Jerry Hurst Training and Consultancy feedback from training

Photograph of Jerry Hurst Photograph of Jerry Hrst

'Just had the Head in with me for half an hour - to ask how my course had gone on Monday. When I was enthusing about it, his eyes lit up at the mention of library planning and self-evaluation! He took time to come back & talk to me about it, & had some great ideas to add of his own about getting the library used by more minority groups! What the course has shown me is using the right language & wanting to be accountable in this way, linking into the school like this is definitely my way forward! It's what I've wanted to do, & what a relief to find the key - the missing link has just been found!' School Librarian.

'Absolutely inspirational. It truly blew my socks off. Thank you so much.' Primary School Headteacher.

'I will now read more, put more reading material around the house... in the bathroom - and use the library more.' Foster Carer.

'I've had an inspirational day, I'm buzzing with ideas & feel very excited about putting it into action.' School Librarian.

'Great day - reminded me why I am in teaching.' Teacher.

'I feel much, much more confident about working with young people. Thank you!' Public Library Staff.

'Excellent! I have learnt an incredible amount and I have been challenged to think about reading in a new way.' Teacher.

'BRILL DAY - made me think about reading not only being about books we read. And how it all relates to our children and young people.' Foster Carer.

'So relevant to what we are trying to achieve, and so useful.' Teacher.

'It was very inspirational and I have come away with some Eureka moments!'. Teacher.

'This course today has made me feel proud to be a librarian!.' Public Library Staff.

'Today made me think again about how it all looks to customers. Plenty of approaches to use straight away.' Public Library Staff.

'It's taken the 'fear factor' out of working with teenagers.' Public Library Staff.

'Best training I've ever been on!' Museum Staff.

'I thought the day was excellent. I came away with loads of new ideas and was reminded what a difference I make for students. I was especially grateful for the ideas on how to evidence the impact of our work. But there were lots of other good things too, so many thanks for a great day.' School Librarian.

'I will now talk to my children more about what they are reading.' Foster Carer.

'This has helped me to think again about how we can be more effective in partnering schools and libraries. Museum Staff.

'I've learnt so much that will help me to work better with children at my library.' Public Library Staff.

'I thought this was totally brilliant.' School Librarian.

'I can see now how much more we can do to promote the differences the library makes. Many great ideas I will use straight away.' School Librarian.

'Need the rest of our staff to hear Jerry, so will organise an INSET day!' Teacher.

'I am, going to make a point of reading the books we discussed and I will keep up to date with new children's books!' Teacher.

'This was a wonderful, informative and intersting day.' Teacher.

'Smashing ideas. Really worthwhile training.' Public Library Staff.

'Thank you. I wasn't exactly sure if I was going to enjoy today or if I would leave with practical ideas to use, however both of these have been achieved.' Teacher.

'It was FAB. Jerry was a very engaging presenter and I am leaving feeling excited about it all!.' Teacher.

'This training was really eye opening and not what I expected at all. Very educational, enjoyable and informal.' Foster Carer.

'I really enjoyed today and it got me fired up again. At the beginning of this term I really felt I wanted to retire but today has reminded me why I do the job.' School Librarian.

'A smashing day - productive, creative, mind-boggling, challenging, effective!'. Public Library Staff.

'Very well presented at a good, challenging level.' School Librarian.

'This will help us to re-evaluate how we plan and 'sell' our services and how we can more effectively 'sing from the rooftops.' Public Library Staff.

'Wonderful, inspirational, with good practical ideas. Lovely not to have to make notes, much easier to listen / participate in the session.' Public Library Staff.

'I can't remember the last time I had so much fun on a training day.' Museum Staff.

'How to make friends and gain influence! Thank you.' Public Library Staff.

'The training has helped me to think about how we can make our sessions much, much more relevant to schools.' Museum Staff.

'It was one of the best training sessions I have been to and so practical. We have our inspection at the beginning of June and the info we were given will be very helpful in preparing evidence etc. as well as for co-operation between us and the public library service.' School Librarian.

'Fantastic to have such a productive day with teachers and librarians. We have moved a long way towards working more closely together in the future.' Public Library Staff.

'I was totally nervous at the start but feel really up about telling stories now!' Public Library Staff.

'What teenagers are reading, what we can do to make better libraries for teenagers, what to do when things are going wrong. Plenty to work on. Great, thanks.' Public Library Staff.

'The knowledge of the trainer was impeccable, he knew what he was talking about and the training wasn't done in a formal style, so it kept it fresh and entertaining while we were still learning.' Museum Staff.

'Excellent. Informative and presented in a lively fashion - and for me, great to lip read!' Public Library Staff.

'I finally understand. When I arrived this morning I didn't have a clue!' Public Library Staff.

'Excellent. Enthusiastic, educative, encouraging! Leaves a lasting impression and gives us all the power to go out and promote reading, books and libraries.' Public Library Staff.

'It helped a lot. Knowing more about what children need and what parents are likely to ask about and how to support them at the library, it's been very useful indeed. Thank you.' Public Library Staff.

'I've learnt loads! Too much to list here.' Teacher.

'Lots here I can use in developing our work with teenagers.' Public Library Staff.

'Just to say how excellent yesterday's storytelling training was. This morning we had a class of 4 - 5 year olds from a local school and I chose two stories and really enjoyed sharing them with the children. I followed your advice and I'm now confident about storytimes. Thank you very much for helping me with what was a real problem... formerly...'. Public Library Staff.

***

Merseyside Libraries making a difference: a role for everyone, every day.
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. He created and delivered an extensive package of consultancy and training in support of staff development and strategic planning and evaluation. Jerry is happy to adapt this programme to other Library Services and to Archives, Museums, Galleries, Community Development, Leisure, Arts and Sports. Click here for more information about Merseyside Libraries Making a Difference.

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 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.'

' We have never focused on the outcome in the past – this will change!'

' A very intensive day, but well worth it.'

' …it will help focus backroom activities as well as front line work.'

For the complete client evaluation of this programme go to Clients' Comments.

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.