In this environment of increasing library usage compounded by staff cuts and decreasing budgets it is more important than ever for libraries to form strong partnerships in order to leverage limited resources and raise awareness of the impact of library services. Find out more about how you can identify partnerships and build collaboration in this issue of “What’s New @ WJIL.”

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Resources

Communication and Partnerships: Tools

Excerpted from the MaintainIT Planning for Success Cookbook, this list of resources will get you rolling with new partnerships.

• Possible Resources and Tools for Establishing Library Collaboration
• Compatible Library Partners Chart
• What to Consider when Entering into a Collaborative Process
• Tips and Techniques for Creating Strong Partnerships
• Path: [Library Management » Community Relations » Partnerships]

Community and Library Services Analysis Tool

• Analysis worksheets created by Kitty Yancheff of the Humboldt County Library in Eureka, California to assess community and library services to triage social services
• Path: [Library Management » Community Relations » Partnerships]

Building Partnerships Success Stories

• WebJunction members and their libraries engage in a wide range of successful partnerships. Here are some of the success stories from the field.
• Path: [Library Management » Community Relations » Partnerships]

Collaborate in 2008

• Although an archive from a January 2008 Rural In Focus webinar, the resources and ideas presented like shared programming, shared staffing, board and staff development days, and countywide wikis are just as relevant today.
• Path: [Library Management » Community Relations » Partnerships]

Courses and Learning

Enroll in the following WJIL courses related to building library partnerships.

Improving Your Communication Skills: Presentation Skills for Librarians

• Building partnerships requires good communication. Use this UNT LE@D course to polish your presentation and communication skills.

Leadership for Libraries: Becoming an Everyday Leader

• Library leadership used to be defined mostly by age, experience, credentials, seniority and tenure, job position or other traditional models of status with the library tribe. Today, leadership skills are required at every level to ensure libraries can respond effectively to the new worlds we live in. The changes won’t wait for a model of top-down responses. We need different models of leadership: Everybody needs to be able to think and act like a leader.

Creating Collaborative Lessons for the Elementary School

• There are tremendous benefits for schools from successful collaboration efforts between classroom teachers and the school librarian. Collaborative lessons with classroom teachers can support the development of vibrant, curriculum centered school library programming that effectively meets students’ development and learning needs. Effective collaboration requires commitment from the school librarian to building and maintaining relationships with teachers and integrating classroom needs with administrative curriculum goals, library programming activities, and collection development efforts. 

Community

Join in the Discussions on topics related to partnerships.

• Unconventional partnerships
• Community Partnerships with Schools

What Could I do with…Partnerships?

• Set aside the time to consider the long term benefits of community partnerships.
• Use the resources from this newsletter to determine if there are compatible partnerships for your library that you’ve never thought of, or never pursued.
• Form a working team from your library staff to brainstorm ideas around potential partnerships
• Make yourself available to other community organizations for presentations about your library. (Before you do, be sure to take the free course listed here on Improving Your Communication Skills!)
• Ask yourself what your library and other community organizations have in common and what community resources can be leveraged by a partnership.

On February 9–10, WebJunction is hosting a free two-day online conference, and you are invited to attend. The theme for this inaugural event is Technology Essentials, with a focus on practical and timely strategies for leveraging technology to help you in a wide range of library services and operations including staff training, marketing, outreach and funding, services and programming, technology planning, Virtual libraries and your library’s web presence. Read on for more details about the conference and how you can register.

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Resources

Conference Schedule and Workshop Descriptions

• Use these descriptions of the conference sessions, logistics, presenter bios and schedules for each day of the conference to plan your attendance.
• Path: [Member Center » Events & Webinars » Conferences]

Registration Information

• Check L2 for information on registration to this free conference.

Courses and Learning

Here are a few samples of the scheduled conference sessions

Building Digital Community: Arizona Memory Project

• Libraries have long served as digital repositories but the Internet has provided an opportunity to reach further out into our communities through shared histories, images, and archives. Since 2005, the Arizona Memory Project has partnered with numerous institutions offering a platform for digital exhibits using CONTENTdm, a digital collection management software, to extend access to collections. Come hear about the project’s creation, outreach, management and training and learn how you and your library can sustain digital memories in your community.
• Time Slot: February 9, 11:00 – 12:00 CST

Learning when there is no Time (or Money) to Learn 

• It goes without saying that our work in libraries is constantly changing with new technologies and new patron needs. It’s hard to keep up with it all…Stop the whining! You can improve your skills and increase your knowledge without breaking the bank or skewering your schedule. How? By knowing how to be an effective learner, by creating a personal learning toolbox, by taking advantage of free and low-cost learning opportunities and by sharing what you know with others. Attend this session presented by Pat Carterette and you’ll be taking the first step in making continued learning a part of your everyday routine and your life.
• Time Slot: February 9, 12:30 – 1:30 CST

The Planning Puzzle: Integrating Your Strategic Plan and Your Technology Plan

• Do you ever think that you have too many plans and not enough implementation? Do you ever wonder how to integrate all your plans into one clear blueprint that will help you and your colleagues continue to provide excellent service to the people you serve? Join Sandra Nelson to get the information you need to manage effectively in this time of stagnant or decreasing resources, increasing demand, and rapidly changing public expectations.
• Time Slot: February 9, 1:30 – 2:30 pm CST

Implementing Reliable Instant Messaging At Your Library

• In this presentation, Karen McCoy will provide some basic guidelines for implementing reliable instant messaging at your library. IM and SMS technologies will be compared and explored so that you can customize different options to best fit your library’s needs. Issues covered will include staff buy-in, technical glitches and how to avoid them, and possible assessment strategies. Library workers from all technological backgrounds are encouraged to attend.
• Time Slot: February 10: 12:30 – 1:30 CST

Helping Washington Libraries in Hard Times

• Learn how Washington State Library staff created an online Hard Times Resource Guide to help Washington libraries deal with increased demand for resources and training while their budgets and hours were being slashed. Librarians now have a handy tool to offer patrons seeking information regarding unemployment, housing, financial services, and much more. Technology resources play a vital role in helping libraries during these Hard Times.
• Time Slot: February 10, 4:00 – 5:00 pm CST

Library Grants 101

• Discover the confidence and knowledge you need to successfully win library grant funding. Find out how to easily locate grant opportunities online, learn the entire process for winning library grants, and hear about real library grant success stories that involve technology projects. Stephanie Gerding will provide practical advice and top tips, ideal for librarians who are new to grant work.
• Time Slot: February 10, 3:00 – 4:00 pm CST

Community

Reasons why you will want to attend Technology Essentials 2010

• It’s free!
• You can attend those sessions that fit your schedule. Rather than having to dig through an epic conference program, you can focus your conference agenda to meet your immediate learning needs around targeted topics.
• Since the conference is free and hosted on the web, you’ll save on travel time, travel budget, time away from library, back up staffing, time away from family… and you don’t need to beef up your wardrobe!
• You get to break the isolation silo, connect with others facing the same challenges, and share solutions.
• If you are in charge of staff training, you can use the conference as part of your training efforts. Provide staff with an opportunity to attend in some way, to expose them to online learning, new topics, and new skills to share with their colleagues.
• WebJunction will collect conference material in one, easy-to-use online space including presenter’s slides and handouts and archived recordings of each session.
• CEU or LEU credits will be made available to conference attendees.

What Could I do with…Technology Essentials 2010?

• Study the conference schedule, assign workshops to specific staff,  then share notes and ideas
• Plan a staff development day for February 9th and 10th and encourage all staff to attend at least 1 or 2 of the conference sessions
• Attend a workshop such as Implementing Reliable Instant Messaging in Your Library, then commit to follow up and explore the ideas in your library
• Explore new technologies for your library in a free and convenient format

What do patrons think are the important factors in the success of your library? Funded by an LSTA grant, the Researching Communities to Prepare for the Future study interviewed over 140 residents in 15 communities across Illinois, to discover what communities want from their libraries in the future. In this What’s New @ WJIL you can learn from the results, read the Community reports and train your staff on the top 6 factors for a successful public library.

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Resources

Researching Communities to Prepare for the Future: Final Report

• The focus of this study was to find competencies which would help public libraries to be successful. This was accomplished by compiling a list of 25 important service competencies in four general categories (See Appendix A). Partner libraries were recruited (See Appendix B) from around the state, and researchers went to their communities and talked to people. The Q Method was used to ask community members to rank the competencies and emerged with three important groups of library users as well as competencies generally important to them all.
• Path: [Library Management » Customer Service & Interpersonal Skills » Researching Communities to Prepare for the Future (IL)]

Community Reports for Participating Libraries

• Completed Community Reports in PDF format for Arlington Heights, Barcley Warrensburg, Bartlett, Belleville, Bloomington, Edwardsville, Effingham, Galesburg, Mason City, Nokomis, Palatine, Pinkneyville, Rochester, Salem.
• Path: [Library Management » Customer Service & Interpersonal Skills » Researching Communities to Prepare for the Future (IL)]

Preliminary Q Data Report Researching Communities Project

• A short overview of the results from the Researching Communities. The report includes the three patron groups that developed from the survey results.
• Path: [Library Management » Customer Service & Interpersonal Skills » Researching Communities to Prepare for the Future (IL)]

Competency Cards

• In easy to print card format, these are the 25 competencies used in the Researching Communities project. They can be printed at your desk on standard business card paper.
• Path: [Library Management » Customer Service & Interpersonal Skills » Researching Communities to Prepare for the Future (IL)]

Courses and Learning

Following the completion of the study training was developed by researchers to assist other libraries with the development of the top 6 identified characteristics of a successful library. Each training module consists of an archived online session and accompanying ppt.

1. Library Staff who are Friendly and Knowledgeable

• During the study we learned that patrons and residents want a friendly, knowledgeable library staff. This training course provides ways for staff to refamiliarize themselves with building job skills, handling conflict and presenting a positive attitude. Directors and supervisors might want to use this course to guide discussion during staff development training..

2. Ease of Finding Information

• Patrons want the independence of locating and using library material on their own. This training course provides ways for staff to relook at the library to see how the library highlights its services,  Directors and supervisors might want to use this course to guide discussion during staff development training.

3. Library as a Safe Place for Kids and Teens

• Patron safety, especially for children and young adults, was an expressed concern during the study interviews. This training course provides ways for staff to familiarize themselves with both physical and cyber safety, additionally disaster planning is reviewed. Directors and supervisors might want to use this course to guide discussion during staff development training.

4. Cultural Programs and Exhibits

• Patrons want their library to be at the cultural center of the community with programs and exhibits. This training course encourages staff develop programs highlighting the cultural diversity of the community and region. Directors and supervisors might want to use this course to guide discussion during staff development training.

5. Handicapped Accessible

• Patrons of all ages are concerned their library does not offer services and programs for impaired patrons. Often, the interviewed resident didn’t know the services the library was already offering. This training course provides ways for staff to refamiliarize themselves with serving impaired patrons, and promoting the library’s services. Directors and supervisors might want to use this course to guide discussion during staff development training.

6. Web 2.0

• Residents looks to their library to be experts in all things, but especially technology. Web 2.0 was not originally a competency, but quickly became a topic in the study interviews. This training course provides ways for staff to become familiar with various technologies being used by patrons and libraries. Directors and supervisors might want to use this course to guide discussion during staff development training.

Community

Community Report Template

• Use this template for creating your own community report based on the structure and analysis of the Researching Communities project.

Discussion

• Share your thoughts and ideas about the research and training by clicking on the  Discussion tabs on each page.

What Could I do with…Researching Communities to Prepare for the Future

The research from Researching Communities to Prepare for the Future allows Illinois public libraries to determine future library services and focuses. This is the first known library study to use the Q-Method, a research technique to study the viewpoint of participants.

Prepare your library staff for the future by utilizing the training developed as a part of this research. Take the time during staff meetings to view the archived online sessions, or ask your staff to view the training on their own and then discuss as a part of a staff development day.

In this issue of What’s New @ WJIL we’re talking about setup, maintenance, management, and troubleshooting of your computer network. Use the Technology Systems & IT section of the Competencies to find learning resources related to Networking, find out more about bandwidth management, join a “car talk fashion” online discussion about Library computing and learn how to monitor the performance of your network.

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Resources

Guide to Networking Resources on WJIL

• Use this Overview to help you mine the wealth of networking resources on WJIL, including illustrations and diagrams of client-server and peer-to-peer networks.
• Path: [Technology » Networking ]

Introduction to Networking

• This all-in-one article compiles a series of networking articles including basic networking, peer-to-peer, and client-server networks in order to give you a full overview of networking generally.
• Path: [Technology » Networking]

Bandwidth Management

• Every afternoon after 3 P.M., it takes 40 seconds to pull up Google or CNN. Your staff has to wait until the next morning to send cataloging records to a remote branch. Video or audio downloads are out of the question. Your first response might be, “Buy more bandwidth!” and that’s not a bad idea at all, but you might not have enough money to buy more bandwidth. Moreover, some libraries are finding that patrons will fill up everything they’re given. Double your bandwidth, and a month later it’s slow again after 3 P.M. Patrons can use file­-sharing applications, such as BearShare, LimeWire and UTorrent, to download several large files simultaneously. Online games, streaming video and streaming audio can also take up large amounts of bandwidth.
• Path: [Technology » Public Access Computing » MaintainIT Cookbooks » MaintainIT Cookbook Chapters]

Monitoring the Performance of Your Network

• The why and how of network monitoring software from from the Planning for Success MantainIT Cookbook
• Path: [Technology » Networking]

Courses and Learning

Network Troubleshooting

The Network Troubleshooting course covers methodology and tools and utilities that can be used to diagnose and troubleshoot network problems. Learn to:

• Recognize the types of documentation and technical support options available for troubleshooting networks.
• Recognize the features and functionality of common network troubleshooting tools.
• Recognize how log files and network diagnostics utilities are used in network troubleshooting.
• Determine the most appropriate network troubleshooting tool to use in a given scenario.
• Sequence the steps in a network troubleshooting methodology.
• Troubleshoot Internet connectivity and name resolution problems on a network.
• Troubleshoot LAN communication issues and problems with local hosts.
• Use a systematic troubleshooting methodology to resolve a network problem

The Fundamentals of Networking

• See course description by linking on the course title above

For additional courses on Computer Networking visit the IL Course Catalog and browse the Networking & Security headings. All courses are free of charge for registered WJIL users.

Community

Library Computing Q & A

• WebJunction and TechSoup for Libraries are teaming up to bring you a panel of library technology experts to field your questions in a “Car Talk” fashion that’s sure to be informative and fun! The expert panel includes: Robert Williams, Technology Consultant at the South Texas Library System, Chris Jowaisas, Library Systems Grants Administrator of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Monica M. Schultz, IT Director at the Peninsula Library System, and moderated by TechSoup’s Stephanie Gerding. 

What Could I do with…Technology Systems & IT section of the Competencies ?

Beyond the core technology competencies, there is an increasing variety and complexity of technology systems that drive library operations. Depending on the size and type of library, there may be strict divisions between the responsibilities of IT staff and other library staff, or the line may be more indistinct as it is for “accidental” systems librarians in small libraries. Find the right combination of competencies from this compilation to meet the needs of your library. —Many aspects of Systems and IT involve management skills. See the Library Management Competencies set for project management, budgeting, and organizational leadership skills.

In this issue of What’s New @ WJIL you’ll find everything from training on using the new IL Resource Sharing Policy Directory, to a guide and templates for disaster planning and recovery, new WJIL spotlights, how to enhance broadband access and “Mojo Magic” - don’t miss it! 

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Resources

Resource Sharing Policy Directory – Training Materials

• The new ILLINET Resource Sharing Policy Directory is now available. To assist you in learning how to make the most of this directory, training materials have been posted on the WJIL Resource Sharing page for Policies. You’ll find PPT training on how to get started, how to add your policies and how to search for policies.
• Path: [Illinois Center » Ongoing Statewide Programs » Resource Sharing » Policies]

Library Law: Sexual Predators and Library Internet Services

• In an effort to make it more difficult for convicted sex offenders to use the Internet to connect with previous or new victims, the Illinois General Assembly has passed two new laws that implicate public use of libraries’ computers and Internet service.
• Path: [Library Management » Organizational Management » Library Law Articles (IL)]

Mojo Magic: Special Library Association/Illinois Chapter Meeting (streaming video)

• Mojo Magic! Get your mojo on with a couple of info pros, Dianna Wiggins and Lorene Kennard, as they share secret weapons of the Internet by demonstrating tools, widgets and resources that you may not have seen before. Included in this fun, interactive session are tips and tricks with the latest widgets and applications from the world of social media, aggregation tools that will make you look smarter than you really are, and just plain fun stuff that you may want to check out for personal or professional reasons. Thanks to MLS for sharing this along with the wonderful Supplemental Materials for this session!
• Path: [Illinois Center » Illinois Learning Center » Online Learning » Illinois Wimba Archives]

The Resilient Organization: A Guide for Disaster Planning and Recovery

• This comprehensive 75-page guide to preparing for any predicament and disaster recovery is available for download in PDF or MSWord format. The attached Excel worksheets can also serve as templates for your planning and recovery process. You may also want to browse the TechSoup Disaster Planning and Recovery Toolkit.
• Path: [Library Management » Policies & Procedures » Disaster Planning]

Levering Funding to Enhance Broadband Access

• A study of whether membership in Indiana’s Public Library Internet Consortium is helping public libraries leverage state and federal funds to maximize their broadband connectivity.
• Path: [Library Management » Budget & Finance]

Courses and Learning

Reaching Spanish Speaking Agricultural Communities: Webinar

• Spanish-speakers working in agriculture communities are looking to their libraries and other community technology centers for public access to computers. But like the recent Latinos and Library Perceptions Report confirms, there’s more to be done to reach out to these communities. Join special guests, Patricia Rempel, PhD, Reference and Collections Librarian at Coutts Education Library, University of Alberta and José Garcia, Teen and Reference Services Librarian, King County Library System and NW REFORMA Past President, for this free webinar as they share insights from research on perceived usages of community public access computers by Spanish-speakers in rural Washington gathered through interviews with information professionals.

Using Social Media to Make the Case for Supporting Libraries: Webinar

• Learn how non-profits such as libraries can use social websites to put access to information and libraries on the agenda of community leaders, elected officials, and local and national agencies.

Community

WJIL Library Spotlight: Lake County Discovery Museum

• The Lake County Discovery Museum provides a fun, well-rounded museum experience.Hands-on interactive exhibits introduce the history of Lake County in a fun learning environment. The museum also displays the nation’s largest permanent exhibition on the history and significance of postcards. Find out more about this unique Illinois library.
• Path: [Illinois Center » Illinois Library Community » Illinois Library and Member Spotlight]

WJIL Member Spotlight: Charlotte Bruce

• A love for the written word and a willingness to embrace new technology have made Charlotte Bruce, Director of the Learning Resources Center at Olney Central College (OCC), an innovator in the field. Find out why Charlotte was chosen for our most recent WJIL Member Spotlight.
• Path: [Illinois Center » Illinois Library Community » Illinois Library and Member Spotlight]

What Could I do with…Mojo Magic?

One of the best things about WJIL is the capability to share valuable workshop materials across the state. Be sure to take a look at the materials provided by MLS as a part of the Special Library Association Illinois Chapter Meeting. You’ll find A Dozen Tips on Using Social Media, Fun and Productivity with Social Media by Dianna K. Wiggins and 60 Sites in 60 Minutes from Lorene Kennard

Many of you may be attending the ILA Conference for 2009 where the theme is “Transformation: See Tomorrow Today.” The programming for this year focuses on how libraries are transforming, how transformation impacts them, and what we can do to create the transformation we want and need. This issue of What’s New @ WJIL gives you a number of options for supplementing your conference experience both before and after with WJIL resources, learning, and information related to the conference programming. NOTE: For full conference details visit the ILA website.

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Resources

Speaker: Lincoln’s 10 Critical Tasks of Transformational Leadership [October 7th]

Related Materials on WJIL

• Getting on Your Community’s Leadership Team
• From Information Providers to Community Connectors
• Building a Technology Team
• Strategic Planning

Workshop: Researching Communities to Prepare for the Future [October 7]

Related Materials on WJIL

• Researching Communities to Prepare for the Future: The Researching Communities to Prepare for the Future study interviewed over 140 residents in 15 communities across Illinois, to discover what communities want from their libraries in the future. The research from this grant is now posted on WJIL and allows Illinois public libraries to determine future library services and focuses. This is the first known library study to use the Q-Method, a research technique to study the viewpoint of participants.

Workshop: The Attorneys are In – Give them Your Best Shot [October 7]

Related Materials on WJIL

• Library Law Articles: The Metropolitan Library System and the North Suburban Library System provide monthly articles on library law and its application in Illinois libraries. These articles are authored by the law firm Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins, Ltd., which is an Illinois law firm. The firm concentrates in the representation of local libraries, library districts and library systems, as well as other local governmental units.
• Legal Responsibilities: Resources related to intellectual freedom, copyright, and right to privacy.

Workshop: Social Networking - And not Just for Kids Anymore [October 7]

Related Materials on WJIL

• Social Networking and Web Tools: The next generation of the Web (known as Web 2.0 or the “participatory web”) brought innovations that turned the Web from a read-only environment into an online community where people meet, exchange information, collaborate, and communicate. Find out how you can leverage these tools in your library.
• Innovation – Web 2.0 Tools: Checklists and assessment matrices from the MaintainIT Planning for Success Cookbook including a Collaboration Tools Chart.

Talk Table: Keeping the Public Informed: Administrative Ready Reference Revisited [October 7]

Related Materials on WJIL

• The new “Keeping the Public Informed: Administrative Ready Reference Revisited” is now available on WebJunction Illinois at http://il.webjunction.org/readyref. A treasure trove of public library
  information, this site will be used by the library professional as well as interested citizens. Annexations, tax caps, budget cycles, and more are included.

Workshop: More Book-Elation: Ideas for Creating Children’s Programming for 2010 [October 7]

Related Materials on WJIL

• Visit the Children: Programming and Outreach area of the site for articles such as Catch the Reading Bug, Chinese Storytellers Expand Summer Reading, and Mission Branch Builds Community Through Storytime.

Courses and Learning

Speaker: Lincoln’s 10 Critical Tasks of Transformational Leadership [October 7]

Related Learning on WJIL

• Change Management and Leadership: Change is a given in 21st century libraries: intrusive, exhilarating, and growing in strength and frequency. Being an effective change agent and coping with change partly depends on your sense of perspective. We cannot promise that this course will either turn back the clock or guarantee that everyone in your library will unquestioningly accept change. However, there are benefits from studying other people’s experiences and some of the effective principles and practices of change management.
• Leadership for Libraries: Becoming and Everyday Leader: Library leadership used to be defined mostly by age, experience, credentials, seniority and tenure, job position or other traditional models of status with the library tribe. Today, leadership skills are required at every level to ensure libraries can respond effectively to the new worlds we live in. The changes won’t wait for a model of top-down responses. We need different models of leadership: Everybody needs to be able to think and act like a leader.

Presidents Reception - Fashionably Green: Style from the Stacks II [October 8]

Related Learning

You may not be able to enter the Conference style show, but you can “style” your library with these free courses from the WJIL Course Catalog

• Merchandising that Works
• Keeping Your Library Looking Good

Workshops: Library Trustee Day [October 8]

Related Learning

• Become an Effective Trustee
• Board Briefs

Workshop: Ideas, Ideas and More Ideas for an Effective Spanish Preschool Storytime [October 9]

Related Learning

• Bilingual Storytimes: Building Early Literacy and Community - webinar archive

Workshop: Fun Fair for Library Programming [October 6]

Related Learning

• Planning Storytimes for Children
• Creating Compelling Programming in Your School Library
• Reaching Teenagers

Community

Workshop: Online Reference: What to Say and How to Say It [October 8]

Related Resources

• Ask?Away Illinois Group:  Join other AskAway Illinois librarians to share ideas and materials.

Workshop: A Tapestry of Freedom [October 8]

Related Resources

• Developed from an LSTA grant to the Gail Borden Public Library, “A Tapestry of Freedom” spotlighted the faces, feelings and histories of freedom in an innovative multi-faceted collaborative project from February 2 through May 31, 2008. Read more about this project.

Workshop: Resources from the Past Meet the Cataloging of the Future: Metadata for Digital Local History Collections [October 9]

Related Materials (Browse these LSTA funded projects related to digitization)

• PictureIt! Global Gallery
• A Village Grows: 50 Years of Life in Elmwood Park
• City of Catholics–Chicago and the 1926 International Eucharistic Congress
• Collaborative Project Between UIC and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center
• Daily Life Along the Railroads 
• Preserving Nursing History: Providing Digital Access
• See the LSTA Grant Update page for more digitization projects

What Could I do with…this ILA Conference issue of “What’s New”?

Conferences are wonderful places to learn and meet up with colleagues, but they are only the starting point. Dig deeper before and after the conference by using the related resources and courses on WJIL to find out more about some of the conference topics. Remember, you can also continue networking with fellow conference attendees by friending them on WJIL. 

A digital branch or reference service brings human interaction to the computer age, so that patrons can get information and answers from library staff via digital communication tools such as email, chat, IM, and live online events. WJIL provides a host of resources for the library reaching out with virtual reference.

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Resources

Virtual Reference

• The starting page for exploring WJIL resources related to this topic. From this page you can connect with resources such as Technical Standards, Publications, Quality Standards and White Papers.
• Path: [Library Services » Information Services » Reference & Resources » Virtual Reference ]

What is a Digital Branch Anyway?

• A chapter from Library Technology Reports that introduces the concept of a digital branch and outlines the phases of developing and maintaining the library’s web presence.
• Path: [Library Services » Information Services » Reference & Resources » Virtual Reference]

Case Study: Washington State Virtual Reference Project

• A look at how Washington State Library implemented a successful blended learning program for training virtual reference staff.
• Path: [Library Services » Information Services » Reference & Resources » Virtual Reference]

Statistics, Measures and Quality Standards for Assessing Digital Reference Library Services: An Introduction  

• This presentation summarizes the final results from the Assessing Quality in Digital Reference Project, including an overview of the evaluation manual and selected key issues that the project identified. The presentation also discusses next steps in evaluating digital reference services and offers recommendations for how libraries can best implement and use the evaluation manual
• Path: [Library Services » Information Services » Reference & Resources » Virtual Reference » Technical Standards]

AskA Question Submission Forms

• An overview of the types and features of question submission forms used by AskA services such as KidsConnect, the Internet Public Library, How Things Work, and Ask Dr. Math.
• Path: [Library Services » Information Services » Reference & Resources » Virtual Reference » AskA Digests]

Privacy Policies on K12 AskA Service Sites

• An overview of privacy policies for K12 AskA services, includes resources for creating privacy policies. Path: [Library Services » Information Services » Reference & Resources » Virtual Reference » AskA Digests]

Courses and Learning

Digital Reference Summit: Be Where Your Users Are

• Join this special 90 minute webinar to hear the latest implications, trends and tips in digital reference with a panel of special guests including: Stephen Francoeur, Information Services Librarian, Baruch College (NY); Susan McGlamery, 24/7 Reference Cooperative Director; and Alison Miller, Internet Public Library.

Building the Digital Branch for the 21st Century - webinar archive

• When was the last time your website was redesigned – three years ago? Last century? Join presenter David Lee King for Building the Digital Branch: Guidelines to Transform Your Website for the 21st Century, a webinar brought to you in special collaboration with WebJunction-Kansas and ALA TechSource.

WJIL Course Catalog - Courses related to Virtual Reference

Basic Web-Based Reference

• Basic Web-based Reference will help the learner to provide basic web-based reference service involving e-mail and chat. The course addresses the advantages and disadvantages of online reference, gives step-by-step guidance, and provides tips and resources.

Tools for the Reference Desk – AMIGOS Instructor led course

• Do you want to learn how to implement Web technologies in your reference desk? This course explores a variety of online tools, from blogs, wikis, to free chat software and web-based platforms from which you can engage your users at the reference desk. Come learn how to utilize several free online tools in your reference activities. NOTE: This course is a live Instructor-led course consisting of 2 two hour sessions. Enrollment in this course is for fee. See details in the course description.

Community

AskAway Group on WJIL

• Ask?Away Illinois is an Internet-based reference service that allows information seekers to interact online and in real time with a skilled librarian.  The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Reference librarians from public, academic, school, medical, and other special libraries in Illinois staff the service in collaboration with librarians in Wisconsin and beyond for peek time and after-hour support. Join the AskAway Illinois librarians to share ideas and materials. The group may also be used to post announcements about the cooperative.
• Path: [Illinois Center » Featured Statewide Initiatives » Ask?Away Illinois]

What Could I do with…The Ask?Away IL Group?

WJIL Groups provide a place for users with a common interest to exchange information and resources. If you are interested in joining the Ask?Away Illinois Group on WJIL, go to http://il.webjunction.org/86 and click on the “Join the Group.” You’ll find helpful resources such as the Chat Schedule, how to Request a Substitute, Steps to Participation in Ask?Away Illinois and Promotional Posters for marketing your Ask?Away virtual reference service.

Technology in the library introduces a new imperative to create and articulate policies and procedures for the appropriate use of the technologies, whether applied to staff, patrons, or other users. In this issue of What’s New @ WJIL you’ll find a number of resources that will help you in identifying, developing and implementing effective technology policies.  

Contents: Resources | Courses and Learning | Community | What could I do with…? | What’s New RSS Feed

“What’s New” RSS Feed

Want the latest “What’s New @ WJIL” to come to you? Add the RSS feed to your blog reader.
[http://webjunctionworks.org/il/blog/index.php/category/new-wj-il/feed/]

Resources

Guide to Technology Policy Resources on WJIL

• Use this guide to provide an overall perspective of the resources on WJIL related to computer policies.
• Path: [Library Management » Policies & Procedures » Computer Policies]

Survey of Library Technology Policies, 2009

A survey of libraries (241 respondents) about technology policies, completed in 2009 with answers to the following questions:

• Our library has technology policies related to…
• Of these, which represents the most contentious or challenging issue you face in managing your library’s technology policies today?
• Who is involved in the development or approval of your policies?
• How often do you review and update your library’s technology policies?
• Indicate which of the following factors prompt you to update policies and show to what degree they influence your decision to update?
• How do you inform staff and patrons about your library’s new or updated technology policies?
• Please share any additional comments or information about your library’s technology policies.

Technology and Internet Use Policies – Examples

• Small Public Libraries
• Medium Public Libraries
• Large Public Libraries

TechAtlas Quick Tips: Policies Section

• TechAtlas is a set of online tools that help libraries with both technology planning and technology inventory management. TechAtlas accounts are free to all libraries and all Illinois libraries currently have an account. In the TechAtlas technology planning section, you’ll find a section called Policies where you can upload or link to your existing technology policies, so that anyone who is contributing to the planning process can quickly reference your library’s policies. It essentially creates an easy way for you to connect all the relevant documents that serve as pieces of the planning puzzle.
• Path: [Technology » Technology Planning » TechAtlas » Illinois TechAtlas (IL)]

Create a Social Software Policy for Your Library

• Drawing from her experiences at Washoe County Library System, Internet Services Librarian Jami Haskell provides information on how to implement social software technologies responsibly, fairly and without legal liability.
• Path: [Library Management » Policies & Procedures » Computer Policies]

Administrative Ready Reference

• Equipment and Computer Use Policy (Download a Word copy of this sample policy for customization by clicking on “Policy Model” and then “Serving Our Public Policies”)
• Public Access to Electronic Information Networks (Download a Word copy of this sample policy for customization by clicking on “Policy Model” and then “Serving Our Public Policies”)
• Path: [Library Management » Administrative Ready Reference (IL)]

Courses and Learning

Library Technology Policies – Webinar Archive

• Creating, maintaining and updating computer policies for your library can be a real challenge, with technologies and patron needs in a constant state of flux. Join our own Rob Zschernitz, North Suburban Library System (IL) and Lecia Eubanks, Cherokee Regional Library (GA) as they share examples of library policies from around the country and surface some of the trends, hot issues, and strategies for you to consider as you develop and update your library’s technology policies. Also included in the session is a summary of results for Survey of Library Technology Policies, 2009.

Wireless and Acceptable Use Policies - 30 Minute Webinar Archive

• Join Louise Alcorn of West Des Moines Public Library, 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 in this archived MaintainIT webinar.

Introduction to Information Security

This course gives an overview of information security in the business world. Learn how to:

• Identify why information security is so important today
• Select examples of incidents that compromise information security
• Recognize the information security objective compromised in a given scenario
• Identify examples of employee behaviors that violate security policies
• Identify the information security mechanisms that should be in place in a given scenario
• Recognize how to use established information security policies

Library Privacy and Confidentiality: Law and Policy

After completing this course you should be able to:

After completing this course, you should know:

• When and if you are required to release library user information
• How to respond to inquiries from law enforcement agents
• How to respond to inquiries from the press
• The implications the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution has on privacy
• The effects of the recent USA PATRIOT Act on privacy rights of library users

Community

Technology Policies – Samples from Illinois Libraries

Browse real life samples of Internet Polices from Illinois Libraries.

• Internet Policies
• Laptop Computer Use
• Public Access Computer
• Public Access to Electronic Information Networks
• Path: [Library Management » Policies & Procedures » Patron Services Policies]

What Could I do with…Technology Policy Examples?

Need to know what policies others have in place for wireless internet access? Not sure how to craft an effective public access computer use policy? Curious about the wording of other library policies related to Internet access? You don’t have to start from scratch when it comes to developing strong technology policies for your library. Visit WJIL and you can download customizable sample policies from the Administrative Ready Reference, browse the Illinois Library Policy Examples, and see what small, medium and large public libraries in Georgia have in place for their internet and technology policies. Don’t reinvent the wheel, take advantage of the shared knowledge on WJIL.

A new Library Law article on Protecting Patron Privacy, valuable training materials for a World Language Story Time, instructor-led Amigos courses now available through the WJIL Course Catalog and flash tutorials on basic WJIL features. Find it all below in this What’s New @ WJIL for August 17th, 2009.

Contents: Resources | Courses and Learning | Community | What could I do with…? | What’s New RSS Feed

“What’s New” RSS Feed

Want the latest “What’s New @ WJIL” to come to you? Add the RSS feed to your blog reader.
[http://webjunctionworks.org/il/blog/index.php/category/new-wj-il/feed/]

Resources

Library Law: Protecting Patron Privacy

• Illinois law protects the privacy of circulation and registration records maintained by libraries. The Library Records Confidentiality Act (“Confidentiality Act”) forbids publishing or making information contained in registration and circulation records available to the public. Such records may be released pursuant to a court order or in an emergency situation.  The USA Patriot Act, a federal law, also impacts the release of such records. The Patriot Act expires at the end of this year, unless Congress reauthorizes it. Libraries must comply with both federal and state laws.
• Path: [Library Management » Organizational Management » Library Law Articles (IL)]

World Language Story Time Training Manual

• This manual is used to train story tellers for World Language story times. Community members are trained to be story tellers, and then paid to do world language story times at the Seattle Public Library. The manual was originally developed by King County Library System, then adapted by former SPL Children’s librarian, Tracy Li, and further adapted by current SPL Children’s librarian, Shannon Schinagl.
• Path: [Library Services » Populations Served » Children » Early Literacy]

Early Literacy Tips for Parents and Caregivers (Spanish and English)

• Two documents created for Bilingual Toddler Tales Program at the Mission Branch of the San Francisco Public Library.  A single page (one side English and the other Spanish) document with Early Literacy Tips for Parents and Caregivers and a set of 6 pages (also Bilingual) covering the 6 stations of the program
• Path: [Library Services » Populations Served » Children » Early Literacy]

Virtual Bulletin Board Example

• Director Bob Watson of the Lake Villa Library District shares about the Community Hub area of the library’s website.
• Path: [Technology » Website Development]

Courses and Learning

Amigos Courses on WebJunction Illinois

Five new instructor-led Amigos courses have been added to the WebJunction Illinois Course Catalog. You can view course details by visiting the IL Course Catalog page and clicking the Amigos Library Services Subject Area under Featured Courses. These courses are priced anywhere from $150 – $225 for a multi-week instructor led course. The WJIL user is responsible for payment when enrolling.

• Basic Digitization: Everyday Imaging  
• FRBR: How it can help you prepare for RDA  
• MARC 101 
• Tech Topics: Library 2.0  
• Tools for the Reference Desk

Learning Takes Time

• Remember to allocate enough time to complete the courses you have enrolled in. A recent change in our course enrollment software limits you to three courses in the shopping cart, so select those courses which will bring the most value to your time commitment. Once you have completed those courses you can enroll in additional courses, always limiting your course selection to three or fewer courses.         

Tea for Two Plus You? Workshop Series – now in Flash

Last spring a series of 30 minute online workshops were conducted to introduce WebJunction Illinois users to some of the basic features of the site. If you missed this series we’re happy to announce that you can now view these workshops at your convenience in flash without having to configure your computer for the web conferencing software. Check out these quick but meaty topics to help you use WJIL more efficiently. Be sure that you have flash enabled on your browser in order to view. 

• Posting a Document
• Creating and Joining Groups
• Registration and Social Networking
• Enrolling in and Launching Courses
  

Community

FY09 LSTA Grant Updates

City of Catholics–Chicago and the 1926 International Eucharistic Congress: Lorraine Olley. The 28th International Eucharistic Congress in June 1926 signaled the emergence of the Catholic Church into the mainstream of American culture, and of Chicago as a major international city. The University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary Library’s collection of 1,100 photographs and two souvenir books documents the events and depicts the prelates, dignitaries and pilgrims, totaling nearly 1 million, who attended. These formal, informal and panorama photographs documenting individuals, groups, activities, and places, such as Soldier Field, Mundelein Seminary and the Coliseum, will be of interest to researchers of religion, social history, transportation, and the Chicago and Lake County regions.  

What Could I do with…Discussion Subscriptions?

As a part of a recent install on the WebJunction Illinois site the Discussion thread subscription feature was fixed. If you are interested in keeping up with what is being posted on any Discussion board on the site, you can now “Subscribe” to that thread and receive an email notification when it is updated.

Just be sure that you are logged in to WJIL, browse to the relevant Discussion board, then click on the “Actions” button next to the thread and choose “Subscribe.”

In this WJIL Focus on Social Networking and Web tools find out how libraries are using the innovations of Web 2.0 tools to collaborate, communicate and connect. WJIL resources listed in this issue include a web 2.0 collaboration tools chart, tips for effective tagging, why blogs are important to libraries, twittering for marketing communications and an archive of the 23 Things Summit webinar.

Contents: Resources | Courses and Learning | Community | What could I do with…? | What’s New RSS Feed

“What’s New” RSS Feed

Want the latest “What’s New @ WJIL” to come to you? Add the RSS feed to your blog reader.
[http://webjunctionworks.org/il/blog/index.php/category/new-wj-il/feed/]

Resources

The next generation of the Web (known as Web 2.0 or the “participatory web”) brought innovations that turned the Web from a read-only environment into an online community where people meet, exchange information, collaborate, and communicate. Examples of the web-based tools that make this possible are wikis, photo- and video-sharing sites, blogs, tagging, and social networking sites. Specific examples of sites that use these tools are Wikipedia, Flickr, YouTube, Twitter, Del.icio.us, and Facebook. These tools are now core to the Web, and a rapidly growing percentage of people now expect to be able to interact with people and content when they use the Web.

WJIL can help you navigate the world of social learning and Web tools with the following resources and information.

Social Networking and Web Tools

• Use the pathfinder on this WJIL page to steer you quickly to some of the resources and information on this important topic.
• Path: [Technology » Social Networking & Web Tools]

Innovation: Web 2.0 Tools

• From the MaintainIT Planning for Success Cookbook, this chapter includes checklists and assessment matrices to accompany the Innovation Tools section including a Collaboration Tools chart.
• Path: [Technology » Public Access Computing » MaintainIT Cookbooks » MaintainIT Cookbook Chapters]

Thirteen Tips to Effective Tagging

• Tips on how to mark sites using social bookmarking managers such as del.icio.us so that you can find them and share them with others.
• Path: [Technology » Social Networking & Web Tools]

31 Flavors: Things to do with Flickr in Libraries

• How to use this photo-sharing website to connect and communicate with your patrons
• Path: [Technology » Social Networking & Web Tools]

Twitter and the Missouri Regional Library Library

• How one library uses Twitter for Marketing communications
• Path: [Technology » Social Networking & Web Tools]

Blogs for Libraries

• Why should librarians care about blogs? Read this article to find out.
• Path: [Technology » Social Networking & Web Tools]

Competencies for Social Networking in Libraries

• Social networking is infused into many library services. This article lists the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will help library staff achieve competence in this area.
• Path: [Technology » Social Networking & Web Tools]

Courses and Learning

Public Computers and Web 2.0 Tools

• Listen to this archived MaintainIT webinar for a quick (30 minute) introduction and overview from Robin Hastings from the Missouri River Regional Library (MRRL) as she shares her experiences and ideas regarding 2.0 tools and library users
• Path: [Technology » Social Networking & Web Tools ]

23 Things Summit: Webinar Archive

• “23 Things” is a revolutionary staff development learning concept centered on social collaboration tools. Helene Blowers successfully created the first program while at the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Thousands of libraries and library organizations of every size and type have adapted the idea for their staff. Hands-on, self-directed, and innovative, 23 Things style programs have introduced many, many library staff, volunteers, trustees, and others to 2.0 tools like blogs and wikis. During this 2 hour Summit, organizers (and more than 300 participants!) from several successful programs around the world shared best practices and lessons learned. WebJunction, MaintainIT, the State Library of Kansas, and the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library collaborated to create this event.
• Path: [Technology » Social Networking & Web Tools]

Social Software and the Rural Library

• Blogs, Wikis, IM, and more! How are these tools being used in rural and small libraries? What is the potential? What might the future hold? Listen to this archived webinar to find out.
• Path: [Technology » Social Networking & Web Tools]

Community

Engage Your Community

• Use the materials from this 2009 ALA Midwinter session to learn about five principles for developing online learning communities.
• Path: [Technology » Social Networking & Web Tools]

Social Networking and Web 2.0 Groups

• Visit the Social Networking and Web Tools page on WJIL to see a list of “Related Groups” on this topic that already exist. As a registered user, you can join one of these groups, or start an Illinois specific group using the instructions on our Illinois Groups page.

What Could I do with…Overview Pathfinders?

You may have noticed in exploring this particular topic that many of the pages on WJIL now include a Pathfinder on the Overview tab such as the one on the Social Networking and Web Tools page. This provides a quick and easy way to surface content and provide links to resources, courses and other community connections for the user to explore. If you see a page that you feel would benefit from a Pathfinder. let us know by using the “Contact Us” web form.