ASCLA’s webinar schedule highlights innovative programming, best practices in a variety of library settings

CHICAGO—The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) is hosting a multitude of webinars beginning this week that touch on highly relevant topics such as technology, library services to special populations, outreach services, facilitation and collaboration.

ASCLA, a small and mighty division of ALA, represents a diverse group of librarians that includes consultants and independent librarians; state libraries and the librarians, consultants and staff who work there; library networks, cooperatives, consortia and other libraries and librarians involved in collaboration; and librarians serving special populations such as incarcerated youth and adults and people with all types of disabilities. ASCLA’s online learning opportunities, which include both webinars and online courses, are an opportunity for librarians from all types of libraries to learn more about best practices from their expert colleagues, and acquire information that will enhance and improve the delivery of library services at their own library.

Register online now for these exciting webinars! Individual registration fees are $40 for ASCLA members, $50 for ALA members, $65 for non-ALA members, and $45 for ALA student members and retired members. Group rates are available: $99 for a single login, and $38/person for multiple logins (min. 2 people). We also offer excellent rates for state libraries who are members of ASCLA: $69 for a single login and $29/person for multiple logins (min. 2 people). Get more group registration information, including forms, at the ASCLA website.

Webinars currently scheduled are as follows:

Next Chapter Book Club: An Innovative and Viable Approach to Meeting the Literacy Needs of Adolescents and Adults with Developmental Disabilities

February 16, 2012, 1 – 2:30 p.m. CT

The Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC) is a community-based literacy and social program for adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities. NCBCs include five to eight people with a wide range of reading skills who gather weekly in bookstores, cafés, and, increasingly, libraries. This webinar will describe the NCBC model and explore how it has been implemented by the Scotch Plains Public Library, which is reaching out to people with disabilities, especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), in a variety of ways.

Presenters: Jillian Ober, MA, CRC The Ohio State University Nisonger Center on Excellence in Disabilities and program manager, Next Chapter Book Club; Pamela Brooks, head of Adult Services, Scotch Plains Public Library and leader of Next Chapter Groups; Meg Kolaya, director, Scotch Plains Public Library and Next Chapter Book Club volunteer.



Strategic Planning for Your Online Library Branch

February 21, 2012, 3 – 4:30 p.m. CT

In a world where communication is ever-changing, technology advances more and more rapidly, and budgets are shrinking, many libraries are faced with wanting to extend their services into an innovative online branch to provide enhanced and always accessible services to their communities. Strategic planning is a crucial step libraries must take to ensure their online branch meets the business and technical requirements for the organization, while also addressing the needs of their multiple audiences. Those who register for this webinar and attend will be eligible to win a Kindle Fire!

Presenters: Cynthia Colmenares, Chief Executive Officer, Jack Frost Design, has over 25 years of experience in the technology industry and is a digital marketing expert. She has led multiple organizations through the strategic planning process to successful online Web presences, including public libraries. Beth Larkins, Account Manager, Jack FrostDesign has overseen and managed strategic planning projects for public libraries and other community-oriented organizations. She has over 10 years of experience in leading, facilitating and teaching groups of all sizes.



Service Frontiers in Blind and Visually Impaired Patrons (BVIP)

February 22, 2012, 1 – 2:30 p.m. CT

Every day someone is born disabled and every day someone becomes disabled. The Americans with Disabilities Act was written to address this perpetual need. That need is all around us. This webinar will introduce the Service Frontiers in BVIP Initiative for blind and visually impaired patrons. During training we will review the definition of blindness. We will explore Disability etiquette. We will learn where the blind are and how to attract them with our library services.

Presenter: Internationally acclaimed leadership strategist and ADA consultant Buna Dahal.



Creating a Latino Friendly Library

February 23, 2012, 2 – 3:30 p.m. CT

Latino communities continue to grow and we continue to puzzle over how to get this significant segment of our communities into the library. This webinar will introduce practical and simple techniques that libraries of all sizes can use to begin the process of making Latinos feel welcome and comfortable in the library. Participants will learn how to work with and challenge the language and cultural barriers that keep Latinos from using the library.

Presenter: Yolanda Cuesta.



State Library Outreach to State Employees and Elected Officials

February 28, 2012, 2 – 3:30 p.m. CT

During tough economic times, state libraries have to increase efforts to reach out to tell their story about how they can help state government. Learn about the Illinois State Library’s aggressive outreach efforts to state employees and elected officials, including the creation of a Reference Outreach Coordinator position. The webinar will highlight recommendations, successes, failures and lessons learned and seek input and ideas from staff of other state libraries.

Presenters: Debra Aggertt, reference outreach coordinator, Illinois State Library; Sandra Fritz, Reference Librarian, Illinois State Library.



Libraries for Detained and Incarcerated Youth 101, Session One: Programming for Detained and Incarcerated Youth

March 13, 2012, 1-2:30 p.m. CT

Library environments for detained, pending placement, or incarcerated youth are different than the typical public or school library and library professionals serving them often find themselves in situations that are completely different than anything for which they are prepared. As part of a series of webinars focusing on the needs of these youth, this session will look at programming for detained and incarcerated youth.



Digital Preservation Planning

April 16, 2012, 10 – 11:30 a.m. CT

This one hour webinar will introduce you to the key concepts for digital preservation planning. Included in the webinar will be an introduction to the standards underlying preservation planning and digital preservation solutions and services.

Presenters: Liz Bishoff, The Bishoff Group, LLC; Tom Clareson, LYRASIS.



Being an Effective Facilitator

May 9, 2012, 2-3:30 p.m. CT

Want to run better meetings or lead better planning discussions? You can be a more effective facilitator! Learn how to improve group participation and productivity. Focus groups, staff meetings, brainstorming sessions, learning sessions: all of these activities require an effective facilitator. With some knowledge about group dynamics, learning styles, and models for running meetings and group sessions, you can be a great facilitator. Discover ways to improve participation and productivity. Both face-to-face sessions and online sessions will be discussed.

Presenter: Brenda Hough, MLS.

ASCLA, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is a diverse organization of librarians and support staff who work in academic and public libraries, state agencies, specialized libraries and multi-type cooperatives, as well as those who are self-employed. Our division’s work centers on member-driven interest groups that represent the diversity and important work of our engaged and active members. Not an ASCLA member, but interested in forming new interest groups, receiving discounted registration rates on ASCLA preconferences and online courses, and other important membership benefits? Join, renew or add ASCLA to your ALA membership at www.ala.org/membership.