Reference & User Services Assn.

Readers’ advisory has long been an important part of reference services, but with the explosion in the popularity of smartphones and tablets over the past several years, app advisory is becoming equally important. Participants in this webinar will hear about the latest and greatest apps for a range of different audiences and interests, and will also be introduced to the best tools for keeping up-to-date on new apps as they emerge.

Interested in conducting some usability test of your library website or resources, but not sure where to start? Come to this one session and hear about what things to consider when conducting usability tests for the first time. We will cover research questions, recruitment, creating user study scripts and other best practices.

If you’ve ever considered starting a workshop series at your library, but wrote it off as too much work, then think again! With a little planning and creativity, you can design a beneficial and engaging workshop series without the stress. This webinar will provide recommendations and best practices for planning and implementing a successful workshop series, including developing enticing topics, successful advertising techniques, and tips for community buy-in.

Next Session: Apr. 22 - May 19, 2013. Live Sessions on Mon and Wed, 1-2p.m. Central Time This online course will provide new interlibrary loan (ILL) practitioners and those that need a refresher with a broad overview of interlibrary loan (ILL) policies, procedures, and practices. Participants will learn standard practices, gain an overview of emerging trends, and practice writing policies for interlibrary borrowing and lending.

This webinar presents 6 fundamental steps to follow to conduct market research. It illustrates the differences between 5 market research methods and explains how to select the right method. This webinar is distinct from others because it provides a quick, easy, and effective way to begin market research, regardless of the level of expertise of the attendees.

Learn how to become more comfortable providing readers' advisory (RA) services. Through practice sessions, learn how to use RA tools, craft annotations, read in genres, articulate appeal, and experiment with methods to offer RA services. Readers' Advisory 101 is tailored for support staff, library technicians, newly hired reference librarians, and those librarians who want to brush up on their skills. The topics covered are introductory in nature. Class segments are geared to cover issues of interest to staff in all types of libraries.

Reference Interview is a comprehensive course focusing on the methods of evaluating reference service, behavioral aspects of reference service, and the different types of questions that can be used to help patrons identify what they need. Using images, audio, and video, this in-depth educational approach covers everything from the approachability of the librarian to how to follow up with a patron.

Since the emergence of dynamic and easily accessible online mapping tools, there has been a drastic increase in geographic interest and awareness. Whether for personal, social, professional or academic use, people are using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to communicate information in a map format. Whether it’s using Google Earth to study urban change, or creating Google Map Mashups to show cemetery locations, more and more members of society are turning to online mapping programs for their visualization needs.

Interested in applying UX research to your library but not sure where to start? This 90 minute webinar will introduce the concept of user experience, research planning, and practical research methods to librarians who may not have formal training in user experience research. Content of the webinar will be structured along the user-centered design process to help the audience integrate user experience research into their existing work. We will also use real-world examples from libraries.

As a business librarian, do you wish you could have some way to show users the best way to navigate a complex resource or answer a tough question? This webinar will teach you how to create your own web videos to provide personalized and topic-specific instruction, showcase your resources and expertise, and reach users wherever they may be online.

Reference has not changed, so service modes must change. Discussions on: QR codes, Zotero, Cloud Computing, Apps, PollsEverywhere, SCAVNGR gaming app, Text/Mobile Reference, eBook readers, social networking, liaison work and, reader’s advisory, to make services vital to the needs of a vibrant society.