Upcoming Special Events

Note: To enter the online room and participate in an event, simply click on the title of the event and follow the instructions.


• 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:
  
  David King, Acting ITS Director, 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 .
  This OPAL event will be held in the .



• Wednesday, May 3, 2006 beginning at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, 3:00 Central, 2:00 Mountain, 1:00 Pacific, and 8:00 GMT:
  Pam Storm from the Carl Sandburg School in Charleston, Illinois will introduce the K-3 nominated books. For the complete list go to .
  Sponsor:
  Location:



• Thursday, May 4, 2006 beginning at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, 3:00 Central, 2:00 Mountain, 1:00 Pacific, and 8:00 GMT:
  Bonita Slovinski from Lincoln Junior High School in Naperville, Illinois will talk about the books for grades 4 through 8. For the complete list go to .
  Sponsor:
  Location:



• Monday, May 8, 2006 beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, 1:00 Central, noon Mountain, 11:00 a.m. Pacific, and 6:00 p.m. GMT:
  
  Join us for a fascinating discussion about how to start and sustain book discussion clubs for teens. Sponsored by the .
  This two-hour OPAL event will be held in the .



• Wednesday, May 10, 2006 beginning at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, 3:00 Central, 2:00 Mountain, 1:00 Pacific, and 8:00 GMT:
  Carolyn Roys from Lake Park High School in Roselle, Illinois will discuss the nominations for the high school award. The full list (annotated) is at .
  Sponsor:
  Location:



• 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:
  
  Whitney Davison-Turley, Digital Projects Specialist, 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 .
  This OPAL event will be held in the .



• 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:
  
  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 .
  This OPAL event will be held in the .



• 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:
  
  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 .
  This OPAL event will be held in the .



• 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:
  
  Brenda Hough, Technology Coordinator at the , Michael Porter (aka Library Man), Training and Support Coordinator at , and Rebecca Richardson, Technology Training Specialist at the 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 .
  This OPAL event will be held in the .



• 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:
  
  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 .
  This OPAL event will be held in the .



• 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:
  
  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 .
  This OPAL event will be held in the .