CE Course Descriptions

Creating Online Tutorials in Less Than 30 Minutes

• Online tutorials used to be extremely time intensive to create. With the increase in reference and instruction to distant users in all types of libraries, and the need for just-in-time learning in many organizations, we need quicker ways to create tutorials to transfer information and demonstrate online library resources. New tools make it quick and easy to create online demonstrations and tutorials with a minimum of effort, to record screen actions, and to add a voice commentary. Explore using software such as Camtasia, Captivate, and Wink to quickly create online tutorials for your distance users.

Negotiating and Influencing Skills
How to Make a Point - - Without Making an Enemy

• When you don’t want to crack down, back down, give in, or give up, it’s time to communicate with ease. Learn the rules and tools for getting your point across as you propose ideas, meet resistance, deliver bad news, work through conflicts, and make agreements with clients, colleagues, employees, bosses, vendors, and the people you serve and work with.
  
  If you have to deal with shrinking resources, difficult people, and sticky situations – and who doesn’t! – hone your skills for making a point without making an enemy. In this interactive workshop attendees will participate in simulations and experiments, and get tips, strategies, and guidelines for negotiating effectively and influencing others:
  
  • o Focus on fixing the problem, not the person
    
  • o Listen to look for solutions
    
  • o Take a stand, set limits, and turn around negative energy
    
  • o Come up with options that are easy for you to give, yet valuable to others
    
  • o Create suggestions and proposals that represent mutual gain
    
  • o Disagree without being disagreeable
    
  • o Respond strategically and fairly to unfair tactics
    
  • o Practice Lynne’s 8 creative techniques for being more persuasive -
    
  •     o The “Hot Fudge Sundae Rule,” The “Barbara Walters Rule,”
    
  •     o The “Bill Cosby Rule,” The “Fur Coat Rule,” and more.
    
  
  

  The Accidental Trainer

  • This one-day workshop takes participants through the entire process of creating a training session, from needs assessment to evaluation of results. Participants will engage in several different group facilitation techniques, explore what works and what doesn't in training situations, and reinforce their own skills via a practicum. Emphasis is on training skills and techniques for people doing computer training.
  
  

  Survey Says! How to Conduct Surveys

  • How can library staff conduct surveys that are statistically significant? Are online surveys legitimate and, if so, what's the best online survey to use? The answers to these and many more questions will be covered in this one-day class covering
    • o Recommended methods for surveying
    • o Deciding who should be surveyed
    • o Crafting surveys that will provide valid data
    • o You've got all that data - now what?
    If survey methodology makes your eyes glaze over, then this is the session for you! Get a practical introduction to surveys and leave with the knowledge necessary to conduct your very own survey. As a special bonus, participants will respond to an online survey prior to the class. Survey results will be analyzed and discussed during the class. Participants are encouraged to provide advance copies of their own surveys and/or results. The instructor will provide a free evaluation during the class. Surveys may be mailed to ES@solinet.net or brought in person to the class.
  
  

  Disaster Preparedness

  • Libraries and archives are vulnerable to a variety of disasters. Collections have been damaged by fire, smoke, flooding, burst or leaking pipes, and a host of other disasters. To prevent unnecessary loss of materials, librarians and archivists must be prepared to handle both minor incidents and large-scale emergencies. This requires that institutions have knowledgeable staff and written plans for dealing with emergency situations, so that fewer disasters occur and damaged materials can be salvaged successfully. Library staff must also be trained in proper recovery techniques and procedures.
  • This one-day class will provide the training necessary to plan, organize, and execute a disaster plan and a salvage operation. In addition to in-depth discussion on the disaster planning process, there will be demonstrations of salvage techniques, including air-drying books, packing out wet materials, separating and drying manuscripts, rinsing books, and drying photographic materials.
  
  

  Public Health on the Web

  • The field of public health encompasses a wide array of disciplines including health education, epidemiology and nursing. Digital literacy and the effective utilization of online information are among the core public health informatics competencies for the 21st century. This hands-on class will highlight web resources tailored to the public health workforce.
  
  

  Geeks Bearing Gifts

  • Geeks Bearing Gifts: New Technology Trends is intended to provide a fun, fast-paced, and informative introduction to and update on today's hottest technology trends. Program participants will be able to identify technology trends and they will understand how these trends will impact or can be integrated into traditional library services. Content will be presented in with a "can-do" focus intended to encourage participants to investigate at least one technology for implementation in their institution. Course structure will include brief vignettes and demonstrations of a wide variety of technologies. Some of the topics to be covered include RSS, spyware, developments in mobile computing, blogs and wikis, social bookmarking, radio-frequency identification, and more.
  
  

  Website Usability

  • This course is designed for medical librarians and web developers who are interested in learning more about making their institution web presence easier to use and more accessible. Participants in this four hour workshop will learn how to conduct usability studies without expensive consultants, how to create accessible web pages, and how to apply design simplicity to their websites.
  
  

  ABCs of DNA: Unraveling the Mystery of Genetics Information for Consumers

  • Consumers need access to information and resources about genetic information in a manner that is understandable. Librarians working with the public need to be aware of the issues surrounding genetics and resources to assist patrons in locating and evaluating sometimes complex and confusing information. This class explores basic concepts such as genes and chromosomes and offers an overview of genetic disorders, genetic testing, genetic counseling, and the human genome project. Ethical and legal issues associated with genetic disorders will be covered with regard to privacy, discrimination and potential legislative impact on medicine and society. A variety of reliable health information resources will be demonstrated, including: Genetics Home Reference, ClinicalTrials.gov, CHID (Combined Health Information Database), NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders), and MedlinePlus among others. This 4-hour hands-on class is intended for consumers, public librarians, and health sciences librarians who work with the public.