Check out the following Professional Development Opportunities for the month of January:
Monday, Jan. 5
Global Teacher Librarian with Andy Plemmons & Joyce Valenza (TL Virtual Café)
Never before have we had truly effective tools for synchronous conferencing and media-rich asynchronous group discussion. Never before have we been able to leverage our emerging online communities of practice. Never before has participation been so possible. Never before has our world been so flat. Never before has it be more obvious that the prefix geo might amplify themes in any curriculum. Our children deserve teachers and librarians who are global. TLs who can plan meaningful global learning partnerships, connecting learners, classrooms and libraries through inquiry projects and expanding the possibilities of expanding the books we read. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://tlvirtualcafe.wikispaces.com/
Tuesday, Jan. 6
Making Connections through ROOTS (Researching Our Origins for Teens and Seniors) (Washington State Library)
The Burlington Public Library, in partnership with the Skagit Valley Genealogical Society, launched a pilot project to match teenagers with senior genealogists in a lateral-learning environment in which the teens learned how to search, collect and record family history. Senior genealogists gained skills with mentoring, new technologies, and new worldwide cultural family history resources. The two-year project funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation had surprisingly positive results that exceeded the wildest expectations of all participants. This Webinar is for Teen and Adult programming staff, and anyone who is interested in using Genealogy to bridge generations and connect the community with the library. You will walk away with a curriculum and tools for developing an inter-generational Genealogy program, and tips for creating a meaningful experience for all participants while avoiding pitfalls. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.sos.wa.gov/library/libraries/firsttuesdays/default.aspx
Wednesday, Jan. 7
Extreme Customer Service @ Your Library (Nebraska Library Commission)
While providing innovative services and programming helps draw new library patrons, excellence in customer service is what keeps them coming back. Kearney Public Library has recently embraced a more patron-focused approach to library policies, which has included changing many policies to create a more positive experience for patrons. Staff members will discuss their new “Extreme Customer Service” model, and how it has changed many of their library practices over the past year. This session will include tips on how libraries of all sizes and budgets can make small and large-scale changes to improve the level of customer service they offer to their patrons. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://nlc.nebraska.gov/scripts/calendar/eventlist.asp?Mode=ALL
Wednesday, Jan. 7
You’ve Gone Mobile, Now What? (Texas State Library and Archives Commission)
You have spent time and money in providing your community members with mobile Internet services. You have updated policies, staff member’s skills, and most likely, hardware and software to get this done. Now that it is up and running, you can relax. Or . . . maybe not. As with every other service you provide, you cannot implement and then leave it alone. You must continue to work with it, promoting it, evaluating it, and showing its relevance to your community. This webinar will give you a start in each of these areas: How you might promote your mobile service, How you might evaluate this service, and How you might show the worth of this service. For more information and to register for this program, visit: https://www.tsl.texas.gov/ld/workshops/webinars/index.html
Wednesday, Jan. 7
5 Steps for Transforming Business Contacts into High-Performing Relationships (American Management Association)
While most organizations believe that relationships are the key to their success, the majority lack specific strategies and relationship training that leverages the power of building strong business relationships. This webcast explores ways to improve business outcomes by harnessing professional relationships in a systematic manner. Incorporating research carried out with experts from both Princeton and Villanova Universities, it takes the mystery out of a skill that can seem elusive to many. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.amanet.org/news/events-calendar.aspx
Wednesday, Jan. 7
Grow Your Major Gifts: Then Don’t Let Them Wither on the Vine — Learn to Make Dynamic ‘Moves’ and Passionate ‘Asks’ (4Good)
Asking is scary. As a result, too often nonprofits spend tons of time cultivating, cultivating and cultivating. But they never get to the ask! Or, if they do, they leave money on the table. To assure that you cut to the chase requires a plan and a disciplined approach. In this webinar we’ll talk about taking charge of the pre-conditions needed to get to the ask, when to ask; then how to do it so you get the most successful outcome possible. For more information and to register for this program, visit: https://4good.org/4good/upcoming-nonprofit-webinars
Thursday, Jan. 8
Data-Driven Marketing: How to Engage Your Customers (Harvard Business Review)
Join Thomas C. Redman, author and president of Navesink Consulting Group, as he discusses how to better engage your customers and what it really means to be data-driven.
For more information and to register for this program, visit: https://hbr.org/multimedia/webinars
Thursday, Jan. 8
8 Great PowerPoint Presentation Tips to Save You From a Fate Worse than Death by PowerPoint (Training Magazine Network)
In this fast-paced, interactive webinar you’ll explore how to put the point back into PowerPoint. From high-tech to low-tech ideas, experience different ways to make this tool work for you. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.trainingmagnetwork.com/calendar
Thursday, Jan. 8
Data-Informed Design (O’Reilly)
You may be a designer, or a coder, or a user experience expert, but you are probably not a data scientist. Still, you want to get more out of the mountain of data you have about your site or app to create a better user experience. This webcast walks through how to identify the data that means the most to user experience and how to use it to make smart decisions about design. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.oreilly.com/webcasts/
Thursday, Jan. 8
Made to be Modern: Website Trends for 2015 (Idealware)
Your website is frequently the first chance you have to make an impression on your constituents. How do you tell your story, create your content, and present your site in a modern way? Luckily, you don’t always need to start from scratch–there are a number of ways to tweak your existing site to help ensure that first impression you make is one of a modern and savvy nonprofit. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://idealware.org/online-training
Thursday, Jan. 8
Better than Bullet Points (InSync)
Effective e-learning involves much more than just putting PowerPoint shows on the Web. In this session we’ll explore solid ideas for transforming bullet-based content into compelling, engaging, interactive online learning programs. See the possibilities for putting simple PowerPoint based e-learning to a level on par with programs created with long-learning-curve higher-end products, custom art, and approaches dependent on programming expertise. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://us.insynctraining.com/complimentary-programs/
Thursday, Jan. 8
Tech Donations for Libraries! (TechSoup)
Perhaps you’ve heard of TechSoup before or attended one of our webinars. But did you know that TechSoup has programs, resources, and tech donations specifically for libraries? We do! This free, hour-long webinar will be open to YOU, to ask the questions you want answered, learn about the wide variety of resources and tech donations TechSoup offers to help libraries leverage tech for their patrons, and get you on your way to receiving the donated technology software, hardware, and services you need! For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.techsoup.org/community/events-webinars/default
Friday, Jan. 9
Are Textbooks History? (GALE Geek)
“In digital classrooms, textbooks are history!” Join us as Bio-Med Science Academy’s STEM+M and textbook-free curriculum instructors, Annette Lang, Lindsey McLaughlin, and Candace Hisey share tips on project-based learning, a dynamic classroom approach in which students actively investigate and respond to real-world problems and challenges. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://solutions.cengage.com/GaleGeek/upcoming-webinars/
Monday, Jan. 12
Help! I’m an Accidental Government Information Librarian presents … Fugitive hunters: community-based digital collection development of born-digital government information (North Carolina Library Association)
“Fugitive” documents – documents not sent automatically to FDLP libraries – have always been a problem for the FDLP community. Libraries have historically dealt with fugitives aggressively and creatively, collectively and individually, in response to the needs of their Designated Communities. However, the scope of the problem in the born-digital era is geometrically greater. This presentation will give context to the “fugitive” issue and the digital present, demonstrating that born-digital community-wide collection development is a logical, rational, responsible, and important part of a document librarian’s job. It will help govt information librarians convince their administrations that building collections of born digital government information is the most effective and efficient way that each library can address the information needs of their own communities. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.nclaonline.org/date-browser
Monday, Jan. 12
Bright Futures Summer Reading (Idaho Commission for Libraries)
The Idaho Commission for Libraries hosts monthly webinars on current hot topics. The focus will be on providing a platform for you to share your knowledge as well as get your questions answered For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://libraries.idaho.gov/page/info2go
Tuesday, Jan. 13
The Top 7 Ways to Protect Your Patrons’ Privacy (SirsiDynix)
Are you comfortable with what you’re doing to protect your patrons’ data? Could you do more? What do you need to know to protect your patrons’ privacy? As technology evolves, more must be done to protect patrons’ data. Join Jason Griffey, library consultant, speaker, and writer, to discover what you can do to protect your patrons’ data. The webinar, “The Top 7 Ways to Protect Your Patrons’ Privacy,” will cover the following: The impact of an ever-digitizing industry on user privacy, Best practices for safeguarding your community’s personal information, privacy, and more, and How an emphasis on patron confidentiality can encourage trust between your library and its community. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.sirsidynix.com/webinars
Tuesday, Jan. 13
Get Thinking! Making the Most of Your Library Time (American Association of School Librarians)
This generation will grow up and run the world, so let’s get them thinking! The educational paradigm is shifting requiring us to move from rote and recall to rigor and research. In this webinar, we’ll share 10 examples of assignments, read-alouds, research essential questions and library activities that require students to think! This will be a fun hour to contemplate whether you are tapping into our greatest asset–the Brain! For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.ala.org/aasl/ecollab/upcoming
Wednesday, Jan. 14
Building Stakeholder Commitment to Your Goals (4Good)
Board members, staff, donors, and stakeholders of all types (clients, suppliers, regulators, partners) need to be engaged in the planning and implementation of new strategies and actions. But how can you do this efficiently when there may be many different views and priorities? This session will introduce key principles and six essential tools for building dialogue and alignment across diverse groups as you work to fulfill your mission and strategy. For more information and to register for this program, visit: https://4good.org/4good/upcoming-nonprofit-webinars
Wednesday, Jan. 14
Introduction to Corporate Giving (GrantSpace)
Seeking to target companies that might fund your organization? Finding it hard to get information? Need to get beyond the Yellow Pages? Join us for an introduction to the world of corporate support for nonprofits and funding research tools to help you identify corporate prospects For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://grantspace.org/classroom/training-calendar/online
Wednesday, Jan. 14
Developing Irresistible Teen Programs (DEMCO)
Developing compelling teen programs can be tricky, whether you have limited staff and little-to-no funding or are simply looking for fresh ideas. In this webinar, we’ll discuss just what it takes, including budgeting and planning, marketing and publicity, post-event evaluations and much more. You’ll learn best practices from other libraries, see creative examples of passive and non-passive programs that have worked well, and discover new resources you can use in your own library.
For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://ideas.demco.com/webinars-category/
Wednesday, Jan. 14
Power Searching: advanced search operators (Infopeople)
The Web continues to grow at an alarming, exhilarating pace, with an estimated 1 billion pages added every single day. Even the most experienced searchers can find themselves frustrated, flummoxed or forlorn. Upgrading your searching skills is an excellent way to help yourself and your customers. In this webinar, the first of a three-part series, Rita Gavelis will explore the common features built into search engines such as Google and Bing to help us retrieve accurate search results. She will also discuss advanced tricks such as phrasing, relational terms, limiters, and format to make your searches more effective.
For more information and to register for this program, visit: https://infopeople.org/training
Wednesday, Jan. 14
The Research Process (EdWeb)
With or without the Common Core, there is a renewed focus on inquiry in K-12 education. Students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in research skills, but they seldom have a clear understanding of how to grow their learning – how to shift from superficial, fact-finding overviews, to deep, targeted, and detailed evidence collection. This session is dedicated to developing instruction that helps students with that transition, and to building close reading activities that promote critical resource evaluation. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.edweb.net/emergingtech
Thursday, Jan. 15
5-Minute Lightning Critiques: Design for the Real World (O’Reilly)
In this live webcast watch as creative guru Jason Mark, co-founder of Gravity Switch, provides accessible, real-world advice to improve the visual design and usability of your projects. Jason’s talk includes live critiques of screenshots submitted by the audience. This isn’t just a list of design rules, but instead a chance to see design rules articulated and applied in real-time with real-world examples. Accessible to seasoned designers as well as design newcomers, the webcast will highlight elements of great design and point out common mistakes and design pitfalls. Does your app stack up? For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.oreilly.com/webcasts/
Thursday, Jan. 15
Health Resources in GoWYLD.net (Wyoming State Library)
Whether you are looking for help with a New Year’s resolution, needing information about a condition or drug, or working on a research assignment, there are tools to use in GoWYLD.net. For more information and to register for this program, visit: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5962490292552237314
Thursday, Jan. 15
Staying Afloat in a Sea of Change (WebJunction)
Our libraries and communities are experiencing the constant motion of changes in technology, demographics and services. The sensation of being afloat in an unpredictable environment can be thrilling as we contemplate the many new possibilities but also a bit scary because of the many unknowns. Join seasoned change manager Debra Westwood for a walk through the process of change to help us recognize our physiological and emotional responses to change and determine how our current skills and experience can fit into new ways of working. All of us, as library staff members, can get beyond just surviving change and learn to embrace and thrive in new environments. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction.html
Friday, Jan. 16
Connecting Digital Products to Physical Programming (GALE Geek)
Amy Calhoun, Virtual Branch Coordinator at Sacramento Public Library, is a guru at connecting outreach with promoting digital resources. Hear about techniques and successes that include Classics by the Capitol (including this phenomenal video), online book hangouts, library trading cards, and much more! For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://solutions.cengage.com/GaleGeek/upcoming-webinars/
Friday, Jan. 16
Making Difficult Conversations Easy (Effectiveness Institute)
Do you shy away from conflict? In organizations across the world conflict is avoided. Expectations go unmet, values are violated, and overall underperformance exists because people do not know how to effectively resolve issues without resorting to the use of power. This one hour session introduces you to concepts that enable you to begin to “integrate conflict” – to walk into it and effectively handle it – rather than avoid it. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.effectivenessinstitute.com/index.php?option=com_dtregister&Itemid=54
Monday, Jan. 19
Teacher Librarian News Night (TL Virtual Café)
This is a LIVE show presented in news show format featuring a Wrap up of “This Month in School Libraries” and deeper discussion of topical school library issues with special guest experts. Did we mention it was LIVE? For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://tlvirtualcafe.wikispaces.com/TL+News+Night
Tuesday, Jan. 20
Fostering Success through Inquiry, Synthesis, and Higher Standards (Booklist)
Ensuring students are college- and career-ready in today’s world means developing their inquiry-based learning skills, engaging students in higher-level thinking, and developing their ability to argue with evidence. Join Booklist and Scholastic Library Publishing for this free, hour-long webinar where Paige Jaeger, School Library Media Specialist and Educational Administrator, will discuss how implementing strategies to raise the bar can serve to triage the growing challenge around increasing student engagement, achievement, and thought. Discover tangible strategies for encouraging higher-level thought and preparing students for college and beyond. Moderated by Booklist Books for Youth senior editor Ilene Cooper. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.booklistonline.com/webinars
Tuesday, Jan. 20
Rockin’ the Virtual Classroom (InSync)
Virtual classroom technology (ILinc, Adobe Connect, WebEx, Elluminate, etc.) provides a wonderful live, real-time bridge between the traditional classroom and the learner. But it isn’t “just like” the traditional classroom, and in the wrong hands can be deadly dull. In this session we’ll learn to read virtual “body language” , look at ways to increase interactivity and engagement, utilize games and activities, and create visuals that support learning. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://us.insynctraining.com/complimentary-programs/
Wednesday, Jan. 21
Guys Read: Men of the NLC Talk Books (Nebraska Library Commission)
The staff at the Nebraska Library Commission are readers. And we enjoy talking about what we’ve read. Join Michael Sauers and Sam Shaw, from the Library Commission, as they share some of their favorite books. You’ll be sure to find a few good additions for your library’s collection. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://nlc.nebraska.gov/scripts/calendar/eventlist.asp?Mode=ALL
Wednesday, Jan. 21
Mindful Leadership: Staying On Course When You Feel Overworked and Overwhelmed (American Management Association)
Join author and executive coach Scott Eblin as he examines how you don’t have to meditate like a monk to benefit from what science is clearly concluding: mindfulness works. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.amanet.org/news/events-calendar.aspx
Wednesday, Jan. 21
Getting Your Volunteers Out of the Box! (4Good)
Volunteers are the “holy grail” of any nonprofit. Not only can they provide valuable resources and expertise but they can expand your program’s outreach to the community and bring in revenue as well. However, most nonprofits only have one or two areas where they utilize volunteers. In this fun and fast-paced webinar learn how you can more effectively utilize volunteers throughout your organization. For more information and to register for this program, visit: https://4good.org/4good/upcoming-nonprofit-webinars
Wednesday, Jan. 21
Creating a Comprehensive and Engaging Volunteer Training Program (VolunteerMatch)
What do your volunteers need to know to be successful? This webinar will start with the basics and help you understand how to determine what information you should be sharing with your volunteers, and how that can be used to create a curriculum. We’ll then discuss how to present this information in a variety of ways using different delivery methods that appeal to adult learners. Assessing what your volunteers have learned, and creating ongoing training and professional development training for your volunteers will also be covered. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://learn.volunteermatch.org/training-topics
Wednesday, Jan. 21
Library Volunteers & Technology Training (TechSoup)
This webinar will share tips and best practices for engaging library volunteers to assist with public technology assistance and training. More details coming soon! For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.techsoup.org/community/events-webinars/default
Wednesday, Jan. 21
Tools for More Effective Board Meetings (Wild Apricot)
While each board situation is unique, there are common challenges facing the conduct of effective nonprofit board meetings. These challenges include board size (typically 10, 12 or more), use of time, decision-making, and ability to keep members engaged and committed to the work. In this session I share a number of tools that can help boards have more effective meetings. These tools help you structure the meeting and do not require special training or facilitation skills. You can use them to improve your very next board meeting. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.wildapricot.com/webinars
Thursday, Jan. 22 (12-1 pm)
A Library’s Guide to Storage, Disaster Recovery and Archiving in the Cloud (American Libraries Live)
Get the inside scoop on pressing library topics from leaders in the field—free–with American Libraries Live. It’s a streaming video program that you can view in your library, at home, or while sipping coffee at your favorite wi-fi enabled coffee shop. This is not just a webinar with voice-overs drilling through PowerPoint slides. You’ll watch presenters live onscreen, and you can ask questions in real time via chat. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://americanlibrarieslive.org/
Thursday, Jan. 22
Conducting a Community Needs Assessment (Federal Depository Library Program)
This webinar will show you the state and Federal resources used by the Northwest Indiana Center for Data & Analysis to provide accurate and timely data for our CNA projects. Resources to be previewed will include but are not limited to: American Community Survey, American Factfinder, STATS Indiana, Hoosiers by the Numbers, and StatsAmerica. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.fdlp.gov/about-the-fdlp/fdlp-events-calendar
Thursday, Jan. 22
Walking the Walk: Engage Volunteers in your Volunteer Engagement Program (VolunteerMatch)
Stop just talking the talk and start walking the walk! Learn how to effectively delegate volunteer engagement and management work to volunteers so you have the opportunity to “think bigger.” We’ll discuss evaluating your program for volunteer engagement, determining how best to deploy volunteers, creating a communication plan, screening and training volunteers to be an important part of your volunteer recruiting, retention and recognition plans. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://learn.volunteermatch.org/training-topics
Friday, Jan. 23
Teaching Advanced Research Skills to Generation Z Students (GALE Geek)
Tech-savvy Gen Z students are using natural search language in databases expecting to find the same results they would when using Google, which leads to unrealistic expectations and poor search results. Join Katy Koskela, Media Specialist at Mercy High School, as she shares her tips on teaching Gen Z students how to search databases to find exactly what they need with minimal clicks. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://solutions.cengage.com/GaleGeek/upcoming-webinars/
Monday, Jan. 26
Blending Agile and Addie to grow Performance (InSync)
Learning and performance professionals are juggling multiple projects and roles on highly matrixed learning development projects. There’s barely time to get the work done, never mind learn about new approaches that supposedly speed the process. We know there is NO silver bullet, but there are new promising techniques. The truth is in the combo. Learn how to apply the best of Agile, SAM and ADDIE to improve the speed and quality of your learning development projects. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://us.insynctraining.com/complimentary-programs/
Monday, Jan. 26
Health Happens in Libraries: Pathways to Guide Health Education at Your Library (WebJunction)
Access to reliable consumer health information is an essential component of individual and community well-being. Because of their unique role and reputation for being open and available to all, public libraries bring valuable assets to supporting local community health efforts. In this WebJunction webinar, participants will explore essential pathways for libraries to address meaningful health information and services. Participants will be introduced to foundational considerations for ensuring ethics and privacy in patron interactions, maintaining health collections at the public library, addressing community health literacy, and supporting healthy communities through partnerships. Participants will also be introduced to resources to advance these topics in their community, and leave the session prepared to join the strong network of public libraries advancing health education nationwide. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction.html
Wednesday, Jan. 28
Montana Makers Show & Tell (Montana State Library)
What is this makerspace idea, anyway, and why would you want one in your library? Join us for a quick review of the Montana Makers pilot of the State Library, what’s in the makerspace kits, and what cool and inspiring STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) activities your library colleagues from around the state have been doing with them. For more information and to register for this program, visit: https://app.mt.gov/cal/html/event?eventCollectionCode=msl
Wednesday, Jan. 28
Tech Talk with Michael Sauers (Nebraska Library Commission)
In this monthly feature of NCompass Live, the NLC’s Technology Innovation Librarian, Michael Sauers, will discuss the tech news of the month and share new and exciting tech for your library. There will also be plenty of time in each episode for you to ask your tech questions. So, bring your questions with you, or send them in ahead of time, and Michael will have your answers. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://nlc.nebraska.gov/scripts/calendar/eventlist.asp?Mode=ALL
Wednesday, Jan. 28
The Ins and Outs of Capital Budgeting (American Management Association
This webcast examines the practical use of capital budgeting, also known as CAPEX, to make sound financial and capital expenditure decisions in today’s increasingly competitive and lucrative M&A market. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.amanet.org/news/events-calendar.aspx
Wednesday, Jan. 28
You Can’t Change What You Don’t Measure (O’Reilly)
It’s easy to figure out that something is wrong with your website’s performance, but pinpointing the specific problem is a lot harder, especially when you’re not measuring the right things. Just as a doctor needs to run tests before diagnosing a patient, you need to be monitoring all of the things that can possibly go wrong before you can determine exactly what went wrong. Mehdi Daoudi, CEO and Co-founder of Catchpoint Systems, will draw upon his years of experience in the monitoring industry to outline what you need to be measuring in order to ensure that you can not only correct problems that arise, but do so before your users are impacted. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.oreilly.com/webcasts/
Wednesday, Jan. 28
Introducing FOSS4LIB (Free Open Source Software) Webinar (LYRASIS)
Available to all in the library community, FOSS4LIB provides self-guided readiness assessments to help you determine if open source software is right for your library, as well as a registry of software packages to help you find information about open source software service providers, events and usage by peers. With these free tools, librarians and technologists can determine the best approach to leveraging open source software. For more information and to register for this program, visit: http://www.lyrasis.org/classes-and-events/Pages/Free-Events.aspx
Wednesday, Jan. 28
Celebrate reading with Día! (Texas State Library and Archives Commission)
Children’s Day/Book Day (El día de los niños/El día de los libros), commonly known as Día, is a celebration every day of children, families, and reading that culminates yearly on April 30. The celebration emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Join Día founder Pat Mora, and Mark Smith, Director and Librarian of the Texas State Library, for a lively discussion about the celebration, and learn how libraries can celebrate children and connect them to the world of learning through books and stories. For more information and to register for this program, visit: https://www.tsl.texas.gov/ld/workshops/webinars/index.html