by Alexis Stapp, Head Editor, INALJ Minnesota
Free Webinars, Courses, and Conferences (Feb-April 2013)
It’s hard to focus on the education and skill-building aspect of professional development when you’re unemployed, underemployed, or just plain broke. It’s also tough to research new ideas and practices for your library with the tight budgets so many are facing. The good news is there are a lot of free courses out there, all waiting for eager registrants to sign up. Here I’ve collected ten webinars, courses, and conferences, most of which are online, all of which are absolutely FREE to attend!
The History of Minnesota – Digitized for Your Convenience
Offered by Minitex
Thursday, February 21, 2013 – 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM (CST)
Location: Webinar
Discover hidden gems in the digitization efforts chronicling Minnesota’s past using newspapers, images, documents, and resource guides.
Lower Your Public Access PC Costs
Offered by TechSoup.org
Thursday, February 21 – 11:00 AM (PST)
Location: Webinar
Will discuss how to get and set up Windows MultiPoint Server.
Balancing Collection Supply & Demand
Offered by Library Journal
Tuesday, February 26
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (EST)
Location: Webinar
Webcast will include personal accounts from three expert panelists of using evidence from collectionHQ to balance supply with demand at their institution and how they have been able to enhance performance as a result.
The Future of Online Learning: a changing landscape
Offered by OCLC WebJunction
Wednesday, February 27 – 1:00 pm (EST)
Location: Webinar
Will explore how education innovators are seeking to increase engagement through learner-centered discovery, flipped classrooms, and enhanced online learning.
Big Talk from Small Libraries 2013
Offered by the Nebraska Library Commission
Thursday, February 28 – 9:45 AM – 6:00 PM (EST)
Location: Online
A free one-day online conference for librarians from small libraries. Topics range from technology to programming to partnering with your community. Registration is open to everyone, regardless of library size, or whether you’re employed or not (I checked!).
Online Information Literacy and ELM
Offered by Minitex
Thursday, February 28 – 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM (CST)
Thursday, March 26 – 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM (CST)
Location: Webinar
Discuss how ELM (Electronic Library for Minnesota) can help students understand what information is appropriate and credible for research.
Best Practices for Virtual Reference
Offered by Minitex
Tuesday, April 2 – 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (CST)
Thursday, April 11 – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (CST)
Location: Webinar
Hone reference skills and adapt them to the virtual setting.
E-Book Action: Inform and Inspire Your Community
Offered by PLA
On-Demand Webinar available any time
Location: Webinar
Learn about two creative e-book campaigns initiated by libraries, as well as communications template kit to help develop your own campaign.
Resources for other free webinars, etc.:
OCLC WebJunction Events
Library Journal Webcasts
Colloquia – SJSU-SLIS
Library of Congress Webcasts
O’Reilly Media Webcasts – webcasts with a tech bent
TechSoup.org
On-Demand Webinars – Public Library Association (PLA) – Not all are free, but the free ones are marked