Friday, January 29, 2010

What Happened to the Computer Lab?

Wednesday, February 3, 1:00pm EST.

Over 80 percent of respondents to the annual ECAR study of undergraduate students report owning laptops, yet usage of expensive public computer labs remains high. Although computer labs might still be necessary, one can’t help but feel that traditional labs are anachronistic in a world of wireless connectivity, iPods, and smart phones. Labs are expensive to equip, staff, and maintain, and often the layout maximizes the amount of equipment that can be put into a given space rather than the creation of a comfortable or stimulating learning environment.

Rather than predicting an entirely new model, this presentation will focus on low-cost changes that can be made to the design, layout, and operation of existing computer labs to meet both the changing needs of students and the necessities of the economic recession.

Register

Thursday, January 28, 2010

February 2010: Live Webinars

The monthly list of live webinars. (It's like getting a toy surprise, that you really like, in your Cracker Jack box).

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WorldCat Holdings: Why They Matter and The Tools To Maintain Them (OCLC)

February 2, 4:00pm EST.

This course reviews benefits for libraries of accurate WorldCat holdings, and provides information on the available methods for maintaining holdings. After completing this web-based training, managers of cataloging and technical services functions will be prepared to select and implement the holdings maintenance methods that are most appropriate for their library.


Is FREE the Future of Business? (Webex)

February 3, 1:00pm EST.

In the digital marketplace, the most effective price is no price at all. Or is it? Join Chris Anderson, editor-in-chief of WIRED magazine and author of the new book, Free: The Future of a Radical Price. In this interactive discussion, Chris will discuss how smart businesses are:

  • Profiting big with indirect sales models such as cross-subsidies and freemiums
  • How there is a generational and global shift in play that is creating the increasing demand for free
The social, technological, and business landscape is changing. Join the discussion and decide if 'free' is truly the future of all things business.

Managing People You Can't See (GoToMeeting)

February 3, 2:00pm EST.

Studies show "a full two-thirds of knowledge work today is being done outside corporate facilities." (Work Design Collaborative).

While remote work scenarios offer numerous business advantages, they require a different set of management techniques than you use walking from desk to desk.

This interactive Webinar will cover:
  • The challenges of managing a dispersed workforce
  • Why employee engagement is key and how to foster it
  • Real stories of how companies are using Web conferencing
  • Tactics to help you become a better manager - for both onsite and remote employees

Social Networking for Higher Education (Common Knowledge)

February 3, 2:30pm EST.

Universities, alumni associations, foundations, and individual sports, academic, and research programs are all rapidly developing their social networking supporter engagement strategies. For years, higher education institutions have struggled with online community building, and finally today social networking tools such as LinkedIn and house networks (i.e. alumni directories) have emerged as the right technology to make it viable.

In this ground-breaking session we'll highlight leading institutions who are leveraging social networking for events, fundraising, volunteering, student recruiting, and alumni development. Using real-world case studies we'll analyze successful programs and highlight strategies and best practices. We'll check out examples using LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and house networks (i.e. online communities on the institution’s web site).

Integrating Social Media into Your Website (TechSoup)

February 4, 2:00pm EST.

More and more organizations are benefiting from using social media tools like blogs, Facebook, and Twitter in their online communications. While the tools can be relatively straightforward to learn and adopt, many organizations struggle with how to effectively align messaging and communications across their online channels.

This webinar will focus on best practices for integrating social media into organizational websites, including basic nuts-and-bolts changes to web page templates and enhancements to contact, staff, and email sign-up pages. Effective and simple processes for coordinating various channels and maximizing traffic between them will be explained. In addition, a range of contrasts will be drawn describing the different natures and uses of the respective channels, and methods for measuring how different channels are driving traffic to one another will be presented.


From Ideas to Reality: Trends to Embrace in 2010 (Lyrasis)

February 8, 10:30am EST.

Senior executives of libraries are facing increasingly stressful demands as they attempt to weigh the strategic effects and opportunities presented by changes in the economy, emerging technology, redefinition of virtual and physical spaces, improvement and assessment of library services, and the optimization of internal operations.

This online session led by Arnold Hirshon will enable library directors to make the good decisions during this period of high velocity change by outlining not only the key issues and trends that will most affect libraries in 2010, but also the best strategies and tactics to employ to ensure organizational success.

Getting the Most out of Vendor Partnerships and Negotiations
(SirsiDynix)

February 9, 1:00pm (Time Zone not specified).

Richard Husler presents information on how to initiate and strengthen partnerships with vendors and content service providers and optimize use of their products.

Gadgets and Tools and Apps, Oh My (Library Journal)

February 9, 3:00pm EST.

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.


Trendy Topics: Social Networking in Libraries (Alliance Library System)

Note: Online Conference lasting most of one day.

February 9, 11:00am - 6:00pm EST.

  • Building Collaboration, Community and Participation in Libraries
  • Facebook and Libraries
  • Twitter's Impact on Libraries
  • Technology Training Wheels
  • Social and Professional Networking in Second Life
  • Using YouTube to Promote Library Services
  • Delicious and Other Tagging Technologies
  • Participate in the Story

Register ($)


Technology Essentials 2010 (WebJunction)

February 9 & 10, 12noon-6:00pm EST.

Note: Online Conference lasting most of two days.

Agenda

Register

Management Skills for the Accidental Trainer (AMA)

February 10, 12 noon EST.

Is it up to you to provide staff training?

When you suddenly find yourself responsible for training but are unfamiliar with how to make it happen, you're an accidental trainer.

The good news is that even without any formal training background you can improve your skills to the point that you can develop and deliver training that is both job-relevant and effective.

This Webcast delivers a wealth of practical, no-nonsense advice that will help you understand what works and what doesn't in a variety of training situations. You'll discover the basics of producing training programs, where best to apply limited time and resources, and simple ways to measure the effectiveness of your efforts.

E-Resources Preservation: What It Takes to Make It Last (NISO)

February 10, 1:00pm EST.

Thirty years into the Digital Revolution, we are still grappling with how best to preserve electronic content. Whether born digitally or the electronic version of analog content, electronic resources are relied upon more and more, and their long-term usability must be ensured. This webinar will provide attendees with an overview of current digital preservation standards as well as a closer look at the PREMIS standard for preservation metadata. Attendees will also hear about the work being undertaken by HathiTrust to build and preserve a comprehensive and cooperative digital library.

Register ($)


Teen Book Buzz (School Library Journal)

February 11, 2:00pm EST.

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.

How Green is My Library? (OPAL)

February 11, 2:00pm EST.

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.

Ned Himmel and Sam McBane Mulford are the authors of the recently published book, How Green is My Library?, published by Libraries Unlimited. Join us for an informal discussion with the authors about their book and the ideas, information, and recommendations it contains.

I'm Ok, You're An Idiot: Working Well With People You Don't Like (Elluminate)

February 15, 1:30pm EST.

People are stressed, and maybe that's it, but when we're moving quickly we do not want to be around people who aren't moving the same way we are. Learn to identify and adapt to not only different behavioral styles but also different workplace motivations. Identify the characteristics you are repelled by and learn how to react more effectively. Based on materials taken from Lou Russell's book "Leadership Training", you will learn how to:

· Identify your own strengths and blindspots

· Prioritize what is important to you in terms of work

· Identify the strengths, blindspots and motivators of others who are difficult

· Adapt temporarily to build collaboration with people when you'd rather not.


The Future of Libraries, Books, and Reading (OPAL)

February 16, 2:00pm EST.

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.

Looking Beyond Libraries for Innovation and Inspiration
(Infopeople)

February 16, 3:00pm EST.

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 led by Marshall Shore, attendees will be familiar with:

  • Non-library sources that provide insight to library issues
  • use iTunes for library and/or personal development
  • At least two ways to engage the community in the library

Creating a Winning Team of Talent (Office Depot)

February 16, 4:00pm EST.

In this webinar we will cover:

  • Clues to recognizing the need to hire
  • How to build a talented team
  • Learn how to profile roles and write accurate job descriptions
  • Design targeted job ads that attract the right people
  • Develop a hiring strategy.... and why that is important
  • Get great interviewing tips you can use in your business

Benefit from Users' Collective Wisdom: Scholarly Recommender Service (Library Journal)

February 17, 12 noon EST.

Facing a rapidly expanding universe of online information, scholars are in need of new tools to help them find and assess research and study material in a manner that incorporates immediacy, relevance, and a standardized measure of quality. The bX™ Recommender [from Ex Libris] is a new service that taps into the power of the networked scholarly community to generate recommendations based on article usage. It represents the growing recognition of the importance of user-driven content and an important step in the convergence of Web 2.0 and the scholarly world.

Web-savvy users are well accustomed to usage-based recommendations. Found on commercial websites such as Amazon.com, these recommendations have become highly popular with users who continue to find them both relevant and valuable. Focused solely on the scholarly domain, bX recommendations are based on actual usage data. It is the first service to provide highly granular recommendations that point to specific scholarly articles.

Running Training Like a Business (Elluminate)

February 17, 1:00pm EST.

Executives understand that to earn their seat at the table they need to be good business partners for their organizations. First they need to understand their business deeply. Then they must use that knowledge to identify how their function can provide stronger business alignment and deliver more impactful solutions while increasing efficiencies. In short, they need to use their business know-how to understand how to optimize their services.

Join Edward Trolley, co-author of Running Training Like a Business – Delivering Unmistakable Value as he reveals the survey results in this exclusive briefing.


Maximizing Connections with "Mini" Conferences (WebJunction)

February 17, 2:00pm EST.

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.

Come hear best practices in planning, coordinating and hosting a “mini” conference from your colleagues who have had success in their regions. Webinar presenters include Loida Garcia-Febo, REFORMA president, Tess Tobin, REFORMA’s Northeast Chapter and Haipeng Li, co-chair of the Joint Conference of Librarians of Color.


7 Steps for Making it Big on Twitter (Common Knowledge)

February 17, 2:30pm EST.

Using real-world case studies, we'll explore this intriguing ecosystem - demonstrating how it works, how nonprofits are using it, and seven tips for building a big community on Twitter for your organization. We’ll check out nonprofit case studies of organizations who are using Twitter successfully for acquisition, cultivation, advocacy and fundraising.

Handheld Librarian 2010 (Learning Times and Alliance Library System)

February 17 & 18, 11:00am-6:30pm EST.

Note: Online Conference lasting most of two days.

More people than ever are using mobile devices for a wide variety of purposes including communication, internet access, text messaging, and entertainment. It is important that libraries provide services on these devices as use increases.

Register (Free for NEFLIN members. Non-members $69.)


Controversial Materials in the Library: Supporting Intellectual Freedom (ALA)

Dates: February 17, 23 or 26.

Audience: Library Trustees

Note: Each session will include the same content.

These webinars are intended to help trustees understand the basics of intellectual freedom in libraries. They will cover information on collection development policies, procedures for handling challenges to library materials and tips on responding to controversies that may arise.

Register ($)


Training in the Age of Aesthetics (Adobe)

February 18, 1:00pm EST.

The preference for style has transferred to the training field as well. Modern consumers and students are starting to demand educational computing that is a combination of art, entertainment, education, and process control. If you wish to have power and advantage in what you do, it is time to value beauty and incorporate it into your instructional products and training services.

Don’t miss the opportunity to stimulate your thinking and start looking at digital education in fresh ways. The advice springs from a variety of practical examples and fields such as art, emotion, visualization, programming, and interface design. Whether you are a professor, corporate trainer, or researcher in the academia, whether you develop or deliver instructional products and services, at the end of this speech, you will never look at eLearning the same away again. When your students take a look at your products or courses, they will not say "good class", but rather exclaim "I loved that!"

Register


Library Laws for the Web Environment: The Mobile User (Infopeople)

February 18, 3:00pm EST.

YouTube, Twitter - the Conversation goes mobile, and the library is not in control!

  • Are your patrons taking photos and short videos with their cell phones of the library? Of children in the library? Do they need permission, and if so, when? What copyright, privacy and other concerns you should address?
  • What do you do when you see a patron accessing child pornography, obscenity or other disturbing sites on their cell phones or netbooks?
  • Are patrons tagging your content, at your website or on the library's Flickr page? Can you remove inaccurate tags? Offensive tags?
  • What disability access is legally required in this new environment?

These are just some of the legal issues facing libraries when working in the mobile environment. Join Mary Minow and learn answer to these pressing questions.


I'm Okay You're An Idiot: Managing Expectations for a Learning Project (Training Magazine)

February 22, 1:00pm EST.

Why do projects get so difficult after they start? Well, that's when the project starts to morph into something you never expected, and maybe your customer never told you about. It's when you say to someone, 'Sure, that will be easy. ' It's when you way over-estimate what you can accomplish in one day. Your stress comes from treating your projects as a to-do list instead of spending a mere 45 minutes to get the story straight. Join Lou Russell to learn quick tools to invest in a more positive project future.

Mind Body Spirit Book Buzz (Library Journal)

February 23, 2:00pm EST.

Interest in Mind Body Spirit publishing continues to grow. Many of the methods and teachings that were once considered 'alternative' are now very much part of the mainstream, such a yoga, personal development and meditation. Globalization has allowed for greater exposure to non-Western philosophies and beliefs, and media sensations such as the film 2012 further spark curiosity into ancient cultures, philosophies and religions.

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.

Text Messaging Reference (ACRL)

February 23, 2:00pm EST.

Text messaging (also known as SMS) is now one of the most popular ways people connect with friends, family, and information. Our 21st century patrons can get information on the go by SMS from answer services and search engines. Some libraries are also providing reference services via this important mode of communication by offering Text Messaging Reference. Joe Murphy of the Yale Science Libraries explores why it is so important for libraries to include text messaging in their suite of reference services and how SMS can easily integrate into and enhance existing traditional and 2.0 library services.

Register ($)


Corporate Communications in a Web 2.0 World (AMA)

February 24, 12 noon EST.

Today you're at a crossroads—constantly forced to gauge the right mix of traditional outreach and new media technologies to seamlessly and successfully advance your brands and increase your bottom line.

Your company's success is heavily reliant on how it portrays itself on the Web. During this Webcast, Robert Dilenschneider will give you a clear understanding of the means necessary to advance your agenda using the latest communication and social media tools.

Cataloging Icky Things (ACRL)

February 24, 2:00pm EST.

Do you have “icky stuff” like kits, DVDs and models in a back room that you want to add to your collection but you can’t find a MARC record for it? Has it been years since you have had to catalog anything and you think you have forgotten how? Did you finish your cataloging class in library school thinking you would never have to do that again but now you have to? Well, this webinar can help!

Starting with a quick review of how to catalog a book, this webinar will then move to cataloging CDs and kits, DVDs and Playaways, and then whatever else you may have hidden in that back room. You will get tips and cheats that will allow you to create a full-level MARC record so that you can move things out of that backroom and into your collection.

Register ($)


BCR's Free Friday Forums:

February 12 - Keys to Sustainable Digital Collaboratives

February 19 - Spreading the Word with Free Online Tools

February 26 - Big Ideas from a Little Library

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The events below are for Florida library staff only

Cataloging: Where Are We Now? Where Are We Going? (College of DuPage)

Friday, February 19, 12:00 noon-1:30 pm EST.

Librarians are justly proud of their accomplishments in organizing the world’s published information through the use of standard subject headings and the ubiquitous, demanding MARC record. But, with the explosion of more information stored electronically, are our old standards still relevant today? Has keyword trumped the subject heading? Librarians also see their roles changing as more information description and metadata production are handled by other professionals. Will online tagging or vendor descriptions diminish the need for librarians? Questions are rife on what exactly are the thrust of RDA and the new AACR2?

Renee Register, Senior Product Manager at OCLC and Karen Coyle, noted consultant and leader in the area of digital libraries will review current cataloging practices and discuss the future of metadata, the MARC record, the Resource Description and Access standard, and the librarian's place in online information organization and access.

State Library of Florida: February Webinars

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Information Literacy

Does Information Literacy Make a Difference for Pre-College Students?

Thursday, January 28, 3:00pm EST.

Does information literacy make a contribution to overall learning and transition to college for pre-college students? Join us for a discussion of how this research question has brought together many of the community and technical college librarians in Washington state in an effort to answer it. This session will discuss the approach to the research, the role of librarians in assisting our colleges/universities with retention efforts, the unique characteristics of pre-college students, and the collaboration between librarians and Basic Skills faculty to achieve results.

Speaker Bio
Debra Gilchrist is Dean of Libraries and Institutional Effectiveness for Pierce Colleges, a community college district in Lakewood and Puyallup, Washington. She is responsible for leadership and management of the library and media services for the multi-campus district. She was an inaugural faculty member for ACRL's Institute for Information Literacy Immersion program, and has served on the faculty since 1998. Debra has given presentations and published in the areas of library instruction, outcomes assessment, the teaching library mission, and faculty/librarian collaboration. She is currently facilitating the implementation of an information literacy requirement that is based on student outcomes and focused on measuring library effectiveness based on student learning.

Register

Thursday, January 21, 2010

January "State Librarian Update"

For those who attended, or would like to listen to the archived recording of this January 12 program, here is a lot of good info courtesy of the State Library of Florida.
----------------------------------------------

Thank you for attending the Quarterly State Library Update on January 12, 2010. We are providing a link to the recording, as well as the resources that are mentioned during the presentation.

1. Recording https://suncom.webex.com/suncom/lsr.php?AT=pb&SP=TC&rID=54664387&act=pb&rKey=1196f1ad1406d335

2. Presentation slides – https://suncom.webex.com/mw0306l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=suncom&service=10

3. Follow the rulemaking process on https://www.flrules.org/

4. Governor’s website - http://www.myflorida.com/

5. Library Legislative Day is February 16th.

6. Follow the legislative process at Online Sunshine - http://www.leg.state.fl.us/

7. Electronic Recordkeeping Strategic Plan - http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/recordsmgmt/pdfs/ElectronicRecordkeepingStrategicPlan2010-2012.pdf

8. Joint Library Planning Committee - http://www.fldoe.org/cc/jlpcm.asp

9. Economic Recovery & Florida Libraries - http://floridarecovery.pbworks.com/

10. Florida Memory Project - http://www.floridamemory.com/

11. Florida Book Awards - http://floridabookawards.lib.fsu.edu/apply.php

12. Library Leadership Labs - http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/bld/leadership/symposiums.cfm

13. DLIS CE page - http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/workshops/index.cfm

Stephanie Race

OPAL Programs remaining in January


  • Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. EST
      Congressional Legislation @ Your Fingertips: Using THOMAS, the Library of Congress Web Site for Federal Legislative Information

      "Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government. . . ." Thomas Jefferson to Richard Price, Jan. 8, 1789, The Thomas Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress.

      Bloggers, pundits, advocacy groups, and others vie for the public’s attention as Congress debates the issues of the day. Becoming a well-informed citizen can be challenging. THOMAS, the Library of Congress Web site for federal legislative information, offers the public an opportunity to search and read legislation, track its progress from bill to law, and follow congressional debates. It contains links to related government resources and educational materials, plus historical congressional documents.

      Learn tips and techniques for using this valuable research tool by joining Pamela Craig, Senior Legal Research Specialist in the Law Library at the Library of Congress, for an introduction to THOMAS. We will explore the site, conduct searches for the latest legislation, and sample the site’s many links and resources designed and compiled to provide for the needs of a well-informed citizenry.

      Host: Library of Congress

      Location: OPAL Auditorium
  • Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 12:30 p.m. EST
  • Let's Get Social: Photo and Video Sharing

      We'll look at and discuss photo and video sharing sites, such as YouTube, Flickr, and Picasa. Everyone is welcome to attend this live online event, which will last approximately 90 minutes. If you live outside of Illinois, there is no need to register. Illinois librarians, please register online at Library Learning. Two locations are listed there. Choose OPAL Auditorium to attend via your own computer. Choose Bloomingdale Public Library if you're in the Chicagoland area and would like to attend an in-person viewing of the web conference.

      About the "Let's Get Social" Series: Join your library colleagues for a series of lunchtime programs on various aspects of online social networking. Hear from librarians at DuPage Library System libraries, and share your own experiences. All sessions are from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central Time. The programs are open to all, but Illinois librarians are asked to register online at Library Learning.

      Host: DuPage Library System The DuPage Library System is one of nine regional, multitype library systems in Illinois that support local library services. It serves 132 member libraries, including academic, public, school, and special libraries in the western suburbs of Chicago.

      Location: OPAL Auditorium
  • Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. EST:
      FiLBeRt Roundtable Discussion: The Future of Libraries, Books, and Reading

      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!

      Host: TAP Information Services

      Location: OPAL Auditorium
  • Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. EST:
      Helping GPO Identify Fugitive Publications

      Join Joe McClane, GPO’s Manager of Content Acquisitions, in the ongoing quest to find fugitive publications,
    which are documents that federal agencies have published on the Web but for which no copy or record exists in GPO's database,
      Joe is eager to talk with librarians on how they can help GPO discover fugitive publications. He will be glad to tackle any questions concerning GPO’s handling of fugitive publications. There will be ample time for question and answers on this timely and important topic.

      Host: U.S. Government Printing Office

      Location: OPAL Auditorium
  • Friday, January 15, 2010

    Trendy Topics series

    A series of library related webinars, held monthly (February - November 2010). There is a fee for these events ($).

    Flyer about the February 9 event
    (pdf)

    The Trendy Topics series

    Keynote speakers for upcoming conferences include the following:

    • March 9 ~ "Marketing: The Medium and the Message" ~ Alison Circle, Columbus Metropolitan Library
    • April 13 ~ "Teens and Technology" ~ Kelly Czarnecki, Public Library of Charlotte~Mecklenburg County
    • May 11 ~ "Ebooks and Audiobooks" ~ Tom Peters, TAP Information Services
    • June 8 ~ " The Future of Libraries" ~ Stephen Abram, Gale Cengage
    • July 13 ~ "Web Design for Libraries" ~ Aaron Schmidt, Washington DC Public Library
    • September 14 ~ "Digital Reference" ~ Alison Miller, Internet Public Library
    • October 12 ~ " Virtual Worlds and Libraries" ~ Jeremy Kemp, San Jose State University School of Library and Information Science
    • November (TBA) ~ "Building an Electronic Branch for your Library" ~ David Lee King, Topeka/Shawnee Public Library
    Register

    Wednesday, January 13, 2010

    Library in Your Pocket

    Library in Your Pocket: Strategies for Developing Successful Mobile Services

    Wednesday, January 20, 1:00pm EST.

    Students are arriving on college campuses with the ability to connect to the web with a diverse array of mobile devices. However, some online services aren’t a good fit for the small screen, and new services can also be developed that take advantage of the mobile user context. Developers of the NCSU Libraries Mobile site (http://m.lib.ncsu.edu) will share their strategy and techniques for creating a suite of mobile services that are optimized for a majority of mobile web platforms, from iPhones to flip phones. The session will also include a discussion of site usage and promotion as well as plans for future mobile services.

    Register


    Thursday, January 7, 2010

    Two Online Conferences in February

    An online conference is a series of webinars throughout an entire day. Whew! I'm glad someone else is organizing this type of event. Here are two that are coming up in February.
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    Technology Essentials 2010 (WebJunction)

    February 9 & 10, 2010

    Cost: Free

    Agenda

    Register

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    Handheld Librarian 2010 (Learning Times and Alliance Library System)

    February 17 & 18, 2010

    More than 2,000 people attended the first ever Handheld Librarian Conference in July 2009 which featured a wide array of collaboration, learning and networking activities focused on Mobile Library Services. July 2009 List of Speakers and Topics.

    Cost: Free for NEFLIN members. Non-members $69.

    NEFLIN members watch your e-mail or visit the Blah, Blah, Blah Blog later this month for more information.

    Tuesday, January 5, 2010

    January 2010 Webinars - Part 2

    More live webinars for January. Part 1 of this list.
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    Big Impact Online Fundraising (Common Knowledge)

    January 8, 2:30pm EST.

    Internet-based fundraising is the fastest growing channel for nonprofits – even during this down economy. Join us for a unique look at online fundraising, starting with the basics and quickly moving into a look at a host of clever new tips, tactics, campaigns and programs that demonstrate why successful online fundraising is all about innovation.

    We'll touch on a diverse set of topics including integrated fundraising, on-boarding, Word of Mouth, Facebook, Twitter, mobile and online advertising. What do all these topics have in common? They represent the most innovative fundraising programs in the nonprofit industry, today.

    Drawing from case studies in the health, environmental, animal welfare, veterans, advocacy, higher ed, association, and human rights sectors, we'll lay out practical tips and best practices for building or improving your own online fundraising program.

    From ILS to Repository and Back: Data Interoperability (NISO) $

    January 13, 1:00pm EST.

    While institutional repository (IR) systems are meant to focus on the storage of digital objects, most repositories contain not only objects, but also metadata about those items. One of the main functions of library systems is to help facilitate the discovery of items and content using metadata. Where is the line between IR systems and the discovery and management tools the libraries use to manage their collections? What are some strategies that libraries can employ to integrate these systems? Is anyone having success?

    As libraries increasingly become the home to special digital collections and scanned materials, finding simple ways to exchange information and ensure discoverability of IR content will be critical to efficient management of both systems. This webinar will provide attendees with an overview of recent research in this topic as well as real-world examples from organizations who are working toward interoperability.

    Social Networking for Advocacy & Activism (Common Knowledge)

    January 13, 2:30pm EST.

    Social networking is not just about building awareness and educating supporters on Facebook. Increasingly, top-notch advocacy groups are successfully using commercial social networks like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, along with house social networks (social network communities built on the organization's own web site) to reach, engage, and mobilize activists and make real change.

    In this new addition to the Common Knowledge Social Networking Series, we'll take a close look at social networking focused advocacy programs at several leading nonprofits. We'll explain the strategy, concepts and best practices employed in each program, and highlight valuable components unique to each program.

    An Overview of Website Accessibility (TechSoup)

    January 14, 2:00pm EST.

    Implementation of web accessibility can seem excessively complicated. In reality, the best accessibility practices dovetail with good overall usability, and are easy to implement via standard tools such as templates and cascading style sheets (CSS). This session will cover topics such as understanding the difference between various accessibility guidelines, avoiding common accessibility errors, when - and when not - to rely on automatic accessibility checkers, and unexpected populations that benefit from accessible websites.

    This webinar is best suited for individuals with some knowledge of HTML coding who are involved with ensuring that their organization's website is accessible.

    Finding and Keeping Library Jobs (ALA Placement Center)

    January 18, 12 noon EST.

    Finding the right library job in desired geographic locations and library types can be a challenge. The webinar presenter will explore the best resources among the wealth of jobs and employment research and networking tools available online.

    The ‘Finding and Keeping Library Jobs’ webinar is intended for librarians and library paraprofessionals who are seeking employment, planning for future employment, or looking for professional development opportunities to assist in maintaining current employment. No jobs and employment research experience is expected or required.

    The webinar presenter, Diane Kovacs, is president of Kovacs Consulting – Internet & Web Training. She has more than 15 years of experience as an online instructor and consultant. Kovacs designs and teaches both web-based and face-to-face courses for a variety of academic institutions and organizations.

    Let's Get Social: Photo and Video Sharing (OPAL)

    January 21, 12:30pm EST.

    We'll look at and discuss photo and video sharing sites, such as YouTube, Flickr, and Picasa. Everyone is welcome to attend this live online event, which will last approximately 90 minutes. If you live outside of Illinois, there is no need to register.

    Helping Your Patrons Help Themselves
    (BCR)

    January 22, 1:00pm EST.

    No matter where you are or what kind of library you’re in, times are tough and money’s tight. Your library budgets are most likely getting slashed, and it’s quite likely that your patron’s wallets are a little less thick than they used to be, too. We all know that in dark economic times, more and more people turn to our institutions for help and entertainment, but it’s not always clear how we can best help them – and ourselves – when we have seemingly fewer resources with which to do so. This series of short presentations will hopefully help you brainstorm some creative ways you can add value to the services you provide, without adding more stress to your budget!

    Part 1: Helping Your Patrons Help Themselves
    This hour long talk will explore a few ways you can help members of your community who find themselves out of work or just looking to better their financial situation. We’ll briefly discuss programming possibilities, a few free technologies that can be of great benefit to job-seekers, and some smart ways to supplement cash flow and manage money.

    Partnerships and Collaboration in Tough Times (Infopeople)

    January 26, 3:00pm EST.

    Tough times call for tough choices, and one of those choices is how to get the most out of every resource at hand. One way to do this is through strategic and intentional partnerships and collaborations. But how do you form these partnerships so that the library, the partner, and, most important, the community all benefit?

    In this webinar, Joan Frye Williams and George Needham will discuss:

    • The special challenges and opportunities tough times present for partnerships
    • The difference between partners and donors
    • The five things you need to know before you enter into any partnerships
    • Finding a partner: the hard way and the easy way
    • Tips for convincing people to support collaboration
    With their characteristic humor and energy, Joan and George will present real world examples of successful collaborations that have allowed libraries to extend their reach and improve their communities. This webinar should be of interest to librarians, trustees, branch managers, grant writers, and any member of the library community who seeks to work with outside organizations.

    Next-Generation Network Security for Schools and Colleges
    (eSchool News)

    January 27, 2:00pm EST.

    This webinar, sponsored by Juniper Networks, will explore new options and opportunities for improving and expanding school, district and campus-wide network security using a variety of new hardware and software solutions. Presenters will include K-12 district and higher education technology leaders who will share their recent experiences with network upgrades and re-designs from both technology and policy perspectives.

    10 Tips for Attracting A Large Community to Your Facebook Page (Common Knowledge)

    January 27, 2:30pm EST.

    Nearly 75% of nonprofits indicate they have a presence on Facebook, and yet the average community size is just 5,391 fans. Starting a Facebook page, group, or Cause is easy. Growing a large base of followers is much more challenging, and few organizations have done it successfully.

    In this insightful presentation, we'll review several organizations who've built a large following on Facebook and lay out the strategies and tactics that drove their success.