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Dodge City will Participate in Digital Community Leadership Summit

Wednesday, June 6th, 2012

As part of the IMLS digital inclusion grant awarded to WebJunction, ICMA (International City/County Management Association), and TechSoup Global, the partners are planning to convene a Digital Community Leadership Summit with a small selection of communities for conversation and activities to explore how they can move forward with digital inclusion efforts. Dodge City, Kansas will be one of the participating communities.

The summit will be held in St. Paul MN on June 12th—13th and will center on the IMLS Framework for Building Digital Communities ( http://www.imls.gov/about/building_digital_communities.aspx) as the foundation for taking action.

There will be 9 communities from around the country. Each community will send a public library director, a city/county administrator and a community-based organization director to the summit, for a total of 27 participants. The selected communities are: Chandler AZ, Tallahassee FL, Ada County ID, Dodge City KS, Bangor ME, St. Paul MN, El Paso TX, King William County VA, and Milwaukee WI.

In making the selections, the project team used these key criteria:

- Strong community interest in initiating or augmenting digital inclusion efforts
- Demonstrated ability to form community partnerships
- Diversity in terms of geographic distribution, range of achievement with digital inclusion efforts, range of community sizes and diverse populations.

Key objectives for the June summit include:

- Increasing awareness of IMLS Framework for Building Digital Communities and its relevance as a foundation for increasing digital inclusion in local communities.
- Reinforcing libraries, community-based organizations, and city/county managers as local leaders in facilitating digitally inclusive communities
- Increasing the ability to determine and address local needs through effective engagement with the community.

Attending from Dodge City will be Cathy Reeves, Dodge City Public Library Director; Jane Longmeyer, City of Dodge City Public Information Director; and Greta Clark, Chair of the Cultural Relations Advisory Board and professor of English as a Second Language at Dodge City Community College. In preparation for the summit a Community Café was held with various community leaders to discuss the digital needs of Dodge City.

Posted in Announcements, Library 2.0, Technology | No Comments »

“The Conversation Business” was the First Program in “The Library as Community Center”

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

“The Conversation Business.” was held on Wednesday, March 21 from 2:00 to 4:00. The presenters were Brenda Hough and Heather Braum, both of the Northeast System, and Shannon Roy from the State Library of Kansas.

Brenda Hough shared some ideas from The Atlas of New Librarianship by R. David Lankes. Lankes says that “Libraries are in the knowledge business; therefore libraries are in the conversation business. New librarians approach their work as facilitators of conversation. Be it in practice, policies, programs and/or tools, participatory librarians seek to enrich, capture, store and disseminate the conversations of their communities.” He encourages librarians to view their libraries as “workshops of the mind” with conversation as the catalyst for knowledge. The popularity of digital media in a rapidly changing world is sparking new possibilities for libraries and requiring librarians to re-think the roles their libraries will play in the community.

Heather Braum shared stories from around the state about lifelong learning activities that will play an increasingly important role in the future of libraries. These included classes, programs, demonstrations, discussion groups, special interest clubs, 6 by 6 activities, and other ways in which Kansas libraries are enriching life and knowledge in their communities.

Shannon Roy shared ideas from around the State on how Kansas libraries are making their facilities more welcoming and their websites more interactive and rewarding.

All three presenters were delighted with the ideas and stories shared by the participants in the workshop. “The Conversation Business” may be a fairly new term, but Kansas librarians are in the business as they welcome their library users and interact with them in so many ways.

Posted in CE & Training, Librarians & libraries, Library 2.0 | No Comments »

Going Social to get Local: Engaging Your Community via Social Media”

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

Please mark your calendars for the second program in the online series called “The Library as Community Center.” On WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28 FROM 10:00 – 12:00, Lawrence librarians will present “Going Social to get Local: Engaging Your Community via Social Media”

The Collaborate link to join this program is at:

https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.83E31149484BF286F5EAA954895393&sid=2011591

You may come in after 9:30 if you would like to check your equipment.

The program will be archived, but plan to enjoy the live session if you can.

Members of Lawrence Public Library’s social media team will offer an overview of how they have developed a strong social media presence and engaged their community. As coordinator of the library’s social media efforts, marketing director Susan Brown will offer a broad overview of how the library got started in social media, what their policies and strategies are, and some lessons learned along the way. She’ll also offer some bold answers to frequently asked questions about social media, particularly aimed at those who are just getting started and trying to build a case for the importance of social media.

Jennifer Cook, children’s librarian and leader of the Facebook group, will offer an inside look at just what LPL posts on FB and why. She’ll talk about how she recruits members to the team, identifies their interests, and organizes their efforts. Jennifer will also talk about developing content for Facebook and measuring success. Attendees will be sure to enjoy her Hall of Fame/Hall of Shame FB posts as well as her Extreme Makeover: FB Edition, where she reviews an unsuccessful post and shows how it could be made better.

Rachel Smalter Hall, adult programs librarian and Twitter team leader, will talk about how the library has developed a strong following on Twitter and how it sustains and engages its audience there. Rachel will provide an in-depth look an not just what LPL says on Twitter, but why they say it. Attendees will learn about the power of hashtags, cool tools like Hoostuite, and the ways that LPL tweeters have blurred personal and professional lines to achieve an authentic social voice – #pbrbookclub, anyone?

Finally, the trio will talk about what’s next for the library’s social media endeavors and offer some practical wisdom for you – whether your library is just dipping your toes in the social media waters or is a seasoned social media machine. These librarians have worked hard to make their library’s social media platforms fun, engaging, and interactive – so bring a fun attitude and lots of questions so that this webinar can be that way, too!

Posted in CE & Training, Librarians & libraries, Library 2.0 | No Comments »

Moving Library Cooperation to Web Scale

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

Register for Moving Library Cooperation to Web Scale

October 22 – 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Wichita Public Library, Wichita, KS
Free and open to all – lunch will be provided

Libraries have been cooperating on cataloging, collection management and resource sharing services for decades. In that time, we have enjoyed the benefits of networked services—no local software or hardware, elimination of maintenance and support costs, lower overall expense and better scalability.

Now, Web scale offers libraries the chance to revitalize traditional services by sharing workflows, activities, data and standards as part of a cooperative.

To help our members better understand how Web scale is changing the face of cooperative library services, OCLC and LYRASIS are presenting a series of free, regionally based events. Additional in-person events will occur throughout the year, along with related webinars, virtual discussions and more. View more dates and learn more about this series.

REGISTER for this event at:

http://www.lyrasis.org/Classes-and-Events/Class-Registration-Form.aspx

For questions or additional information, please e-mail partnerships@oclc.org.

AGENDA

9:00 -9:15 Welcome
Russell Palmer, LYRASIS
9:15 – 10:15

Productivity in the Clouds: Cloud Computing & Web-based Productivity
Tim Daniels, Advanced Library Services Manager, LYRASIS
10:15 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 11:15

OCLC Web-scale Management Services
Matt Goldner, Product and Technology Advocate, OCLC
11:15 – Noon

Group Activity I: Integrating Cloud Computing Tools into Existing Workflows
Facilitators: Russell Palmer and Tim Daniels

Noon – 1:00 Lunch (on site)
Group activity I will continue during lunch.

1:00 – 1:30 Group Activity I Reports and Discussion

1:30 – 2:30 Group Activity II: Working Together—Applying Web-scale Technology to our Libraries’ Challenges

2:30 – 2:45 Break

2:45 – 3:30 Group Activity II Reports and Discussion

3:30 – 4:15 Discussion: Impact of OCLC Web-scale Management Services on Workflow

4:15 – 4:30 Wrap up

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Tim Daniels
Tim Daniels is currently the Advanced Library Services Manager at LYRASIS. Previously, he was the Assistant State Librarian for Technology and Infrastructure at the Georgia Public Library Service. Before this he was Learning Commons Coordinator at Georgia State University. He has held positions at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he was the liaison for the College of Computing, and at the Asheville-Buncombe Library System as branch manager. He has worked in Archives and Special Collections and at a Community College library. During much of his library career he has been involved in technology and technology training. Tim has a B.S. in History with a concentration in Public History and minors in Computer Information Systems Management and English from Appalachian State University in North Carolina. His library degree is from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Matt Goldner
Matt Goldner joined OCLC in October 2004 and is currently the Product and Technology Advocate for the library community. He graduated with an MSLS from the University of Kentucky in 1978 and an MA in religion from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1980. Prior to joining OCLC, Matt worked for Fretwell-Downing Informatics (FDI) for four years and Geac Computers for seven years. In both companies he was involved with increasing levels of responsibility for product direction and creation. Matt was involved in the early days of automation—first using the OCLC cataloging system, and later writing a grant to create the first COM-Cat for the BL Fisher Library.

Russell Palmer
Russell Palmer is a Professional Development Librarian at LYRASIS. He writes, teaches and speaks on a wide range of topics, including resource sharing, reference and information services, collection development and information literacy. Russell often works with library members with specific challenges, from effectively scheduling staff and resources to easy document sharing with remote users. Russell is very experienced with providing training and consulting using OCLC products and services, including OCLC WorldCat Resource Sharing, ILLiad and OCLC WorldCat Collection Analysis. Additionally, Russell effectively applies his practical knowledge of Web-scale tools through fast, reasonable and accessible solutions. Russell previously worked as Instruction and Outreach Coordinator at Mercer University. He earned his MLIS at Florida State University, and his AB in English at the University of Georgia.

Posted in Announcements, CE & Training, Librarians & libraries, Library 2.0 | No Comments »

Turn ON your mobile phones!

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

By Megan Schulz, Reference Librarian at the State Library of Kansas

“Turn ON your mobile phones!” This was the opening statement given by keynote speaker Andrew Walsh, University of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK at the 2010 Reference Renaissance conference, Denver, CO August 8 – 10. This statement aimed to push reference librarians in attendance beyond some of their comfort zones and into acceptance that mobile technologies are here to stay; therefore, we as librarians need to embrace the technology and get with the program!

Walsh proposed many challenges for everyone in the profession which would be steps to implementing the conference theme- “inventing the future”. The argument was made that we need to not only adopt and keep pace with new technologies, but we, as librarians, need to look ahead and not be in the role of playing catch-up. Rather, we need to be leaders in developing technologies to improve the experiences of our patrons.

The challenges included:
•   Begin accepting text message reference
•   Be radical
•   Accept mobile technologies

The first challenge posed was to begin accepting text message reference questions. By a show of hands, about 20% of the academic, school, special and public librarians in attendance had already implemented this service. Individuals of all ages communicate via text messaging so why not make this an option for patrons wanting to contact the library with a quick question. The State Library of Kansas (SLK) is among those receiving text reference questions as are other libraries around the state. Nearly a year ago SLK obtained a Google Voice number (785-256-0733) and integrated the Topeka-based exchange number into its chat reference service, Libraryh3lp. The set-up was relatively easy. The interface is identical to the instant message questions which have been received for more than two years. There were no new skills to learn.

The second challenge was to be radical. While radical is a… well, radical term to use for a library striving to be on the cutting edge of technology, there are steps which can be taken to push the envelope and keep pace with patrons. QR (Quick Response) Codes (or 2-dimensional codes) is one technology which is starting to be seen, as Walsh put it, “in the wild”. However, QR Codes have been around and popular in Japan for about 15 years. These black-and-white square barcodes can be read with smartphones, for example, and a number of other devices. Some possible applications SLK has been considering with QR Codes is imprinting on business cards to link to our Ask a Librarian contact page. Another idea is placing the code on handouts, especially extensive webliographies, distributed at presentations. The QR Code can be linked to a URL for easy navigation to a desired page online. Codes can be generated at no cost, made in various sizes, and used for more than URL linking.

To take this challenge one step further, Walsh encouraged librarians to think about how to deliver answers to patrons in a variety of ways. For example, a patron contacts a library and is having trouble figuring out how to place a hold on an item within your online catalog. You could walk the patron through the steps by phone, type the steps in an email or direct the patron to an already created online tutorial. But, what if the patron has a specific issue and cannot figure it out while you are in direct contact with him? Why not consider sending him a simple podcast created on Audioboo (popular in the UK but spreading quickly in the US) or a screencast with Jing? Quick methods of providing assistance can be beneficial to patrons who might need help with this same or similar question in the future. Patrons have a variety of learning styles; having the ability to see and hear the steps, as in a screencast, would be helpful for many.

The third challenge was overall acceptance of mobile technologies. Instead of having signs in libraries stating “NO mobiles allowed” consider changing the sign to “Please switch to silent” or a simple sign requesting patrons to take calls outside or in a designated area. You know your individual library better than anyone. While this might not be possible in all settings, avoiding the “no” word and using a request instead might help patrons understand it isn’t the device which is not wanted, but the disruption.

Besides the keynote address, I attended many sessions, all focused on connecting easily with patrons, regardless of the preferred method of communication by the patron. Many of the PowerPoints and handouts used by the presenters are available here. What I gleaned from conference was the enthusiasm necessary to continue to push boundaries of where and how librarians assist patrons. To quote Nam June Paik, “(t)he future is now” and I couldn’t agree more!

Megan Schulz can be reached at megans@kslib.info

Posted in Librarians & libraries, Library 2.0 | 3 Comments »

New Ideas suggest that Libraries Should Expand Role in Economic Development

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

[This article by Phil Shapiro appeared in PC World Business Center on June 2, 2010]

Suppose you have an idea for a new digital services business – a business that delivers some value to others over the Internet. No matter how good your idea might be, getting such a business off the ground requires a given amount of capital. And this business might require business skills that you do not possess. You could check around with friends to see if any of them are interested in joining you in such a venture, but you could spend months finding the right friends who are interested and available.

Every business is a jigsaw puzzle that requires just the right pieces to fit together. To help those pieces fit together, the concept of the business incubator was born. The function of a business incubator is to identify promising business ideas and then assist entrepreneurs in supplying the missing pieces to their jigsaw puzzle.

Traditionally, business incubators have existed completely separate from public libraries. In the age of manufacturing, this made a lot of sense, but in the digital age – the age of information – public libraries are ideally situated to assume the role of business incubator. Why? Smart people congregate at public libraries to learn and share ideas. Public libraries are where questions are formulated and answers are found. Public libraries are set up to promote wondering. Wonder how libraries could develop greater sustainability? Well, yes, a digital services business that was incubated at a particular library could have a business plan where 20 percent of all proceeds from that business were returned to that library.

If a public library were able to spawn just one successful business, that business could bring in a revenue stream lasting the duration of its life. How long do businesses last? Some last three years, some last 30 years, some last longer. And if a public library were able to spawn several small businesses – you get the picture…

By now you might be wondering, “How do new businesses arise?” A business is a solution to a problem. New businesses form when people gain a clear understanding of some social need and see a path to meeting that social need. Some of the best business ideas arise from people trying to figure out how to meet one of their own needs. Once they devise a solution for themselves, they can see a way – a method – for bringing this solution to others. And for some people, they can just imagine the sweet taste of working for themselves. And yet not enough business ventures get off the ground because of the difficulty of assembling just the right pieces at just the right time. Business opportunities are fleeting. If you’re not ready to move and act this month, the opportunity might not exist next month.

The most fertile innovation happens when people in a community have a clear idea of each other’s talents and interests. Those talents and interests can often be the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Not all talents within a community are accessible for new businesses, but some of those talents are. And it behooves public library staff to start maintaining an inventory of talents within their community and to initiate discussions of emerging new roles for public libraries. Some of those discussions could take place within the library’s walls. Figuring out how to have those ideas shared in the most productive way possible is the new challenge for public libraries.

Suppose your local neighborhood library spawns the next Google. Is that a good thing for that library? You tell me.

Libraries can be places that statically house ideas or places where ideas are put into action. We’ve seen a lot of the former. Maybe it’s time to see some of the latter.

Posted in Advocacy, Library 2.0 | No Comments »

Special Webinar on Helping Kansans File for Unemployment will be on June 8

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

There isn’t much good news from a giant recession, but there is some. It has been very inspiring to watch Kansas librarians work with citizens who need special help with benefits, job hunting and social services. Times are still tough but librarians are helping people more than ever.

After watching their colleagues for the past year, the State Library of Kansas staff is delighted to announce that they will be partnering with the Kansas Department of Labor to offer a very special webinar called Filing for Unemployment Insurance Online – Mystery Solved. This one-hour webinar will be offered in Wimba on Tuesday, June 8, from 2:00 to 3:00 PM. It will also be archived for those who cannot attend the real-time presentation.

Filing for Unemployment Insurance Online… Mystery Solved will be presented by Richard Prince Jr., Training Coordinator, Kansas Department of Labor Unemployment Insurance Contact Center.

This online presentation will provide librarians with essential information and specific guidelines for assisting patrons who are filing for unemployment insurance benefits online. This is an excellent opportunity for the Department of Labor and the State Library to assist Kansas library users in successfully navigating the online unemployment insurance application process. Librarians will learn to assist individuals in avoiding errors or delays in the filing of their unemployment application online. The webinar will also address frequently asked questions about the online process and filing of weekly claims. This presentation will include all of the screenshots of the online application process and a link to the online desk guide and video that can further assist in working with claimants/patrons.

Richard Prince has been a trainer and consultant for the State of Kansas for more than seven years. He is a frequent presenter at State and National conferences on Family Centered Systems of Care Guiding Principles. For the past several months, Richard has led the effort to train customer service representatives and supervisors at the Kansas Department of Labor in ways to better serve unemployed Kansans. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas and the University of Kansas School of Law. Richard enjoys volunteering in the Lawrence community whenever possible.

To view the Wimba login information for this program, please visit the DOL: Filing Unemployment Page on WebJunction Kansas at http://ks.webjunction.org/748

If you have any questions about this program, please call Shannon Roy at 785-296-2148 or send email to shanroy@kslib.info

Posted in Announcements, CE & Training, Government information, Library 2.0 | No Comments »

Consult the Cat – Return to Merchandising

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

The Cat has a fondness, as a heavy library user, for the developing field of library merchandising. She urges librarians to consider and share its ideas.

The Cat, like most cats, likes pleasant surprises. She likes bumping her whiskers on a book and finding it a great read. So, when faced with row after row of ranges neatly labeled with catalog signage, the Cat is tempted to let out a seriously Siamese howl. It would have an interesting effect on library users, but many might agree with the translation into English, which is “Get those things out of the tomb!” Research has shown that when a collection is effectively showcased to the public, the circulation will go up.

The Cat’s friends at the State Library were aware of her interest in this field and invited her to participate in the 2008 Learning 2 Action Package on Merchandising and Marketing Collections. The Cat was fascinated by the variety of projects the participants posted to the Merchandising and Marketing page. Actually, this page is still wide open and any librarian who is doing interesting merchandising projects at their library is invited to post them to WebJunction Kansas.

A recent InfoPeople webinar called “Show it Off: Techniques for Increasing Circulation through Merchandising” had some really wonderful information on ways to handle this growing field. The SLK Library Development Division has just posted an article on this workshop, with a link to the rich resources created by Kathy Schalk-Greene. This article may be accessed at:

http://ks.webjunction.org/merchandising_and_marketing/-/articles/content/96022278

The Cat likes book displays, audiobook displays, video displays, ample New Book displays, collection neighborhoods, online reviews, staff picks, reading nooks, and comfortable chairs.

The Cat does monitor New Book Displays, feeling grateful for every special treasure they toss up. But in too many libraries, they are being asked to carry too much. There are treasures in the collection that are not brand new, but could be discovered – or re-discovered. Librarians are discovering the benefits of continually showcasing their collections in a way that allows continual discovery by the public. It does a book no good to be fascinating or useful if it is buried in the stacks and not read.

The Cat is too old (and too feline) to be starry-eyed about anything. Merchandising can be a tough sell for both library staff and library users. The Cat has been familiar with Dewey since she was a tiny kitten. It has been a very good system for finding the book you are looking for where it ought to be. One of the keys to successful merchandising is to treat the Dewey system with considerable respect.

If a large number of books on a topic have been removed to create an effective display, there should be a notice in the stacks about the display and where it can be found. If a library sets up collection neighborhoods, the library users should understand very clearly what sections have been moved and where they can be found. It would not have occurred to the Cat that With Love from Karen would be in the Health Neigborhood, but she found it easily enough and didn’t bother to hiss.

Many books are effectively displayed on shelf tops and end panels without moving them a significant distance from their proper Dewey home. The Cat was momentarily disappointed not to find Dragon Hunter in the Biographies under Andrews but she plucked it off the end panel and took it away.

Librarians and library users have been known to grumble that “bookstores aren’t such a great model. I can’t find what I’m looking for!” It is true that a good bookstore will make sure they have friendly, available personnel who are able to help people effectively. A good library will make sure of the same thing, regardless of how they choose to arrange their collections. Specialists in Merchandising agree that no library should begin a merchandising program unless they are willing to invest time in staff involvement, staff training, staff planning, staff discussion, staff buy-in. The major goals, which have been realized by many cutting-edge libraries, are staff enjoyment and community enthusiasm.

Merchandising is never a perfect system. Neither is Dewey. Most people want their library to be welcoming, colorful, interesting, and easy to use. They want high-demand, popular materials to be easy to find in a system that is natural to them. A serious commitment to merchandising the library can help accomplish all these things. Merchandising is a fast-growing library field because it does produce results for those who invest in it. The librarians who are investigating this new field, and investing in it, deserve thanks from all heavy library users and a purr from the

Cat

Posted in CE & Training, Consult the Cat, Library 2.0, Marketing, WebJunction | No Comments »

Ebooks are Finally Here

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

By Chris Rippel, System Consultant, Central Kansas Library System

I have been interested in electronic reading devices since the introduction of Rocketbooks in 2000. Though circulating this ebook reader hardware has many barriers and headaches, providing content for patron-owned devices offers many advantages to public libraries:

- Same minute purchasing and acquisition of titles made “just-in-time” purchasing feasible
- No need for shelving, which reduces the need to weed
- Automatic check-in eliminates overdues

Obtaining this dream has several requirements. One requirement is hardware that is affordable, reliable and usable so patrons would purchase their own devices. Though Rocketbooks provided a satisfactory reading experience, hardware costs, battery life, little content at high prices and, worst of all, DRM preventing sharing content prevented their widespread adoption. This new generation, i.e., Sony Reader, Kindle, and Nook, use a different display technology requiring less power to display text. The new devices are, therefore, lighter in weight and last days between recharging. And the price of devices is lower at $260.

Earlier this year, I wanted to know whether these devices would survive in the marketplace or if they will fade away like their predecessors. So Steve Thomas and I posted a five-question survey on three online forums for Kindle and Nook users. We received 105 responses.

I had expected these surveys to reveal that Kindles and Nooks provided a “satisfactory” reading experience. I did not expect readers to claim they are reading 2, 3, 4, even 10 times, more books. I did not expect 77% to claim they are reading different stuff than they read before. I did not expect claims of reading faster with greater comprehension. I did not expect devices to make reading easier for those with carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis and ADD. I did not expect 90% to claim their reading habits are permanently changed. The summary report and complete answers are at:
http://ebooksinlibraries.blogspot.com/

The second requirement for the dream is for libraries to have content. OverDrive has thousands of books and the collection is growing better. And Nook owners are learning on the online forums that libraries offer free content through OverDrive. Do not be surprised when patrons start asking about this.

A third requirement is that devices accept content from the outside sources such as libraries. At this time Sony Reader and Barnes & Noble Nooks will accept content from the state of Kansas’ OverDrive collection of ebooks. I have loaded several OverDrive ebooks on my Nook. The process is not hard once I learned to look in the “My documents” directory instead of the directory containing my Barnes & Noble books.

The fourth requirement is having instructions teaching how to load OverDrive books onto their devices. I have links to several sources of online instructions at:
http://ebooksinlibraries.blogspot.com/2010/02/print-vs-ebook-prices.html

Posted in AudiobooksMusic&More, Librarians & libraries, Library 2.0, Tech services | No Comments »

Online CE Roundup

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

This is the third edition of the Online Learning Roundup, published by the State Library Continuing Education Staff. We apologize for the considerably delayed appearance of this Online Roundup. The delay was caused by the move to the temporary quarters of the State Library of Kansas before the holidays and by the hacking of the KLOW Network afterwards. We certainly intend to publish in a timely fashion from now on, and we continue to appreciate the help given by Jamie Markus of the Wyoming State Library, who started this tradition.

This list includes online programs in real time. For information on providers of self-paced courses and tutorials, please go to: http://ks.webjunction.org/685/-/articles/content/81570648

February 9 – 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Central Time
Technology Essentials 2010: WebJunction Online Conference

Join WebJunction and its partner states for a two-day online conference.
Tuesday’s Programs include:
Building Digital Community: Arizona Memory Project
Learning When There’s No Time (or Money) to Learn
The Planning Puzzle: Integrating your Strategic Plan and your Technology Plan
Technology Planning with TechAtlas for Libraries
M&M: Maximum Marketing/Minimum Investment

For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.webjunction.org/conferences/articles/content/86891033

February 9 – 12:00 – 1:00 PM, Central Time
Getting the most out of vendor partnerships and negotiations (SirsiDynix Institute)

Learn how to initiate and strengthen partnerships with vendors and content service providers.

For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/

February 9 – 2:00 – 3:00 PM, Central Time
Webcast: Gadgets and Tools and Apps, Oh My! (Library Journal Webinar)

It’s not easy to keep up with new technology. By the time you’ve learned about the latest free application or cool gadget, you discover there are dozens of new tools that could help your patrons and library staff. We’ve invited two tech savvy librarians, one public and one academic, to share some of their favorites. The lineup includes updates on search, communication, and graphics applications, as well as fun and useful gadgets for the library.

For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.libraryjournal.com/webcasts/48747/Webcasts.html

February 10 – 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Central Time
Technology Essentials 2010: WebJunction Online Conference

Join WebJunction and its partner states for a two-day online conference.
Wednesday’s Programs include:
WordPress for Library 2.0 and Beyond
Implementing Reliable Instant Messaging at Your Library
Funding for Broadband: Indiana Connectivity
Library Grants 101
Helping Washington Libraries in Hard Times

For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.webjunction.org/conferences/articles/content/86891033

February 11 – 1:00 – 2:00 PM, Central Time
How Green Is My Library (OPAL)

How green is your library, anyway? While there is a broad spectrum of ecological sophistication within libraries nationwide and some regions are at the forefront of sustainable design and operations, others are just beginning or have yet to integrate materials recycling into their daily practice.

For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.opal-online.org/progschrono.htm

February 11 – 1:00 – 2:00 PM, Central Time
SLJTeen Spring 2010 Book Buzz Part 1 (School Library Journal Webinar)

Do you have teens clamoring for new books, more in a favorite series, or simply wanting something “good” to read? There is a bumper crop of new titles on the way for Spring and Summer release, and our three sponsoring publishers can’t wait to tell you all about these exciting books. While some may deal with classic teen issues such as dating, school, drugs, family and sex, others are more for fun, or simply informative.

For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/webcasts/48850/Webcasts.html

February 11 – 3:00 – 4:00 PM, Central Time
TechTrends: Midwinter 2010 (ALA TechSource Webinars)

A look back at ALA Midwinter meeting from a library technology perspective. Our panel of experts will analyze and discuss what they learned and what trends stood out at the conference.

For more information and to register for this program, visit: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/357398507

February 12 – 11:00 AM- 12:00 PM, Central Time
Keys to Sustainable Digital Collaboratives (BCR)

Liz Bishoff will expand her Texas Library Journal article by providing specific strategies and examples for developing initial and on-going work and business plans, as well as guidance on negotiating the complex process of continuing funding and energy. Learn how to make digital collaboratives an effective means of increasing user access to critical information.

For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.bcr.org/training/schedule/programdetail.php?programid=433

February 16 – 1:00 – 2:00 PM, Central Time
FiLBeRt Roundtable Discussion: The Future of Libraries, Books, and Reading (OPAL)

The shared futures of libraries, books, and reading seem very hazy at present. Join us for a monthly, lively, informal discussion of new developments, challenges, and opportunities. It’ll be a roundtable, so everyone is welcome to chime in. If it’s a FiLBeRt discussion, it’s going to be nutty!

For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.opal-online.org/progschrono.htm

February 16 – 2:00 – 3:00 PM, Central Time
Off The Shelf: Looking Beyond Libraries for Innovation and Inspiration (Infopeople Webinar)

This webinar will highlight places to look outside the library for creative points of view that can easily be adapted for libraries by using free resources to engage your community. Gain a fresh perspective on innovation and learn how other industries are dealing with it during tough times. At the end of this one-hour webinar, attendees will be familiar with *Non-library sources that provide insight to library issues, * How to use iTunes for library and/ or personal development, * At least two ways to engage the community in the library

For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://infopeople.org/training/webcasts/list

February 16 – 2:00 – 3:00 PM, Central Time
Library Laws for the Web Environment – The Mobile User(Infopeople Webinar)

Those attending this webinar will receive: * sample language for library signs regarding photography and videography * guidance on when users need permission to post videos or pictures of library patrons * an update on legal status of porn in the library – on the users’ own devices * information on what accessibility of library websites is required by law for people with disabilities.

This one-hour webinar will be of interest to library managers, anyone who works public service, those who create content for library social networking sites, and those looking for guidance regarding a variety of situations facing libraries using the mobile web and social networking.

For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://infopeople.org/training/webcasts/list

February 17 – 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM, Central Time
School’s Out @ Your Public Library: Program Ideas for After School (Texas State Library & Archives Commission)

Providing innovative programming for the school-age crowd during the school year can be a challenge, especially when libraries are competing with children’s busy after-school schedules. Participants in this webinar will learn how to provide fun and educational programs for children ages 5-12 that will have them running to your library after the school bell rings. Programs featured include Chess Club, Fun with Science, Art Explorers, Craft Time, and a KidTrekkers around the world cultural program.

For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/workshops/webinars/afterschoolprograms/index.html

February 17 – 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Maximizing Connections with “Mini” Conferences, WebJunction webinar at WebEx

Join us for Maximizing Local Connections and Resources with “Mini” Conferences, the second in a series of webinars presented in collaboration with REFORMA. In these times of tight budgets and restricted travel, attending national conferences has become impossible for many library staff. Many local and regional agencies are joining forces to coordinate “mini” conferences that provide the means of connecting and collaborating locally, often providing a more focused and meaningful experience for attendees. Since 2005, the Northeast Chapter of REFORMA has joined forces with ALA ethnic caucuses to present a terrific conference where library workers
network, exchange ideas and listen to quality speakers.

For more information and to register for this program, go to: http://evanced.info/webjunction/evanced/eventcalendar.asp and click on event title

February 19, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Central Time
Spreading the Word with Free Online Tools (BCR)

Once you’ve got great programming and new tools in place, just how do you let your patrons know about it? In times like these, we’re not exactly able to take out full page ads in the local paper, and even printing up a few hundred flyers may be out of the reach for our budgets. In this talk, we’ll explore ways you can use blogs and social networks like Twitter and Facebook to promote your library’s collection and programs.

For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.bcr.org/training/schedule/programdetail.php?programid=426

February 23, 24 and 25 – 2:00 – 4:00 PM, Central Time
Introduction to Digital Project Management – Online (BCR)

The purpose of this workshop is to introduce librarians and staff from other cultural heritage institutions to the range of issues associated with digitization of primary source materials.

This workshop provides an overview of key issues such as selection of materials, physical preservation, considerations for digitization including rights management, workflow considerations, and the resources required for responsible sustainability of digital collections.

This webinar is designed for staff from Llbraries and cultural heritage institutions that are in the planning stages of new digitization projects.

For more information and to register, go to: http://www.bcr.org/training/workshops/register.html

February 23, 1:00 – 2:00 PM, Central Time
Webcast: Mind Body Spirit Book Buzz (Library Journal Webinar)

Libraries continue to see increased demand for Mind Body Spirit titles from their patrons. To help you with collection development in this area, Library Journal has brought together four publishers whose sole focus is to bring top quality Mind Body Spirit titles to your shelves.

For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.libraryjournal.com/webcasts/48747/Webcasts.html

February 24, 2:00 PM- 3:00PM, Central Time
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (National Library of Medicine)

The National Network of Libraries of Medicine, MidContinental Region is presenting a new series of online classes. Once a month in 2010, liaisons will present information and exercises on various databases from the National Library of Medicine in an hour-long web conference. All classes are free and no registration is required. You will simply need 1) a computer with Internet access and 2) a phone (the system will call you – free of charge).

To join the webinar, go to: http://webmeeting.nih.gov/mcr on the day of the program.

February 25, 1:00 – 2:00 PM, Central Time
SLJTeen Spring 2010 Book Buzz Part 2 (School Library Journal Webinar)

For more information and to register for this program, visit: https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=189538&sessionid=1&key=BA902F769C137B62E8F89155A5227E26&sourcepage=register

February 25, 4:30 – 5:30 PM, Central Time
Introduction to the new Gale statewide databases

Join a Gale trainer and Chris Van Burgh to learn about the new Gale statewide databases.

To join the webinar, go to http://www.yugma.com/, click Join a Meeting, click View Only, and enter the Session ID 335073135, your name, and email address, and click Join. The audio portion of the webinar will be presented through LeaderPhone. Dial 1-877-278-8686 and enter the PIN 315052 to join.

February 26, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Central Time
Rocking the Sandbox : Big Ideas From a Little Library (BCR)

They say that poverty and necessity are the mother of invention and the John C. Fremont Library is proving it. In this small, rural library they git-r-done in 2.0 style. Open source software and free software has revolutionized their workflow and their expectations. From an open source ILS to a wiki based acquisitions system, they will experiment with anything. Thier successes and failures have taught them a lot. Join Kieran Hixon as he reveals what works and what hasn’t for his library from Ready Reference, PC reservations, online reference, blogging, social media, wikis and more.

For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.bcr.org/training/schedule/programdetail.php?programid=434

March 2 and March 4 – 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Central time
More Than Just Googling – Online (BCR)

Google definitely has made a name for itself as the frontrunner in web searching, but they didn’t stop there. The bright minds at Google have been turning out more fantastic tools to help you tackle the ever-growing mass of information on the net. In this hands-on, 2 -day online workshop, we’ll take a look at Google Reader, iGoogle, Google Books, and Google Docs. Time permitting, we might check out a couple more, too! If you don’t have a Google account already (e.g. Blogger, Picasa, or Gmail), you might want to set one up before the workshop – you’ll definitely use it!
Who Should Attend: Any librarian interested in how Google is influencing our information landscape beyond the world of search. Before class, make sure you have a Google account – and that you know the username and password!

For more information and to register for this program, go to: http://www.bcr.org/training/workshops/register.html

March 3 – 1:00 – 2:00 PM, Central Time
Library Images and Video: Engage, Inspire and Tell your Story (WebJunction at WebEx)

In this entertaining and heartwarming presentation you will learn how two librarians teamed up to advocate more effectively (and boldly) while staying true to the personality of the communities, the libraries and the staff they serve. You and your library really can market your services and engage more effectively, and images, video and authenticity can be a key! Learn how you too can use images and video creatively and effectively to inspire Libraryland, engage the communities you serve, boost staff morale and get more enjoyment from your job. The stories and lessons in this session will be presented by Jeff Dawson from the Lester Public Library in Two Rivers Wisconsin and by Michael Porter from WebJunction.

For more info and to register, go to: http://evanced.info/webjunction/evanced/eventcalendar.asp and click on event title.

March 10 – 12:00 – 1:00 PM, Central Time
TechAtlas for Libraries – Inventory Tools (WebJunction at Wimba classroom)

Join us as we explore the technology inventory tool features in WebJunction’s free resource, TechAtlas for Libraries. The TechAtlas tools can help your library build a complete inventory of your technology resources – everything from computers to digital cameras. You can even use a great set of automated inventory tools to help make the process easier. Participants will be led through a live demonstration of TechAtlas and hear best practices about inventory management.

For more information and to register for this event, go to: http://evanced.info/webjunction/evanced/eventsignup.asp?ID=1635

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