Thursday, August 16, 2012

Connect2Compete - ADD YOUR LIBRARY!

"Connect2Compete is a national nonprofit organization bringing together leaders from communities, the private sector, and leading foundations."  This national campaign will be launched in 2013.  Read more of their mission here

"Part of Connect2Compete is an Ad Council campaign that will drive people to digital literacy training programs. To prepare for the campaign, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced the development of a new Digital Literacy Finder Tool that will help people find nearby locations for digital literacy training.  The Finder Tool will be populated with thousands of locations comprising the nation’s libraries, schools, public computing centers, non-profit training providers, and America’s Job Centers."  Read more about this here

All libraries that provide ANY type of digital literacy training be it formal classes or informal one on one, PLEASE add yourself to the Finder Tool by going to this link and adding your information.   An innovative zip-code locator tool will combine all entries into a nationwide database.  You definitely want to be listed there!

For those of us in Pennsylvania, stay tuned to future issues of the Compendium that will assist us in our need assessment, resource identification and creation.

Lastly, if you're looking for some materials and information related to technology training in public libraries, be sure to check out Colorado Virtual Library's Tech Training for Libraries site.  They have great stuff to share; no need to start from scratch! 

Monday, August 6, 2012

Turning the Page 2.0

Turning the Page 2.0 is a FREE library advocacy training course developed and presented by the Public Library Association (PLA) with generous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Read all about it and be sure to sign up starting August 15th for the next online dates September 24 through October 29. Here is a flyer too.

In this six-week, facilitated online course, library staff and supporters will learn how to create and tell their library's story, deliver effective presentations, develop a compelling case for support, and build and sustain partnerships along the way.


Participants are encouraged to come with a specific, self-determined advocacy goal for their library. At the end of six weeks, you’ll have a complete Advocacy Work Plan to guide your efforts.

Turning the Page 2.0 consists of the following components:
  • In-person kick-off (optional)
  • Facilitator-led virtual classroom sessions (1 hour each week for 6 weeks)
  • Independent work on Turning the Page online modules (about 1 hour each week)
  • Online community for discussion (optional)
  • Completion of an Advocacy Work Plan (about 1 hour each week)
  • One-on-one feedback via email from professional facilitators (free consultancy)
Previous participants have told PLA that they spend on average three hours per week (18 hours total) on this course. ALA membership is not required to participate.