The days of “Bigger is better” are over.  Now the power and functionality of a desktop computer are in tiny devices such as tablets, music players, and cell phones.  

According to EMARKETER.COM, in 2013, 1 in 4 people worldwide used social networks.  That is approximately 1.73 billion people.  In this webinar, we will view some of the popular applications to help manage your social networks and stay connected to others

This workshop will be led by Rita Gavelis, LibAssist - http://www.libassist.com/, rita@libassist.com.

Participants will receive webinar information in advance of the session. 
Click HERE for a GoToWebinar Attendee Guide.

Helping our patrons satisfy their reading appetites is one of the most valuable services we offer our communities, not to mention a personally rewarding experience for library staff. We’ll never be able to read every book, or explore the depths of every genre. This series of Genre Overviews will explore the fundamental aspects of select genres, covering characteristics, sub-genres, appeal factors and seminal authors or titles. Learn more about what makes your patrons love specific genres and get the tools to be a cherished Readers Advisor.

Instructed by Donna Goldthwaite of Springfield City Library

Participants will receive webinar information in advance of the session. 
Click HERE for a GoToWebinar Attendee Guide.

Ports in the Storm is an undertaking initiated by the New Jersey State Library regarding the roles that public libraries can play during and subsequent to a major disaster.  Libraries were there to help residents reclaim a bit more of their routine lives. Some people came in just to get away from their homes for a while to chat, get a sympathetic ear and be comfortable. Some used the facilities to get ready for work, appointments or job interviews. Many libraries saw their usage double after the storm as people were desperate to recharge a multitude of devices. Community Rooms were converted into a business centers, and Children’s rooms were full with librarians running specials story times and movies. As many customers discovered, their public library was there to provide them with the assistance, resources, and guidance to aid them in their time of need with dignity, compassion and understanding. Learn more about how you can ready your library for rapid response. Hear from area colleagues whose libraries were officially designated as Disaster Response Centers or recently opened their doors to the community in a disaster.  Gregor Trinkaus-Randall of the MA Board of Library Commissioners will lead this session.

Advising readers on their next book is one of the most intimidating and exhilarating aspects of library work. Helping readers with their reading needs builds an ongoing and treasured relationship between library staff and their users. Readers’ Advisory (RA) is a skill that grows over time and with practice. A new roundtable is forming in February to explore reading genres, their appeal for readers, and to expand our knowledge and awareness of authors and titles in the genres. 

Genre: Mystery Fiction

Benchmark: Everyone reads Louise Penny’s Still Life.

Our first RART-W genre study is mystery. Participants are asked to read Louise Penny’s Still Life before the meeting so that we can discuss this benchmark title together. We will explore the appeal of mysteries and the appeal factors present in Still Life. This is a great time to join the RA Round Table - West to strengthen your knowledge of reading genres, build and improve your readers advisory skills, and to help us set the direction for the round table.

For a more detailed description and full schedule of the Spring’s genre studies, check out: http://raroundtablewestma.wordpress.com/

QR codes are a two-dimensional barcode that have been used in Asia and Europe for decades but have only recently been adopted by organizations in the US.  In this workshop, we will:

• Learn what they are
• Explore how to create them
• Discover How they can be used in your library

This workshop will be led by Rita Gavelis, LibAssist - http://www.libassist.com/.

Participants will receive GoToWebinar information in advance of the session.
Click HERE for a GoToWebinar Attendee Guide.

The days of “Bigger is better” are over.  Now the power and functionality of a desktop computer are in tiny devices such as tablets, music players, and cell phones.  In this workshop, we will view some of the popular applications useful for reference, reading, and working in a library on a hand-held device.

This workshop will be led by Rita Gavelis, LibAssist - http://www.libassist.com/, rita@libassist.com.

Participants will receive GoToWebinar information in advance of the session.
Click HERE for a GoToWebinar Attendee Guide.