Have you tried WebJunction lately?  WebJunction began years ago as part of the Gates Foundation.  It is not run by OCLC and has just recently been updated.  There is a wealth of information available on the site.  Check it out!

I want to tell you about some great training opportunities available to you for FREE thanks to the Washington State Library.

They provide training in:

• Application Software – Many classes in the Microsoft Office classes as well as Adobe Acrobat, Crystal Reports, Flash, Project, and Visio.
• Customer Service & Interpersonal Skills
• Learning and Training Online: Skills and How To
• Library Management
• Library Services
• Networking & Security
• Operating & Automation Systems
• Organizational Management
• Personnel Management
• Technology (general) – including Basic Computer Support
• Web Design & Development

How to get started:

You need to create an account on WebJunction, if you do not already have one.  Go to www.wa.webjunction.org.  This will take you to the Washington State section.  You must be affiliated with Washington State to get the classes for free.

1. Click the Create Account link in the login box to the right of your screen.
2. Enter your information – remember to use your libraries information rather than your home.
3. Click Next.
4. You can add interests at this time if you would like.
5. Join – this is where you can select the state you are affiliated with, scroll to the bottom and Select Washington.

Once you are set up, make sure you see A Service of Washington State Library in the header of the page.  Click the Courses link and check out all of the classes. 

Note:  The Washington State Library has purchases a specific number of “units” for this training to please do not sign up for a class unless you are certain you will complete the course.

This is an interesting article from the Chief Learning Officer online magazine:  http://www.clomedia.com/features/2008/september/2343/index.php?pt=a&aid=2343&start=0&page=1

It is called “IOL: Determining the Impact of Learning” IOL stands for Impact of Learning.  Rather than trying to use traditional business measures of Return on Investment (ROI), to look to stories from students of how they have used the information in the training.  It makes sense to me. I am wondering if doing short podcasts of a staff person’s value from a training would be effective.  Similar to the short podcasts we have our teens doing about books they read.

What are your thoughts?

  Just a reminder, we have a meeting this coming Monday, September 8th at the Columbia City Library .  We will start at 10:00 with the WLA Interest Group/Conference Planning part of the meeting.  We will start the sharing of information, aka, training at about 11:15.  Here is the Agenda