For those libraries that don’t already know, there are now two forms you can use to report your Connecticard Monthly loan figures.  The online form is the same libraries used last year.  But also, for this year we are allowing the use of an “offline” Excel spreadsheet which you may download, fill-out during the year, and then email to the Connecticard administrator when the Ccard year ends with February 2013.  The offline form may be easier for some to use, especially for those who wish to copy and paste figures from a library system report.  Just don’t forget to send in the form in March 2013!  See the Ccard Monthly Report Form for more information.

At Library Journal’s midwinter reference roundtable, academic and public librarians expressed frustration that they don’t know how to best market the often-expensive materials they’ve bought from reference publishers and aggregators. SAGE Reference’s Rolf Janke quoted librarians as saying, “Help us market your content…We’re not in business. We don’t have marketing degrees.” At the same time, EBSCO’s Brian Duncan explained that something as simple as radio advertising has caused spikes in usage for libraries. Our participants will explain how to best market content to patrons so that material will fly off the real or virtual shelves.

Attendees will get workable plans and concrete examples of marketing strategies that have worked in various settings and with various sized patron populations. We’ll also hear from two librarians about what’s worked from them and what they need from vendors going forward.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Online

For additional details and registration information visit: LJ: Reference: Marketing What You Bought

Have you heard people talking about “pinning” the night away, but are clueless as to what they’re actually talking about? Join Dawn Krause, Manager of Continuing Education at the Texas State Library and Angela Palmer of Bee Cave Public Library — both avid Pinterest users — in an overview of this fun tool. Find out what all the fuss is about and explore the ways that libraries are beginning to use this tool. Pinterest.com is a social site that allows users to “pin” images from around the internet or upload them from their own personal collections to create visual bulletin boards. Find out how the tool works and how your users may be using it, then decide if it’s right for your library. Of course, we’ll cover some of the controversy around copyright as well.

Thursday, May 24, 2012
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Online

For additional details and registration information visit: TSL: To Pin or Not to Pin: An Exploration of Pinterest for Librarians

Learn about the My PC Series; a Windows 7 based, completely free, hands-on, and jargon-free curriculum of computer classes developed by Microsoft that aims to make the challenge of providing basic computer training for adults a bit easier.

The webinar contains two sessions; A Program Overview and a Workshop Preview session. If you want to understand the research behind the program, what workshops are available, and what resources are offered for you and your staff – register for the Program Overview session. If you want to see the class content and how it is presented, the Workshop Preview session walks you through a few select topics from the curriculum. Both webinar sessions will be hosted and supported by Microsoft and are not hosted or supported by Web Junction.

Program Overview
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Online

Workshop Preview
Wednesday,  May 23, 2012
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Online

For additional details and registration  information visit: My PC Series: Basic Computer Training Curriculum for Adults using Windows 7

The condensed Online Version of the Statistics Workshop given last winter is now available on WebJunction Connecticut.  The three tutorials (each 10 to 15 minutes long) cover these areas:

• How to make the most of the Statistical Profile of Connecticut Public Libraries
• Chart-making tips to help you make the case for your library
• Statistics resources for public library evaluation and advocacy

Comments and feedback are welcome.

Public libraries who want to see how the upcoming annual survey will change this year should go to Annual Report and Application for State Aid and download a copy of the 2012 survey, survey changes, instructions, and definitions.  Looking at the survey changes pdf is probably a good idea for all those whose task it will be to complete the Annual Report.  New questions include  a count of internet sessions, adaptive/assistance technology availability, an employee count, and a section on services provided by the municipality that do not show up in the library budget.  For questions, contact tom.newman@ct.gov.

Join us for a discussion exploring lifelong learning as an economic driver in the 21st century and the expanding role of libraries in this “era of the learner.” Building on discussions about 21st century skills and workforce development, we’ll hear from futurist Garry Golden on the changing workforce and the role that public libraries can play. We’re excited to take a glimpse into the future and to hear how libraries can identify changes, explore implications and pave the way for learners in the 21st century. This session will build on discussions from a face-to-face convening to be held in April, but will benefit and be of interest to all working in libraries.

*If you require Closed Captioning in order to attend this webinar, please contact Jennifer Peterson by May 11 petersoj@oclc.org.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Online

For additional details and registration information visit: OCLC: Libraries and the Era of the Learner: A Vision for the Future

Part of ALA President Molly Raphael’s “Empowering Diverse Voices” diversity leadership initiative, this free webinar will explore how diversity affects leadership in a new library work environment.

The Library Leadership 2.0 webinar will explore how people work in libraries today. With the integration of technology, team-based and project-based groupings, changing demographics, and a distributed model of work, a wider variety of expertise is needed throughout the library. The role of leader changes as the same person moves from a leadership capacity in one group, project or area, to a follower in one or more other areas. This new model of distributed or shared leadership demands a deeper understanding of organizational context, culture and climate and a fresh look at the intersection between leadership and diversity.

Presenters:
Karen Downing, Education Liaison & Foundations and Grants Librarian, University of Michigan Library
Alexandra Rivera, Student Enrichment & Community Outreach Librarian, University of Michigan Library

May 15, 2012
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Online

Registration for the webinar is mandatory. Visit https://alapublishing.webex.com/mw0307l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=alapublishing to sign up today.

This is the first in a two-part series of Empowering Diverse Voices webinars that will explore diversity within the profession.

This session will look at the eBook landscape from a wide perspective, including the many options for approaching eBook acquisition, lease and loan. This will include discussion of Patron Driven Acquisition (PDA) as well as next generation approaches to patron driven acquisition – “Smart PDA.”   It will cover collection development approaches, platform and device changes & possibilities, as well as user experiences & expectations.  The session will discuss the many options that can be made available to libraries to optimize their approaches to eBook discovery, usage and overall value of their collections. EBSCO will also discuss its recently released eBook ordering and management platform for eBooks on EBSCOhost including its current capabilities and a glimpse of the road ahead.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Online

For additional details and registration information visit:  eBooks: New Models, New Tools & New Approaches–A Discussion of Emerging Options