How to Discuss E-Books with Patrons

CHICAGO — ALA TechSource announces an exciting new workshop, How to Discuss E-Books with Patrons with Phil Spirito.

It hasn’t taken long, but e-books are now an indispensable part of library collections. Patrons expect them to be there - and expect librarians to be able to assist them with e-books.

Are you afraid a patron will stump you with an e-book question? Do you feel like you are struggling to keep your knowledge of your library’s e-resources up to date? In this workshop’s two 90-minute sessions, Phil Spirito will give you the confidence and knowledge you need to assist your patrons, regardless of your level of technical expertise.

In the first session, Spirito will cover tips and tricks for improving your technical know-how and for confidently handling patron technology questions related to e-books. In session two, he will focus on several different aspects of e-books and how they function on different devices and platforms.

After participating in this event, you will:

• dramatically improve your e-book and technology skills;
• be able to handle a range of patron e-book questions;
• be able to use e-book resources.

About the Instructor(s)

Phil Spirito is the head of adult services at Indian Trails Library District (ITLD) in Wheeling, Ill. After working in the field of Information technology for 10 years, he decided to change to a career that was focused on helping people. During his time in IT he did everything from network configuration and planning to desk top support and training. Spirito started his library career as a Cyber navigator (computer assistant) at Chicago Public Library. Upon receiving his MLS degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign Urbana he became the Instruction and Technology Librarian at the Glen Ellyn (Ill.) Public Library. With his recent move to ITLD, He is now able to emphasize the importance of patron service with a focus on technology and instruction.

Registration for this ALA TechSource Workshop is available on the ALA Store. You can purchase registration at both individual and group rates. This two-part workshop consists of two 90-minute sessions that take place at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time on Thursdays, Dec. 5 and 12.

ALA TechSource Workshops are designed to give you and your staff the opportunity to participate in a hands‐on learning experience that will help you make the best technology decisions for your library.

ALA TechSource is a publishing imprint of the American Library Association. ALA TechSource publishes Library Technology Reports and the ALA TechSource Blog.

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