These are a few of my favorite Training Resources

Actually, these are all I know of... I maintain this list on our Intranet.  Today I was asked by @TechSoup4Libs...

Hey @Slzimm1 - what are your fave training resources? Anything other than WJ and GCFLearnFree? I'm making a list!

So here's my list (aplogies for dead links, I haven't checked these in awhile...):

ABLE - The free, online Alternative Basic Library Education (ABLE) Program provides basic library knowledge and skills for staff members who have no formal education in library science.
Adobe Luminary eSeries - In this eSeminar series, you will engage with industry luminaries to learn techniques that will give you insight and techniques that you can use everyday.
Amigos Library Services - Amigos training courses cover an array of topics important to libraries: from OCLC to the Internet, preservation to imaging, and reference and technical services to management and technology. Amigos provides educational services face-to-face or online.
ALA - American Libraries Assn.  This will link you to their calendar of events and trainings.
BCR - BCR (Bibliographical Center for Research) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit headquartered in Aurora, Colorado. They offer a broad range of solutions and Their hands-on, personal attention to each customer enables them to deliver effective and timely solutions that help libraries keep pace with new developments in technology and services. BCR is the nation’s oldest and most established multistate library cooperative. Since 1935, the BCR team has helped libraries learn new skills, reach new customers, increase productivity and save money.
Charity How To - Offers free step-by-step videos for non-profits, including tutorials on online fundraising.
Common Knowledge - Helping nonprofits leverage the internet for fundraising, marketing, communications and advocacy.
DIOSA - DIOSA | Communications specializes in Web 2.0 Marketing, Web 2.0 Trainings, Webinars, and MySpace Design for nonprofit organizations, higher education, and small businesses.
Discovery Education - Offers free webinars and archives.
EBSCO - They offer online training opportunities to help you to make the best use of your EBSCO resources.  This link takes you to the full online training offering.  Click here to sign up and choose a class from a drop down menu.
Education Week - Offers Free webinars and archives.
Elluminate - Elluminate goes beyond web conferencing with best-in-class web, audio, video, and social networking solutions that help you create a 21st century teaching, learning, and collaboration environment.  They offer great webinars and archived webinars.  Also check out their LearnCentral site for more webinars.

Foundation Center - Offers free webinars on grant seeking, proposal budgeting, boards and fundrasing.  They also offer fee based webinars.
GCFLearnFree.org - Goodwill Community Foundation's online learning site provides quality, innovative online learning opportunities to anyone who wants to improve the technology, literacy and math skills needed to be successful in both work and life. By delivering over 750 different lessons to millions of people in over 200 countries and territories ABSOLUTELY FREE, GCFLearnFree.org is a worldwide leader in online education.
Georgia Public Library Service Wednesday Webinar Series - (aka Carterette Series Webinars) Highlighting Trends, Innovation and Best Practices in Georgia Libraries.  A collaboration of Georgia Public Library Service and Georgia Library Association.  List of archives also available.

Higher Logic - Higher Logic's mission is to provide the constituents of not-for-profits innovative ways to think together and build trusted communities where interactive communication and information exchange can occur. By offering software products that allow people to contribute, share, and collaborate, Higher Logic delivers solutions to not-for-profits looking to preserve their organizational value and attract a new generation of global members.  Check out their online Q3 Learning Series Webinars for 2009.
Idealware - Idealware seminars are designed to give you the tactical advice you need to make software decisions.  They include all the candid advice and product comparisons of the reports and articles on which they are based, but offer plenty of extra guidance and insights straight from the author - and each is capped at 22 participants, so you'll have lots of opportunity to ask questions and get just the information you need.
Infopeople - A statewide LSTA project that functions as the training arm of the California State Library. Some other state libraries provide training via in-house staff. California has opted to essentially outsource training in order to leverage the maximum return on investment of training dollars. The Infopeople model provides a breadth of training topics and a depth of training expertise greater than any single library or library agency, no matter how large, could provide.  They offer many free Webinars and out of state pricing for other trainings.
InSync Training - InSync Training offers a variety of consulting, development and delivery services to support synchronous training initiatives. We combine specialized instructional design, facilitation techniques, and content development to deliver the most effective training for the live online environment.
LACONI - Since 1954, LACONI (Library Administrators Conference of Northern Illinois) has been introducing library staff to new technologies and ideas, best practices, and popular programs for children and adults. LACONI is made up of six different sections which offer programs designed to enhance skills and knowledge of library staff in their area of expertise.
LE@D - Lifelong Education @ Desktop - an incredibly flexible learning tool that allows individuals, systems, and organizations to develop and implement a training program based on their needs. With more than 50 online courses available, and more being developed each month, LE@D offers a wide range of topics. The courses can be self-paced, taken as a group, taught by a facilitator, or integrated into an existing program.
Leadership Lancaster - Leadership Lancaster's purpose is to identify existing and emerging leaders, to prepare them for roles in shaping the future and to entrust them to guide the county in the years ahead.
Library Journal Webcasts - List of Webinars suggested by Library Journal.
Lyrasis - A regional membership organization for libraries and information professionals, Lyrasis works to ensure their success today and tomorrow by providing access to more of the shared knowledge and expertise, innovative products and services, and customized solutions they need. Created in 2009 by the merger of PALINET and SOLINET, two well-established regional library networks, Lyrasis members now include over 4,000 member libraries and cultural heritage institutions across the US and beyond. Lyrasis serves as a critical collective voice in the national arena.
merlin - Maryland's essential service for library information networks.  See a calendar full of events.
National Girls Collaborative Project - Regional and local events, National conferences, monthly webcasts and more - The National Girls Collaborative Project brings together organizations throughout the United States that are committed to informing and encouraging girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This schedule features NGCP events of interest to those working with women and girls in STEM-related pursuits.
NEFLIN's Library Webinars Blog:  This site has been created by NEFLIN to provide Florida library staff with one location for information about webinars.
Network for Good Learning Center - Nonprofit 911 is a free training series on nonprofit marketing and online fundraising, supported by Network for Good and guest speakers.
Nebraska Library Commission Training - Online seminars available.
New Horizons - Since 1998, New Horizons of Harrisburg has been delivering expert-led computer training to local Pennsylvania businesses and individuals. Through an integrated learning approach that ensures that new knowledge can be applied to real life situations, New Horizons Harrisburg delivers a full range of technology and business skills training from basic application and desktop productivity tools to complex and integrated business systems.  Be sure to check out their free Webinars here.

Nonprofit Resource Network - The Nonprofit Resource Network enhances the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations, providing professional development, networking opportunities and access to critical information resources.
NTEN - NTEN aspires to a world where all nonprofit organizations skillfully and confidently use technology to meet community needs and fulfill their missions.
OCLC Training Portal - The Training Portal is your gateway to making the most of your OCLC products and services. This site provides you with access to in-person and Web-based instruction from OCLC and OCLC-certified Training Partners.
OPAL - OPAL is an international collaborative effort by libraries and other organizations of all types to provide web-based programs and training for library users and library staff members.
O'Reilly Webcasts - Meet experts online.
PANO - Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations - PANO is the statewide membership organization serving and advancing the charitable nonprofit sector through leadership, advocacy, education and services in order to improve the quality of life in Pennsylvania.
PBS Teachers - Free media and education technology webinars.
PDE - The Department of Education offers free webinars.  The focus is on K-12.  Public librarians may also find workshops of interest.  Check this site often for new offerings.  (LSTA webinars are hosted here also).
SABLE - The free, online Supplemental Alternative Basic Library Education (SABLE) program provides additional resources in library knowledge and skills for staff members who have no formal education in library science. This program is a supplement to the ABLE courses; however, they are not tied to the completion of the ABLE courses.
School Library Journal - See a list of Webcasts from SLJ.
SirsiDynix Institute - Providing you FREE access to industry-leading speakers and events, our mission is to support librarianship and advance the work of librarians around the world.  Attend online as the SirsiDynix Institute presents compelling speakers selected from among leaders in librarianship and information technology. In each biweekly Web conference, presenters will share their expertise and enhance your understanding of current topics important to librarians.
Techsoup - TechSoup is a trusted technology resource that offers a variety of information and services for the benefit of the nonprofit sector.  TechSoup provides instructional articles and worksheets for nonprofit staff members who utilize information technologies, as well as technology planning information for executives and other decision makers. Our introductory articles and message board support are aimed at those who do not have much experience using technology, but we also provide more advanced information.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission - See a list of upcoming webinars.  Join colleagues for an online presentation and conversation.  All you need is a computer, your internet connection and a microphone or telephone to participate.  See archives here.
Also see the Texas State Library's Online Training for Library Staff site with a TON of resources.
The TLT Group - The TLT Group is a not-for-profit that helps college and university educators take advantage of changing technology so they can improve teaching and learning.
Thinkfinity - The goal of Verizon Thinkfinity's professional development is to help educators, parents and afterschool practitioners engage students and enhance learning using our online resources. Check out their free training courses and register for the one that best meets your needs.
Washington State Library - free Webinar series "First Tuesdays": Designed as a continuing-education opportunity for staff of libraries in Washington State, this free web presentation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (12:00pm to 1:00pm EST), on the first Tuesday of the month lets attendees share their skills and successes and learn about new topics. The special-subject presentations, lasting about 30 minutes, are recorded so that others may listen at their own convenience.
WebJunction - WebJunction bridges the barriers to learning by providing open, affordable, online learning communities like the one you are visiting right now. Our members take courses, attend events, share knowledge, and network with others – all in an environment that fosters collaboration and mutual support. Our vision is to be the place where the worldwide library profession gathers to build the knowledge, skills and support we need to power vibrant, relevant libraries.
WebJunction PA - The state of PA is a partner with WebJunction.  Check out more information on this page of LILLY.
WebEx Presents - Free webinars hosted by industry experts.

American Libraries Live

Donna Brice, director of the Eastern Lancaster County Library forwarded an email to me describing this exciting new series.  From the email...

"A new kind of dialogue and communication in the library world!

NEW! American Libraries Live, a free streaming video broadcast viewable from your home, library or favorite wi-fi spot. AL Live allows viewers to watch broadcasts about library issues and trends in real time and interact with hosts via a live chat, offering immediate answers to your pressing questions. With the help of real-time technology, it’s like having your own experts on hand. Professionals like ALA TechSource columnist Jason Griffey, author of Mobile Technology and Libraries (THE TECH SET® #2), and other respected figures from the industry will address important topics such as how to get an ideal library job, the latest innovations in mobile services, digging into databases and the inside scoop on libraries and e-books.

In the first program, “Library 2017: Tech at Warp Speed,” airing at 1:00 pm Central time on Friday, November 16, Griffey will speak about libraries in the near future.

Host Dan Freeman and Griffey discuss American Libraries Live and the upcoming program here:



The programs are easy to view—just go to American Libraries Live.  Upcoming broadcasts include:

* Nov. 16: Library 2017: Tech at Warp Speed
* Jan. 10: Landing Your Ideal Library Job
* Feb. 14: Mobile Services: The Library in Your Pocket
* March 14: Library Safety and Security
* April 11: The Present and Future of Ebooks
* May 9: Library Learning Goes Online
* June 6: New Technologies in Library Equipment
* July 30: Discovery Services: The Future of Library Systems
* Sept. 10: Digging into New Databases

American Libraries Live – a free service offering new and exciting ways to get to the heart of the real issues in our industry."

Tech Savvy Staff: Better Service for Library Users - a Techsoup Webinar

10/30/12 - UPDATE - thanks to Frankenstorm Sandy, this Webinar has been resheduled for Tuesday, December 4, 2:00pm - 3:00pm.  Here is the new link to register.  So for those of you who couldn't come or procrastinated... there is still time to register!

It's official... I'll be a presenter for a Techsoup Webinar.  Hope you can come and join me :-)

Tech-Savvy Staff: Better Service for Library Users
Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST


Join Penny Talbert, the Executive Director at the Ephrata Public Library, and Stephanie Zimmerman, the Training & Development Coordinator for the Library System of Lancaster County, to learn how to help staff gain the tech skills they need in order to effectively assist patrons. These webinar speakers are both passionate believers in the importance of supporting learning in the context of new technological developments. Get ready to be inspired!

Library 2.012

The amazing Library 2.012 Virutual Cnference is back again this year!  It takes place from October 3 -5, 2012.  It is free and held online in multiple time zones. 

Check out the unique subject strands that will be covered.  Broad categories are:

• STRAND 1: Libraries – Physical and Virtual Learning Spaces
• STRAND 2: Librarians & Information Professionals - Evolving Professional Roles in Today’s World
• STRAND 3: Content & Creation - Organizing and Creating Information
• STRAND 4: Changing Delivery Methods
• STRAND 5: User Centered Access
• STRAND 6: Mobile and Geo-Social Information Environments

Hope you can make some time to attend!

Connect2Compete - ADD YOUR LIBRARY!

"Connect2Compete is a national nonprofit organization bringing together leaders from communities, the private sector, and leading foundations."  This national campaign will be launched in 2013.  Read more of their mission here. 

"Part of Connect2Compete is an Ad Council campaign that will drive people to digital literacy training programs. To prepare for the campaign, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced the development of a new Digital Literacy Finder Tool that will help people find nearby locations for digital literacy training.  The Finder Tool will be populated with thousands of locations comprising the nation’s libraries, schools, public computing centers, non-profit training providers, and America’s Job Centers."  Read more about this here. 

All libraries that provide ANY type of digital literacy training be it formal classes or informal one on one, PLEASE add yourself to the Finder Tool by going to this link and adding your information.   An innovative zip-code locator tool will combine all entries into a nationwide database.  You definitely want to be listed there!

For those of us in Pennsylvania, stay tuned to future issues of the Compendium that will assist us in our need assessment, resource identification and creation.

Lastly, if you're looking for some materials and information related to technology training in public libraries, be sure to check out Colorado Virtual Library's Tech Training for Libraries site.  They have great stuff to share; no need to start from scratch! 

Turning the Page 2.0

Turning the Page 2.0 is a FREE library advocacy training course developed and presented by the Public Library Association (PLA) with generous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Read all about it and be sure to sign up starting August 15th for the next online dates September 24 through October 29. Here is a flyer too.

In this six-week, facilitated online course, library staff and supporters will learn how to create and tell their library's story, deliver effective presentations, develop a compelling case for support, and build and sustain partnerships along the way.


Participants are encouraged to come with a specific, self-determined advocacy goal for their library. At the end of six weeks, you’ll have a complete Advocacy Work Plan to guide your efforts.

Turning the Page 2.0 consists of the following components:

• In-person kick-off (optional)
• Facilitator-led virtual classroom sessions (1 hour each week for 6 weeks)
• Independent work on Turning the Page online modules (about 1 hour each week)
• Online community for discussion (optional)
• Completion of an Advocacy Work Plan (about 1 hour each week)
• One-on-one feedback via email from professional facilitators (free consultancy)

Previous participants have told PLA that they spend on average three hours per week (18 hours total) on this course. ALA membership is not required to participate.

Change is Good!

**CAUTION** Rated R for language. But I'm sorry, the language is what makes it in this case... so I HAVE to share it!...

I was reading through some of my training/elearning RSS feeds and stumbled onto a link to an amazing video (see end of post) from zefrank. I've been following him on and off for years because of his quirky creativity. Thanks to Ray Jimenez for relating this to what a true SME (Subject Matter Expert) is. As Ray states "the new SME is the person who contributes "how I did it" and "what it means to me" - the real stuff that we care about".

Early this year, my position was changed from Training Coordinator within the IT Department here at the Library System to the Training & Development Coordinator in charge of the Training & Development Department. It has been a huge and wonderful, yet at times quite scary change. I no longer have the buffer of a management layer to protect me. Success or failure is on me for the Department.

In that vain, I am trying to get together a Training Advisory Group (TAG) to help this Department to become the best it can be. I am definitely NOT the expert. I look around at all of the talent in our member libraries and I see a bunch of amazing SMEs!! I see so many great ideas and programs and ways of learning that it boggles my mind. I would love to see all of that knowledge pooled and developed into a robust way that every member can benefit from. Wish me luck as this is no small task, but a very exciting one. I also don't want to have to have monthly meetings to make this happen. I want to build a virtual community of sharing where we don't have to wait for a meeting to share the expertise and reap the benefits. It's tough when the members don't have an ounce of time to spare for one more project. My challenge is to make this something they cannot do without; to build something they must have in order to do their jobs to the best of their abilities. Change IS Good!

So how does this video relate? I'm not a prolific writer, so I don't know how to put it into words exactly... but when I watch this video, it just completely speaks to the change happening in me, in my position, and at my place of work. Don't know why exactly, but it does. It's like looking at a painting and feeling an emotion, and not knowing why...

Here is a transcript of what zefrank is saying. My favorite lines...

"Perfection might look good in his shiny shoes, but he's a little bit of an asshole, and no one invites him to their pool parties."

"There is no need to sharpen my pencils anymore, my pencils are sharp enough. Even the dull ones will make a mark."

"And God, let me enjoy this. Life isn't just a sequence of waiting for things to be done."

All I can say is... Amen. And now, enjoy the video:

A night with Randi Zuckerberg

I was lucky enough to attend the first annual Innovator in Residence presentation last Thursday night 3/22/12 at Millersville University's (my alma mater) Ware Center here in downtown Lancaster. Randi Zuckerberg, older sister of THE Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Facebook, was the Innovator. She ran marketing at Facebook for 6 years and is a Harvard grad. In August of 2011, she left Facebook to start R to Z media and launch a new type of media platform. Here's a nice write up of her visit in The Snapper (I can't believe it's still called that!), the weekly newspaper of MU.

There was a social hour before her talk where I had an opportunity to meet Randi and have a fan girl photo op with her. She was very personable and down to earth. My coworker, Rhonda Kleiman, Economic Development Manager, was kind enough to introduce me to the benefactors of the Innovator in Residence program, Dr. Jane Hannigan and Dr. Kay Vandergrift. They were both professors in Library Science - Dr Vandergrift at Rutgers University and Dr. Hannigan at Columbia University. These are two of the most amazing women I have ever met. I really felt like I was rubbing elbows with a lot of intelligence that night!

The title of Randi's presentation was “Mastering Social Media & Creating a Culture of Innovation.” Here are my notes from her talk:

-In it's early days, Facebook used a demand-lead marketing approach. By only inviting colleges to join when there was enough deman and buzz for the site, they created a sense of scarcity that guaranteed success once a school was added.

-By pooling it's own users as translators, the site was translated into many languages in just 24 hours.

-The Facebook workplace operates under a culture of fun. Each year they have a hackathon where employees stay up all night creating something outside of their job. A good idea can come from anywhere.

-Facebook's Culinary Team Page has over 27,000 fans, but only 4000 people work there. So the other 23,000 people are just checking in to see what they are serving up daily. There are some amazing menus on there... This is the right way to do marketing.

-Randi's 10 Trends in Social Media (though I ended up with 12?)

1. The Sharing Economy - examples are:
   -airbnb - rent a home when they are out of town or rent a bedroom in someone's home
   -renttherunway - rent a designer $1000 dress for a night - live a luxurious life on a budget -suitedeal - fly on a private jet when it's not in use by it's owners



2. People as Platforms and Media Brands
   -each one of us is a brand/media company
   -Con - the Internet allows cutomers to complain with a digital microphone
   -Pro: good experiences can also be shared



3. Crowd-Sourcing
   -people want to participate in the creation of their favorite products
   -also can be philanthropic - ex. Target had $5 million to allocate to charities. It put up the list of charities they would contribute to on Facebook and let their fans choose where to allocate the money. So their customers and the charities did their marketing for them.
   -kickstarter is a site anyone can donate money to towards art projects. At the last Sundance film festival, 70% of the films were funded by this site. This site bave a bigger donation than the National Endowment of the Arts!



4. Mobile First
   -some businesses skip the traditional Website alltogether. Go straight to an App for the user experience - ex. Foodspotting App - recommend the best dishes within a restaurant, not just the restaurant itself.
   -Starbucks has an iPhone App that lets you pay with your Starbucks Card right from the app
   -Banks have apps that let you take a photo of a check and deposit it into your account (I personally have used my scanner at home to deposit checks for the last few years).



5. People as Curators
   -Be an expert by gathering others content and curating it. Pinterest is a great example of this. Though she didn't talk about it, we in libraryland know that LibGuides is great for this too. She showed her sister, Donna Zuckerberg's, Pinterest boards all about food. She's quite the foodie.



6. Fitness and Health Communities
   -a way to be accountable to your fitness goals
   -can map your workout and diet data against your friends
   -a personal example for me is Cafewell. My health insurance company allowed me to get a free digital pedometer through the company that tracks all of my steps via a USB connection to my computer. The community just recently completed our walk from the earth to the moon!



7. Facebook's Interest Lists
   -this is new in the last few weeks on Facebook. You can now create a filtered news feed (much like a Twitter list) and follow the news you really want to see. Read about it at techcrunch and mashable.



8. Facebook's Timeline for Brands
   -starting on 3/30 (that's about 15 minutes from me typing this), Timeline will go live for Facebook Brand Pages. This will give fans a rich visual experience. Read about it here and here.



9. Incentive Advertising within Games
   -Usually pushed at the moment of 'leveling-up' - I can vouch for this one. Has caused me to pay the .99 or 1.99 for certain games my 5 year old loves to play on my iPod (you know, Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, etc.) to avoid all of the adds.



10. Subscription Shopping
    -think of the old wine of the month clubs or CD of the month clubs. This is a huge boom right now. People are looking for a voice in the noise. Example is Birchbox - have a beauty box delivered to your door. Someone else picks out samples you can try out for $10/month to cut through all of the possibilities. Let someone else do your filtering. Thinking about this, I would LOVE to have someone listen to all of the information noise online related to what I do and present me with an executive summary once/week that I could just read to stay up on everything without having to do all of the filtering myself. I'm sure people are making careers out of doing just that. Hey, that would be a pretty cool job. If that's all I had to do all day, I would love it. My problem is I have to do that AND do my job!



11. Video and Livestreaming
    -This will be the main focus of her new company. Example are the press conferences she did in Facebook during her time there. She launched the live streaming industry with her media partnerships around the US Presidential Inauguration and was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2011 for her innovative TV/online coverage of the 2010 mid-term elections.



12. Gamification of Everything
    -Gympact - declare how many times/wk you are going to go to the gym and check in while you are there. Do it enough and you will get paid to go to the gym.
    -Withings - for the VERY brave, a digital scale that tweets out your weight!

What a whirlwind tour of our digital reality these days. I thoroughly enjoyed Randi's talk and look forward to seeing great things from R to Z Media!

A Day in the Life of the Internet

Check out this infographic from Mashable to get a feel for how much 'stuff' happens in just one day on the Internet!

The Joy of Books

I love ebooks and audiobooks these days. It's just so much easier to not have to carry around a bunch of heavy books. However, as this video shows... there really is nothing like a REAL book. Enjoy!

Museums-A-Minute - A Stellar LibGuide

Check out this great LibGuide: Museums-A-Minute. Okay, now here's the back story:

The Office of Commonwealth Libraries, within the Pennsylvania Department of Education has made it possible for many libraries thoughout the state to have access to LibGuides. Penny Talbert, Executive Director of the Ephrata Public Library, received training from the state to teach us here in our Library System how to use LibGuides. I assisted her with her training back in December and LOVE the product. I've viewed many of them over the last few years (Buffy Hamilton is a champion of them), but had never had the opportunity to build my own.

I'm playing with one of my own right now, but it's not ready for public consumption. However, Keith Greenawalt, Public Services Manager at Ephrata Public Library has created a BEAUTIFUL LibGuide called Museums-A-Minute for a program he will be doing in March. It is a collection of museums and historic sites that are within 2 hours of Ephrata. He includes a brief description and contact information for each museum. Plus, they are broken into categories only a librarian could design so beautifully. He also includes information on each of the museum pass partners in our Library System.

Thank you Keith for putting together this wonderful resource that will benefit many in our county and beyond! Plus, Keith has the BEST profile pic ever... as I said in my comment on the site:

"I have to say your profile pic is priceless. At first I was like, why is Abe his face and then there you are at the bottom with the best angle and expression... just made me laugh and feel joy about history at the same time. That's pretty phenomenal since I don't click well with history! Well done!"

Now that should make you want to take a look if nothing else...