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Tag Archives: Continuing Education
Continuing Education: Website Accessibility
What does it mean to have an accessible website? Why is it important?
“Web accessibility means that websites, tools, and technologies are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them. More specifically, people can: perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the web” – W3C
This is important to ensure equal access to information and equal ability to interact with websites and resources by eliminating barriers. For example, providing closed captioning/subtitles on videos for those who aren’t able to hear or including alternate text to describe an image helps those using screen readers.
Below are just a few introductory resources to start looking through and several webinars (upcoming and recorded) that may be useful.
Resources:
- Prioritizing Accessibility and Disability Inclusion at Your Library (WebJunction)
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Overview (W3C Initiative)
- WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool) (WebAIM – University of Utah)
- Web Accessibility Guidelines (American Library Association)
- Libraries and Accessibility: Accessible Websites LibGuide (CT State Library)
- ARL Web Accessibility Toolkit (Association of Research Libraries)
Webinars:
- Oct. 23rd – Introduction to Website Accessibility (Infopeople)
- “In this one-hour webinar, you’ll gain an understanding of which guidelines are used to measure website accessibility in the United States, and how to being to evaluate your own library’s site for potential issues.”
- Archived – NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech – Building a Clean, User-Friendly Library Website (Nebraska Library Commission)
- “Websites are often the first thing people see when interacting with a business. With so many things vying for people’s attention, the library website should be a call to action for people to use library services. This session will act as a guide to building a library website that makes a good impression on library customers.”
- Archived – Evaluating Websites for Accessibility (Great Lakes ADA Center/ADA National Network)
- “This introductory webinar will cover online barriers to accessibility and explain how to check that web content is accessible to all visitors”
For webinars and CE: If you would like to earn continuing education (CE) credit and are enrolled in the Nebraska Public Librarian Certification program, please submit a “CE Activity Report Form” after each webinar.
If you have any questions about continuing education, please contact Holli Duggan.
Continuing Education: Digital Citizenship & Literacy
It’s Digital Citizenship Week!
Digital citizens positively and safely use technology tools to participate in society (for example, social media). Topics include cyberbullying, online safety and privacy, verifying information, and creating content. Digital literacy plays a very important role as it focuses on the skills necessary to effectively access and interact with various technologies and digital information, such as how to use a web browser or how to critically analyze information found on a website.
The links and webinars listed below are just a few resources to get started thinking about digital citizenship and digital literacy as you work with students and/or public library patrons.
Resources:
- Digital Literacy – Public Library Association
- Digital Literacy Professional Tools – Public Library Association
- 20 Examples of Digital Citizenship – EdTech Update
- List of some specific examples to help better understand what good digital citizenship skills include
- Digital Citizenship Curriculum – Common Sense Education
- K-12 digital citizenship skills lesson plans
- Resources for Digital Citizenship Week – Ask a Tech Teacher
- Virtual Privacy Lab – San José Public Library
- Mozilla Web Literacy: The WebLit Core Curriculum – Mozilla
- Bridging the Digital Divide by Building Digital Literacy Skills – WebJunction
Webinars:
- Let’s Celebrate Digital Citizenship Week: Something for Everyone – edWeb
- “Increase awareness and get students, faculty, and families inspired to learn about media balance, cyberbullying, privacy, and much, much, more!”
- Digital Citizenship – Niche Academy
- “In this free one-hour webinar, Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, founder of Digital Respons-Ability, discusses digital citizenship, the ethical and responsible use of technology. This digital citizenship primer will discuss online safety, digital law and digital health.”
- Digital Citizenship: New Lessons for a Changing World – Common Sense Education
- “This award-winning, comprehensive Digital Citizenship Curriculum covers a range of topics from media balance to cyberbullying to privacy. It prepares students to think critically and use technology responsibly to learn, create, and participate. This edWebinar is designed for all K-12 teachers, librarians, and tech coordinators.”
- Digital Citizenship: New Roles and Responsibilities in the Digital Age – WebJunction
- “A webinar defining ‘digital citizenship’ and exploring ways for public libraries to support services and programming to help grow safe, responsible, and respectful digital environments.”
- Privacy Literacy at Your Library – WebJunction
- Learn about San José Public Library’s Virtual Privacy Lab. “The modules guide users through topics such as social media and security, and provide personalized tips, links and resources that enable them [library patrons] to feel safe and confident online.”
- Is That Real? A Crash Course in Verifying Online Content – WebJunction
- “Dive into the tools and skills that you and your patrons need to verify the authenticity of user-generated content, and learn how to create engaging fact-checking investigations that will empower learners to detect and debunk misinformation online.”
- Digital Literacy Training Tutorials for Libraries – WebJunction
- Learn about GCFLearnFree.org and DigitalLearn.org which “are two resources that provide free digital literacy and technology training tutorials.”
- Using DigitalLearn in Your Library – PLA
- “Understand how to integrate DigitalLearn.org into the library’s digital literacy training efforts.”
- Teaching Patrons to Use Technology: Skills for One-on-One Tech Instruction – Florida Library Webinars
- “In this webinar, learn practical training skills that will help boost your ability to help library patrons with technology questions.”
For webinars and CE: If you would like to earn continuing education (CE) credit and are enrolled in the Nebraska Public Librarian Certification program, please submit a “CE Activity Report Form” after each webinar.
If you have any questions about continuing education, please contact Holli Duggan.
Continuing Education: Scary Stories
Halloween is creeping closer with scary story marathons and late-night horror binges.
But what if you’re not a super fan of horror and don’t know where to start when someone asks for a recommendation? Or maybe you’re looking for something new? Below are just a few resources and webinars to help get in the spirit of readers’ advisory.
Resources:
- The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Horror (Second Edition) – Becky Siegel Spratford (2012)
- Paperbacks from Hell: A History of Horror Fiction from the ’70s and ’80s – Grady Hendrix (2017)
- RA For All: Horror – Becky Spratford
- Blog posts every day in October with all sorts of resources, links, and lists
- Librarian’s Page – Horror Writers Association
- Horror Starter Pack (list of five titles) – NoveList
- Zombies and Skeletons and Vampires, Oh My! 10 Picks for Elementary Readers – School Library Journal
- Teen Screams: YA Horror for Every Kind of Reader – School Library Journal
- Summer Scares Program Inaugural Reading List – Partnership between Horror Writers Association, United for Libraries, Book Riot and School Library Journal
Webinars:
- Crash Course in Horror – NoveList (archived)
- “Why horror is so popular and how libraries can ramp up the thrills and chills in their collection, how horror developed…subgenres and trends…search strategy tips and learn where to access genre-related information in NoveList”
- The Haunt They Want: Why Student Readers are Entranced by Horror & Suspense – Junior Library Guild (archived)
- “Young readers are after the heart-pounding, nail-biting shivers that these novels deliver – and children’s and young-adult authors are making sure they’re adequately spooked. Join us for this book talk with JLG’s Mystery/Horror/Suspense category editor Maria Wang as she discusses how spooky and scary tales entrance student readers of all ages.”
- Spine-Chilling Ideas for Halloween at Your Library – Florida Library Webinars (archived)
- “Halloween will be here before we know it and this interactive and informative webinar is for you if you are looking for fresh spooktacular ideas!”
- Exploring New Horizons in SF/Fantasy & Horror – Booklist (archived)
For webinars and CE: If you would like to earn continuing education (CE) credit and are enrolled in the Nebraska Public Librarian Certification program, please submit a “CE Activity Report Form” after each webinar.
If you have any questions about continuing education, please contact Holli Duggan.
Continuing Education for Health Literacy
October is Health Literacy Month!
From the National Network of Libraries of Medicine: “Health literacy requires a complex group of reading, listening, analytical, and decision-making skills, as well as the ability to apply these skills to health situations. For example, it includes the ability to understand instructions on prescription drug bottles, appointment slips, medical education brochures, doctor’s directions and consent forms, and the ability to negotiate complex health care systems.”
How do people access and understand health-related information and how can librarians help? Below is a list of free resources and webinars (some upcoming, some archived) focused on health literacy and the role of libraries.
Resources:
- “October is Health Literacy Month” – WebJunction
- “Health Literacy Month” – healthliteracy.org
- “Health Literacy” – National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM)
- “Health Literacy, Programming, and Consumer Health Information” – ALA
- “Healthy Community Tools for Public Libraries” – PLA/NNLM
Webinars:
- Oct. 2nd: Welcome to Health Literacy Month! – healthliteracy.org
- Oct. 10th: How the Library Can Help Students Navigate Mental Health – School Library Connection
- Oct. 15th: Helping Patrons Navigate “Dr. Google” – NNLM
- Oct. 16th: Health Information Needs of Immigrant Populations – NNLM
- Oct. 16th: PNR Rendezvous: Health Insurance Literacy and How Librarians Can Help – NNLM
- Oct. 22nd: Activate, Collaborate, and Educate: Health Outreach and Programming in Your Community – NNLM
- Oct. 30: Public Libraries Partner to Respond to the Opioid Crisis – WebJunction
- Archived: Health Literacy Begins at Your Library – WebJunction
- Archived: Health Education Resources with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine – NCompass Live
- Archived: Many Languages, Many Cultures: Responding to Diverse Health Information Needs – NCompass Live
If you would like to earn continuing education (CE) credit and are enrolled in the Nebraska Public Librarian Certification program, please submit a “CE Activity Report Form” after each webinar.
If you have any continuing education questions, please contact Holli Duggan.
2020 NLC Grants are Open for Applications
Do you have an idea for a program or project you would like to see funded? The Nebraska Library Commission has made funding available for four grants for 2020: Youth Grants for Excellence, Internship, Library Improvement, and Continuing Education & Training.
Applications are being accepted for all NLC grants right now! Don’t let your library miss out on these opportunities!
For more information about these grants, watch the recording of the NCompass Live webinar, NLC Grants for 2020 (1 hour 10 minutes).
Youth Grants for Excellence makes funding available specifically for innovative projects for children and young adults in accredited public libraries and state-run institutional libraries in Nebraska. The program is designed to encourage creative thinking, risk-taking, and new approaches to address problems and needs of children and young adults in your community. This grant application is due September 30, 2019.
Internship grants work to introduce high school and college students to the varied and exciting work of Nebraska libraries. The internships are intended to function as a recruitment tool, helping the student to view the library as a viable career opportunity while providing the public library with the finances to provide stipends to the student interns. This grant application is due October 16, 2019.
Library Improvement grants facilitate growth and development of library programs and services in Nebraska public and institutional libraries, by supplementing local funding with federal funds designated for these purposes. This grant application is due November 13, 2019.
Continuing Education & Training grants help assist Nebraska libraries to improve the library services provided to their communities through continuing education and training for their library personnel and supporters. Successful applications will show how the continuing education and/or training proposed will support the library’s mission. This year, the Nebraska Library Commission is offering individuals $500 grants to attend the ARSL (Association for Rural & Small Libraries) 2020 Conference in Wichita, Kansas on Sept. 30th to Oct. 3rd, 2020! This grant application is due December 13, 2019.
CE/Training Grants Applications Due Friday (12/7)
The Continuing Education/Training Grants are back this year and the applications are still open until Friday (12/7)!
Grant information and Application Forms
The purpose of these grants is to assist Nebraska libraries to improve the library services provided to their communities through continuing education and training for their library personnel and supporters. Successful applications will show how the continuing education and/or training proposed will support the library’s mission.
This year we are offering grants in three different areas: attending an out-of-state professional conference, taking an online CE course, and other larger CE group/staff projects.
Applications are due December 7, 2018
Applications will be evaluated and applicants notified by January 11, 2019
For more details about filling out the applications, the archived session “NCompass Live: 2018 Continuing Education/Training and Internship Grants” is also available.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Holli Duggan.
2018 NLC Grants are Open for Applications
Are you thinking about applying for one of the three NLC grants? Youth Grants for Excellence, Continuing Education/Training, and Internship Grants all are available right now! Don’t let your library miss out on these opportunities! Recent NCompass Live sessions have featured these grants and are available below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msnyWYPo_JM]
Youth Grants for Excellence makes funding available specifically for innovative projects for children and young adults in accredited public libraries and state-run institutional libraries in Nebraska. The program is designed to encourage creative thinking, risk-taking, and new approaches to address problems and needs of children and young adults in your community. This grant application is due October 15, 2018. Applications must be received by the Nebraska Library Commission submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. CT. You will be notified by November 16, 2018 if you are awarded a grant.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aHY2F3wm8U]Continuing Education/Training grants help assist Nebraska libraries to improve the library services provided to their communities through continuing education and training for their library personnel and supporters. Successful applications will show how the continuing education and/or training proposed will support the library’s mission. Applications must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 7, 2018. We will inform applicants whether they have received a grant on or before January 11, 2019.
Internship grants work to introduce high school and college students to the varied and exciting work of Nebraska libraries. The internships are intended to function as a recruitment tool, helping the student to view the library as a viable career opportunity while providing the public library with the finances to provide stipends to the student interns. This grant application is due November 16, 2018. Applications must be received by the Nebraska Library Commission submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. CT. The Award Announcement will be December 21, 2018.
For more information on these grants contact our Library Development Director, Christa Porter by email or at 402-471-3107.
Applications for CE/Training Grants are Open!
The Continuing Education/Training Grants are back this year and the applications are now open!
The purpose of these grants is to assist Nebraska libraries to improve the library services provided to their communities through continuing education and training for their library personnel and supporters. Successful applications will show how the continuing education and/or training proposed will support the library’s mission.
This year we are offering grants in three different areas: attending an out-of-state professional conference, taking an online CE course, and other larger CE group/staff projects.
Applications are due December 7, 2018
Applications will be evaluated and applicants notified by January 11, 2019
For more details about filling out the applications, the archived session “NCompass Live: 2018 Continuing Education/Training and Internship Grants” is now available.
Grant information and Application Forms
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Holli Duggan.
Holli Duggan: Continuing Education Coordinator
Meet Holli Duggan (pronounced: DUG in) who joined the Library Commission earlier this year as our Continuing Education Coordinator.
Holli was born and raised in North Platte and attended UNK where she received degrees in English and Spanish. She received her MLS from the University of Missouri in addition to an MA in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education from UNL. She is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in Educational Studies at UNL.
Growing up, Holli was always at the library and a favorite childhood author was R.L. Stine. She aspired to be a librarian at a young age and has a resume that includes working at Waldenbooks, the UNK and UNL libraries, the Gere branch library in Lincoln, and Concordia. The most satisfying thing about her current position is helping people find resources to assist them to perform their job better and in turn, help their patrons more efficiently. When I asked Holli what she thinks of when I ask her about the Library Commission, she says it is awesome. She enjoys working together with others to better libraries in Nebraska. If she could switch jobs, she would be a Spanish translator or something science-y. If she won the lottery, the first thing she would do is go to Costa Rica.
During non-work hours, Holli is most likely doing classwork for her Ed.D. In the rare free hours, she enjoys reading, watching shows on Netflix, or doing Crossfit. If she could have dinner with anyone she would pick the author Lin-Manuel Miranda because it would be so much fun to talk to him. She fondly remembers that Stephen King’s Pet Sematary was the very first book she checked out of her library from the adult section.
Holli shares her home with her husband Zac, a chocolate lab mix named Kyrie, and three cats named, Loki, Beowulf, and Mei Mei. If she could choose two words to describe herself they would be driven and patient. It’s wonderful to have Holli on our team!
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