact with children and young people – they feel more confident and more empowered to do things which they had previously felt nervous of tackling.

I (and other members of my team) appreciated the opportunity to comment on and shape the training programme as we went along.'
Colin Brabazon, Senior Librarian: Young People’s Services, North Lincolnshire Libraries.

'Thank you very much for the day school on marketing and promotion. On the evaluation sheet you received a 100% score of 'excellent'. The majority of attendees rated the course 'very useful'. You were rated as having a 'clear, relaxed and informed style' and an 'amenable manner'. All in all it was a very good day. Thank you once again.'
Gillian Gardiner, Secretary, Yorkshire and the Humber YLG.

'The session was pitched at exactly the right level in content, delivery and opportunities for participation and debate. Importantly, the whole session was infused by a sympathetic understanding of exactly where the delegates were coming from in terms of their knowledge, enthusiasm, experience and capacity. Trust was established quickly and this led to a welcome openness in debate. All the delegates graded the session as 10/10 and wanted a return visit to continue the relationship.'
Peter Burns, Youth Services Manager, Durham Libraries.

***

'As always this was a very professional training session. Jerry was able to be flexible and react to the needs of the specific group he was working with. The group had both school and public librarians and they had slightly differing views, Jerry was able to work with this and created a day which both stretched and enthused the delegates.'
Margaret Pemberton, Chair of YLG South West and Schools Library Service Librarian, Bristol City Libraries.

***

'Jerry worked with us to develop and deliver training sessions around customer focus relating to children and young people. Jerry's enthusiasm, subject knowledge and personal anecdotes inspired staff to be proud of the work they were already doing but to take it one step further. Several have already put things into practice and other ideas are at the planning stage. Jerry's ability to show how libraries make a difference and to relate that to many different agendas was really valuable, particularly in emphasising the need for clearer planning and evaluation and outcome-based projects.'
Dorne Fraser, Senior Librarian, Norfolk Library & Information Services.

'Jerry is one of the best opening speakers that we have had at a one day school. He covered all the key policy behind working with teenagers in libraries (as requested) and showed real enthusiasm for the remaining workshops and speakers. He really whet the appetite of all the delegates – and he did all this with his usual passion and good humour. We were delighted to have him stay for the rest of the day and engage with delegates and our other speakers. Jerry did a brilliant training day in my borough and is an old friend of YLG – he seemed the obvious choice!
Cathy Myers – for London Youth Libraries Group.

Merseyside Libraries Making a Difference
Throughout 2007 - 2009, Jerry delivered an extensive and very effective programme of consultancy and training for Merseyside Libraries (Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St. Helens, Sefton, Warrington and Wirral). Working closely with the programme steering group and with frontline staff, Jerry created a practical toolkit and delivered twelve training days for staff at all levels. The programme focused on:

* reflecting on how we do things: including who does what… planning, delivery and evaluation is not the exclusive domain of managers

* using evidence of success… in every library, locally, across the authority, across the region…

This approach is very flexible and is adaptable to Archives, Museums, Galleries, Community Development, Leisure, Arts and Sports.

What the client said (Peter Marchant, Head of Libraries, Knowsley Council, on behalf of the steering group):
'To what extent did the consultancy meet our requirements? Excellent. All the authorities involved were starting from different stages, but as a consultant, Jerry was able to pull together our ideas, develop a coherent project plan to produce the toolkit and deliver training.

The toolkit that Jerry devised was developed during the course of the training sessions and informed by feedback from delegates, before the final handover at the end of the project. It evolved from the first draft received before Christmas, and was also given a Merseyside identity through the inclusion of photographs and examples provided by the library services taking part. Of particular help is the way that it has been designed to meet the needs of staff at all levels by its “dipping in here?” approach.

As intended, we now have a significant core of staff at all levels who are aware of, and motivated by, the difference that library services make – and who will be able to start capturing the evidence to demonstrate this.

In addition, Jerry has helped us maintain the momentum and strengthen cross-Merseyside links as we embed this work. Lead staff from each authority have developed, under his guidance, an individual action plan for their library service based on what they have learned. These teams will take part in a celebration / ‘snagging’ day in several months’ time, to discuss progress against their action plans, troubleshoot and share experiences.

Jerry has taken us on a journey of recognising the value of the community engagement work that library services do every day. The feedback from the library staff across Merseyside involved in the current project has been outstandingly good, and recognises Jerry’s ability and talent.

Members of our Training and Development section within Knowsley Council, and staff associated with the wider North West Improvement Network funding body have been impressed with the coherence and professionalism of the programme devised by Jerry, and also at the unanimously high praise deriving from participants’ feedback.

To what extent did the training meet our requirements? Excellent. From earlier work with Knowsley, around the subject of staff interactions with children & young people, I knew from the comments of front-line staff involved that Jerry is a first-rate trainer, delivering exceptional, motivational training.

The training was extremely well received, with very high levels of positive feedback...

'I now have loads of ideas…in order to evaluate the needs of the community and act accordingly.'

'…a very interesting day that has delivered practical and useful information that I can use in my daily planning …Jerry was inspirational and motivational.'

The evaluation forms also indicated a real commitment to carry this work forward in the workplace. One actually refers to 'the passion of library staff' – something perhaps not generally recognised, least of all by librarians themselves.

What staff said:
At the end of training sessions, 30% of participants evaluated the training as 'excellent'' and 59% evaluated it as 'very good'.

Before training, only 16% of participants felt they were either 'clear' or 'very clear' about this area of our work. After training, 86% of participants felt they were either 'clear' or 'very clear'. This is a 70% improvement.

Before training, only 10% of participants felt they were either equipped or very equipped to deliver / develop this area of our work. After training, 71% of participants felt they were either equipped or very equipped. This is a 61% improvement.

'I would be happy to be contacted further on this subject, if required.'
Peter Marchant, Head of Libraries, Knowsley Council.

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