CE NEWS

January 4, 2021

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Table of Contents

• Workforce Basics Online Course
• Reading Colors Your World: Summer Reading Showcase
• Countering Misinformation about COVID-19 Vaccines
• Alaska Library Association 2021 Virtual Conference

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Workforce Basics Online Course

Public libraries play an essential role in workforce development in many communities.  Public library staff provide computer, resume and interview workshops and trainings that help job seekers upgrade their job skills, find a job or change careers. Now more than ever, Alaska library staff need to be familiar with online workforce development resources and confident in their ability to assist job seeks and the unemployed. 

Basic Workforce Training (Online Self-Paced Course)

Starts: January 19^th, 2021

Ends: February 2nd, 2021

Course Description: This online course will have participants evaluate, contrast and compare job websites, resume builders and career development resources. Case studies will be used so participants may practice providing essential information to library patrons on a variety of workforce development topics.  Participants will be provided with a personal learning guide with worksheets and space to record information covered in the class. The online course incorporates recorded videos, articles, a forum discussion, quizzes and assignments. Estimated time to complete the course is 4.5 hours.

Topics Covered in Course

• Workforce Basics
• Job Websites
• Creating a resume
• Scam Detection
• Library and Local Resources 
• Career Information 

To register for this free online course, use this online form.

The deadline to register is January 17, 2021. 

Reading Colors Your World: Summer Reading Showcase

A vibrant summer reading program takes planning, creativity and flexibility.  During the Summer Reading Showcase, participants will hear how some Alaska librarians are planning to implement their 2021 summer reading program and incorporate the Reading Colors Your World theme. Participants will leave with ideas for interactive and collaborative library displays, fun and inexpensive art & craft activities and engaging programming ideas.

Join us on Tuesday, February 2nd at 1 pm.

Register in advance for this webinar.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND

Countering Misinformation about the COVID-19 Vaccines

As librarians, we pride ourselves on providing accurate, relevant and unbiased information so it may surprise you to learn that a research study found public librarians helped spread misinformation about vaccines and autism.

In 2015, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Information and Library Science conducted a study in which they randomly visited 78 local libraries in upstate New York, Delaware and North Carolina. At each location, a researcher posing as a patron asked library staff for information on whether vaccines cause autism.

In nearly 70% of cases, the information provided-a wide assortment of mostly books, but also websites, magazines, and other materials-did not accurately answer the questions with authoritative information. (Source: With Vaccine Misinformation, Libraries Walk a Fine Line)

In Creating a Play to Combat Fake News, author Amy Affelt outlines how our professional reputation relies on us being curators, purveyors, and stewards of reputable news and information.  If we are to maintain our status as the number-one trusted providers of information we must continually update information evaluation skills.   Medical misinformation is dangerous. Below are some authoritative sources of medical information about the COVID-19 vaccines.

• Alaska Vaccine Information from the Department of Health & Social Services-Information on the status of the vaccination effort in Alaska.
• COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Alaskans-FAQs

Consumer Health Information Resources

• Herd Immunity(Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, September 30, 2020)-Definition of herd immunity, expectations and possible drawbacks.  
• CDC COVID-19 Vaccines (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, December 23, 2020)-Benefits, descriptions the authorized and recommended vaccines, information about reported allergic reactions and more.
• The Path for a COVID-19 Vaccine from Research to Emergency Use Authorization (Food and Drug Administration Handout)-Infographic
• Establishing the Truth: Vaccines, Social Media, and the Spread of Misinformation (Harvard School of Public Health, July 10, 2019) - Explores the relationship between social media and public health.
• COVID-19 Vaccines: Get the Facts (Mayo Clinic, December 24, 2020) - Benefits, approved vaccines, side effects, distribution efforts, and more.
• Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers EUA of Pfizer-Biontech Vaccine (Food and Drug Administration, December 2020)-Outlines who should get the vaccine, benefits and potential side effects.
• COVID-19 Vaccine Information (U.S. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus) –Collection of continually updated articles related to the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccine trials.
• Vaccines and Immunization: Myths and Misconceptions (World Health Information, October 19, 2020) – Addresses common misconceptions about vaccination.   

Additional Resources for Combating Misinformation

• How to Spot Fake News [IFLA Infographic] (Cornell University Library)-Fake News, Propaganda, and Misinformation: Learning to Critically Evaluate Media
• Snopes COVID-19 Vaccine (Snopes) –Collection of fact checked and rated articles about the vaccines.
• With Vaccine Misinformation, Libraries Walk a Fine Line: Public libraries face difficult questions regarding what vaccine materials to make available to patrons. How to decide?- (Undark, March 22, 2019) Article explores the ethical challenges libraries face when deciding what health information to make available.
• Affelt, A. (2019) Creating a Playbook to Combat FAKE NEWS. Online Searcher, 43(4), 10-17

Alaska Library Association 2021 Virtual Conference

Your Library has Left the Building is the theme of the upcoming AkLA Virtual Conference which will be held March 18-20, 2021. The virtual conference will feature a mix recorded and live sessions.

Continuing Education grants may be used for a broad range of pertinent virtual continuing education opportunities, such as the AkLA Virtual Conference. 

Library directors and individual staff members in public or combined school public library outlets in Alaska may apply. Each library outlet is limited to 4 CE grants. These grants will be approved until the grant funds  have been exhausted. Reimbursement is limited to up to $300.00 in actual continuing education training costs. The applicant or the applicant’s library should plan to pay all up-front costs for the CE event.

For more information and to access an application visit the CE grants webpage.