[Web4lib] Announcement: Johnson County Library's OPAL series for librarians

[Tom Peters]

Today the Johnson County Library (http://www.jocolibrary.org/) in Kansas announced a new series of online professional development opportunities for librarians.  They will be offered on the third Friday of each month.  The series will be offered through the OPAL collaborative (http://www.opal-online.org).  The dates, start times, and brief descriptions of each event in the series are listed below.  
   
  For current information about these and all upcoming OPAL online programs, please visit http://www.opal-online.org/programs.htm.  These online programs are open to all librarians and library users worldwide.  There is no need to register.
   
  
Friday, April 21, 2006 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, 10:00 a.m. Central, 9:00 a.m. Mountain, 8:00 a.m. Pacific, and 3:00 p.m. GMT:
Getting Along with IT Staff
David King, Acting ITS Director, Kansas City Public Library will be the presenter. Ever noticed that your co-workers' eyes start glazing over when you describe that custom XML app? Or, ever notice your network administrator's face start to turn red as you ask yet again for a "simple" explanation of why the Internet stopped working? This session covers the basics of how to jump communication hurdles between techies and non-technical staff. The problem is defined along with the steps to take, including what to do with jargon, how to handle training sessions, how to simplify describing a solution to non-technical staff, and how to describe technical problems and projects clearly. Gain some understanding of how techies and non-techies think and some strategies to improve communication in your work environment. This program is part of the Librarian's Continuing Education Seminar Series, sponsored by the Johnson County Library. 
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium. 

  
Friday, May 19, 2006 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, 10:00 a.m. Central, 9:00 a.m. Mountain, 8:00 a.m. Pacific, and 3:00 p.m. GMT:
Project Planning with Love and Logic (Models)
Whitney Davison-Turley, Digital Projects Specialist, University of Kansas Medical Center Libraries will be the presenter. From the largest grant proposals to the smallest project plan, using logic models can help you develop stronger and more successful projects with assessment and evaluation built in at every step. You will love the way that logic models allow you "plan backwards and implement forwards," keeping the focus on the real impact of your program and causing all activities to feed directly into that impact. This program will discuss what a logic model is, show examples of using a logic model for writing a project plan or grant proposal, and provide resources for additional information. This program is part of the Librarian's Continuing Education Seminar Series, sponsored by the Johnson County Library. 
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium. 

  
Friday, June 16, 2006 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, 10:00 a.m. Central, 9:00 a.m. Mountain, 8:00 a.m. Pacific, and 3:00 p.m. GMT:
Teen Services: Ten Ways to Give Up Control and Encourage Engagement 
Tricia Suellentrop, Youth Services Manager, Johnson County Library will be the presenter. “For teens, by teens, with teens.” Teen librarians say it all the time, but what does it mean for the everyday service delivered, on the floor, and at the desk? Encouraging teen-managed services isn’t always easy; it can be time consuming, stressful and thrilling for you and the teens. But the benefits are amazing. Learn how to give up control and encourage teen-managed library services. This program is part of the Librarian's Continuing Education Seminar Series, sponsored by the Johnson County Library. 
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium. 

  
Friday, July 21, 2006 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, 10:00 a.m. Central, 9:00 a.m. Mountain, 8:00 a.m. Pacific, and 3:00 p.m. GMT:
Programs for Adults at the Library 
Jennifer Mahnken, Adult Programming Manager, Johnson County Library will be the presenter. Planning adult programs for your library? This program will give you some ideas for programs, things to consider when planning, and ideas for promotion. This program is part of the Librarian's Continuing Education Seminar Series, sponsored by the Johnson County Library. 
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium. 

  
Friday, August 18, 2006 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, 10:00 a.m. Central, 9:00 a.m. Mountain, 8:00 a.m. Pacific, and 3:00 p.m. GMT:
Delivering Top-Notch Technology Training for Your Patrons 
Brenda Hough, Technology Coordinator at the Northeast Kansas Library System, Michael Porter (aka Library Man), Training and Support Coordinator at OCLC Western, and Rebecca Richardson, Technology Training Specialist at the Purdue University Libraries will be the presenters. More libraries are offering technology training for staff and patrons. Learn how to use interactive techniques to address varying skill levels, adapt to multiple learning styles, and deliver technology with greater impact. This program is part of the Librarian's Continuing Education Seminar Series, sponsored by the Johnson County Library. 
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium. 

  
Friday, September 15, 2006 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, 10:00 a.m. Central, 9:00 a.m. Mountain, 8:00 a.m. Pacific, and 3:00 p.m. GMT:
Community Issues Forums 
Donna Lauffer, Associate Director for Branches, Johnson County Library will be the presenter. Libraries can be key partners in helping to build their communities and/or to help engage citizens in decision-making. This session will introduce you to public forums using the model of deliberative dialogue. Find out how your library can be a community resource for citizens input on issues that affect everyone. This program is part of the Librarian's Continuing Education Seminar Series, sponsored by the Johnson County Library. 
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium. 

  
Friday, October 20, 2006 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, 10:00 a.m. Central, 9:00 a.m. Mountain, 8:00 a.m. Pacific, and 3:00 p.m. GMT:
Grant Writing 101: Developing Winning Proposals 
Erica Reynolds, Web Content Manager, Johnson County Library will be the presenter. Have a terrific project, but need money to implement it? Learn how to find funding opportunities, review proposal guidelines, develop budgets, avoid common pitfalls, and develop successful proposals. This program is part of the Librarian's Continuing Education Seminar Series, sponsored by the Johnson County Library. 
This OPAL event will be held in the Auditorium. 



Tom Peters

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