Lancaster University have been using the Useful Guides and support for over two years as part of our staff development provision. We use them in a number of ways: as recommended back-up further reading for in-house workshops and programmes, as an alternative to course attendance, and as individually-accessible development where there is no in-house or departmental provision immediately available.
Lancaster has in place an annual performance and development review process for all staff, and the Guides provide both the means to explore development options and access to support for particular development needs.
Users have commented favourably on the ease of access to the materials and the broad range of coverage. With over 1,750 downloads so far, Lancaster staff have made good use of this provision. From the institutional point of view, this provides a relatively low-cost and useful adjunct to our staff development programme.