WebJunction for New Library Directors www'webjunction'org

1
WebJunction for New Library Directorswww.webjunc
tion.org
Presented by Marianne Lenox WebJunction
Advocate and Staff Training and Development
Coordinator Huntsville Madison County Public
Library August 2005 For the Alabama Public
Library Service
2
Agenda

• Background
• Site Overview
• How to Get Involved
• Courses
• Community
• Especially for New Directors
• Searching WebJunction
• Status
• Collaboration Opportunities
• Contact Information
• Evaluation

3
Background

• The Bill Melinda Gates Foundations U.S.
  Library Program
• 46,000 computers
• 11,000 libraries in the United States and Canada
• Five-year initiative
• Targeting public libraries serving less-affluent
  communities
• May 2002 Bill Melinda Gates Foundation awarded
  OCLC a three-year grant
• Purpose Carry forward the Foundations work

4
The Mission

• Build an online community for public access
  computing
• Support front-line staff at libraries and other
  organizations
• Create a forum for collaborative knowledge and
  experience sharing
• Focus on information technology policy and
  practice

5
The Partners
6
Laying the Groundwork

• Needs Assessment
• Focus Groups
• Electronic Surveys
• Gates Trainer Sessions
• Site visits
• Industry Experts

• Libraries Need
• Staff Training
• Continuing Education
• Technical Support
• Management Planning Assistance
• Fundraising Sustainability Support
• Personalized Experience
• Peer Networks

7
A Cry for Help

• we dont have the funding to attract,
  compensate or retain staff who are experts in
  computing and training issues
• our biggest problem is keeping the computers
  running
• we cannot keep up with technology, its moving
  too fast!!!

8
And an answer
9
Philosophy
READ
LEARN
SHARE
10
Site Organization
11
Policies and Practices

• Guidance on technology planning, acceptable use
  policies, accessibility issues, marketing
  strategies, and research and statistics on
  technology in libraries.

12
Technology and Resources

• Practical tips, tools and information to help
  with computer and Internet issues in your public
  access computing program.

13
Buying and Funding
Information about buying discounted hardware and
software for your library, as well as ideas and
practices focused on funding of programs for
libraries.
14
Services to Libraries
Content organized by target audience rather than
subject, including small communities, children's
resources, and Web resources for patrons.
15
Learning Center
Online courses, downloadable lessons, training
tips and other tools.
16
Community Center
A place where WebJunction members meet and greet,
discuss issues via the message boards and
personal email, share success stories and advice,
and gain recognition through an awards program.
17
Site Organization Follows Our Philosophy

• All Tabs
• Policies and Practices
• Technology Resources
• Buying and Funding
• Services to Libraries
• Learning Center
• Community Center

READ
18
Site Organization Follows Our Philosophy

• Fifth Tab
• Learning Center

LEARN
19
Site Organization Follows Our Philosophy

• Sixth Tab
• Discussions
• Regular Features
• Get Involved

SHARE
20
Other Site Tools
Site Map
FAQ
Glossary
Help
Choose a Community or stay global
Search the Main Site
Sign In
Registration
Current Focus
Cool Tools
Top Issues
21
Wait!Im so confused!
22
HELP!
23
IS ON THE WAY
24
(No Transcript)
25
(No Transcript)
26
With contextual help, the Introductory tutorial
covers Getting Started, The WebJunction
Community, Using WebJunction. Theyll even show
you how to access the site with keyboard
shortcuts!
27
Click on the word Help in the top right corner
of any page.
28
Find hints about viewing the site, the
registration process and other relevant tips.
29
Now we need to register so that we can access the
online courses and participate in the discussions
30
More Reasons to Register

• Help us shape the future content and
  functionality
• Connect with other members via the Member
  Directory
• Receive Crossroads monthly electronic newsletter
• Receive communications on member programs and
  events (both online and offline)

31

• And best of all
• its FREE!!!

32
From almost any page at WebJunction.org click on
the light blue registration button.
33
To Register, choose a Username and password. All
fields with an Asterisk must be completed. Be
sure to accept the WJ Terms of Use!
34
Courses Overview

• Some For Free
• Most WebJunction courses are free, as they were
  created under the original grant.
• Some For Fee
• Prices between 25.00 and 50.00 each.
• Course collections from 59.95 to 119.95
• Authored by Mindleaders.com

35
(No Transcript)
36
(No Transcript)
37
Course Details

• Click on any course name to get more details

38
Course Purchasing

• Click on Purchase to initiate the WebJunction
  Learning Center Store.
• There is a FAQ which explains several issues
  regarding the fees.

39
Course Enrolling

• Click on Enroll Now to launch a new window with
  your course.
• You may hop in or out of your course at any time

40
(No Transcript)
41
Using the Community Center

• GET INVOLVED!

42
(No Transcript)
43
(No Transcript)
44
(No Transcript)
45
(No Transcript)
46
(No Transcript)
47
Thank you so much.It worked like a
charm.WebJunction Forum User
48
(No Transcript)
49
What can WebJunction do for individual library
staff?

• Connect and share information with a wide network
  of similar individuals and/or libraries
• Take advantage of learning opportunities
• Receive updated content regarding technology in a
  central location
• Individuals will not be charged for access to the
  site, groups such as states will provide access

50
But what can it do for you, the new Director?
51
Policies and Practices

• Guidance on technology planning, acceptable use
  policies, accessibility issues, marketing
  strategies, and research and statistics on
  technology in libraries.

52
Exploring Policies and Practices
53
(No Transcript)
54
(No Transcript)
55
(No Transcript)
56
(No Transcript)
57
(No Transcript)
58
Buying and Funding
Information about buying discounted hardware and
software for your library, as well as ideas and
practices focused on funding of programs for
libraries.
59
(No Transcript)
60
(No Transcript)
61
Policies
62
(No Transcript)
63
Acceptable Use Policies
64
But I have a specific question

• And Webjunction has specific answers!
• There are two ways to search the site

65
(No Transcript)
66
(No Transcript)
67
(No Transcript)
68
(No Transcript)
69
(No Transcript)
70
(No Transcript)
71
(No Transcript)
72
Status

• Launched Version 1.0 - May 2003
• Over 12,000 members since launch
• Course catalog 40 online courses
• Highly active discussion community
• Community contributed edited content
• Publishing monthly electronic newsletter,
  Crossroads
• Weekly content updates
• 8 Community Partner sites (state specific)
• Special Projects
• Spanish Outreach,
• PAComputing
• SunSITE lists
• Rural Libraries and More!

73
How to get involved

• Register today
• Take advantage of the eLearning opportunities
• Become part of our evaluation team
• Join in the forum discussions on All Aboard
• Apply for a WebJunction Award (or nominate
  someone else!)
• Receive our monthly newsletter, Crossroads
• Network with other community members
• Submit articles, newsletter, or content
  suggestions
• Volunteer to be a WebJunction trainer or guest
  editor
• Help us get the word out !!!

74
Wed like to hear from you

• Have you heard about WJand if so, where and
  when?
• Have you visited the site?
• What did you find useful?
• What did you like?
• What could be improved?
• New ideas?

75
For more information

• Please feel free to contact me!
• Marianne Lenox
• Staff Training and Development Coordinator
• Huntsville Madison County Public Library
• Email mlenox_at_hpl.lib.al.us
• Phone [phone]
• OR visit the Contact Us page on WebJunction!

76
THANK YOU !!!
And Finally

• Please fill out the attached evaluation and let
  us know how this presentation may be improved.