Need help during these hard times? Washington State Library is offering free classes to library staff to help you keep up with the increased demand. Here are some upcoming online Amigos trainings offered to the Washington library community free from the Washington State Library:

Core Reference Skills
Information seekers interact daily with library staff to meet their information needs. Do you have what it takes to be an effective reference provider? This course helps reference staff identify necessary skill sets needed for any reference interaction whether it is face to face, virtual or on the telephone. We’ll help you recognize common barriers to productive reference interactions, develop techniques to overcome them and discover how to locate basic reference sources.

Upon completion the participant will:
* Identify the skills utilized in providing Reference Service
* Recognize how to demonstrate Reference Service skills to users
* Define barriers to a reference interview
* Employ examples to reinforce reference skills
* Distinguish basic reference sources

Tools for the Reference Desk
Do you want to learn how to implement Web technologies in your reference desk? This course explores a variety of online tools, from blogs, wikis, to free chat software and web-based platforms from which you can engage your users at the reference desk. Come learn how to utilize several free online tools in your reference activities.

Upon completion the participant will:
* Identify free online tools
* Learn how to use wikis, blogs, online communication platforms at the reference desk
* Evaluate which tools can be implemented in his/her institution
* Employ examples via hands on exercises

Tech Topics: Wikis
Wiki (Hawaiian for “quickly”) is the basis for Wikipedia. Although Wikipedia is the largest example of using a wiki, it certainly isn’t the only one. Wikis allow groups of people editing privileges on specific web or intranet pages. Find out how wikis work and how they could be helpful to your library.

This series, Tech Topics, introduces library staff to technologies that may impact libraries and library services.

Upon completion the participant will:
* List 3 characteristics of a wiki
* Identify 2 major types of wiki software
* List 3 ways a wiki could be used in a library

Tech Topics: Library 2.0
Need help with these hard economic times in libraries?
WSL is offering free courses from Amigos to help library staff keep up with the demand. For some, Library 2.0 is new and uncharted territory. For others, it’s the same thing we’ve been doing for years. Find out where the term originated, what it actually means, and how it intertwines with Web 2.0. You’ll see live demonstrations of Library 2.0-type implementations, discuss its ramifications for your library and the profession, and hear what others are saying about it.

This series, Tech Topics, is primarily lecture-based and introduces library staff to technologies that may impact libraries and library services.

Upon completion the participant will:
* Discuss the history of Library 2.0
* Identify 3 characteristics of Web 2.0
* Provide 2 definitions of Library 2.0
* Identify at least 4 characteristics of Library 2.0

To register for any of these courses, visit: the WSL Training Calendar.