The following workshops and webinars have been scheduled for December 2010. To register access the Continuing Education Calendar of Events @ http://evanced.info/cslib/evanced/eventcalendar.asp
Effective Communication: Making Your Point (Nicely) - Dec. 3rd (Wallingford PL)
Join us for an informative, interactive and fun half-day customer service seminar appropriate for all levels of library staff and management! Effective Communication: Making Your Point (Nicely) will offer active listening and assessment techniques that will help you get your message out as you communicate proactively with patrons and staff. Using the correct words and phrases can stop trouble before it starts! From making your point (nicely) to getting them to see it your way, we'll discuss how to talk so patrons (and people in general) will listen.
Topics will include:
Active versus passive sentences; little changes make a big impact!
Assessing your "audience"
Building a persuasive message in minutes
Body language
Good will
Register @ http://bit.ly/WqwBQF
Introduction to WordPress Websites - Dec. 7th (MLSC)
Looking for a simple way to have an attractive and useful web presence? One that is easy to maintain as well? Sound too good to be true? Come learn how it can be done with Wordpress. Wordpress is a content management system that lets you create and maintain a website without learning complex & expensive web development software. At the end of the workshop you'll be able to update your Wordpress website from any computer that has an internet connection.
Not sure if you have Wordpress available to you? Check with your website hosting service, they'll be able to help you. There are also services that let you set up a Wordpress site for free. During this workshop we'll provide you with a temporary Wordpress website that you can use as a model for later development.
In this session we'll cover
How Wordpress helps you organize your information
Setting up an easy to update page for news.
Changing the look of your site through the use of themes.
Options for letting people leave comments on your site.
Incorporating content from blogs, flickr and other services.
Adding media content on your pages.
And much more!
Register @ http://bit.ly/SnGQhw
Introduction to Word 2010 - Dec. 11th (WLSC)
You may already be familiar with creating basic documents or adding images to Microsoft Word, but did you know you can also add shapes, charts, and tables, as well as create mailing labels and bibliographies? In this workshop, you will explore these tools and more.
Prerequisite: Must have basic knowledge of Microsoft Word, or have taken Introduction to Word.
Registers @ http://bit.ly/R9c3q6
Introduction to Excel 2010 - Dec. 11th (WLSC)
Learn how to create basic spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. In this hands-on course you will learn how to enter, format, and sort data, as well as create charts and perform basic mathematical functions. We will also dress-up our documents with images and wordart.
Registers @ http://bit.ly/Uu1VH3
Communicating Proactively - Dec. 12th (South Windsor PL)
Many of the most successful people in life have one thing in common - excellent communication skills. This is both an art and a skill. Everyone at one point has experienced a conversation where they feel like the other person is speaking a completely different language. Find out what it takes to communicate clearly and concisely the first time. You will learn how to ask the right questions to save you time, money and aggravation.
Learning Objectives:
Read and interpret non-verbal and verbal cues
Use effective listening skills
Understand why communication breakdowns occur and how to overcome them
Develop communication strategies for different personality types
Understand how to communicate more effectively using powerful phrases and questions
Registers @ http://bit.ly/SOr5kU
Redesigning Library Flyers in Publisher 2010 - Dec. 13th (MLSC)
Do your flyers have the impact you want? This course combines a discussion on flyer design as well as, a hands on approach to redoing flyers. We'll be talking about what makes an effective flyer while critiquing your samples and samples of your fellow students. We'll then go to the computers to do "makeovers' with our knew found knowledge. A working knowledge of Microsoft Publisher is required for this class. Please bring samples of your work and an open mind.
Topics include:
*Identifying the elements of good flyer design
*Determining what makes some flyers work better than others
*Seeing the effect of color and fonts on flyers
*Opening your eyes to the flyer world around you
*Using your own good judgment to redo sample flyers
Registers @ http://bit.ly/XdPe9t
Punching Up YA Outreach with Technology - Dec. 21st (MLSC)
This workshop will explore free, simple tools that librarians can use to connect teens with school and public libraries. These will include social media like Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest; texting and group-email tools; and online YA groups that will more deeply engage teens in library activities. Attendees will receive practical advice for selecting the best tools and tips on implementing them.
Registers @ http://bit.ly/XdPe9t
December OCLC/WebJunction Webinars:
Outreach Programs in Rural Communities: Simple Steps for Surprising Results - Dec. 6, 2012 @ 2 pm EST
Registration: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/Outreach_Programs_in_Rural_Communities.html
The PEARL Promoting and Enhancing the Advancement of Rural Libraries) Project has been successful in helping Texas rural librarians reach out to groups and organizations in their communities and to raise visibility of and appreciation for their libraries. Community outreach plans, designed to identify and fill a need in the community, are at the heart of this unique model. The process is supported by an actionable template which leads participants from community assessment, through strategic planning, to implementation, and concludes with evaluating outcomes. This webinar, co-sponsored with WebJunction and the Association for Rural & Small Libraries, will explore the outstanding results achieved by participants in the PEARL project and share how community outreach plans have led to unexpected outcomes and some surprising results.
What Would Walt Do?: Quality Customer Service for Libraries - Dec. 12, 2012 @ 1 pm EST
Registration: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/What_Would_Walt_Do.html
Looking for some magic to improve customer service in your library? The Disney Institute on Quality Service has set high standards for creating a quality customer experience and their ideas can be applied at your library. Our panel of Colorado librarians attended the Disney Institute Quality Service preconference sponsored by ALA's LearnRT at the annual conference in Anaheim in 2012. Since then, they've been waving their magic wands to improve customer service in Colorado libraries and they'd like to share their discoveries with you. Learn how to define quality service, set a common purpose for all library staff, and better understand your customers. You'll walk away with ideas to make your library's customer service sparkle.
ONLINE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: WEBJUNCTION CONNECTICUT
If you are unable to attend a workshop visit WebJunction Connecticut to find over 350 online courses http://www.webjunction.org/partners/connecticut.html
To Preview the Course Catalog: https://oclc.plateau.com/plateau/user/site/browseCatalog.do OR Request Course Access visit: https://www.webjunction.org/find-training/request-access/
Free online courses for Connecticut library staff through the WebJunction Connecticut website. The course list includes, but is not limited to:
A+ Essentials 2009: Troubleshooting Computers and Printers
Accompanying the Young Reader: Helping the Reader Choose Appropriate Books (LibraryU)
Basic Presentation Skills: Delivering a Presentation
Customer Service Fundamentals: Building Rapport
Developing Motivating Messages (LibraryU)
Google(tm) Apps
JavaScript Language Basics
Keeping It Simple: Developing a Marketing Plan for Your Library
Marketing Essentials
Merchandising That Works
Planning Story Times for Children
Readers Advisory Services
Web Development Fundamentals
Kris Abery
Continuing Education Coordinator
Connecticut State Library
231 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
Tele: 860.704.2206
Fax: 704.2228
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CTStateLibrary
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/LibraryofCT