Posts Tagged website design

The “Soft Skills” for Academic Library Web Project Managers: ASIST&T 2009 Preconference

September 1, 2009 at 5:55 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , ,

Dear Colleagues,

Do you manage web-related projects at your institution? Are you interested in doing so? If you’ve managed a web project before, you know that the “soft skills” are actually quite hard. This all-day ASIS&T preconference workshop is focused on communication, teamwork, and usability for web managers, programmers, technical staff and anyone who may be called upon to manage a web project within the library environment. Jody Condit Fagan and Jennifer A. Keach offer practical guidance based on managing web projects within academic libraries of all sizes. Their book, Web Project Management for Academic Libraries, will be published by Chandos Press in October 2009.

The preconference is Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, 9:00am – 5:00pm, in Vancouver, BC, at the ASIS&T Annual Meeting.  Full details can be found on our preconference homepage:
http://sites.google.com/site/pm4web/Home/asis-t-2009

Register at: https://www.asis.org/Conferences/AM09/softskills.html

Info about the book: http://www.neal-schuman.com/bdetail.php?isbn=9781843345039

Jody Condit Fagan
James Madison University
Carrier Library MSC 1704
Harrisonburg, VA 22807

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Register Now for Upcoming ACRL e-Learning Opportunities

August 12, 2009 at 3:38 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

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Registration is now open for the following e-learning opportunities from ACRL. Stretch your professional development budget by registering now for these affordable distance learning courses and events! For more information on each course, including a link to online registration and registration fees, please visit the course page by clicking the course title. Space is limited, so register now to reserve your seat!

Registration for all online seminars and Webcasts starting after September 1, 2009 qualifies for the new Frequent Learner Program. Register for three, get one free.

Keep up-to-date with upcoming ACRL e-Learning opportunities by subscribing to our RSS feed.

August

Cyber Zed Shed Webcast Series 1: Facebook, Twitter, and Sprout (Live Webcast: August 18, 2009) – Miss the ACRL 14th National Conference in Seattle or one of the Cyber Zed Shed presentations? Now is your chance to check out what you may have missed!  The first in a series of Cyber Zed Shed Webcasts will be feature 20 minute presentations on Facebook, Twitter and Sprout with ample time for questions and discussion.

September

Web Design and Construction for Libraries Part 1: XHTML and CSS (Online Seminar: September 7 – October 2, 2009) – This course focuses on the basics of Web site planning and design and content development with a concentration on academic libraries. The course will also examine Web standards, usability, and accessibility. XHTML and CSS (external) will be introduced. Students will plan and design a representative site during the course.

Introduction to Website Usability (Online Seminar: September 14 – October 2, 2009) – For very little investment in staff hours and training you can reap tremendous benefits by connecting with the users of your library Web site and web based applications through usability testing. This three-week course is designed for the librarian or library IT staff person who is interested in setting up a usability program but doesn’t know where to begin.

Information Commons 101 (Live Webcast: September 22, 2009)
Is your institution in the planning phase for a library renovation or addition that includes a space that will serve as an information or learning commons?  If so, this Webcast will provide an overview of some of the key planning components you should take into consideration as you develop a program for the facility.

October

Instructional Design for Online Teaching and Learning (Online Seminar: October 5-31, 2009)
In this hands-on course the intellectual focus will be on using good instructional design and Web page design principles. Participants will also be introduced to Web-based Teaching techniques and materials using standard Web pages and the Moodle LMS. Coursework will result in a completed instructional design plan for an instructional unit.

Copyright and the Library Part 1: The Basics Including the DMCA (Online Seminar: October 5 – 23, 2009)
This course will focus on building understanding of current copyright law, creating a “copyright palette” for partcipants’ libraries, and assessing a library’s legal risk with regard to current U.S. copyright law. Additionally, participants will build an understanding of the Fair Use clause, as well as how to legally apply fair use in the library, classroom and broader campus environments.

Next Generation Information Commons: Retooling and Refining the Vision (Live Webcast: October 13, 2009)
Some information commons are now more than ten years old and are in need of refreshing in terms of conception, configuration, technologies, and services. Others are so popular that additions are planned, either adjacent to the existing commons, on other floors, or in other buildings on campus. Through the use of principles and practical examples, participants will learn about trends in information and learning commons.

The Role of the Librarian in Combating Student Plagiarism (Live Webcast: October 20, 2009)
Like other educators, librarians are aware of the growing instances of student plagiarism and academic dishonesty that take place on college campuses. Librarians frequently discuss discipline faculty’s revulsion toward the growth of student plagiarism that has seemingly grown in tandem with our society’s dependence on digital texts found on the Internet. This Webcast examines strategies libraries and librarians can implement to reduce plagiarism on campus.

Complete details are available on the ACRL e-Learning Web site. For more information about ACRL e-Learning opportunities, contact ACRL Web Services Manager Jon Stahler at jstahler@ala.org.

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Register Now for Upcoming e-Learning Opportunities from ACRL!

May 6, 2009 at 4:30 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

via ili-l

Registration is now open for the following e-learning opportunities from ACRL.  Stretch your professional budget by registering now for these affordable distance learning courses and events! For more information on each course, including a link to online registration and registration fees, please visit the course page by clicking the course title.  Space is limited, so register now to reserve your seat!

Keep up to date with upcoming e-Learning opportunities from ACRL via the new RSS feed!  Subscribe today at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/acrl_elearning.

May

Design Thinking (Blended Librarianship) (Live Webcast: May 14, 2009)
There is an extensive body of literature on information literacy and the importance of librarian-faculty collaboration in achieving it. The workshop will bring a new perspective on information literacy and collaboration through a conceptual framework the workshop leaders refer to as “Blended Librarianship.”

For more information, including a link to online registration, please visit the course page located at:
http://www.acrl.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/events/elearning/courses/blendedlibrarianship.cfm

Electronic Collection Development (Multi-week Online Course: May 18 – June 6, 2009)
In this hands-on course you will learn to create an academic e-library collection development plan for free and fee-based Web-accessible resources for a patron community of your choice. Students will focus on developing a collection plan for one library patron group of their choice. Patron groups may include: faculty, students, researchers, general public, subject specialists, etc. This collection plan will be developed in five parts. Each part includes lecture, discussion and hands-on activities that will step participants through creating or assessing a collection plan for developing a e-library collection.

For more information, including a link to online registration, please visit the course page located at:

http://www.acrl.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/events/elearning/courses/ecolldev.cfm

Web Design and Construction for Libraries Part 2 (Multi-week Online Course: May 18 – June 13, 2009)
This four-week course builds on the work completed in “Web Design and Construction for Academic Libraries, Part 1.” Participants will learn about advanced CSS design, accessible menus, and re-Javascript and will review multimedia (FLASH, Quicktime etc.), Web-accessible database applications (PHP, MYSQL, ASP etc.), and content management software options.

For more information, including a link to online registration, please visit the course page located at:

http://www.acrl.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/events/elearning/courses/webdesign2.cfm

June/July

Podcasting for Libraries (Live Webcast: June 2, 2009: 2PM Eastern/11AM Pacific)
Podcasting is like an Internet radio show, or a blog with audio.  It uses the power of RSS syndication to automatically deliver new episodes to listeners.  There are millions of podcasts available, covering nearly any topic imaginable.  Any library can produce a podcast using free software and inexpensive hardware.  If you can post to a blog and talk into a microphone, you can create a podcast.  How can your library use podcasting as a tool for teaching, promotion, outreach and programming?

For more information, including a link to online registration, please visit the course page located at:

http://www.acrl.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/events/elearning/courses/podcasting.cfm

Virtual Reference Competencies (Multi-week Online Course: June 22 – July 31, 2009)
In this six-week seminar, participants will engage in learning activities, supported by readings as well as lecture and discussion, to acquire and improve the technical competencies required by effective virtual reference librarians. During this course, engage in learning activities supported by readings as well as lecture and discussion, to practice and expand the communications competencies required by effective virtual reference librarians.

For more information, including a link to online registration, please visit the course page located at:

http://www.acrl.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/events/elearning/courses/VirtualReference.cfm

For more information about any of the above courses or webcasts, please contact ACRL Web Services Manager, Jon Stahler, at jstahler@ala.org.

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Register Now for Upcoming ACRL e-Learning Opportunities!

April 21, 2009 at 4:01 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , , ,

via cjc-l

Registration is now open for the following e-learning opportunities from ACRL.  Stretch your professional budget by registering now for these affordable distance learning courses and events! For more information on each course, including a link to online registration and registration fees, please visit the course page by clicking the course title.  Space is limited, so register now to reserve your seat!

ACRL is excited to announce the introduction of the ACRL e-Learning RSS feed. Stay up to date on affordable professional development opportunities!  Subscribe today at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/acrl_elearning.

Multi-week courses

Electronic Collection Development (May 18 – June 6, 2009)
In this hands-on course you will learn to create an academic e-library collection development plan for free and fee-based Web-accessible resources for a patron community of your choice. Students will focus on developing a collection plan for one library patron group of their choice. Patron groups may include: faculty, students, researchers, general public, subject specialists, etc. This collection plan will be developed in five parts. Each part includes lecture, discussion and hands-on activities that will step participants through creating or assessing a collection plan for developing a e-library collection.

Web Design and Construction for Libraries Part 2 (May 18 – June 13, 2009)
This four-week course builds on the work completed in “Web Design and Construction for Academic Libraries, Part 1.” Participants will learn about advanced CSS design, accessible menus, and re-Javascript and will review multimedia (FLASH, Quicktime etc.), Web-accessible database applications (PHP, MYSQL, ASP etc.), and content management software options.

Virtual Reference Competencies (June 22 – July 31, 2009)
In this six-week seminar, participants will engage in learning activities, supported by readings as well as lecture and discussion, to acquire and improve the technical competencies required by effective virtual reference librarians. During this course, engage in learning activities supported by readings as well as lecture and discussion, to practice and expand the communications competencies required by effective virtual reference librarians.

Live Webcasts

From Encounters to Experiences: Using Design Thinking to Create a User Experience (April 23, 2009: 2PM Eastern/11AM Pacific)
Convenient. Simple. Unexpected. Impressive. The Age of User Experience has forever altered the expectations of American consumers, especially the younger generations that are the academic libraries significant user population. To successfully reach and engage these users academic librarians must master the art of adaptability. Many organizations are learning they must go beyond traditional customer service into the new realm of user experience design. Doing so requires new skills and a willingness to evolve professionally. This webcast will explore how user experience design may help academic librarians to offer their users more than just transactions. Moving from transactions to experiences can enable the library to exceed user expectations. Steven Bell, co-author of Academic Librarianship by Design and lead blogger at Designing Better Libraries, will introduce user experience as a strategy library workers can use to transform routine products and service into memorable experiences that exceed user expectations.

Design Thinking (Blended Librarianship) (May 14, 2009: 2PM Eastern/11AM Pacific)
There is an extensive body of literature on information literacy and the importance of librarian-faculty collaboration in achieving it. The workshop will bring a new perspective on information literacy and collaboration through a conceptual framework the workshop leaders refer to as “Blended Librarianship.”

Podcasting for Libraries (June 2, 2009: 2PM Eastern/11AM Pacific)
Podcasting is like an Internet radio show, or a blog with audio.  It uses the power of RSS syndication to automatically deliver new episodes to listeners.  There are millions of podcasts available, covering nearly any topic imaginable.  Any library can produce a podcast using free software and inexpensive hardware.  If you can post to a blog and talk into a microphone, you can create a podcast.  How can your library use podcasting as a tool for teaching, promotion, outreach and programming?

For more information about any of the above courses or webcasts, please contact ACRL Web Services Manager Jon Stahler at jstahler@ala.org.

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Registration is Now Open for Upcoming ACRL e-Learning Courses – Web Design Part 1 and Information Commons 101

February 6, 2009 at 8:44 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , ,

Registration is now open for two ACRL e-Learning events.  Please take a moment to review ACRL’s upcoming e-Learning course offerings.     Details for each event are below:

Web Design and Construction for Libraries Part 1: XHTML and CSS

An ACRL Online Seminar
March 2 – 28, 2009

Registration is now open!

Course Description:
This course focuses on the basics of Web site planning and design and content development with a concentration on academic libraries. The course will also examine Web standards, usability, and accessibility. XHTML and CSS (external) will be introduced. Students will be expected to be able to create a basic HTML Web page before beginning the course. However XHTML/HTML basics tutorials will be provided for those who need more practice. Students will plan and design a representative site during the course.

Designing Web Sites for Academic Libraries, Part 1. is a primarily asynchronous seminar, allowing participants to work through course material at times convenient to them throughout the week. Participants may also choose to schedule online chat time with the teacher, as they feel necessary. Specific material and activities are expected to be covered during each week of the course. Threaded discussion forums will be available for use in activities and other course-related conversations.

Registration fees:
ACRL member: $135
ALA member: $175
CACUL member: Can$195 (charges will be made in U.S. dollars)
Nonmember: $195
Student: $60

For more details on this event, including registration, please visit http://www.acrl.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/proftools/courses/webdesign.cfm

Information Commons 101: Principles and Good Practices

Live Webcast
February 24, 2009
11 am Pacific | 12:00 p.m. Mountain | 1:00 p.m. Central | 2:00 p.m. Eastern – 1.5 hours

Webcast Description:
Is your institution in the planning phase for a library renovation or addition that includes a space that will serve as an information or learning commons?  If so, this webcast will provide an overview of some of the key planning components you should take into consideration as you develop a program for the facility.  Today’s information or learning commons combine access to digital and print content, access to technology, access to expert assistance, and often access to other campus services.  Many institutions focus on selecting furniture and choosing equipment as they plan their commons, and they postpone discussion of some of the elements that can actually be key to the success of their facility – namely, the kinds of services that will be offered and the kinds of staff expertise that will be available.

The presentation will include many photos of information commons to illustrate specific points.

Registration fees:
ACRL member: $50
ALA member: $75
CACUL member: Can$90 (charges will be made in U.S. dollars)
Nonmember: $90
Student: $40

Group Rate: $295 – Stretch your institution’s professional development budget further by taking advantage of the ACRL group registration rate!

For more details on this event, including registration, please visit http://www.acrl.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/proftools/courses/infocommons101.cfm

Questions about ACRL e-Learning courses and events?  Please contact Jon Stahler (jstahler@ala.org) at (800) 545-2433 x2511!

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“Web Design & Construction for Libraries” (Beginners) Web-based Course

November 20, 2008 at 7:56 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , ,

via LIB_REF

Register to work -at-your-own-pace anytime with a teacher to respond and support your work.

(beginners) Web Design & Construction for Libraries Part 1: XHTML and CSS
Syllabus at http://kovacs.com/wdpart1.html Self-paced registration http://kovacs.com/register.html

This hands-on course focuses on the basics of Web site planning and design and content development. The course will also examine Web standards, usability, and accessibility. XHTML and CSS (external) will be introduced.  The course begins with XHTML/HTML basics tutorials and a practice activity to make sure everyone has the basic skills. Students will plan and design a representative site during the course.

Designing Web Sites for Academic Libraries, Part 1. is a primarily asynchronous seminar, allowing participants to work through course material at times convenient to them. The instructor will provide feedback to all completed work via email. Participants may also choose to schedule online chat time with the teacher, as they feel necessary.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Plan and design a Web site for Usability and simple Accessibility for selected users/groups.
2. Understand and apply Web Standards
3. Develop basic Web site contents for selected users/groups.
4. Use DreamWeaver (MX2004 or higher preferred) *OR* a text editor to create usable, accessible, and interesting Web pages. You may use FrontPage or other HTML editor if you already know what you are doing with it.

Participants will end the session with a completed Web site plan, design, and a main Web page that illustrates how the design will be implemented and will allow for minimal usability and accessibility testing. These pages will also be validated XHTML with external cascading style sheets.

On completion of the course each registrant will receive a certificate of completion for 30 Continuing Education Contact Hours*. *Note that some organizations calculate Web-based CE hours on 2 or 3-1 ratio – so for example this course may be evaluated as 15 or 10 ‘official’ CE hours depending on the organization.

Tuition $225

(intermediate) Web Design & Construction for Libraries Part 2: CSS and Javascript
will begin where Web Design & Construction for Libraries Part 1: XHTML and CSS (beginners) ends. Web Design & Construction for Libraries Part 3: Building Library 2.0 (advanced) is under development.
Syllabus at http://kovacs.com/wdpart2.html Self-paced registration http://kovacs.com/register.html Tuition $225

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Conflict in the Peaceful Library has a new start time

September 3, 2008 at 6:59 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

The next WebJunction webinar, Conflict in the Peaceful Library, has a new start time. The one-hour webinar will now be held on September 16, 9 AM Pacific/12 PM Eastern. We apologize greatly for any inconvenience this may cause you, but the schedule change was unavoidable.

You do not need to re-register or do anything special to accommodate the time change.

If you are not able to make it to the live webinar, it will be recorded and made available on the WebJunction website here: http://www.webjunction.org/community-webinars/articles/content/9004175

We apologize for the inconvenience the schedule change causes, but unfortunately, it was unavoidable.

Here is a list of other upcoming WebJunction Webinars (Times listed inCentral Time Zone):

Conflict in a Peaceful Library (UPDATE: Start time has changed to 11 AM Central)
When: Tuesday September 16th, 2008 – 11:00 AM
UPDATE: The start time has changed for this webinar! This webinar will now begin at 11 AM Central.

Conflict happens! Many of us try to avoid it, some fight with it, some seem to enjoy it and still others seem to handle it with tact and skill. What’s the secret to effectively handling situations of conflict? How can we de-emotionalize ourselves to the situations so that we don’t get caught up in them?

Join Andrew Sanderbeck as he explores our dealings with others in the library by defining the conflict situation and using one of three approaches to successfully handle or resolve it. If you don’t like to be yelled at by other people, you’ll really enjoy this fun and interactive webinar.

Public computers and 2.0 Tools (MaintainIT Cookbook Webinar)
When: Wednesday September 17th, 2008 – 01:00 PM

Grab a comfy chair and participate in a 30-minute discussion where contributors to the Cookbooks share their insights, their secrets, and what you can do to get started with projects like theirs. Join Robin Hastings from the Missouri River Regional Library as she talks about the steps they have taken to foster a 2.0 friendly environment at their library, for both staff and library users. By setting up a flexible computing environment and creating innovative learning opportunities, this creative professional has helped her community make the most of collaborative technologies. Take 30 minutes out of your day to learn from the experiences of others and get something started.

Teaching The Redesigned (New) Naturalization Test
When: Thursday September 25th, 2008 – 01:00 PM

This webinar will provide an overview of the redesigned (new) naturalization test, which will replace the current test on October 1, 2008. Join Dr. Michael Jones, Senior Advisor Immigrant Education, and Carlos Muñoz-Acevedo, Outreach Specialist, of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, as they cover the necessary skills and instructional methods needed by those who are preparing students to take the redesigned (new) naturalization test.

Visual Design: Theory & Best Practices for Library Websites
When: Tuesday October 7th, 2008 – 01:00 PM

Today, our users/patrons expect visually engaging and informative websites. The fonts, images, colors and styles of your web pages should support your mission, content, publicity and service goals. Join presenter Michael Leach as he highlights both theory and best practices that support a visually engaging website—what fonts should you choose; which styles work best for content presentation; what types of images and graphics convey information better; and how do colors influence users’ perceptions and use of a website.

Latinos and Public Library Perceptions
When: Tuesday October 14th, 2008 – 12:00 PM

WebJunction, in partnership with the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute, recently publised a research report detailing the results of a six-state telephone survey of over 2,860 adult Latinos completed in early 2008. Learn about the findings and implications of the study from WebJunction’s Laura Staley and researchers from TRPI.

Refugees 101
When: Thursday October 23rd, 2008 – 01:00 PM

In 1975 the United States began accepting large numbers of refugees in response to the Fall of Saigon. Over the next 33 years approximately 2.6 million refugees have been resettled in this country, and many of these individuals are now using our libraries. Join Valerie Wonder, Immigrant & Refugee Programs Manager at Seattle Public Library (WA) and Homa Naficy Manager of Multicultural Education and Outreach Services at Hartford Public Library (CT) as they provide an overview of refugee resettlement in the United States including information on recent refugee populations. She will also highlight some successful approaches to serving refugees in public libraries. Before working for SPL, Valerie was the Community Programs Manager for the International Rescue Committee’s Seattle office where she specialized in refugee services.

Branding Libraries and Their Services
When: Friday November 7th, 2008 – 01:00 PM

We are surrounded by brands in our world—visual representations of a manufactured good or some service that allows a customer/user/patron to quickly identify the product/service. If someone says, “Golden arches,” you immediately think of a certain fast food restaurant. Any business or service can brand itself, for marketing and publicity purposes. But what is a brand? How are they created? What benefits do brands offer? What are the challenges facing a branding project? Can libraries effectively brand themselves and their services? If so, how? Join Michael Leach as he answers these and other questions, while providing a solid framework and background on what brands are and how they work.

24/7 Librarianship: Reaching Patrons With Digital Tutorials
When: Wednesday November 12th, 2008 – 01:00 PM

Join guest speaker Marcia Dority Baker of Schmid Law Library,University of Nebraska College of Law as she explains how libraries can use digital tutorials to reach customers around the clock. She will discuss how digital tutorials can support learning and instruction as well as provide access to information and educational resources to customers when the doors of the library are closed.

We will explore: what is a digital tutorial, how libraries can use digital tutorials, help brain-storm ideas on how all types of libraries could be creative with limited budget and staff resources, and include tips on free video software librarians could use to get started.

Bite-size Digital History
When: Wednesday December 3rd, 2008 – 10:00 AM

Join guest presenter Katie Artzner of the Foundation Center for a half-hour overview of ideas for creating local digital history documentaries in short, bite-size form using Microsoft PhotoStory 3. We will explore: what makes a good local history digital history documentary, a few nuts and bolts of using Microsoft Photostory 3, and your ideas for what your library could do with them.

via BlogJunction

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2 ACRL e-Learning Events

August 4, 2008 at 9:33 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , ,

via cjc-l

Registration is now open for the following e-Learning events.  Reserve your seat today for these exciting programs!
 
Designing Web Sites for Academic Libraries, Part 2
September 1 – 27, 2008
 
This four-week course builds on the work completed in “Designing Web Sites for Academic Libraries, Part 1.” Learn about advanced CSS design, accessible menus, and re-Javascript. The course will also review multimedia (FLASH, Quicktime etc.), Web-accessible database applications (PHP, MYSQL, ASP etc.), and content management software options.
 
Keys to Innovation
September 9, 2008
11 a.m. Pacific | 12:00 p.m. Mountain | 1:00 p.m. Central | 2:00 p.m. Eastern
 
Discover new ways to look at innovation by participating in this interactive, live Webcast. Learn the differences between innovation and creativity. Be part of a discussion on the impact of an organization’s age on its innovation tendencies and learn the key environmental factors in creating an innovative culture. The Webcast will also cover the politics of innovation in complex organizations.
 
For more information about these and other upcoming learning opportunities, please visit the ACRL eLearning page at http://www.acrl.org/ala/acrl/acrlproftools/elearning.cfm.
 
Direct questions to Jon Stahler at jstahler@ala.org or call (312) 280-2511.

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TLA’s online webinars

July 31, 2008 at 2:54 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , ,

I got this one through email:

Texas Library Association’s contract with Neal-Schuman Professional Education Network is winding down, so I’m letting librarians know about some of the upcoming courses still available through that service. These courses are live library-related trainings with an expert instructor, but they are all either by conference call or online to avoid travel costs.

Topics include web design, copyright, maps, and RSS.

Early-bird registration through TLA means a 10% discount – but more than that, Neal-Schuman does not mind if you pack a room with as many library staff as you can. It would still be one registration fee even if 10 or 20 people (or more) participate in one room. Audio conferences normally cost $85 and web conferences normally cost $109, but again you have both the TLA discount and the possibility of multiple participants on one registration. For a web conference, you could hook your computer to an LCD projector and put 10 people in a room for only $9.81 per person.

A registration link is included with each course description below. There are more courses offered on their home page, but I’ve picked out the ones of special interest to academic libraries.

Library Web Site Usability Tools and Techniques: the Essentials

Thursday, September 11th, 2:00 pm
1-hour Web Conference with Terry Nikkel

http://www.neal-schumanpen.com/partnership/bins/calendar_page.asp?cid=2298

Ask typical users where they being their research on just about any topic, and nine out of 10 will tell you they use the Internet, for example Google, Yahoo!, or Wikipedia. Maybe two out of 100 will say they use the library. Despite the abundance—and accuracy—of information available on library Web sites, users often discover quickly that they involve confusing terms and syntax, or convoluted navigation and search procedures. One poor experience, and the library will lose yet another user to more familiar, intuitive information portals.

Copyright Issues in Distance Education

Friday, September 12th, 1:00 pm
1-hour Audio Conference with Arlene Bielefield

http://www.neal-schumanpen.com/partnership/bins/calendar_page.asp?cid=2139

Copyright is an issue that has remained on the leading edge of information because of the amount currently available. The Internet, distance education, and continuing emergence of new technologies are only a few examples of influences causing librarians and educators to be wary about copyright matters. Copyright is further complicated by legal verbiage that perplexes many. So where does a practicing librarian, educator, or promising researcher look for copyright information?

Cool Tools for Library Webmasters

Tuesday, September 9th, 1:00 pm
1-hour Web Conference with Darlene Fichter and Frank Cervone

http://www.neal-schumanpen.com/partnership/bins/calendar_page.asp?cid=2301

Tech Tuesdays: Talking with Techies Series

The Hidden Potential of Maps

Wednesday, October 1, 2008, 2:00 pm ET

1-hour Web Conference with Danial Duda

http://www.neal-schumanpen.com/partnership/bins/calendar_page.asp

Many people may not realize how rich a resource a map can be. A map is one of those resources that can answer many questions for many people: genealogists, historians, political scientists, sociologists, emergency response teams, police departments, military, and creative writers. This session will explain and give examples of these different approaches and where you can find more information about them.

Fast and Easy Site Tune-ups

Tuesday, October 7, 2008, 1:00 pm ET

1-hour Web Conference with Jeff Wisniewski

http://www.neal-schumanpen.com/partnership/bins/calendar_page.asp

Looking for ways to speed up, clean up, and optimize your site with minimal effort? These 35 1-minute upgrades show you how to fine-tune your sites code, design, and structure to make your site faster, more flexible, and more standards-compliant. Do one, do 10, or do them all to maximize your sites performance in minimal time.

The Secret to User-Centered Web Sites: Cheap, Easy & Effective Usability Techniques

Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 1:00 pm ET

1-hour Web Conference with Erica Reynolds

http://www.neal-schumanpen.com/partnership/bins/calendar_page.asp

Effective usability studies start before you ever write a line of code or design a single graphic. By using a variety of card sorting techniques and paper prototypes you can save tons of time, money, and stress. Discover the super-secret advantages for creating useful and usable Web sites and engaged staff and users by doing iterative testing. Take away tips to save you time and apply the results of your tests.

Creative Commons (CC): Copyright Alternative?

Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 1:00 pm ET

1-hour Web Conference with Michael Sauers

http://www.neal-schumanpen.com/partnership/bins/calendar_page.asp

With the debate over copyright raging, with some calling for the end of the “all rights reserved” regime, and libraries feeling like they’re caught in the middle, just what are the alternatives? CC is the most respected alternative available today with its idea of “some rights reserved” as set by the content creators themselves. Sauers talks about the principles of Creative Commons, shows how you can easily apply it to your intellectual property today, and how you can use CC to find material that you can legally reuse in the creation of new content.

Recent Trends in Digital Licensing

Thursday, November 6, 2008, 1:00 pm ET

1-hour Web Conference with Tomas A. Lipinski

http://www.neal-schumanpen.com/partnership/bins/calendar_page.asp

With the advent of full-text digital content becoming much more accessible in terms of quantity and quality, librarians are finding they need to become increasingly knowledgeable about negotiating various types of licenses. There is a lot to learn, and there are frequent changes and new formats to deal with! This session will introduce participants to key concepts and trends in the licensing of information content, as well as services for the library and related information settings. It includes a review of the law and the practice of licensing. An introduction to on-line contracting is included i.e. the EULA (end-user license agreement) common with many Web sites. The speaker has just completed researching and writing a full book on this topic, which should be available by the date of this session.

RSS: Let the information find you – then pass it on!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 1:00 pm ET

1-hour Web Conference with Wendy Rodgers

http://www.neal-schumanpen.com/partnership/bins/calendar_page.asp

RSS technology has been around for 10 years. Depending on where you look, it either “hasn’t really caught on” or it is “the next killer app”.  RSS feeds are an effective method of what one writer calls “information trapping.”  Another suggests that “as technological awareness grows [about tools like RSS], Googling anything becomes less necessary.” Taking advantage of RSS is now easier than ever.  Libraries can deliver RSS feeds as an information service to users, or use RSS for professional development and current awareness for staff.  Attend this session to find out what RSS is, how to consume it, how to deliver it, and how it can benefit your library.

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InfoCamp Seattle 2008

July 9, 2008 at 7:10 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged ,

Are you a librarian into user experience design? Got a website, content delivery service, or really cool idea you want to try out on a diverse professional audience?  Want to share ideas and enthusiasm with librarians, information architects, usability engineers, user experience designers, and other information professionals?

You can do just that at InfoCamp Seattle 2008, an unconference for the user-centered information industry! It’ll be in beautiful Seattle, in a renovated historic schoolhouse now called the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.  Save the date now: September 27-28, 2008.

Last year, a wide range of professionals and students participated in InfoCamp.  Here’s what one of them said about it:

“InfoCamp was great, and I highly encourage people to look for it next year, and also to look at other unconferences that are happening.”
–Sam Wallin (http://supercrazylibrarianguy.wordpress.com/2007/10/15/barcampinfocamp
- Used with author’s permission)

We hope you’ll consider participating in InfoCamp this September 27-28!

Learn more at http://www.infocamp.info or contact us at infocampseattle@gmail.com.

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