FREE Training Events in July
Check out these free training opportunities coming up in July.
Free WSL online trainings:
First Tuesdays: Safety in Small Libraries
July 7, 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Designed as a continuing-education opportunity for all library staff in Washington State, this free web presentation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., on the first Tuesday of the month lets attendees share their skills and successes and learn about new topics. The special-subject presentations, lasting about 30 minutes, are recorded so that others may listen at their own convenience. Presented by Kate Laughlin, Library Consultant, and Matt Berube, Walla Walla County Rural Library District.
Tools for the Reference Desk: Amigos Online Course
July 9 and 16 (2 part course); 8:30-10:30 a.m.
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.
Register here: http://www.secstate.wa.gov/library/libraries/training/trainingView.aspx?event=483&audience=state
Libraries Helping Job Seekers in Hard Times: BCR Online
July 28 & 30; 8:00-10:00 a.m.
In the current economic climate, library resources are being used more than ever, especially by people hunting for work. Libraries are struggling to meet users’ needs for assistance with all aspects of the job hunt, from resume creation to the actual application process. On top of that, library staff must grapple with users’ varying skill levels and the additional demands these create for staff. This online workshop focuses on available resources, many of which are free, to help you help your users. We’ll discuss ideas for addressing the challenges presented by job seekers and encourage participants to brainstorm strategies for their libraries.
The training sessions will be offered online, using BCR’s virtual classroom service. Each online workshop will consist of two, two hour sessions. Additional trainees may attend in one location, but will need to watch collectively with others in order to participate. All sessions will take place between 8:00-10:00 a.m. PST.
Tech Topics: Wikis
7/21; 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Wiki (Hawaiian for “quickly”) is the basis for the Wikipedia. Although the Wikipedia is the largest example of using a wiki, it is not necessarily 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.
Free WSL in-person training:
Autism Awareness in the Library
7/8/2009 1:30- 4:30 p.m. Sno-Isle Regional Library Service Center, Marysville
8/10/2009 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Seattle Public Library — Central Branch, Seattle
Julie Ashmun from Project DATA, University of Washington, will provide an overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders and what behaviors to expect from people with autism and related disabilities in your library. Learn how to support the needs of patrons with autism and how to communicate with this population. Also, learn how to make simple modifications to create an inviting atmosphere for this population. This training is open to all library staff in Washington and requires registration.
This is a FREE training opportunity provided WSL with funding from IMLS, Institute for Museum and Library Services.
DISCLAIMER: The State Library regularly highlights third-party events and online resources as a way to alert the library community to training and resource opportunities. By doing so, we are not endorsing the content of the event, nor promoting any specific product, but merely providing this information as an FYI to librarians who must then decide what is right for them.
Other Free Webinars:
Crouching Tigers, Reading Dragons: Creating a Reading Challenge Program (WebJunction Webinar)
July 7; 11:00-12:00 p.m.
Join guest presenters from Seattle and British Columbia as they share their experiences and expertise with the Global Reading Challenge/Reading Link Challenge, a program that encourages team building, reading for retention, and cooperation between school and public libraries. Using a “quiz bowl” format, the program has successfully challenged teams of young readers across the country for over a decade. The presenters will demonstrate how the program can fit into your library’s programming, regardless of size or budget; and how it can be done in one building, between public libraries and public schools, or across state or international borders. The program emphasizes books that reflect a diversity of backgrounds, and encourages 4th and 5th grade students of all reading abilities to engage in the “sport” of reading.
More information and registration
Open Source Library System Software: Libraries Are Doing it For Themselves (Infopeople Webinar)
July 21; 10:00-11:00 a.m.
One of the great advantages of an Open Source Library System (OSLS) such as Koha or Evergreen is the ability to empower staff and optimize the user’s experience by getting involved in improving the software. This is in contrast to the traditional integrated library system (ILS) model where all the software development was done by “the vendor,” creating a condition of “learned helplessness” on the part of library staff. By making the transition to OSLS, you can shift the culture of your organization from “learned helplessness” to one in which everyone can contribute to enhancing their work environment. This webinar will describe all the ways to get involved with an OSLS project — even if you aren’t a programmer. By the end of the webinar, you will understand why involving your organization in an OSLS project creates opportunities for delivering new services to customers and optimizing the work of your staff.
More information and registration
Living Library Project: Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover (WebJunction Webinar)
July 22; 10:00-11:00 a.m.
The Living Library is a unique event that brings together people who have special interests, beliefs or experiences to speak with people from different backgrounds and share their personal story. In this innovative program participants can “check out” Living Books for a personal conversation. Both the Bainbridge Island and Santa Monica Public Libraries executed two successful Living Library events. The Bainbridge Island event covered such diverse experiences as life as a quadriplegic, a female police officer, a young gay man and an atheist. Santa Monica Public Library’s Living Books included a fat activist, a formerly homeless person, an ex-gangmember and a nudist. Join us for a free webinar with leads from these projects: Rebecca Judd from the Bainbridge Island (WA) branch of the Kitsap Regional Library System, and Julie MacDonald and Rachel Foyt from the Santa Monica Public Library in Santa Monica (CA). Hear how they planned and implemented the project in their libraries, and find out how you can create a Living Library in your community.
More information and registration
Racial and Ethnic resources (National Library of Medicine)
July 22; 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Racial and Ethnic resources. The National Network of Libraries of Medicine, MidContinental Region is presenting a new series of online classes. Once a month in 2009, 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: https://webmeeting.nih.gov/mcrupdate/ on the day of the program.
Bilingual Storytimes: Building Early Literacy and Community (WebJunction Webinar)
July 29; 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Libraries are expanding storytime programming to build early literacy skills in their community. The Mission Branch of the San Francisco Public Library recently added to their popular Bilingual Toddler Tales Program (300-400 attendees!) hands-on literacy activity stations for caregivers to explore. Seattle Public Library has expanded their Summer Reading Program to include bilingual storytimes in Chinese, Vietnamese and Spanish. Both libraries have had great success in their early literacy programming and continue to build deep connections with caregivers in their communities. Join Laura Tarango, children’s librarian at the Mission Branch, and Valerie Wonder, immigrant and refugee programs manager at Seattle Public Library, during this free webinar. You’ll hear how they assessed the community’s needs, developed and adapted the programs; and they’ll provide practical steps for you to apply to your outreach and programming efforts.