Several trainers teach information pertinent to the unit, such as holdings and locations, in a sequence of topical modules. Student assistants observe peer student trainers at the public service desk greeting patrons and proactively assisting them. Student employees practice setting up and maintaining audiovisual equipment. The graduate student assistant instructs student employees on basic computer operation and hardware maintenance. Trainers also provide informational guides and an interactive Web- based library exercise to demonstrate basic searching on the electronic catalog, and on the World Wide Web.
Student assistants practice loading and running CD-ROM products on a variety of operating systems.
Since assessment is criterion-referenced, student assistants only need training for those competencies which they cannot demonstrate. All new and returning student assistants are exposed to assessment procedures for all skills. Those proficiencies deemed to be the most needed for effective running of the department are targeted first. Evaluation procedures are developed in a manner which measures performance approximating actual working conditions. For example, flash cards that have to be placed in proper sequence are used for training student assistants on the Library of Congress call number system.