For immediate release | June 14, 2010

ALA TechSource announces new online Workshop series

CHICAGO - ALA TechSource is proud to announce ALA TechSource Workshops, our newest online initiative in furthering discussion, learning and information sharing for librarians and other information professionals interested in keeping up with and applying technology effectively.



Do you need to purchase library software but feel you don’t have the knowledge to make the best decision? Are you looking to build a new website but don’t know where to start? Do you need to think about building a digital branch? Do you need to know more about selecting online reference sources? Each interactive ALA TechSource Workshop will provide participants with a unique hands-on experience that will help simplify the key concepts involved with making important technology decisions for their library. Each workshop is hosted by a prominent library technology expert focusing on his or her area of expertise.
Coming workshops will feature topics like selecting library software, building a digital branch and using online reference sources. This summer’s events, priced at $50, will be facilitated by library automation expert Marshall Breeding (Vanderbilt University) and library website guru David Lee King (Topeka and Shawnee County Library). More workshops will be announced for Fall 2010.



The workshops will focus on providing the participant with practical, actionable knowledge. Whether attendees are looking to broaden their personal knowledge or gain insight that will help them launch an initiative or make an important technology decision, the workshops will provide an outstanding and cost-effective opportunity for professional development. ALA TechSource Workshops will not only help participants become fluent in the topic at hand, but also give them a starting point for learning more about the topic independently.
Upon registering for a workshop, participants will receive a list of preliminary reading materials to prepare them for a detailed presentation on the topic at hand. Each workshop will begin with a presentation, followed by discussion and demonstrations. ALA's iLinc online event platform allows attendees to participate in a real-time text or audio chat with the facilitatorand fellow attendees, take control of websites and software posted by the host and interact with presentation material.



For more information, please visit the ALA TechSource Blog at alatechsource .org/blog or e-mail Dan Freeman at dfreeman@ala.org.

Contact:

Dan Freeman