Once you complete your assessment using EDGE you and your library staff are eligible to participate in the classes listed below. If you want a brief overview of what EDGE is and how it can be used in your library and community watch here:http://www.libraryedge.org/Getting_Started/index.htm Training is available to public libraries that have completed the Edge assessment. Four highly interactive courses are currently being offered to strengthen your library's efforts in the areas of advocacy, technology management, library leadership, and community assessment and planning. TRAINING COURSES AVAILABLE THROUGH EDGE Strengthening Your Library Partnerships This course will guide participants in developing strategies to: * Effectively advocate for technology resources * Identify and grow partnerships * Create an advocacy plan * Craft and deliver compelling messages This course supports Edge work plan selections associated with Benchmarks 3, 5 and 6. Fostering Your Library Leadership This course will guide participants in developing strategies to: * Enhance their own leadership skills * Communicate the library's vision, especially as it relates to technology and advocacy * Engage community stakeholders * Foster innovation in the library through staff and program development This course supports action plan selections associated with Benchmarks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10. Building Public Access Technology Services This course will guide participants in developing strategies to: * Identify the high-level tasks associated with managing public access technology * Ensure staff can meet patron technology needs * Foster an ongoing culture of learning within the library This course supports action plan selections associated with Benchmarks 4, 6, 7 and 8. Assessing Your Community's Needs This course will guide participants in developing strategies to: * Plan and execute a community assessment * Create and implement a technology resource plan * Regularly revisit library policies This course supports action plan selections associated with Benchmarks 1, 3, 4 and 6. Don't forget that participating libraries must complete the Edge assessment prior to registering for training. Sign up for the EDGE Assessment here:http://www.libraryedge.org/ Shannon White Library of Michigan 517-373-9489 whites29@michigan.gov<mailto:whites29@michigan.gov> www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/<http://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/>