I would like to start building a corporate library to provide additional learning resources to my staff and to manage their allocation through our learning management system. But with a training budget already stretched the task is to do this at a minimal cost. Does anyone have any ideas for creating such a library? For example, sources of secondhand books? Publishers offering free books for review? That sort of thing.....
Alex Laurs
7 Responses
Google
If your budget is stretched to the max, try running a search for free training courses and materials on google.
There are literally hundreds of training resources that for the cost of a few pence in printing you can take and use as you see fit within your organisation – material ranges from computer skills, presentation skills etc. to the ultimately bizarre, my favourite was a “Cat Neutering Course” we’ve never needed the skills detailed within – but it makes you aware just how much variety is out there.
For second hand material try Amazon.co.uk who quite often have material that folk are reselling.
Otherwise have a scout round and see how many professional organisations will send out material based on your “reviewing” it etc. by just sending letters to publishers etc.
Resource provider
Hello Alex,
We are a global leader in providing training materials(video, text, DVD, CD-Rom, etc.) and we pride ourselves on being the cheapest in the UK market.
I would be happy to discuss prices and costings, such as rental plans with you to see if we can be of service.
Please feel free to contact me on the number below.
Kind regards,
Tom Bailey
Mind Resources
020-7745-7183
Resources for you
Hi Alex
One resource that we have found that is spectacular is the Business Training Library (www.bizlibrary.com). It is an outsourced lending library that you pay a small subscription to use. We are a smaller company w/a limited budget, so it has been a find for us. We augment the Biz Library with an internal tech library where we find discounted resources from places like CBT Nuggets (www.cbtnuggets.com) Transcender (www.transcender.com), serebra (www.serebra.com) and others as well. Most are under 500 dollars.
Hope that helps!
Jenny
Corporate Library: funding
Your Corporate Library (and Information Service?) is a commercial/industrial tool like any other resource.
Try developing a proposal that separates the resource needs of such a tool from the shackles of the training budget.
A visionary Management Board/Team will see the difference through a strong argument.
Not the answer you wanted, I know, but you cannot build a decent bibliographical resource on the cheap I’m afraid.
Donations Welcome!
Have you thought about asking people in the organisation if they have got any books that they would like to donate to your library? We asked our staff and we got some great management books and IT books from people who had finished studying and did not need the books anymore.
Hay On Wye – The Town Of Books
Hello Alex,
Take a trip to Hay On Wye and there you will find all the books you need – ready and waiting at a fraction of the cost. (I have built up 2 libraries this way)
Regards,
Caroline
Corporate Library support
Don’t forget your local public library service!
It’s free (other than for reservation and overdue charges) and any size of library from mobile to large City Central is connected to a vast interlending facility.
Most library authorities now have their OPAC (online public access catalogue) available to search for, reserve and arrange collection of items from a convenient service point.