Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Training in Your Library this May - Updated!

My monthly round-up of webinar and other online training opportunities for May. Don't let budget cuts keep you from taking care of yourself. All of the programs listed below are available for free on your desktop and most will be archived if you can't make the live broadcast.

Providing Help Desk Support Using Event Tracker on Wednesday, May 7 @ 1:30pm

Event Tracker is a free tool within TechAtlas which allows users to create an online "help desk" so they can track all of the requests and solutions to computer troubles in the library. When a staff member reports the problem using the web-based form, TechAtlas notifies the designated technical support staff by e-mail. After the problem has been resolved, there is space in Event Tracker to include the solution. This creates a knowledge base that can be referred to later if the same problem occurs. It also helps you to stay on top of all the technology tasks that need to be completed in the library.

Online Marketing for Libraries on Thursday, May 8 @ 2pm - NEW

Join Sarah Houghton-Jan, the Librarian in Black blogger, in exploring how libraries can market their collections and services online. In the Web 2.0 environment, libray staff need to think about outreach differently. Users spend more time online in both solitary and social endeavors. This session will cover how to find potential users online and reach out to them with the services and resources they need. Attendees will go away with a lengthy checklist of ideas to take back to their libraries to successfully create an ongoing online marketing plan. Please note: This program will last approximately 90 minutes.

A Casual Conversation with Jenny Levine on Friday, May 9 @ 2pm - NEW

Jenny is the Internet Development Specialist and Strategy Guide at the American Library Association. She works jointly in the Information Technology & Telecommunications Services unit and the Publishing unit. She also writes the very popular blog, The Shifted Librarian. The Casual Conversations series is designed to be up-close and personal from a respectable online distance. While there are many conferences (in-person, online, and in-world) where librarians can hear leaders in the field make formal presentations about interesting projects, there are few opportunities to hear these same leaders discuss informally what they currently are working on, their future plans and goals, the challenges and opportunities facing librarianship, their personal pet peeves, etc.

Innovative Health Information Programs for Spanish Speakers on Tuesday, May 13 @ 1pm

Learn about several innovative programs designed to increase access to health information for Spanish speakers and increase community health. Guest speakers include: Susan Dalmas, manager of Queens Library/ Adult Learner Program; Kathel Dunn, Associate Director of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region; and Loida Garcia-Febo, Assistant Coordinator, Special Services, Queens Library.

Professional Development: Making the Most of Upcoming Conferences on Wednesday, May 14 @ 2pm

Whether you have the privilege of attending one of the upcoming conferences (ARSL Fall Conference or ALA Annual), or you're just looking for a way to grow professionally through virtual conferences, this session is designed to help you leverage the opportunities that are out there. A variety of speakers will address how to make the most out of attendance at any conference, what is virtual conferencing and will it work for you, and what does ARSL have in store for its Fall Conference and why you should plan on attending.

Opening New Windows of Opportunity: Creating Breakthrough Instructional Experiences on Thursday, May 15 @ 3pm -NEW

Brian Mathews will speak on "breakthrough opportunities" as he shares his latest ideas on creating interactive library experiences for students. This session will feature tactics for engaging students in both the classroom as well as in digital environments. Brian will also discuss possibilities for the library and librarians to become a more integrated part of campus and will highlight his ubiquitous "push-out" philosophy. Blended Librarians Online Learning Community webinars are free but require registration.

Technology Training and Competencies for Libraries on Thursday, May 15 @ 4pm - NEW

Join Sarah Houghton-Jan, the Librarian in Black blogger, in exploring how libraries can provide tech training for staff. Every library on the planet struggles with technology training for staff. In this session, learn how to create a set of useful technology competencies, catered to your individual library and its technologies. Also learn how to use these competencies, and the staff's assessments, to build a self-sustaining staff technology training program. You will hear about the purpose and benefits of competencies and technology training, get a review of the process of creating competencies lists, and the implementation process, including assessment. Please note: This program will last approximately 90 minutes.

PowerSearch on Friday, May 16 @ 11am - NEW

Learn more about the platform that allows your patrons to cross-search multiple Gale databases as well as thousands of eBooks from one single starting point. You'll also be introduced to PowerSearch Plus, our newest platform enhancement that allows patrons to cross search not only your Gale databases, but nearly all of your electronic subscription databases (regardless of publisher), your OPAC, and the open Web!

New Tools for School Librarianship on Tuesday, May 20 @ 7pm - NEW

In the day-to-day aspects of our jobs, librarians collect a vast amount of information, including information about scheduling, collecting statistics, or facts and figures for our patrons. A wiki is a great tool to store, share, and edit information, whether it be externally with our patron community or internally among staff. Join us to discuss tips to economize time spent in the library, and how to stretch resources when you're in-office. We will discuss using online tools for projects & research, book recommendations and scheduling IMC time. This wiki webinar is designed to show you how wikis can be used by school librarians.

Trends in e-learning: What Does it Mean for Libraries? on Wednesday, May 21 @ 11am

While in some sectors e-learning may seem "old hat", the world of e-learning continues to change at a rapid pace. With newer technologies such as mobile devices, technologies such as Second Life, litigation in the e-learning vendor arena, and evolving standards, e-learning remains a dynamic area that we have to keep our eye on. And while many libraries have fully developed e-learning environments, many are just getting beginning to explore the possibilities. This workshop will focus on issues related to how availability and interoperability are changing the way e-learning is being delivered as well how developments in open source and open access as well as social networking are changing the way e-learning occurs.

Wireless Acceptable Use Policies: MaintainIT Cookbook Webinar on Wednesday, May 21 @ 1pm

Grab a comfy chair and participate in a 30-minute discussion where contributors to the Cookbooks share their insights, their secrets, and what you can do to get started with projects like theirs. In May, join Louise Alcorn of West Des Moines Public Library, contributor to Recipes for a 5-Star Library Cookbook, and author of Wireless Networking: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians, as she chats about her experiences with wireless, including considerations around the ever-important wireless acceptable use policy. Take 30 minutes out of your day and learn from the experiences of others. Get started with wireless at your library!

Introduction to Shaping Outcomes on Thursday, May 29 @ 2pm

Join presenter Rachel Applegate, Project Director of Shaping Outcomes Continuing Education, as she introduces the online course, 'Shaping Outcomes,' which teaches the principles of an 'outcomes-based planning and evaluation' (OBPE). The course was developed to help LSTA and IMLS grant applicants create stronger grant proposals-and stronger programs.

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