Illinois - Patron Training

Twitter Training

2009-05-21T20:51:22Z

Is there anyone out there training patrons about some of the newer social networking applications like Twitter? Or participating in social networking at all? I'm trying to develop a new class for September 2009.

Thanks!

RE: anyone training patrons online?

2009-05-21T20:27:58Z

While I'm not currently training patrons online, I'm in the process of creating flash tutorials for using some of our subscription databases.

I would be very interested to know what other Public Libraries are doing in this area.

RE: Fantastic Freebies!

2009-02-19T01:22:51Z

Thank you for sharing! This sounds like an awesome idea.

RE: Computer Training for Patron

2009-01-08T21:20:54Z

Betty Jones:

Libray should offer hands on computer training classes, and a wide range of lectures.

I agree alot of our patrons come in needing to use a computer and have never touched one before.

Computer Training for Patron

2008-12-30T15:40:47Z

Libray should offer hands on computer training classes, and a wide range of lectures.

anyone training patrons online?

2008-11-27T01:16:45Z

I'm interested in what libraries might be currently doing online for patron training.

Can you point me to tutorials, video and podcasts that you know of that are patron-facing and published on the library website? Is anyone offering formal training events using online conferencing tools? Anything that comes to mind would be interesting to me.

Your input needed! (continuing online distance learning for patrons)

2008-07-26T18:23:52Z

Hello all,
This survey is being sent to public library staff to get your perception of your role as a change agent in the use of continuing online distance learning. It will gather useful data that will be used in a statistical study to provide feedback that supports the efforts of continuing online learning in libraries.

As valued members of the library community your opinion really does matter!

Please take 5-10 minutes and give us your views. All answers will be kept confidential.

The survey is located at the following link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=3twCZ9q
w_2f_2fkf89nJMlKOVg_3d_3d

Thanks!
Cheryl

Your input needed!

2008-07-26T18:24:48Z

Hello all,
This survey is being sent to public staff to get your perception of your role as a change agent in the use of continuing online distance learning. It will gather useful data that will be used in a statistical study to provide feedback that supports the efforts of continuing online learning in libraries.

As valued members of the library community your opinion really does matter!

Please take 5-10 minutes and give us your views. All answers will be kept confidential.

The survey is located at the following link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=3twCZ9q
w_2f_2fkf89nJMlKOVg_3d_3d

Thanks!
Cheryl

Re: computer training in Farsi

2008-02-26T22:17:25Z

Hi "ei57523",
I am going to post your question in the [url /forums/thread.jspa?threadID=8593]International Libraries forum[/url] as well. If you have someone who can translate, there are a lot of basic computer training resources already on WebJunction. If you do find something, I hope you will share it back with the WebJunction community.

Computer class materials:

[url /do/Navigation?category=11180]Patron Training [/url]

[url /do/DisplayContent?id=12937]Technology Skills in Multiple Languages: Microsoft Unlimited Potential Curriculum [/url]

Emily

computer training in Farsi

2008-02-26T21:58:19Z

We are going to begin offering some basic computer training courses in Farsi. I've been trying to look for materials that have already been developed in Farsi for the two librarians who will be teaching the class but have not been successful. We were hoping to find something that we can adapt for the class. Has anyone been teaching these classes or similar classes in Farsi or know where to go to find similar materials?

Re: Computer Classes

2008-01-29T17:45:40Z

Its funny, some patrons sign up as a beginner here but they don't even realize that they are ahead of the game if they have an email account and know how to use the mouse.

My extreme beginners class teaches mouse skills and then goes into a little web surfing with Google or some popular local newspaper sites.

Re: Computer Classes

2008-01-14T21:09:28Z

The response to "extreme" beginner classes makes me wonder how many people are intimidated by the thought of attending "regular" classes. We shouldn't underestimate the number of people who still don't have fundamental computer literacy --a losing proposition in today's world.

I teach very basic computer skills in the ESL department of our central library. Every year, I find it a little harder to wind myself back to the state of mind in which moving a mouse and making things happen on a screen are foreign concepts. Still, it always feels good to see the lights go on when someone gets it for the first time.

What do you cover in your "Extreme" class?

Computer Classes

2008-01-12T15:34:42Z

For a number of years our library has offered computer classes to the public, while they are usually well attended nothing could have prepared us for the amazing response we had to our most recent offering.
Our staff member Susan placed a notice in our local newspaper for a computer class described as being for "Extreme Beginners," we had 29 people sign up for the class! The word of mouth on street, following our first class, has been so positive that four more people have signed up. We have divided the group into three, which will work perfectly in our Gates Computer Training Lab.

Re: Web 2.0 Class Information

2007-11-16T14:17:13Z

Hi Dee,

I look forward to seeing your information posted here. I'm tasked with this for next year also.

I also have to come up with a 20 minute presentation that explains Web 2.0 (how does one do that!?) so I can present at rotary clubs, public organization meetings and such where they just give you a small block of time. Anyone out there ever have to do this and want to offer any insight. This is just to explain the concept - NOT teach how to do it, but I still can't imagine just 20 min...

Thanks,
Stephanie Zimmerman
Training Coordinator
Library System of Lancaster Co
http://lslctraining.blogspot.com

Re: Web 2.0 Class Information

2007-11-15T20:16:28Z

Hi Jay,
I have taught a number of these classes to staff and patrons. I have also had other libraries send staff to check out how I was getting everything started. I don't mind sharing my handouts. I discovered a number of things along the way. First, give the information in blocks. You may want to begin by giving a basic HTML class, then, a Blog class, and finally a Wiki class.
Second, set requirements and limitations of patron and staff knowledge. This is important if you want the classes to move forward.
Third, in your advertising require email addresses for the Wiki class and blogging class. Then they can proceed forward.
I will gather up my handouts and send them to you here on this forum.
Dee Rondinella
Training Coordinator,
Training Services
Stark County District Library

Web 2.0 Class Information

2007-10-29T16:01:17Z

Hello all,

In February I am going to be doing a class about Web 2.0 for library patrons and eventually staff as part of an inservice day. I am quite aware of what Web 2.0 is and the technology behind it, but I am just having troubles getting a start on handouts and explaining the different technologies such as blogs, wikis, podcasts, etc. Also, I am having a difficult time to come up with a basic outline of what I am going to do and when.

Has anyone out there created a class like this and would like to share handouts to give me a good starting place? I would greatly appreciated it.

Thanks.

Jay Miley

Re: Class registration database?

2007-09-12T13:52:30Z

That's a great example - we may be able to go with that, as it's got features I hadn't even thought of, like email a friend.

Thanks so much!
Julie

Re: Class registration database?

2007-09-11T20:18:33Z

We have one regional system in Texas that uses Evanced and are happy with it. I believe that there was a setup fee for it and their annual fee is approximately $1,500. My understanding is that includes the hosting of the site and the pricing structure is different if you host it yourself depending on what you want to do.

They have lots of examples at their website -
http://www.evancedsolutions.com/customers.html

here is one from the Connecticut State Library-
http://evanced.info/cslib/evanced/eventcalendar.asp

I should have asked that question off the bat, but got caught up in the moment. As Dale points out, there is definitely multiple ways to skin this cat and depending on your priorities and interests, Evanced might make more sense.

Re: Class registration database?

2007-09-11T18:23:54Z

If you have no money to spend on this or want to build it yourself, this may not be the way to go, but still thought I should mention <a href="http://www.e-vancedsolutions.com" target="blank">E-vanced Solutions</a> who make an events registration system for libraries that probably does pretty much exactly what you are looking for, plus it adds a calendar and a few other features.

I don't know what it costs for individual libraries, but my impression is the cost is fairly low.

Dale

Re: Class registration database?

2007-09-10T21:52:25Z

Well, I am no database / web application / HTML guru - I know just enough to get someone in over their heads and then say "Wow, that sounds like a really interesting error message - nope, I have never seen that before or heard a server make that noise either", so be forewarned.

I would also say that generally, you probably will be hard pressed to find a "template" per se just floating around on the web. I poked around and most of the examples were not any better or more useful than the information that I found in the resource below.

Here are my recommendations:
1) Get this book - FrontPage 2003: The Missing Manual
by Jessica Mantaro
Publisher: O'Reilly
Pub Date: August 01, 2005
Print ISBN-10: 0-596-00950-X
Print ISBN-13: 978-0-59-600950-2
Pages: 434

I skimmed two chapters of it - Ch. 13 on designing forms and Ch. 16 on working with databases and it covers a lot of ground but makes it easy to understand.

1a). If you don't have Front Page 2003, then I would look to TechSoup Stock to get a copy for the $7.00 administrative fee.
Info here - http://www.techsoup.org/stock/Category.asp?catalog_name=TechSoupMain&category_name=Microsoft+MLDP

There is an even newer version of a web development product if you are locked into using a Microsoft software for web development called "Expression Web 1.0". I have no idea what the difference is between the two products, but that might be worth investigating. (I could not help myself - I looked at the MS Web site - Expressions is part of a larger package that looks like it incorporates more powerful featuers for web development than FP - http://www.microsoft.com/expression/products/overview.aspx?key=web)

My guess is from these two chapters, you could at least go from a static page listing the classes that the library provides as web links that goes to a form where people could input their information that gets dumped into the Access database without too much problem (remember - see warning up above).

If you wanted to add fancier features, well, that gets a little more complicated, but I think you could get at least a basic form and databse interacting without too much problem from what I read in the book.

Then there are all sorts of additional questions about wait lists, e-mail reminders, calendar, search, etc.