Introduction to social media eCourse back by popular demand

For Immediate Release
Thu, 04/25/2013

Contact:

Dan Freeman

Editor

ALA Online Resources (AOR)

(800) 545-2433 ext.5413

dfreeman@ala.org

CHICAGO - By popular demand, ALA Editions announces a session of our facilitated eCourse, Social Media Basics: Engaging Your Library Users. Paul Signorelli, former director of staff training and volunteer services for the San Francisco Public Library system, will lead this four-week course, which begins on July 1, 2013.

Are you new to social media? Have you been intimidated by the idea of getting started with sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ or Twitter?

If your library doesn’t have a presence on these social media sites, you are missing an important chance to make vital connections with library users as well as with other libraries. And once you get the hang of it, social media can be the most fun you’ll ever have sharing your library with others.

In this eCourse, designed for new and inexperienced social media users, Paul Signorelli will take you through the basics of social media, showing you how you can use Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ and Twitter to connect with a library audience for reference, library instruction, outreach and marketing. With his guidance, you’ll set up social media accounts that your library will actually be able to build upon and use once the eCourse is over.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Ability to use the accounts you’ve set up in at least two of the four social media sites covered in this eCourse for your own professional purposes or for your library;
  • Understanding potential applications of these sites as a way of reaching and assisting library users and other library colleagues;
  • Knowledge of how to harness these sites as reference tools and learning tools in library staff and public training programs;
  • Using resources from the eCourse to become more proficient on your own.

Paul Signorelli has more than 20 years of experience as a learning leader for libraries and other organizations and businesses. As director of staff training and volunteer services for the San Francisco Public Library system, he created, implemented and managed numerous training plans. He continues to serve as a writer, trainer, onsite and online presenter and consultant for a variety of organizations and remains active in the American Library Association Learning Round Table and with the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD), where he has held leadership positions at the local and national level. He is currently a member of ASTD's National Advisors for Chapters.

Registration for this ALA Editions facilitated eCourse, which begins on July 1, 2013, can be purchased at the ALA Store. Participants in this course will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection for online message board participation, viewing online video, listening to streaming audio (MP3 files) and downloading and viewing PDF and PowerPoint files.

ALA Editions publishes resources used worldwide by tens of thousands of library and information professionals to improve programs, build on best practices, develop leadership, and for personal professional development. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a growing range of print and electronic formats. Contact ALA Editions at (800) 545-2433 ext. 5418 or editionscoursehelp@ala.org.

ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness, and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide.