Don’t forget to check the Course Catalog for other Technical Service offerings including:

• Introduction to Cataloging for Non-Catalogers
• Shelving with Library of Congress Classification
• Weeding the Library Collection

Do you wish you could be more creative in work and life? If you envy those who come up with new and different ideas, but feel that just can’t be you, this self-paced course can help you break through that personal barrier. Creativity isn’t just an inherent talent, it involves specific skills and techniques that can be learned. You may not turn out to be Picasso, but you just might come up with a new way your library can meet its mission!

Free courses for sponsored members

Beginning July 1, 2011, WebJunction’s online self-paced courses will be available only to those members who are sponsored by their state library through WebJunction’s Partner Program. This means that if you are a registered user of WebJunction Illinois, you will be able to enroll in an unlimited number of courses at no charge by going to the WJIL Course Catalog.

However, as of July 1, you must be signed into WebJunction Illinois with your username and password in order to view the course catalog. The public catalog at http://www.webjunction.org/catalog will be removed. You will access your in-progress courses as usual, by signing into WebJunction Illinois and launching it through your My WebJunction or My Courses page. You will still be able to download a completion certificate for any course you have already completed.

New features for webinars

As a sponsored member, you’ll also receive early notification for future webinars from your state library. And, starting this July, we’ll email you printable certificates for any event that you attend. Webinar programs will continue to be offered for free to all members each month.

Securing funding for the library benefits from a multi-faceted approach: staff are becoming savvy in how to demonstrate the library’s value to the community, seek grants for specific initiatives or projects, organize effective fundraising activities, and pursue strategic partnerships. Explore what WebJunction Illinois has collected to help you in your exploration of those options in this edition of “What’s New @ WJIL.”

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

“What’s New” RSS Feed

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Resources

Sampling of Library Funding, Grants and Partnerships

• This overview includes a variety of useful resources in the areas of news, grants, strategic partnerships and fundraising for libraries.
• Path [Library Management » Funding]

Guide to Selected Funding Resources

• Includes practical information such as a elements of a good grant proposal, fundraising during an economic crisis and resources related to grant opportunities.
• Path [Library Management » Funding]

From Awareness to Funding: A Study of Library Support in America

• Principle contributors Cathy De Rosa and Jenny Johnson from OCLC outline why targeting marketing messages to the right segment of the public is key to support for U.S. libraries.
• Path [Library Management » Funding]

Community Relations Resources on WJIL

• Communicating the Library’s value, connecting with stakeholders and promoting lifelong learning at the library are part of this section of WJIL.
• Path [Library Management » Community Relations]

Courses and Learning

Winning Library Grants - Webinar Archive

• Resources and archived presentation from this May 4th Webinar by Stephanie Gerding.

Grant Writing Basics

• Getting the right grant can make a huge difference in the programming and resources you can offer your community. But if you’ve never done it before, the whole process of finding the right one for your situation, navigating the application process, and writing a compelling case can be daunting. This course created by UNT-LE@D will walk you through all the critical steps from finding a grant source, understanding the commitments required, writing and submitting, and finally beginning to implement.

Community

Browse the Discussion Forum on the WJIL Funding page to spark your creativity for this topic – or add your own question for community feedback.

What Could I do with…Tips on Library Fundraising?

Although we would want it to be different, exploring creative angles for fundraising is very much a part of the current library landscape. If you haven’t already done so, take the chance to talk to your library supporters in the community to convey once again the value of the local library and its services. Then ask them if they are willing to partner with you to brainstorm ideas that will help to ensure that the library and its valuable resources remain available for everyone.  You never know until you try!

In order to reach their patrons wherever they are libraries need an online presence. A quality website once required a programmer however with new web design tools and applications non-IT staff can build an attractive, basic website fairly easily. Read more about website development in this edition of “What’s New @ WJIL.” 

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

Open Source Systems Power Library Websites

• This overview of some of the tools libraries are using to build and manage their website, including links to examples of those websites. Drupal, Joomla, WordPress and Omeka are all included along with links to video tutorials.
• Path [Technology» Website Development]

Comparing Open Source Content Management Systems

• A short comparison between WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, and Plone
• Path [Technology» Website Development]

Free Easy Ways to Add a Calendar to Your Website

• Keep visitors to your library’s website informed about upcoming events
• Path [Technology» Website Development]

Cloud Computing and Libraries

• Definition and overview of “cloud computing,” and why it is of interest to your library
• Path [Technology» Website Development]

Tips for Designing (or Redesigning) a Nonprofit website

• What are the steps and skills needed to plan a major site redesign
• Path [Technology» Website Development]

5 Tips for Dealing with Difficult Patrons Online

• In this video David Lee King, Digital Branch & Services manager at Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, presents five ways to respond in the rare case of rude or inappropriate comments from patrons on your library’s website.
• Path [Technology» Website Development]

Courses and Learning

Web Development Series

• This series of 19 courses available in the WJIL Catalog for free to registered users includes Web Development Fundamentals, JavaScript Language Basics, Web Services and Service-Oriented Architecture and many others.

Creating a Web Presence for Every Library

• PPT, archive and resources for this WJ webinar.

Community

Check out the following groups related to website development and join the community for information, discussion and inspiration. (Remember you must be logged in to join a Group).

• WordPress for Libraries
• Library Websites Group

What Could I do with…Continuing Education when Budget and Staff have Been Cut?

Everyone’s budget and staff have been cut recently and along with it, the time and money needed for continuing education and learning opportunities. However, learning can still take place in small chunks and when the opportunity arises, such as with this video on 5 Tips for Dealing with Difficult Patrons Online. Pass the link to this short video on to staff and ask them to take just a few minutes to learn something new, then talk about it with others. It will inspire discussion and encourage staff to continue pursuing learning, even in these difficult times.

Library staff have taken on the role of trainer in more ways than ever, to help equip patrons with essential skills such as finding a job, submitting tax forms, legal information, and connecting with family and friends across the miles. In this edition of “What’s New @ WJIL” get the tools and skills you need to develop and make effective use of in-person and online Patron Training.

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

Technology Training for Patrons

WebJunction recently placed an open call for library staff to share their patron technology training materials. The result is a repository of free and available resources for your library to use. Topics include...

• Blogging, e-books and audio books, Facebook for TechnoSeniors, keyboard skills, powerpoint and many more.
• Path [Library Services » Patron Training » Technology Training]

WebJunction’s Focus on Tackling Tough Patron Questions

• Helping library patrons answer legal and medical questions can pose special challenges. Here are some resources to help you and your patrons with these critical issues.
• Path [Library Services » Patron Training » Information Literacy]

San Francisco Public Library Needs Assessment: Report on Findings

• The recent increase demand for library services and simultaneous decrease in funding brought on by the recession have highlighted a need for innovative, low-cost, high-impact information services such as online patron instruction. In December 2009, WebJunction and the San Francisco Public Library began a project to examine the potential for online patron instruction in public libraries, part of which includes a pilot online tutorial project based at the San Francisco Public Library. This report details the results of a needs assessment of San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) users. 
• Path [Library Services » Patron Training » Research]

 Best Practices for Patron Tutorials – San Francisco Public Library

• These documents describe the best practices and processes used by the San Francisco Public Library to create online patron tutorials. Practical information and tips on the use of Camtasia, developing a tutorial script and the overall steps in creation of a tutorial are included.
• Path [Library Services » Patron Training » Research]

Social Software Training Resources

• Links to training resources, curriculum and handouts for training sessions on blogging, facebook, Twiiter and social networking
• Path [Library Services » Patron Training » Technology Training]

Courses and Learning

Online Patron Training: A Project Review

• Learn the results of research on national trends for online patron training in this March 23 WJ Webinar. Hear how the San Francisco Public Library assessed their patrons’ needs, designed and then launched an online tutorial on job search skills. More information…

Developing Online Patron Tutorials

• Get an overview for creating online patron tutorials in this March 29th WJ  Webinar. We’ll walk through the steps of tutorial development, including patron needs and topic selection, implementation, promotion, and evaluating the effectiveness of the new resources. More information…

Learn Tutorial Creation with Adobe Captivate

• If this month’s webinars inspires your library to create an online tutorial, the new course on Adobe Captivate 4 will introduce you to this powerful, yet easy-to-use screen capture tool that excels at creating interactive software simulations and tutorials. The 90-minute course will teach you the basics of how to record, edit, add captions and graphics, and even assessments. Captivate allows you to easily create the kind of software simulations you thought only the pros could make.

Community

WebJunction has collected training materials and resources that have been developed by library staff from around the country. These materials can be downloaded, reused and repurposed by other trainers. Join the Library Community at large and add your own training materials to WebJunction to help grow the resources and contribute to the learning community! Please add your technology training  resources to the document tab.

What Could I do with…Screencasting Software?

User friendly screencasting software such as Adobe Captivate, Camtasia and Jing have started a revolution in point-of-need, just-in-time patron tutorials. All types of libraries are taking advantage of  these tools to develop tutorials that will assist their patrons with common tasks such as catalog searching, renewing materials and using subscription databases. Take a course, attend a webinar or check out what other libraries are doing and join the revolution.

EPUB, Accelerometer, E Ink and Sideloading. If you don’t recognize these words you may need to prepare yourself for the eReader/eBook generation. In this edition of “What’s New @ WJIL” we explore the language, legal issues, troubleshooting and even accessibility of the most recent hot digital trend to hit your library - the eReader.

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

“What’s New” RSS Feed

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Resources

eBooks and Audiobooks

• A 14 page resource using plenty of screenshots and pictures with definitions to help you explain to patrons (and your staff) what eBooks and Audiobooks are and how to use them.
• Path [Library Services » Patron Training » Technology Training]

Free Resources for Your eReader

• Customize this handout for your library to help patrons find and download eBooks.
• Path [Technology » Mobile Devices]

eBooks Troubleshooting

• Instructions and solutions that support has provided for issues that patrons have had with ebooks.
• Path [Technology » Mobile Devices]

Burning Ideas: eBooks and Libraries – A Legal Perspective

• Presentation on content licensing models and digital rights management (DRM) and the accompanying legal issues that impact libraries approach to digital collections.
• Path [Library Services » Technical Services » Collection Development » E-Books and Digital Audio Books]

Are eReaders Accessible?

• Some of the features and applications used by e-readers to assist the visually impaired.
• Path [Technology » Mobile Devices]

Literacy and eReader Jargon

• When any new technology arises, new terms are vital to explain these changes as easily as possible. ‘Library 2.0’ is a perfect example, and eReaders are bringing even more buzzwords and acronyms to the frontlines. Not only are new words created, but some major distinctions are appearing between words like the difference between a ‘virtual library’ and a ‘digital library,’ where they are not interchangeable.
• Path [Technology » Mobile Devices]

Courses and Learning

Gadget Checklist 2010: for Library Staff, Users and Our Future - WJ Webinar archive

• Do you need a gadgets orientation covering types, brands, features, functionality and answers to why gadgets are so popular with your patrons? Listen to this archived WJ webinar with Michael Porter where he presents a checklist-filled session also covering how users are consuming and accessing content on gadgets and how libraries are purchasing and lending gadgets to host this content.

Gadgets: Personal Electronics for Your Library – WJ Webinar archive

• Archive and associated resources for this WJ Webinar with Jason Griffey on libraries and personal electronics such as ebook readers and MP3 players

Community

Is your staff unsure of themselves when it comes to helping patrons with eBooks and eReaders? Our North Carolina WJ partners have initiated a program to help their library staff become more familiar and comfortable with these new technologies through an eReader “petting zoo” for library staff. Find out how you could duplicate this in your library and community. 

What Could I do with…eBooks and eReaders in my library?

Ready or not, eBooks and eReaders do not seem to be a passing technology fad. Recently Amazon.com announced eBook downloads for its Kindle eReader outpaced sales of paperbacks in the United States during the last 3 months of 2010. How will your library respond? Use the resources here to prepare yourself and your staff to assist and connect with patrons around this timely topic.

It’s true the snow is still flying – really flying here in Illinois- but this is still the perfect time to start wishful thoughts for warm weather and the summer reading programming that comes with it. Illinois has a rich tradition of supporting summer reading through the ILA iRead program, but you can still warm up your summer reading program with a creative spark from the resources and ideas listed in this edition of “What’s New @ WJIL.”

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

“What’s New” RSS Feed

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Resources

ILA iRead: A Midsummer Knight’s Read

• The 2011 iREAD Summer Reading Program theme is A Midsummer Knight’s Read, with David Catrow as one of the featured illustrators. Order your 2011 Summer Reading products online or find out more about the Resources and Research related to Summer Reading Programs on the ILA web site.

Summer Reading Program ideas from around the nation

On January 20, 2011 several WJ community partners gathered to share ideas and discuss their approach to summer reading programs. Find out what some other states are doing by browsing these links…

• Collaborative Summer Library Program. CSLP began in 1987 when ten Minnesota regional library systems developed a summer library program for children, choosing a theme, creating artwork and selecting incentives that public libraries in the regions could purchase and use. State libraries and systems continue to join and CSLP continues to evolve, but its guiding principle remains the same, librarians sharing ideas, expertise and costs to produce a high-quality summer reading program for children.
• Ohio Summer Reading Program and Resources. Links include resources for supporting ELL/ESOL children through summer reading programs.
• Ohio Ready to Read Program: The State Library of Ohio and the Ohio Library Council have created Ohio Ready To Read to help address the early literacy needs of Ohio’s youngest citizens. Ohio Ready To Read is a major ongoing statewide initiative to disseminate early literacy information to public library staff and trustees, early child care providers, educators, children’s advocates, parents, and political decision makers.

Read about Summer Reading

Links to blogs, reports, briefs, handouts, and programmatic resources on the subject of reading initiatives and summer reading in particular. Highlights include…

• Summer Reading Programs Boost Student Achievement - Dominican University SLIS
• Summer Reading Programs in Action – links to New York, Ohio, Idaho and Virginia Summer Reading Programs

Courses and Learning

Library Reading Incentive Programs for Summer and Beyond - WJ Webinar

• Join this showcase of reading initiatives that will draw readers of all ages to your library. Presenters will share how they plan, promote, and carry out successful summer reading programs, and will discuss year-round efforts that encourage and support lifelong readership in the community. Panelist Melanie A. Lyttle, head of public services at the Madison Public Library in Ohio, will describe her library’s use of social media to support their summer reading program, including the famed “Crabby Librarian.” Janet Ingraham Dwyer, library consultant at the State Library of Ohio, will talk about other successful reading programs in her state including Choose to Read Ohio, a statewide initiative which encourages Ohioans of all ages to read and enjoy books together.

WebJunction Partners Share Summer Reading Program: Webinar Archive

• Archive and associated resources for Janary 20, 2011, webinar Archive and associated resources for the January 20, 2011, partner meeting with Cheryl Space, Janet Ingraham Dwyer, Naphtali Faris, Ann Roberts and Michele Farley presenting. Take note of related resource links below the video of the webinar archive.

Community

Join the discussion and sharing during the upcoming February 15th WJ Webinar – Library Reading Incentive Programs for Summer and Beyond. Enroll now on L2.

What Could I do with…Summer Reading Program Resources

Put a warm smile on your face as you browse the many creative  and innovative ideas aimed at helping you develop the best programs and services for summer reading and early childhood literacy.  It’s not too early to start. In fact now is the perfect time!

• Define Interlibrary Loan
• Discuss the ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Code
• Discuss Interlibrary Loan Policies – Do you have one? What should be included?
• Discuss ILL Borrowing Practices – What are your responsibilities  when you are requesting an item?
• Discuss ILL Lending Practices – What are your responsibilities when you are lending an item to another library?
• Discuss Photocopies and Copyright Compliance – What are your responsibilities when you are requesting a photocopy?

In addition to the primary content,  this  free online course includes value added helpful resources such as a flip book of the ILLINET Interlibrary Loan code, presentations on how to write an ILL policy, interactive content reviews and screencasts of various ILL procedures.

Enroll now and find out more about the Essential Elements of Interlibrary Loan in Illinois! Be sure that you are logged into WJIL before clicking on the course links. Only those who are registered WJIL users logged into the site will see the course listed at $0.