Michael Porter and I gave a presentation on Social Learning for Staff Development where we explored the concepts of serendipitous, targeted serendipity and designed learning using social networking tools.

Humans are social animals and are most engaged in learning when there is social interaction. So how could we present on a topic like this without expanding the presentation environment to allow for social learning about social learning? Even though we had the constraints of a linear lecture-type setup, we asked the participants to break up into groups, take up pen and post-it and start brainstorming  challenges and ideas about how they could integrate social networking tools into their staff development programs.

I had intended to bring the groups back together to share what they had each come up with, but the room was so abuzz with social learning energy that I didn’t want to interrupt. So, I started a group on WebJunction to keep the ideas flowing. The notes from the ALA brainstorm are incorporated there as a launch pad for carrying on the conversation.

As a visual person, I naturally think in images and I am kind of an evangelist for the cause of increasing the visual literacy skills of those don’t. It is true that images communicate with a power that text cannot attain. The brain is highly receptive to images, as advertising companies understand so well. Even if you couldn’t attend the conference session, you can learn a lot by consulting the resources in the Punch It Up Resources document. I’ve learn many new things about PowerPoint from the Rapid E-Learning blog, written by Tom Kuhlman who can manipulate the application like a magician.

Speaking of visual richness, Chicago has it in abundance—beautiful parks, majestic buildings, soothing lake vistas. I can’t wait to find time to get out in the city with my camera and record some of it.

1. Find a balance that allows you to invest in your team and participate in your team projects without getting bogged down and overloading yourself.
2. Set clear tasks and tangible goals so that your team can see progress.
3. Delegate and allow your team to take ownership of tasks so that they can shine and grow as professionals.
4. Learn to “speak to power”–know what moves people in positions of power (statistics? personal stories?) so you can communicate your causes effectively.
5.Don’t reinvent the wheel! Learn about the great work that’s been done before you so you can build on the best ideas from the field.

If you are attending, you’ll want to print out the one-pager posted in our Conferences area or stop by Booth # 3923 if you need more details onsite. If you’re a WJ member presenting at ALA, you’re invited to post your slides here: http://www.webjunction.org/conferences and we’ll help share your resources with those that can’t attend.

Saturday, July 11

Creating a Culture of Learning in Your Library

Time: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Hyatt Regency McCormick Conference Center Rm: 10 a/b
How much time does your library spend on “training?” Statistics show that most learning takes place on the job or with a co-worker, yet as trainers we spend an inordinate amount of time preparing for and delivering classroom training. In this CLENE session you will learn why you need to get your staff out of the classroom and instead focus on creating a culture of learning in your library.
Speakers: Lori Reed, Employee Learning Coordinator, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg; Pat Carterette, Director of Library Continuing Education, Georgia Public Library Service

Only for Passionate Librarians: Working in Rural and Small Communities

Time: 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: McCormick Place West – W 190b
ARSL members will provide motivational, inspirational, and practical strategies to reconnect with the passion of librarianship, especially while coping with the community and economic development trends affecting the growth or decline of rural and small communities.
Speaker, Panel, Question & Answer Audience Participation

Research into practice: Latino Perception of Public Libraries

Time: 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: McCormick Place West – W 185
In September 2008, WebJunction published a national study in partnership with the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute exploring Latino perception of libraries. The objective was to determine how Latinos perceive public libraries to better inform library outreach to Latinos. Panelists will share the project overview, methodology, and results. Information about relevant research will also be presented along with best practices for utilizing research to inform strategic planning, advocacy, and outreach. The esteemed panel of presenters include Loida Garcia-Febo, assistant coordinator, New Americans Program and Special Services, Queens Library, and incoming REFORMA president; Kathy Sheppard, development consultant, South Carolina State Library, and South Carolina’s Spanish Language Outreach coordinator; and Zola Maddison, Community Services Consultant at WebJunction.

Sunday, July 12

OCLC Update Breakfast

Time: 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Location: Chicago Hilton, International Ballroom
What better way to connect with WebJunction staff and find others interested in your favorite online community, then to join us for breakfast? Start your day with coffee and breakfast, learn about the latest from OCLC, and visit with other WebJunction folks at the OCLC Update Breakfast. Register Now.

2.0(verload): What a small, understaffed library really needs

Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Location: McCormick Place West – W 194a
Are you worried that you’ve missed the 2.0 boat or has it been submerged by too much information? Concerned there’s not enough time in the day to implement social networking into your workflow or library? This session will focus on those technologies and programs that have been successfully implemented in small, rural and tribal libraries, with minimal effort. We’ll also put you on the fast follower track, with tips and tea leaves for what’s coming down the pike, and how your library can prepare itself for future technologies.
Speaker: Michael Porter, Communications Manager for WebJunction

Social learning for staff development: What, Where, and How

Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Chicago Hilton, Lake Huron Room
An interactive session for library directors, trainers, and CE or staff development officers to exchange lessons and explore successes around training library staff with social tools.
Speakers: Michael Porter, Communications Manager for WebJunction; Betha Gutsche, Learning Initiatives Developer for WebJunction

ASCLA President’s Program: Revitalizing the Library Experience

Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Palmer House Hilton, Empire Room
In a world where information is an offshored commodity, where Google handles more questions in a second than a reference librarian will answer in a career, and where social gatherings have migrated to online networks, how can our libraries thrive? How can we demonstrate the greatest return on funders’ investment? ASCLA President Carol Desch invites you to the President’s Program to discuss these questions with library pundits Joan Frye Williams and George Needham, who will challenge you to rethink library services, turning some old stereotypes on their ears while making our work more valuable and more fun.

6th Annual Training Showcase CLENE

Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: McCormick Place South – S106
This annual CLENE event highlights best training and staff development practices from public, academic, and special libraries; library consortia; library consultants; state libraries; training-related vendors; and others. NEW this year is the Speaker’s Corner where speakers will have an opportunity to showcase their talents. Refreshments, prize drawings, and networking with peers make this a lively annual event.

WebJunction for Organizations

Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Hyatt Regency McCormick – OCLC’s “Red” Suite
(Please ask the hotel front desk for the location of OCLC’s Red Suite)
Are you a decision maker for your library? Are you interested in learning more about partnership opportunities with WebJunction? In this presentation you will discover how we work with library organizations to provide customized, cost-effective resources to keep staff skills up-to-date and libraries relevant to current patron needs. We’ll provide an overview of our tools and how they can be used, our pricing and service options, and follow up with an open Q&A. You will also hear examples from our current partners who are successfully employing WebJunction tools to save time and money while meeting the needs of their library staff. Please visit the OCLC booth (#3923) or contact Michael Shapiro with questions about this meeting: shapirom@oclc.org

OCLC Blog Salon

Time: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Chicago Hilton, Rm: Boulevard C
There will be food and fun, lyrics and libations. Come enjoy some hobnobbing and nibbles with fellow bloggers and blogfans.

Monday, July 13

The Ultimate Debate: Has Library 2.0 fulfilled its promise?

Time: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: McCormick Place West – W 181
IRSIG invites you to attend a lively discussion on Library 2.0. What is Library 2.0? What are its successes and failures? Where is its place in the library landscape? Join us for a discussion by informative and opinionated library leaders on the topic.
Moderated by Roy Tennant.
Speakers: Meredith Farkas, Cindi Trainor, David Lee King, Michael Porter

WebJunction for Organizations

Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: OCLC’s “Red” suite at the Hyatt McCormick Center
(Please ask the hotel front desk for the location of OCLC’s Red Suite)
Are you a decision maker for your library? Are you interested in learning more about partnership opportunities with WebJunction? In this presentation you will discover how we work with library organizations to provide customized, cost-effective resources to keep staff skills up-to-date and libraries relevant to current patron needs. We’ll provide an overview of our tools and how they can be used, our pricing and service options, and follow up with an open Q&A. You will also hear examples from our current partners who are successfully employing WebJunction tools to save time and money while meeting the needs of their library staff. Please visit the OCLC booth (#3923) or contact Michael Shapiro with questions about this meeting: shapirom@oclc.org ]]> http://blog.webjunctionworks.org/index.php/2009/06/29/webjunction-ala-2009/feed/ 0