CE NEWS

March 6, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Getting the Most Out of Your Conference Experience
• Quotable Facts About America's Libraries
• Strategic Staff Development Online Course
• Professional Development Resources for Public Librarians
• Library Conference Planner
• Small Library Institute of Management
• CE Calendar

Getting the Most Out of Your Conference Experience

This week, librarians across the State will be gathering in Anchorage to attend the Alaska Library Association Conference and happily participate in four frenzied days of learning, networking and librarian fellowship. Whether this is your first Alaska Library Association Conference or your fifth, there are a few steps you can take to get the most out of your conference experience.

1. Make a Plan.  Visit the AkLA Conference Program webpage https://akla.org/anchorage2018/events/  and read through the descriptions of the conference sessions. Select the sessions you plan on attending for each day of the conference. Print out a copy of the Schedule a Glance linked on the AkLA Conference homepage https://akla.org/anchorage2018/   and bring it with you to conference.
2.  Attend the First Time Conference Attendee Orientation. During the orientation you will receive a quick overview of the AkLA organization, meet other new conference attendees and learn some excellent conference networking tips. 
3. Bring business cards.  There will be several opportunities for you to share your business card with vendors, conference presenters and other attendees you meet during conference.
4. Familiarize yourself with the Conference venue.  This year the AkLA Conference will be held at the Dena’ina Center, located two blocks from the Westmark Anchorage Hotel, the designated conference hotel. 
5. Talk to people. Library conferences are a wonderful opportunity to meet others who share your passion for libraries and public service. Make a point of introducing yourself to new people. If you see someone standing alone, walk up to them and strike up a friendly conversation.
6. Have fun! We learn best when we are relaxed and having fun.  

First Time Orientation & Speed Mentoring Event AkLA 2016

Quotable Facts About America's Libraries

Astound your friends and amaze everyone else by sharing relevant, thought-provoking quotable facts about America’s libraries. These advocacy wallet sized cards are created and updated by the American Library Association.  By the way, did you know, "Americans check out an average of eight books a year. They spend $36.96 a year for the public library-about the average cost of one hardcover book."

Strategic Staff Development Online Course

There is still time to register for the Strategic Staff Development Online Course.

Course runs from March 5th thru April 16th, 2018

Strategic Staff Development aligns staff resources to the library’s mission and goals and fosters a knowledgeable staff able to anticipate and adapt to continuous change. Public Library Directors skilled in strategic staff development will be able to identify and enhance the knowledge and skills their staff need to acquire in order for the public library to be successful. 

During this course participants will:

1.  Participants will identify library services and learning priorities based on a thorough analysis of library’s mission and vision statement and a staff self-assessment.
2.  Participants will review staff job descriptions and determine competencies staff need to develop based on the Competency Index for the Library Field.
3. Find formal training and/or design informal learning opportunities
4. Design a staff development plan

Participants will meet the objectives list above through a combination of the following activities in this course:

• Listening to weekly video lectures
• Completing readings, activities and quizzes
• Participating in discussion forums

During the 2018 Alaska Library Association Conference in Anchorage, students registered in the Strategic Staff Development online course will have an opportunity to meet during a session scheduled for Friday, March 9th from 3:45 pm- 4:35 pm and participate in a highly interactive conference session with various hands-on activities.

For more information or to register email Julie.niederhauser@alaska.gov  

Professional Development Resources for Public Librarians

Planning a staff training day or looking to spice up your staff meetings with a training component.  Check out the Professional Development Resources for Public Librarians, a resource guide designed to provide public libraries with access to continuing education and professional development resources.

Library Conference Planner

While most us are familiar with the Alaska Library Association (AkLA) Conference, the American Library Association Annual (ALA) Conference, and the Public Library Association (PLA) Conference these are just a few of the many library conferences held in the United States and internationally.  The Library Conference Planner created by webmaster Douglas Hasty is an online listing of North American, international and online/virtual library conferences with links to each conference webpage.

Small Library Institute of Management

The Alaska State Library is pleased to announce that a Small Library Institute of Management (SLIM) will be held in Juneau at the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff Building (APK) during the week of May 21-24, 2018.

The Small Library Institute of Management (SLIM) is an intensive weeklong workshop providing management and foundational library skills to library directors, without Master’s degrees in Library Science that work in small community libraries in Alaska.

The SLIM workshop will cover the areas of library administration, management, policy development, collection development, copyright and patron confidentiality, reference services, youth services and technology planning.

SLIM is a blended workshop combining an in-person workshop with a self-paced online course. During the workshop there will be many opportunities for participants to share their library experience, participate in informal conversations and network.

Participants of SLIM will be reimbursed for their travel and receive a per diem for meals not provided during the workshop. Hotel arrangements for SLIM participants will be made by the Alaska State Library. Participants are required to stay in the arranged hotel and attend all scheduled sessions and events.

Deadline to apply is April 9, 2018

To apply   http://lam.alaska.gov/professional_library_development/2018_SLIM

Library Development Training and Continuing Education Calendar

View our calendar for upcoming opportunities in continuing education.