Leveraging the Corporate Library through Web User Training.

Recently, increasing reliance on Web technology by end-users in organizations has encouraged corporate libraries to provide Web user training. To understand the effects of this new service, a case study was conducted on 17 participants at a large Canadian utility company. After an initial questionnaire, participant usage of the Web was unobtrusively monitored for two tracking periods through use of a custom-developed software application before and after the provision of an advanced Web training course. After both monitoring periods, one-on-one interviews were held with individual participants. Analysis of the results showed several key findings: improved Web use in terms of more substantial and efficient searches, increased comfort with Web technology, and greater appreciation for the services and resources offered by the corporate library. Results suggest the provision of Web user training may be a proactive way for corporate libraries to raise the profile of their departments within the firm. (Contains 15 references.) (Author/AEF)