Peer Training in Infotrac is a project that brings training in the use of reference databases to the librarians and staff members of small communities in western Massachusetts where that training is most needed. Reference librarians from several western Massachusetts libraries, themselves proficient in the use of the databases and called Peer Trainers, schedule visits to small community libraries or to school libraries in the more rural areas of the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System (WMRLS). This hands-on training on location at the small community libraries is expected to stay with the participants longer than training received at a remote facility because the learning will happen in familiar surroundings and on the local library's own computers. Such local attention will give the trained library staff members confidence in training other staff members and patrons on how to use the Infotrac databases. The Infotrac databases are a collection of over 19 million articles, most of which are full-text, from journals whose subjects include current events, popular culture, health, business and industry, the arts and sciences, sports, hobbies, and more.

This effort began as a pilot project of the WMRLS Reference and Electronic Database Advisory Committee. In autumn 2004 WMRLS successfully received funding to continue and expand the project through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, with federal funds from the Library Services and Technology Act of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Peer trainers in this project are Karen Demers of the Wilbraham Public Library; Lisa Downing of Forbes Library, Northampton; Mindy Hackner of the David & Joyce Milne Public Library, Williamstown; Shirley Keech of WMRLS; Linda Knaack of Forbes Library, Northampton; Lisa Prolman of Greenfield Public Library; and Patricia Wiggin of the Westfield Athenaeum.

WMRLS, which is managing this project, is a private nonprofit organization that serves libraries of all kinds in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire Counties of Massachusetts.