Tag Archives: professional development

General, School Media Specialist

Follow the MEMO Conference on Twitter

We know that not everyone in our region will have the opportunity to attend the MEMO Conference this year, which can be disappointing. A strategy I have found helpful when I am unable to attend events, is to find out the Twitter hash tag for the event, then do a Twitter search on the hash tag. now, you can read the tweets from attendees and feel a bit more connected to people and events. In this case the hash tag will be #memo12 and you can follow MEMO on Twitter anytime, using their @memo_updates too.

This is my first blog post using the new mobile WordPress app on my iPad.

Academic, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

October Library Events/Webinars

Free Library Webinars–October2012, http://webjunctionworks.org/mn/blog/?p=1075
Through the efforts of colleagues around the country, here is a compilation of free or low-cost online webinars relevant to libraries and staff at all levels from various sources.  Many of the webinars will be archived, so check the relevant site later if you can’t attend the live online event. If you have additions to the list of free webinars or the Minnesota calendar of events, add them to the comments field or let me know!
                ***38 free webinar opportunities in the list for this month!
 
 
 
Additional Learning Opportunities for the Minnesota Library Community:
·         For Minnesota-sponsored events, live and online, visit the Minnesota Library Community Calendar of Events (format change underway–stayed tuned), the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Event Calendar, and the Minitex Event Calendar.
·         For lists of past “Free Library Webinars”, visit this search link at BlogJunction Minnesota,
·         For free, self-paced courses, sign in on the WebJunction Courses page, or Request WebJunction Course Accessto obtain an account, and then select from the course catalog. Without signing in, anyone can glance at the course catalog preview.
 
 
 
Special Events & Conferences:
·         Minnesota Library Association Conference, St. Paul (October 3-5), http://mnlibraryassociation.org/mlaconference2012/
·         Midwest Chapter, Medical Library Association, Rochester (October 6-8), http://blog.lib.umn.edu/lmcguire/hslm/2012/08/dont_miss_the_deadline_to_regi.html
·         Use your influence! Crafting your message to achieve awareness & support (October 9)
·         MEMO Conference, St. Cloud (October 11-13), http://memotech.ning.com/page/2012-fall-conference
·         Libraries and Access to Justice Webinar Series (September 13, 27; October 11; November 1) http://www.probono.net/librarywebinars/
·         LawHelpMN offers free, live, on-site legal information training sessions (Fall 2012),
·         MCCLL Annual Conference for Public Library & County Law Library Staff, St. Paul (October 26), http://webjunction.org/news/minnesota/article3.html
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mary Ann Van Cura
Library Development & Continuing Education Coordinator
State Library Services – D36
1500 Highway 36 West
Roseville, MN 55113
651-582-8632 voice   651-582-8752 fax
Academic, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

E-Books Programming

Last Friday, I attended a virtual conference  called eBooks: Benefits, Challenges, and the Future.  The event was produced by Seflin, one of the multitype organizations  in Florida. The programming was just excellent and included big names like: Stephen Abram (Gale-Cengage Learning), Chad Mairn (Novare Library Services), Nik Osborne, J.D. (Indiana University), Jamie LaRue (Douglas County Libraries, CO), and Sue Polanka (Wright State University). If you don’t follow these people online, you should consider doing so. These people are doing the deep thinking and hard questioning about the current and  future state of e-books. What I appreciated most about the content was that it was a good mix of big picture thinking along with the down and dirty details of file formats, devices, and contract details too. We need it all!

I am hearing of interest in the Central MN region for programming around e-books, which we would like to provide in early winter. The challenge of such programming is finding the proper balance to meet the greatest need. Watch for more details and be prepared to respond to questions about your ebook needs.

As society conditions us to respond to the eight second sound bites, how do we slow ourselves down enough to still do the necessary deep thinking? Are we truly being reflective in our practice? I don’t know about you, but I am working on it, one day at a time!

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

CMLE Scholarship Program – Apply Today!

Did you know?! CMLE offers scholarships of up to $200 per fiscal year per individual for staff affiliated with our member libraries to attend workshops, conferences, and other library-related activities to promote professional development. For all of the details and to apply for a scholarship, go to www.cmle.org/scholarships.asp.

Past recipients of the CMLE scholarship were able to attend national conferences such as ISTE. Locally, members received scholarships for attending the Children’s Literature Workshop in St. Cloud, the TIES conference, the Library Technology Conference at Macalaster College, and for annual MEMO and MLA conferences.

Funds are limited! Apply soon!

Money Plant Image
flickr.com/photos/76657755@N04/
Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

WebJunction News

As the new academic year approaches, WebJunction has provided new “Office of Mac” courses plus an interesting list of Webinars.

New Office for Mac Courses
WebJunction has added five new Outlook and four new PowerPoint for Mac courses. You’ll find these listed under Microsoft Office for Mac 2011.

Outlook for Mac 2011:

  • Getting Started
  • Managing Contacts
  • Managing Conversations and E-mail
  • Mastering E-mail
  • Scheduling with the Calendar

PowerPoint for Mac 2011:

Getting Started

Adding Simple Presentation Enhancements

  • Animations and Presentation Tools
  • Using Media Files in a Presentation

New Digital Inclusion Resources
The Digital Inclusion section is growing! Here’s what’s new:

§  The most recent addition comes from Mary Ann Van Cura, Minnesota State Library Sevices — a case study of efforts in Minneapolis to conquer the digital divide: Everyone Connected, Everyone Informed in Minneapolis.

§  Digital Communities Leadership Summit in St. Paul is an overview of the summit that was a key part of our IMLS-funded project.

§  The Twitter feed for #digitalinclusion is always new. Just today, WebJunction staff noticed a tweet about the new Internet Essentials Learning Center—check it out.

And, August-October WebJunction Webinars

Telling the Library Story

Thursday, Aug. 23, noon Central, 60 min

Registration: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/Telling_the_Library_Story.html

Learn how to tell a succinct, powerful story about the value of libraries. Based on OCLC’s “From Awareness to Funding” and the latest findings of brain research, this session focuses on turning the evidence of our daily patron encounters into short, compelling, and memorable messages that build support.

Presented by: Jamie LaRue, director, Douglas County Libraries (CO), blogger, and chair of committee who created The Big Hairy Audacious Goal, a public library advocacy initiative.

Engaging Your Whole Community: Principles and Practice to Influence Policy

Thursday, Sept. 6, 1 p.m. Central,60 min

Registration: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/Engaging_Your_Whole_Community.html

AmericaSpeaks is a U.S. nonprofit that wants to increase citizen engagement and participation in government decision-making by bringing together diverse participant groups to represent broader community interests. Learn how to create community engagement around library-led initiatives such as digital inclusion and gain facilitation skills to help build healthy, prosperous and cohesive communities. The presentation will provide examples of effective tactics for reaching even those who often do not participate because of limited access to and familiarity with new technologies.

Presented by: Steve Brigham, President, and David Stern, Director of Online Engagement, AmericaSpeaks

Best Small Library in America 2012

Tuesday, Sept.11, 1 p.m. Central, 60 min

Registration: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/Best_Small_Library_in_America_2012.html

Library Journal’s annual Best Small Library in America Award, cosponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was created in 2005 to encourage and showcase the exemplary work of libraries serving populations under 25,000. In collaboration with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries and Library Journal, we are pleased to host this webinar featuring the 2012 Best Small Library in America: Independence Public Library. The multi-award-winning library’s staff of eight serves a population of 13,420 through innovative programs and partnerships, leveraging social media and the Geek the Library campaign for sustained marketing and advocacy efforts. Using a participatory management style and collaborating with other Kansas libraries, along with others in their community, IPL has reached out to individuals and partners to deliver programs and services that bring the community into the library. The session will include an overview of the nomination process and details for next year’s award.

Presented by: Julie Hildebrand, IPL director; Lily Morgan, director, Learning Resource Center at Independence Community College; and Francine Fialkoff, editor-in-chief, Library Journal.

Incubate leadership @ your library

Tuesday, Oct. 16, 1 p.m. Central, 60 min

Registration: www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/incubate_leadership_at_your_library.html

Effective leadership in a library community is not performed by any one person. Instead, it is a collective act of many players contributing their toolset of complementary and evolving skills. Leadership “incubates” best in an environment nurtured by collaborative and continuous learning; it often grows accidentally, sometimes unbeknownst to the leader-to-be. Through peer mentoring and other methods, explore ways to create a generative space that nourishes the infectious qualities of leadership. Develop a network of seasoned learners who will incubate leadership, both within your library and in support of the broader community, collaboratively building and leading a rich and fulfilling learning organization.

Presented by: Jennifer Peterson, Community Manager, WebJunction|OCLC, Board Member, ARSL, and 2011 LJ Mover & Shaker

Freedom Rings in Philadelphia: community technology adoption

Thursday, Oct. 25, 1 p.m. Central, 60 min Registration:

 Early registration:  http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/Freedom_Rings_in_Philadelphia_webinar.html

The Freedom Rings Partnership is a digital inclusion initiative funded by Federal stimulus monies. We are bringing Internet access, computer assistance and digital opportunities to Philadelphians with the least access to broadband. Comprised of a coalition of grassroots organizations, government, and universities, we proudly count People’s Emergency Center and the Free Library of Philadelphia as Managing Partners in this city-wide effort. Extending beyond the library and traditional organizational walls, our public-computing centers—KEYSPOTS—are located in community organizations that have the trust of their constituents; technology access is a complimentary asset to their diverse missions. Learn how to develop sustainable partnerships and adapt this model to meet your community technology adoption needs.

Presented by: Jennifer Donsky, Public Services Technology Library Coordinator, The Free Library of Philadelphia; and Lorelei Shingledecker, Program Manager, Broadband Technology Opportunities Program at People’s Emergency Center

Sincerely,
WJMN Team

Cecelia Boone, Minitex

Mary Ann Van Cura, State Library Services

Explore: http://webjunction.org/partners/minnesota!Follow Us: http://twitter.com/webjunctionmn! Contact Us: mnwebjunction@gmail.com!

Affiliation with WebJunction Minnesota is free and available to members of the Minnesota library community. Tell your colleagues!

The Institute of Museum and Library Services, a Federal Agency that fosters innovation, leadership and a lifetime of learning, in conjunction with State Library services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education, which administers federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants, supports the WebJunction Minnesota project.