On the Radar…Migration News
Change is in the wind: Looking forward to a new WJIL
- WebJunction and WebJunction Illinois will be undergoing a major update that goes significantly deeper than mere design (like a new logo), layout, or even features. The re-launch later this summer will be on an entirely new technology platform loaded with new features, a dramatically different design, and extensive improvements to all aspects of the community and learning experiences. Read more about the site changes and find out what you need to do to prepare if you’re enrolled in a WJIL course.
Resources
- As anyone who has attended a webinar knows, online education is a fun and enriching experience. Do you have a specific topic you’d like to learn more about? Check out the webinar archives for learning opportunities in various subjects.
From Hype to Help: Making a Difference with New Technologies Presentation Audio Recording
- Listen to the audio recording of this PLA presentation by Janie Hermann, Marilyn Mason, and Michael Porter about panelists’ experiences creating customized online communities and cooperative programs for library staff.
Extreme Library Makeover: Lessons for Libraries from Retail Space Planners
- The author condenses lessons learned from a pre-conference at ULA-MPLA 2008 titled “Extreme Library Makeover.” Includes a discussion of accessibility issues, displays that attract the reader’s eye, and how to create entrances that draw people into your building.
Courses and Learning
MaintinIT Webinar: Wireless Acceptable Use Policies
- On May 21st at 11:00 AM Pacific/2:00 PM Eastern, join Louise Alcorn, Reference Technology Librarian at the West Des Moines Public Library and contributor to Recipes for a 5-Star Library Cookbook, and author of Wireless Networking: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians, as she chats about her experiences with wireless, including considerations around the ever-important wireless acceptable use policy. Take 30 minutes out of your day and learn from the experiences of others. Get started with wireless at your library!
- As you have already heard, WebJunction will be introducing a new site and several new services on July 21st. We wanted to remind you of the impacts that this will have on our course catalog. The course catalog will be unavailable for one week starting July 14th and new enrollments will be frozen June 21st. For those of you who are currently enrolled in a MindLeaders course we encourage you to finish it and print your certificate by July 14th.
- If you are considering enrolling in a MindLeaders course, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible and complete the course by July 14th. All other services at WebJunction and the University of North Texas LE@D courses will remain available without interruption until the new site is unveiled.The new course catalog will continue to offer courses from the current course providers with the exception of MindLeaders. After doing an extensive evaluation of MindLeaders and other similar providers, WebJunction chose to replace MindLeaders, with SkillSoft. SkillSoft courses offer a superior quality and design and are compatible with Macintosh computers. The most popular MindLeaders course titles have been mapped to SkillSoft courses to ensure these learning topics are still available to meet your training needs. In addition, WebJunction is also expanding the global catalog with more library specific course offerings.
- Dates to keep in mind: New enrollments frozen on June 21st; Complete courses and print certificate by July 14th; Course catalog unavailable for one week beginning July 14th
Community
- Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White and the Illinois Press Association announced Wednesday the winners of the annual Spotlight on Achievement and Spotlight on Service awards recognizing outstanding literacy students and tutors in Illinois. Read more about these Illinois Literacy Standouts by clicking on the link above.