Friday, February 26, 2010

Live Webinars: March 2010

The monthly list of live webinars. (It's like waking up on Christmas morning...oh the anticipation).

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Managing a Student Helpdesk on Donuts...and Achieving Success (Educause)

March 2, 2:00pm EST.

Cultivate an inexpensive methodology for recruiting, training, and coaching student employees. Develop an effective training program that will transition students into exceptional employees, improve their technical knowledge, streamline service, and refine the overall customer experience.

Creating a Successful Computer Refurbishing Program (TechSoup)

March 4, 2:00pm EST.
  • How to set up a small refurbishment space, what materials are needed, and how to staff it
  • How to triage or quickly separate useful donations from e-waste, and also how to locate a reputable end-of-life recycler to take e-waste at minimal cost
  • How to test IT equipment, wipe hard drives, and install the right operating systems and other software
  • Some essential computer repair troubleshooting techniques to get you started
  • How to connect up with your community to ensure ongoing sustainability of your refurbishment program
This webinar will cover basic to intermediate-level topics and is most appropriate for decision-makers, IT staff, and "accidental techies" who may be entrusted to make strategic technology decisions at your organization. This is an intro-level webinar and won't go in-depth on topics about how to refurbish computers at a larger scale or develop an existing refurbishment program.

Conversational Openings with Faculty about Scholarly Communication (ACRL)

March 4, 2:00pm EST.

Are you interested in talking with faculty on your campus about scholarly communication issues, but not sure where to start? Have you had success in starting the discussion naturally? Share your strategies and ask colleagues for advice during this month's OnPoint chat, convened by the authors of the February C&RL News column on this topic.

How to Create a Winning Business Plan
(Office Depot)

March 4, 4:00pm EST.

Where did the money go? Accounting Basics
How Much Should I Charge? Pricing Basics
Building the Team? Who does what? Why, how and when?

Focus Groups: Perceptions for Planning (SirsiDynix)

March 9, 1:00pm EST.

If any type of library wants to understand its patrons’ information behaviors and preferences, how its community views library services, or where there are potential partnerships within the community environment, it should consider using focus groups. “Guided group conversations” offer libraries an incredible wealth of information about their clients, their services, and their evolving environment.

This talk discusses the design of effective focus groups, from identifying participants to developing insightful questions and prompters, facilitating the group dynamics and dialogue, ways to use online environments, personas, and other techniques to get­ and keep ­a meaningful and directed discussion going and on topic. Information mined from focus groups and online conversations are critical in planning services, changes, and any library's future.

Best Practices in Developing and Disseminating Documents Electronically (ADA)

March 10, 2:00pm EST.

This webinar will identify best practices for creating accessible and optimized digital documents and web content for maximized usability, functionality and cost-savings. Specifically addresses issues and remedies pertaining to Portable Document Format (PDF), Microsoft Office Word and PowerPoint, and public websites.

Legal Issues Facing Libraries Offline in 2010 (Infopeople)

March 11, 3:00pm EST.

Legal issues on a variety of situations facing libraries on the ground, from privacy to censorship to meeting rooms, are constantly changing.

What is the current status of the Patriot Act and how does it affect your library? Is it time to refresh staff on how to respond to requests for patron records? Want an update on challenges to library materials and how the courts have weighed in? Is your meeting room and exhibit space policy legally viable?

Those attending the webinar will:

  • Learn new case law critical to updating your meeting room policies
  • Get an update on PATRIOT Act and how it affects your library
  • Get items to consider when updating your privacy policy
  • Learn about the latest challenges to library materials
Series Nonfiction: What's New in 2010 (Booklist)

March 16, 2:00pm EST.

Following up on our very successful fall 2009 webinar on series nonfiction, our own expert on the topic, Books for Youth associate editor Daniel Kraus, and representatives from select series publishers discuss what’s new for 2010 in this growing area of youth publishing. Sponsored by Cherry Lake Publishing, Enslow Publishers, Lerner Publishing Group, and Marshall Cavendish.

The Power and Pitfalls of RFID
(Library Journal)

March 16, 3:00pm EST.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology offers a host of benefits to libraries - improved customer service, ergonomics, labor savings, and a more enjoyable experience for both patrons and staff - but only when things are done right. Our panel will discuss the power as well as the pitfalls of RFID and share their experiences of libraries that discovered the power only after feeling the pain of the pitfalls.

Leading in a Virtual World (Webex)

March 17, 12 noon EST.

In this webinar Senior Consulting Partner Carmela Southers will show you how to avoid the traps that trip up many seasoned managers when they make the shift from leading in a face-to-face setting to leading in a virtual environment. You'll explore the challenges of:
  • Finding the right balance between "hands-off" leadership and the micromanaging that can occur when managers and direct reports don't see each other on a regular basis

  • Creating a connection between managers and direct reports without seeming too "Big Brother" or prying

  • Finding the right frequency for communication so direct reports don't feel overly inundated with emails, long conference calls, etc.
Presentations that Drive Action with Evidence (Adobe)

March 17, 1:00pm EST.

A good presentation has an effect on your audience. It educates them, moves them, drives them to a new belief, or stimulates action. But it is all too easy to reduce the effectiveness of your message through poor slide design choices. Join us for a free one-hour webinar illustrating expert guidelines for building presentations that convey facts and evidence to support your message.

Dr. Andrew Abela, creator of the Extreme Presentation method and author of "Advanced Presentations by Design" will join Ken Molay of Webinar Success for a fact-filled session.

You will gain insights into the following topics:

  • Dealing with distracted, demanding, and skeptical audiences
  • Determining how to present factual evidence
  • When to use or omit graphics, sounds, and animations
  • Building stories based on data
  • Moving your audience to a desired conclusion
Open Office: What Libraries Need to Know (Infopeople)

March 18, 3:00pm EST.

Are you curious about a free, open source alternative to Microsoft Office? Meet OpenOffice, the leading open-source office suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. Learn how it measures up to the competition, how it can be used in libraries and other factors that will help you decide if OpenOffice is for you.

Superpower Your Browser: Open Source Research Tools (ACRL)

March 23, 2:00pm EST.

Libraries are harnessing the power of digital resources, moving tools and resources not only onto the Web but into the browser software itself. Open source browser plug-ins such as LibX and Zotero can help researchers at every stage of the research cycle, from search and discovery to writing and citation.

The LibX search toolbar can be customized to search your library's catalog and databases, insert library links into sites like Amazon and Wikipedia, and more. Zotero is a citation manager and bibliography creator that is as easy to use as iTunes. New features such as online storage and shared libraries make Zotero a strong competitor to proprietary software.

This webcast will examine these two powerful browser tools as well as others. By using free, open source tools, libraries can offer assistance and resources with little cost and foster skills that patrons can use throughout life, regardless of location.

Register ($)


Making the Most of Your Descriptive Metadata (ALCTS)

March 24, 2:00pm EST.

Metadata is essential for organizing, searching, and managing information resources, particularly as libraries expand their efforts in making their collections available on the web. Libraries are populating institutional repositories with a myriad of resources, including digitized special collections materials, finding aids, electronic theses, peer-reviewed faculty work and other research, scholarship and creative outputs.

But what are libraries doing about the descriptive metadata that allows users to search, find, and select these resources in their repositories? What redundancies are created when libraries engage in collecting, enhancing, or redistributing metadata in siloed systems? Can redundant metadata generation efforts be streamlined? We will discuss some current descriptive metadata practices in institutional repositories, identify areas where redundant efforts may occur, and discuss strategies to improve management, collection, and re-use of descriptive metadata.

Register ($)

The New Generation of e-Learning Delivery (Adobe)

March 30, 1:00pm EST.

The world of e-learning is evolving. Bersin & Associates research clearly shows that, for both e-learning creators and consumers, the lengthy page-turner is out. In its place is a next-generation of e-learning, a new world of opportunities that incorporates all types of tools to engage and capture learners. Today’s workforce development is powered by short video and audio vignettes; interactive assessments; pre-recorded virtual classroom sessions; scenario-based learning; 3-D simulations and serious games; e-books, articles, abstracts and downloadable materials; and content available on mobile devices.

Attend this interactive webinar to discuss:

  • Major trends in e-learning technology for the coming year
  • How L&D organizations can expand their own tool boxes and disciplines (for example, recording virtual classroom events for replay is now a mainstream strategy)
  • Best practices based on actual uses of next generation technologies for e-learning by other organizations
Library Images and Video: Engage, Inspire and Tell Your Story (WebJunction)

March 30, 2:00pm EST.

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.

Putting the Voice of your Customer to Work (Webex)

March 31, 1:00pm EST.

Most businesses realize the value of the Voice of the Customer. Today, hundreds of organizations regularly conduct surveys, solicit comments and complaints, scour social and consumer-generated media, and harvest data from other VOC sources in order to identify and pursue opportunities to improve customer experiences and relationships.

So why do most managers say their organizations are falling short when it comes to putting the voice of the customer to work? - and what is holding them back?

Join Dr. Randall Brandt of Maritz Research as he shares insights gained from the 2010 Maritz VOC Practices and Challenges Survey.

Elluminate: March Webinars

March 2 - Social Technologies: Part 1 of 3
March 4 - Social Technologies: Part 2 of 3
March 9 - Social Technologies: Part 3 of 3

March 3 - Wireless Auditing
March 11 - Beyond Slideshows: Effective Online Presentations
March 15 - Project Management for Busy Leaders
March 24 - Nuts and Bolts of Social Media
March 25 - Job Searching using Social Networks
March 30 - Learning in the New World


Common Knowledge: Wednesday Webinars


March 3 - Ten Tips for Growing an Online Community

March 10 - House Social Networks

March 17 - Fundraising Potential of each new E-mail Subscriber

March 24 - How to become a Big Impact Nonprofit Blogger

March 31 - You can Raise Big Dollars on Facebook and your HSN


BCR's Free Friday Forums:


March 5 - Finding the Silver Lining: Cloud Computing and Libraries

March 12 - ISTC: the International Standard Text Code

March 19 - Fragile Imaging: Lantern Slides, Glass Plate Negatives and Daguerreotypes

March 26 - More Than Making Do: Using Free Tools to Make A Big Splash

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Online Conferences: March 2010 (Day long events)

March 3-4. Mobile Learning 2.0: The Next Phase of Innovation in Mobility. Register ($)

March 5-6. Libraries and Museums in Virtual Worlds. Register ($)

March 9. Marketing for Libraries. Register($)

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The events below are for Florida library staff only


Information Literacy Education: A National Overview (College of DuPage)

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

When President Barack Obama declared October 2009 as National Information Literacy Awareness Month, Information Literacy received national attention. The declaration stated: “In addition to the basic skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic, it is equally important that our students are given the tools required to take advantage of the information available to them.” He asked “people of the United States to recognize the important role that information plays in our daily lives, and appreciate the need for a greater understanding of its impact.”

In this context, Lisa Stock, Dean of Learning Resources at College of DuPage, and Jean Donham, College Librarian, Cornell College (Iowa) will give a background briefing on the working standards and assessments for national literacy and open a dialog on what librarians can do to strengthen efforts to encourage and build information literacy efforts not only in your own library, but in concert with your colleagues around the country.

State Library of Florida: March Webinars

Florida Electronic Library (numerous)

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Live Webinars: February 25

What's Up in YA Books 2010

Thursday, February 25, 2:00pm EST.

There's never too much of a good thing when it comes to hearing about the hottest new and forthcoming young adult titles! Our sponsoring publishers promise to deliver the best of the best of their Spring and Summer lists so you can get the jump on ordering what your teen readers will be demanding. You might even want to invite your teen readers to attend the webcast – a perfect way to kick off your next Teen Advisory Group meeting!

Get ready to be informed and entertained by our presenters as they share their love of adult literature and give you the scoop on what’s new and in the pipeline for your teen readers!

Panelists:

  • Jason Wells, Publicity and Marketing Director, Abrams/Amulet
  • Natashya Wilson, Senior Editor, Harlequin TEEN
  • Glenda Howard, Executive Editor, Kimani TRU
  • Patty Rosati, Director, School and Library Marketing, HarperCollins Children's Books

Moderator: Dodie Ownes, editor, SLJTeen


After the Crash: Minimize your Downtime

Thursday, February 25, 2:00pm EST.

Computers crash, viruses infect, and disasters happen. But they don't have to affect your ability to continue working if you're prepared. There are some key things you should know about your computer system and your applications - and things you should do with your data - to ensure that you're back up in a few hours instead of a few days.

Kami Griffiths will interview Laura Richardson from Uptime Resources to help you understand how you can get your system back up and running so your staff can continue to do their work as quickly as possible. The discussion will open your eyes to the risks you should be aware of and to the measures that can help prevent data loss.

What will happen to your TechSoup software product donations in case of a crash? Gregory Seeley, a TechSoup Stock Customer Service Representative, will give an overview of how you can regain access to the products and services you requested before the incident.

This webinar is appropriate for executive directors, IT staff, accidental techies, and anyone else who is responsible for maintaining your nonprofit or library's computers and data.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Nice Collection of Archived Webinars

The Texas State Library has hosted a number of great webinars over the past year. Dawn Vogler, TSL C.E. Coordinator, has generously allowed us to access their archived webinars.

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Webinar Archive

Some of the topics:

  • Program Ideas for After School
  • Google's Hidden Libraries
  • Staying Ahead of the Curve
  • Outcomes Based Evaluation
  • Problem Patrons
  • Spanish Language Collection Development

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

March Online Conferences

March 5-6. Libraries and Museums in Virtual Worlds ($)

March 9. Marketing for Libraries ($)

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Everyone is invited to participate in The Future is Now: Libraries and Museums in Virtual Worlds, an online conference to be held on Friday and Saturday, March 5-6, 2010 in OPAL, the webconferencing collaborative service, in Second Life, and in other three-dimensional virtual worlds.

Throughout this two-day conference there will be dozens of presentations, panel discussions, poster sessions, demonstrations, tours, and social events. You need not be proficient in virtual worlds to participate in this conference. Orientation sessions will be held prior to the conference dates.

Keynote Speakers:

· Marilyn Johnson, author of the new book, This Book is Overdue! How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All. She also wrote The Dead Beat: Lost Souls, Lucky Stiffs, and the Perverse Pleasures of Obituaries.

· Tom Atkinson teaches Instructional Technology at the U. of Central Florida and has over 30 years of experience in designing, producing, delivering, and evaluating interactive instruction on mobile learning platforms and in virtual worlds

· Sharon Tettegah and Cynthia Colongne, co-authors of the 2009 book, Identity, Learning and Support in Virtual Environments.

Register Now: http://bit.ly/7cB88t


Trendy Topics 2010: Marketing for Libraries!

Alliance Library System and TAP Information Services are pleased to announce the second in a dynamic monthly series of online workshops you can enjoy right at your desktop on hot topics. The latest conference on Marketing for Libraries is scheduled for Tuesday, March 9. Alison Circle of Columbus Metropolitan Library and blogger for "Library Journal", will be the opening keynote speaker at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time, 10:00 Central, 9:00 Mountain, and 8:00 Pacific. She will offer a step-by-step presentation on how to develop a marketing plan that integrates newest channels (Facebook, Twitter, and others) into a consistent value message that pays off in tangible results.

Other speakers for this inspiring day-long conference include:

· Kitty Pope talking about "What Libraries Can Learn from Corporate America about Marketing

· Trisha Noack speaking on “The Challenges of Reaching a Library’s Diverse Audience”

· Nancy Dowd speaking on “Is Mobile Marketing Right for Your Organization?”

· Toni Tucker on “Marketing Basics for an Academic Library”

· Cynthia Hart on “Get Social with Your Customers!”

A full informational flyer can be found at http://www.alliancelibrarysystem.com/TrendyTopics/trendytopicsMarch9.pdf.

“In these tough times, it’s more important than ever for libraries to market their services and take advantage of the new marketing tools available to them,” stated Kitty Pope, ALS Executive Director.

Register at http://www.eventbee.com/view/trendytopics/event?eid=65537

Friday, February 12, 2010

Electronic Documents

Best Practices in Developing and Disseminating Documents Electronically

Wednesday, March 10, 2:00pm EST.

This webinar will identify best practices for creating accessible and optimized digital documents and web content for maximized usability, functionality and cost-savings. Specifically addresses issues and remedies pertaining to Portable Document Format (PDF), Microsoft Office Word and PowerPoint, and public websites.

Register

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

TechSoup Webinars

Learn How TechSoup Can Help Your Organization

Thursday, February 11, 2:00pm EST.

Join TechSoup.org content creators, community leaders, and customer service support for a tour of how your organization can use all that TechSoup has to offer to improve your technology and help reach your mission. TechSoup, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is working toward a time when every nonprofit and social benefit organization will have the technology resources and knowledge they need to operate at their full potential.

We'll walk you through the process of registering and requesting donated and discounted products from more than 35 donor partners like Microsoft and Adobe. We'll also take you on a virtual tour of other resources in TechSoup's tech arsenal.

Register


Tele-What? Straight Talk About Telecommunications for Your Organization

Thursday, February 18, 2:00pm EST.

Don't know your VoIP from your POTS or even what these acronyms mean? Scratching your head on all the phone system options out there? Then this webinar is for you. Join us Thursday February 18 at 11 a.m. Pacific for an informative webinar and forums event to help you avoid the buzz-word marketing and get the real picture on telecommunications.

We'll be joined by telecommunications expert and longtime TechSoup star and forums moderator, Chris Shipley of Nutmeg IT and Kevin Lo, Lead Technology Analyst for TechSoup Global.

Our hosts will address the various voice communication options (VoIP, PBX hardware, voicemail) available and how these differ. We'll explore the pros and cons of different solutions, cost considerations, and examine what kinds of organizations would best benefit from different systems.

This live webinar kicks off the official launch of TechSoup's new Telecommunications discussion forum. After the webinar, our hosts will continue the conversation in the asynchronous (not live) forums event. We've gotten the conversation rolling with topics like how telecommunications is changing nonprofit work, Google Voice, and what VoIP services organizations are using. Head on over and post your questions and get expert advice on your telecommunications needs!

Register

Monday, February 8, 2010

Mobile Learning in the Real World



Thursday, February 18, 1:00pm EST.

Mobile Learning Fundamentals: Innovation Showcase and Real-World Examples - Presented by A.J. Ripin with special guest, Dr. David Metcalf

The way that we live, work, play, and learn is being impacted by the increasing mobility of our global society. As leaders, it is our responsibility to design for the needs of our changing audience. Learn the key trends and technologies that are fast emerging to meet the challenges and changes of today and tomorrow. Come hear this conversation as we explore advanced concepts like mobile performance support, compliance, games and simulations, location awareness, transcoding, mobile social networking and collaboration. Learn firsthand how world leaders from industry, academia, military and organizations like Google, Microsoft, Tyco International, Tufts University and others are delivering value through Mobile Learning content.

Mind over Technology” – The value of content design in “mobile education” - Presented by Supra Manohar, EVP Emantras

The discussion of mobility in education has primarily focused on technology and devices. It is critical to understand that the maturation of the market is driving the need for understanding content design and why it is probably one of the most critical aspects of any mobile learning initiative. Understanding how we learn in specific environments is critical to learning design. Using online content without pedagogical modifications within mobile environments probably does not work. The primary thrust of mobile education must be the design of the content and utilization of technology to deliver this content. This presentation will explore learning design for mobile environments and critical factors that need to be considered for a successful initiative (relative to content).

Register

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Worry-Free Strategies for School Laptop Management

Wednesday, February 3, 2:00pm EST.

Laptops are becoming an essential part of education, but the difficulty of managing them has serious consequences for students and staff. Many districts have found that loss or theft can be costly, damaging student morale and hurting limited budgets. However, implementing secure, cost-effective 1:1 programs has proved difficult, requiring a great deal of administrative effort.

Learn how a proactive school district:

  • Tracks over 6,000 MacBook® computers, even when they leave school networks
  • Drives down theft rates, bringing peace of mind to students and teachers
  • Recovered several missing laptops and even one runaway student!
  • Got school board and grant approvals for technology objectives
  • Applies tracking for IT administrative tasks
Register here (or more likely) Watch the Archived Version (soon)

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Live vs. Recorded Webinars

A rare post here that is not an actual event, but I thought it was relevant. If you don't wish posts like this in the future you are welcome to comment below.
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Tim Bourquin wrote a thought-provoking column talking about his company’s use of both live and recorded webinars. Tim is very open and detailed in his description of how they use webinars to boost awareness and revenue and it’s worth reading as a business use case. But he also brings up two major problems he is running into:

1. People are signing up for live webinars just to get the link to the recording. They never plan to attend the live session.

2. There is no sense of urgency driving people to watch recordings. The indefinite availability lowers the priority of ever watching the content.

Read Ken's response on this topic.