Check out these upcoming WebJunction continuing education opportunities! WebJunction is free to Michigan library staff courtesy of the Library of Michigan and the institute for Institute of Museum and Library Services

Are you planning to attend this year’s Public Library Association conference in Philadelphia? If you are, please join us for the OCLC Update Lunch on Thursday, March 22. Join your colleagues and hear from OCLC leaders about what’s new in research, products and services, WebJunction programming, and OCLC membership. Registration is now open.

Highlighted Content

• Library Offers Training to Enhance Job-Readiness in the Community: In 2016, Berkeley County in South Carolina was seeing an increase in businesses opening or moving to the area, bringing new job opportunities for community members. The Berkeley County Library System, along with their partners with the local school district’s Adult Community Education program and the Chamber of Commerce knew that they could support local residents by helping to build the job skills needed for the new employers and the available positions.
• A Spark of Inspiration Creates Community Engagement: Ashe County Public Library's Involving Books launched in spring 2017 and for two months, the library ran a series of programs and events connected to the theme of supporting the local economy and healthy eating.

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.

Visualizing Funding for Libraries: You’ve Gathered the Data, Now What?
Wednesday, March 14, 2018 ♦ 3:00 pm Eastern / 12:00 pm Pacific ♦ 60 minutes
Registration: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/visualizing-funding-for-libraries-now-what.html

In 2017, the Visualizing (and Finding!) Funding for Libraries webinar introduced you to a dynamic and freely available data-visualization tool that enables library professionals and supporters to search for institutional funding for libraries at national, state and local levels. This webinar will re-familiarize you with the tool and then explore how to take the next steps with your data visualizations. Presenters will connect key data findings from the tool to national trends in philanthropic support for libraries. Using the tool to leverage networks and relationships, learn how to generate a viable list of potential funders to research further in order to determine the right fit for your library. You’ll also learn the action steps to take after identifying a funding prospect that will get your proposal to the top of the pile.

Presented by: Kate Tkacik, Manager of the Funding Information Network, the Foundation Center; and Ellen Jacks, Grants and Reference Librarian at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Intergenerational Programs at the Library: Connecting Generations for Healthy Communities

Thursday, March 29, 2018 ♦ 3:00 pm Eastern / 12:00 pm Pacific ♦ 60 minutes

Registration: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/intergenerational-programs-at-the-library.html

Walk into almost any public library and you’ll see people of all ages engaging in the community space. When libraries offer programs and services that intentionally spark connection between generations, they contribute to more vibrant and cohesive communities. Learn how your library can develop inviting opportunities to encourage more intergenerational connections on a day-to day basis. This webinar will discuss why intergenerational relationships are important and will help you develop skills to foster intergenerational communication in your library. We’ll explore ideas and resources that will turn your library into a community intergenerational catalyst.

Presented by: Jennifer Kulik, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Silver Kite Community Arts; and Wendy Pender, Older Adults Project Specialist, King County Library System (WA)