BlogJunction Connecticut » Libraries and Technology

OCLC: Cloud Computing 101

Kris — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:00:05 +0000

“Cloud computing” seems to be all the rage, but what actually is it? This overview presentation will explain what cloud computing offers libraries, how libraries are using these services, and what you should consider when thinking about using a cloud service in your library. A distinction between services for end-users and services for organizations will be made, explained, and illustrated, as well as the terms used to describe cloud services. Learn how quick and easy it now is to deploy applications “in the cloud” using tools such as Google Docs, Google App Engine, and Amazon’s Web Services, among others. Resources for further exploration will be included.

*If you require Closed Captioning in order to attend this webinar, please contact Jennifer Peterson by February 3 petersoj@oclc.org.

Thursday, February 9, 2012
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m
Onnline

For additional details and registration information visit: WJ: Cloud Computing 101

OCLC: Developing and Maintaining E-Reader Policies & Procedures for Libraries

Kris — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:00:28 +0000

As debates rage on about e-books, publishers and privacy, how are libraries approaching policies for managing e-readers? Join us for this webinar focused on the nuts and bolts of serving patrons with gadgets, including policies and procedures for libraries lending e-readers and for patrons using their own readers to access library e-book collections. Hear from a library who has e-reader policies and procedures in place, including how they review and update polices; and from a library who’s recently developed policies and procedures after researching and learning from many other libraries.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Online

*If you require Closed Captioning in order to attend this webinar, please contact Jennifer Peterson by January 25 petersoj@oclc.org.

For additional details and registration information visit: WJ: Developing and Maintaining E-Reader Policies & Procedures for Libraries

TechSoup: App it Up!

Kris — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:30:37 +0000

In this free, one-hour webinar, we will share valuable information regarding creating and using apps in libraries and nonprofits. Thanks to a grant from Microsoft, TechSoup’s App it Up project has enabled us to learn about the kinds of apps nonprofits and libraries are using to engage constituents, tell stories, and accomplish their goals. Discover popular apps you can put to use right now. Listen in when Shawn Michael of NPower explains how her organization effectively uses apps. Find out how to develop and deploy an “app-propriate” strategy when we share tips and lessons learned on the entire process of developing apps.

Thursday, January 19, 2012
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Online

For additional details and registration information visit: TechSoup: App it Up!

GLS: Ebooks, Discovery, and the Library

Kris — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:00:30 +0000

Publishers, authors, booksellers, and librarians have traditionally thought of discovery as something that happens in a physical place. A patron browses the shelf, a librarian offers some reader’s advisory, a new author is picked up from an artfully created display. Online discovery lags behind, despite Amazon’s best efforts. People still pick books up based on word of mouth. Libraries, with entire sections of staff devoted to helping people pick out books, are word of mouth engines, but struggle to prove our worth to the rest of the book ecosystem. Ebooks make that even more difficult when the library as place is taken out of the equation. This session will explore some possibilities for libraries as channels of discovery in an ebook-dominated market.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012
3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Online

For additional details and registration information visit: GLS: Ebooks, Discovery, and the Library

NLC: Discovery tools? You Can Compete with Google – Online

Kris — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:00:57 +0000

Discovery tools that can be customized for your library can be a powerful alternative to Web search engines like Google. Dee Ann Allison, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, will show you how libraries can customize these tools to provide an Information Portal that brings together the best resources for our communities.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Online

For additional details and registration information visit: Discovery tools? You Can Compete with Google – Online

InfoPeople: Building Digital Communities through Blogs & Social Networking

Kris — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 13:00:18 +0000

To remain relevant in today’s world, libraries need to build an online presence. With the proliferation of technology advances, it’s not always easy to keep up with the latest trends or understand how to master the technology to use it effectively and efficiently.

This webinar will focus on how you can build a digital community through the use of blogs and social networks. Attendees will:

*Discover the difference between blogging and social networking
*Get an overview of the basics.
*Understanding the benefits of blogging
*A look at the power behind your words
*Refine how you utilize social networks
*Moving from fun to professional by creating a social media guide
*Receive tips and tools to improve your online brand
*Defining your brand and effectively expressing it though a media dashboard
*How to Get Things Moving
*Receive online resources that can assist you with next steps

By the end of this webinar attendees will have the basic knowledge to effectively engage your community online through the use of blogging and social networks.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Online

This webinar will be of interest to library staff ready to embrace online technologies to engage their patrons.

For additional details and registration information visit: InfoPeople: Building Digital Communities through Blogs & Social Networking

WJ:Free Windows 7 Curriculum: Basic Computer Training @ Your Library

Kris — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:00:01 +0000

Looking to provide basic computer training for an adult audience? Learn more about the My PC Series, a completely free and fun, hands-on, jargon-free curriculum of computer classes developed by Microsoft for adult learners that aims to make this challenge a bit easier.

This new curriculum centers on Windows® 7 and Windows Live™ Essentials and is based on extensive audience and instructional research about how less tech-savvy adults want to learn new computer skills.

The webinar includes an overview of the research behind the program, workshops used to teach basic computer and photo-editing skills, resources offered, and feedback from libraries already offering the My PC Series workshops. The webinar will strive to help you understand how the My PC curriculum could be applied at your library or organization.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Online

For additional details and registration information visit: OCLC: Free Windows 7 Curriculum: Basic Computer Training @ Your Library

Digitizing Hidden Collections: Success Stories from Small and Medium-sized Digitization Projects

Kris — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:00:26 +0000

Although large-scale initiatives receive the lion’s share of the attention when we talk about digitization projects, countless small and medium-sized digitization projects provide invaluable access to hidden collections from North American libraries, archives, and museums. Spurred by the OITP Perspectives paper, “Digitizing Hidden Collections in Public Libraries, ” this 90-minute webinar is aimed at sharing success stories, best practices, and the lessons learned to encourage other successful projects.

Panelists include:

Gwen Glazer from Cornell University Library, 2010 Google Fellow with ALA, and author of “Digitizing Hidden Collections in Public Libraries ”
Jason Kucsma from the Metropolitan New York Library Council and co-editor of Digitization in the Real World
Natalie Milbrodt, Project Manager for Queens Memory Project, will discuss her recent work on a collaborative digitization project
Beth Goble and Devra Dragos, Nebraska Library Commission, will discuss The Nebraska Memories Project that provides access to important collections held by libraries and historical societies in Nebraska
Erin Kinney, Wyoming State Library, will discuss the Wyoming Newspaper Project
Larry Carey, Tompkins County Public Library, will discuss the library’s local-history digitization initiative

Panelists will address the following topics:

Real-life, practical strategies for initiating and managing projects and how those strategies could be applied more broadly
Where to find best practices for a variety of digital project needs (conversion, metadata standards, storage, access etc.)
How to create a successful collaborative project between multiple institutions
Short survey of initiatives aimed at providing increased access to collections (via portals, directories, etc…)

Wednesday, November 2, 2011
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Online

For additional details and registration information visit: Digitizing Hidden Collections: Success Stories from Small and Medium-sized Digitization Projects

InfoPeople: Technology and Health 2.0

Kris — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:00:41 +0000

In the past several years, two major phenomena have dramatically changed the way people find and share information: mobile devices and social media. It is no secret that patrons are using smart phones and mobile devices for much more than making phone calls. For health information, these devices have become pocket medical encyclopedias, fitness coaches, nutrition calculators, medication reminders, and much more.

Studies report that people are increasingly sharing personal health information on the Internet. Librarians are hard-wired to look for authoritative resources; but can user-contributed health information be trusted? With thousands of health-related apps and sites available, how is it possible to sort the good from the bad?

This webinar will focus on:
*the use of mobile devices and social networking for finding and sharing health information
*the implication of using these devices for library staff
*the benefits and issues around health-related social networking sites
*examples of well-designed, safe sites
*quality health apps and mobile sites, evaluation tips, and resources to point

At the end of this one-hour webinar, participants will:
*Be aware of the landscape of mobile devices and understand the differences between apps and mobile sites
*Be able to evaluate and guide patrons to quality health-related content for mobile devices
*Be familiar with the benefits and caveats of social networking for health information
*Be able to incorporate knowledge of technology and electronic resources into services for patrons

This webinar will be of interest to public library staff, including reference librarians or reference desk staff, adult and teen services librarians, and staff from organizations who provide health information to consumers and members of the public.

Thursday, October 20. 2011
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Online

For additional details and registration information visit: InfoPeople: Technology and Health 2.0

InfoPeople: Using SmartPhones As a Marketing and Programming Tool

Kris — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:00:45 +0000

What is a smartphone and what makes it smart?
How can I use it for making my library marketing and programming smarter?
How are libraries using smartphones?
What do I do to get started?

Smartphones are quickly becoming the number one resource for American’s to access the information they need. With the proliferation of technology advances, it’s not always easy to keep up with the latest trends or understand how to master the technology to use it effectively and efficiently. This webinar will focus on the use of smartphones and its application to the library’s marketing and programming needs.

This one-hour webinar will:

Present an overview of smartphone basics
Review specific marketing opportunities that you can incorporate in your work
Identify how to make your programming smart through media and technology
Demonstrate how one library blended marketing and programming through their teen center
Receive online resources that can assist you with next steps

By the end of this webinar you’ll have the basic knowledge needed to move forward in utilizing smartphones in your marketing efforts and programming that will engage your community.

This webinar will be of interest to library staff involved with marketing, programming and teen projects who are looking for new ways to connect with their community.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Online

For additional details and registration information visit: InfoPeople: Using SmartPhones As a Marketing and Programming Tool