Coping with Technostress

Workshop Report

Thanks to a $500 InULA Professional Development Grant and contributions from the Indiana Chapter of ASIS, the IUPUI Library Faculty was able to host a half-day workshop on March 27, 1998 in Indianapolis at the University Library Auditorium entitled "Coping with Technostress: How to Stay Sane in Interesting Times."

Participants included roughly equal numbers of librarians and library support staff, with a few library P.A.s and information scientists mixed in. The primary reason cited by participants as to why they chose to attend the workshop was that they found the topic interesting; the fact that the workshop was free was also a major factor for many people.

The presenter was Dan Jackson, a Certified Training Consultant with St. Vincent Stress Centers of Indianapolis. Using videos, handouts, small group discussions, and an interactive style, Mr. Jackson covered a variety of topics, including:

different "technotypes"

understanding stress

the individual's adjustment to stress

general stress management

administrative adjustments

dealing with patrons

18 people returned evaluations and rated the different aspects of the workshop as follows:

overall quality: 10 excellent, 7 good, 1 fair

quality of the presenter: 11 excellent, 7 good

quality of the facilities: 11 excellent, 7 good

quality of the training materials: 6 excellent, 11 good, 1 fair

The majority of respondents indicated that the most valuable part of the program to them was learning different coping skills and strategies, as well as conflict resolution techniques. A few respondents indicated that the small group brainstorming was the least valuable part of the program to them.

A copy of the videotape and accompanying handout material is available for loan. Contact the InULA Board for more information.

Submitted by Chris Long
1997/1998 Chair of the IUPUI Library Faculty
email: celong2@iupui.edu