Free Training Coming Soon: Wikipedia + Libraries

This fall, WebJunction will offer a free online training program for up to 500 US public library staff to learn to confidently engage with Wikipedia. The course will provide a collaborative learning environment for public library peers to build their Wikipedia skills, implement Wikipedia programming and amplify the role of libraries as information literacy leaders in their communities. To learn more about how to participate in the training program and gain new insights, come to our preview webinar on July 19.

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These resources can help you strengthen your library and services to the community, explore them today!

• Libraries Can Get $10,000 a Month in Google Ads for Free. Here’s How. Learn how you can promote your collections, programs and databases through a free program from Google. It’s a great way to advertise your library’s services. This article walks you through the whys and the how-tos for getting started. Take advantage of this opportunity.
• Play is Learning: The Renovation of a Children’s Room: The Kirkwood Public Library (MO) recently embarked on a renovation of their Children's room. Through generous private donations and the library staff's planning efforts, a well-thought out and designed space was created for the community. The idea that "play is learning" guided the library's planning process. They aimed to create a space where the community could come together, plan and learn! Read more about their efforts and some suggestions for how to incorporate affordable changes when you don't have a large budget.

Free WebJunction webinars for you!

These upcoming webinars are open for registration. If you can’t attend a live session, all WebJunction webinars are recorded and available for free in the Course Catalog.

Wikipedia for Libraries: Preview the Possibilities, Discover the Opportunities

Wednesday, July 19, 2017 ♦ 3:00 pm Eastern / 12:00 pm Pacific ♦ 1 hour

Registration: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/wikipedia-for-libraries.html

Wikipedia is more than its collection of user-contributed articles; it is a dynamic community with powerful tools that ensure reliability. For public libraries, Wikipedia can be a useful tool to connect patrons with quality information and help them build information literacy skills. In this webinar, learn how you can use Wikipedia to expand access to your collections and creatively engage your communities.

Gain an understanding of the editorial process from OCLC's Wikipedian-in-Residence and discover how guest presenter Tiffany Bailey has successfully used Wikipedia for community outreach and partnership-building at Dallas Public Library.

You'll leave with new insights about Wikipedia and practical tips on how to apply what you've learned. You’ll also hear more about the Wikipedia + Libraries online training program being held in the fall of 2017. This free ten-week course offers the opportunity to gain skills in Wikipedia editing and engagement in a collaborative learning environment with public library peers.

Presented by: Monika Sengul-Jones, Wikipedian-in-Residence, OCLC; and Tiffany Bailey, Fine Arts Division Manager, Dallas Public Library

Measures that Matter Part Three: Moving Toward More Meaningful Measures

Wednesday, July 26, 2017 ♦ 3:00 pm Eastern / 12:00 pm Pacific ♦ 1 hour

Registration: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/measures-that-matter-3.html

Circulation, visits, program attendance, patron satisfaction…these are some of the many measures commonly collected by public librarians. But how well do we understand what measures tell the most meaningful stories of today’s libraries? During the first two webinars in this series, we discussed the current state of the public library data landscape – what data collection efforts exist at the national level and how they impact what we know about libraries and their patrons. In this third webinar, we will look toward the future, considering what data public librarians should collect to demonstrate their impact. To do this, we will hear from speakers both within and outside of the library field who will provide multiple perspectives on meaningful measures.

This webinar is the third in a three-part series about the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ and the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies’ Measures that Matter initiative, a field-wide discussion of the current state of public library data.

Presented by: Chantal Stevens, Executive Director, Community Indicators Consortium; Rebecca Jones, Director, Branch & Neighborhood Services, Brampton Public Library; and Linda Hofschire, Director, Library Research Service, Colorado State Library