Work based shadowing is an excellent way of sharing good practice, gaining experience and a deeper knowledge and understanding of the different roles and services offered by libraries within the West Midlands Health network.  Shadowing involved spending one day shadowing staff from another library. 

There are benefits to both the host and the person shadowing, including:
• Opportunity to make new contacts and develop networks
• Sharing knowledge, good practice and the development of new insights and opportunities  with other libraries
• Encourages critical reflection of own job role
• Broadening your skill base
• Break down barriers and myths around how other people work and job roles.

Specific benefits for the host include:
• View and reflect your work through a ‘fresh’ pair of eyes.
• Learn from your visitor

Specific benefits for the shadow include:
• Learn from experienced colleagues
• Explain your role

Work Based shadowing in the West Midlands Health Network

Shadowing in the West Midlands is a self-directed activity.  We do have resources and guidance supporting work based shadowing.  These are included in the learning and development section of the document library.  Documents - Learning & Development.

For those wishing to arrange a visit there are guidance and tools on arranging a visit.

For those hosting there is guidance around planning a visit, a sample timetable and how to involve the library team members.

Preparation for shadowing
Before deciding who to shadow you will need to think about your learning needs and expectations and outcomes of what you want to get out of the day.  You may want to discuss this with your line manager. 

Arranging a Visit

Complete the series of questions 'Before arranging a visit' in the Shadow Guidance document found in the Learning & Development document folder.  (You will need to be logged into Wish to access this)

From your answers and discussion with your line manager you maybe able to identify a library service/person within the network who can contact about arranging a visit.  The People directory is the main source of finding and arranging an appropriate person to shadow.  The People Directory records the skills, expertise, and interests of library staff in WMHLN.  You can use the search function within the People Directory (not the search box for the entire site) or Browse the alphabetical of first names.

If you are not able to identify a possible placement or would like more advice please contact Alison Pope or Sharon Stevens of the RLU with your completed answers to the 'Before arranging a visit Checklist' who will be able to facilitate a placement.