Professional Development Opportunities
Acquisitions
Fundamentals of Acquisitions (Core)
This six-week course provides a basic primer for library acquisitions concepts common to all library material formats. Topics include:
- goals and methods of acquiring monographs and serials in all formats;
- theoretical foundations and workflows of basic acquisitions functions;
- financial management of library collections budgets;
- relationships among acquisitions librarians, library booksellers, subscription agents, and publishers.
In this course, we distinguish between collection development, which involves the selection of materials for the library; and acquisitions, which orders, receives, and pays for those materials. In many libraries, selecting and acquiring materials may be done in the same department—in the smallest libraries perhaps even by the same person. In larger libraries, selection may be done by a collection development department and/or designated subject specialists, while a separate department acquires the selected materials. In essence, acquisitions is the business operation, bringing materials into the library and licensing access to library collections and resources. Because success in acquisitions depends on ability to collaborate, negotiate, and be flexible to work out win-win solutions with others, this course includes collaborative and social elements.
November 2–December 18
$149 (Members) / $169 (Non-Members)
Introduction to Library Acquisitions (Amigos)
Are you responsible for acquisitions at your library, but feeling like you don't know where to start? Or just looking to learn more about this area of library work? Acquisitions work, which involves ordering, receiving, and paying for library materials, is a very important factor in getting library patrons access to the resources they need. Attend this class to get an introduction to this area of work. Topics covered include goals and methods of acquisitions, budget management, and relationship building with vendors and publishers.
December 7, 1–3 PM Central
$70 (Member Early Bird) / $95 (Member) / $130 (Non-Member Early Bird) / $155 (Non-Member)
Cataloging/Metadata
AACR2 . . . Meet RDA (MCLS)
Cataloging with RDA (Resource Description and Access) is similar to cataloging with AACR2 . . . and then again it is not! In this two-hour webinar, key differences between AACR2 and RDA will be identified and shown through examples. Some of the challenges and implications of these differences will be discussed, and possible solutions suggested.
November 4, 1 PM–3 PM Central
$60 (Members) / $120 (Non-Members)
Authority Control (Library Juice Academy)
Authority control is a process that ensures all access points in a record are consistent across a library’s database, but it is a process that many librarians find mysterious. In this course we will demystify authority control and explore the value it adds to library catalogs through a comprehensive overview of authority control work.
November 1–28
$175
Basics of RDA Conceptual Models (MCLS)
Learn the basics of conceptual models used in RDA: Resources Description and Access and understand how they are used in cataloging to support discovery. This workshop will review two concepts that we currently use in cataloging: Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) and Functional Requirements for Authority Data (FRAD). It will also introduce the new IFLA Library Reference Model (LRM) which is incorporated into the new RDA Toolkit. The workshop emphasizes understanding the practical application of these models in RDA cataloging. It provides cataloging examples in MARC 21 for various formats, with an emphasis on books. Exercises and a resource list for further learning are also included. A basic understanding of the MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data is needed for the course.
December 2, 9–11 AM Central
$60 (Members) / $120 (Non-Members)
BIBFRAME: An Overview (MCLS)
This course will provide an overview of the BIBFRAME ontology, which the Library of Congress has developed to succeed MARC21 as the format for expressing/encoding descriptions of library resources. Topics include:
- an introduction to linked data concepts and the RDF data model;
- an introduction to ontologies—their purpose and their structure;
- an overview of the BIBFRAME ontology and its key features;
- ongoing BIBFRAME projects;
- tools for BIBFRAME exploration and experimentation.
November 11, 9–11 AM Central
$60 (Members) / $120 (Non-Members)
Cataloging with Variant Titles (MCLS)
Adding variant titles to a cataloging record can be rewarding for user search and discovery. It also helps catalogers distinguish between cataloging records and reduce the number of duplicate cataloging records in shared databases. This session presents best practices for adding variant titles to monograph bibliographic records once the source of title and the title proper has been determined. RDA defines a variant title as a title associated with a resource that differs from a title recorded as a title proper, a parallel title proper, an other title information, a parallel other title information, an earlier title proper, a later title proper, etc. This session will give examples of all these types of variant titles, especially using MARC field 246. It will focus on clarifying primary relationships between a work, expression, and manifestation, and not on recording titles which are related works and not on preferred titles (uniform titles). RDA also asks catalogers to determine and record variant titles which are important for identification or access. This can be difficult out-of-context! This session will share some guidelines on how to determine what is best for your catalog users. Attendees will be given examples and exercises in order to improve their skills in adding variant titles to cataloging records.
November 4, 9 AM-11 AM Central
$60 (Members) / $120 (Non-Members)
Creating Linked Data with Sinopia (Amigos)
Are you interested in linked data? Do you feel like you have the theory down, but want to get some hands-on practice creating linked data? Sinopia is a free, web-based tool that will help you get your feet wet with linked data creation. Attend this session to learn how to create templates, enter data, and link your data to other vocabularies. You'll walk away with some practical knowledge of linked data and a sense of how libraries are using Sinopia.
November 8, 1:30–2:30 PM Central
Free (Amigos Members) / $35 (Non-Members)
Introduction to Metadata (Library Juice Academy)
This course focuses on learning the basic principles of metadata including types of metadata, metadata schemas (EAD, MOD, MAD, Dublin Core, VRACore), mapping between schemas, and a brief overview of metadata expressed in XML. Additionally, MARC and Dublin Core metadata records will be compared, providing insights into the similarities of description and the differences. Students will become familiar with the different types of metadata, understand the basic principles of metadata, the terminology and structure of XML expressed metadata and build critical skills applicable to systems work, cataloging, metadata work, and general web work.
November 1–28
$175
Introduction to OpenRefine (Lyrasis)
OpenRefine is a free, open source, powerful tool for working with messy data. Using an interface similar to that of a spreadsheet, it allows for the quick exploration of large datasets using features such as faceting and filtering. But where it really shines is in helping fix inconsistencies in your data, such as differences in spelling, date format, capitalization, etc. This workshop will introduce the most powerful features of OpenRefine using a sample bibliographic dataset. Participants will be encouraged to install the tool on their own computer prior to the workshop, and follow along. We will conclude with a short discussion of use cases: participants are welcome to share examples of datasets from their own work practice that need to be cleaned up and discuss how OpenRefine can help with this process. There are no particular prerequisites for this session. Familiarity with Regular Expressions can be useful in applying more advanced text matching functions, but is not required. This workshop will draw inspiration from the Library Carpentry OpenRefine lesson.
November 3, 1–2:30 PM Central
$75 (Lyrasis Member) / $100 (Non-Member)
Library of Congress Classification: The Basics (Amigos)
Would you like to learn more about the Library of Congress Classification system? Do you need some clarification on how number building works, or are you confused about Cutter numbers? This class will provide an overview of the structure of Library of Congress Classification, with detailed exploration of some schedules, along with short homework assignments to help you practice your learning. Topics covered also include number building, Cutter numbers, and interpreting instructions found in the classification schedules.
November 2 & 4, 10 AM–12 PM Central
$140 (Member Early Bird) / $165 (Member) / $195 (Non-Member Early Bird) / $220 (Non-Member)
MARC: An Introduction (MCLS)
Do not be intimidated by MARC! Do terms like fixed and variable fields scare you? Are you put off by subfields and indicators? This class is designed to help you better understand MARC, whether you are a cataloger, reference librarian, interlibrary loan practitioner or support staff. If you are new to the library field or just need a review, a better understanding of MARC will be helpful. The instructor will present an overview to MARC (Machine-Readable Cataloging) records and related terminology, such as the fixed and variable fields, tags, indicators, subfields, and International Standard Bibliographic Description (ISBD) punctuation marks. We will discuss how MARC tagging and coding of cataloging data is used in bibliographic records. We will set out guidelines for record selection and discuss when to create and enter new records.
November 9–11, 1–3 PM Central
$100 (Members) / $200 (Non-Members)
Making Your Catalog Work For Your Community: How to Develop Local Cataloging Standards (Amigos)
When it comes to cataloging and classification, consistency obtained through standards is important. That does not mean you have to be at the mercy of the national standards. This presentation will cover many ways in which you can adapt catalog records to make sure they work for your library users—from homegrown classification systems to local subject headings—and offer tips to make sure these practices still provide the consistency needed in a good catalog.
December 6, 1:30–2:30 PM Central
Free (Amigos Members) / $35 (Non-Members)
Metadata Principles and Practices: Metadata Basics (Amigos)
Do you catalog? Do you plan digital projects? Do you wish to better understand the role of metadata and how it works? This 2-hour online workshop will cover the basics of metadata. Topics include: defining metadata; outlining the purposes and functions of metadata; list the components of a metadata infrastructure and keys to successfully launching a new metadata standard; understand how well formed XML provides a framework for expressing metadata in an online environment. This class is part of a four part series entitled Metadata Principles & Practices.
November 16, 10 AM–12 PM Central
$70 (Member Early Bird) / $95 (Member) / $130 (Non-Member Early Bird) / $155 (Non-Member)
Metadata Principles and Practices: Metadata Standards and Types (Amigos)
In this second workshop in the series "Metadata Principles and Practices," students will discover how metadata standards are created and explore several standards commonly in use today. Topics include: XML DTDs and schemas; types and examples of metadata currently in use today. This class should be taken after "Metadata Basics," but can be taken without the other two workshops in the series.
November 17, 10 AM–12 PM Central
$70 (Member Early Bird) / $95 (Member) / $130 (Non-Member Early Bird) / $155 (Non-Member)
Metadata Principles and Practices: Metadata Customization, Exchange, Transformation and Migration (Amigos)
This third workshop in the "Metadata Principles and Practices" series covers the processes by which institutions customize existing metadata standards, exchange and harvest metadata, transform metadata from one standard to another and migrate metadata to a newer standard. Topics to be covered include: metadata quality factors, application profiles, the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting, metadata crosswalks and stylesheets.
November 18, 10 AM–12 PM Central
$70 (Member Early Bird) / $95 (Member) / $130 (Non-Member Early Bird) / $155 (Non-Member)
Metadata Principles and Practices: Metadata Relationships (Amigos)
This final workshop in the Metadata Principles and Practices series focuses on the role of expressing relationships in metadata to enhance resource discovery. Topics to be covered:
- How the Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard maintains links between metadata and the resources they describe.
- How the Semantic Web, RDF and Linked Data semantically articulate relationships between entities to aggregate metadata components and enable users to find resources related to their research interests.
- The Bibliographic Framework (BibFrame) as an application of RDF and its potential as a replacement for MARC 21.
November 23, 10 AM–12 PM Central
$70 (Member Early Bird) / $95 (Member) / $130 (Non-Member Early Bird) / $155 (Non-Member)
The Mystery of MARC Fixed Fields Solved (MCLS)
What are the MARC fixed fields? And what are their purposes? In this two-day course, we will define the MARC fixed fields. Also discussed will be the purpose of the MARC 006, 007 and 008 fields. When are they used? How are they coded? Examples will be provided, and you will have the opportunity to create MARC 006, 007 and 008 fields for various types of resources.
December 7–8, 1–3PM Central
$80 (Members) / $160 (Non-Members)
RDA for Non-Catalogers: What Do I Need to Know? (MCLS)
Have you thought that your catalogers been talking a new language lately? Using terms like RDA and FRBR? RDA Resources, Description and Access is the new cataloging standard, implemented in 2013 to replace AACR2. FRBR is part of the infrastructure of this new code. What does this mean to the non-cataloger? What kind of changes should library staff and the end user expect to see as a result of RDA? What are some of the major changes between AACR2 and RDA?
November 18, 9–11 AM Central
$60 (Members) / $120 (Non-Members)
Original Cataloging of Archival Materials Using RDA (MCLS)
Here is your chance to work with RDA (Resource Description and Access) as applied to the original cataloging of archival materials. This hands-on workshop teaches participants how to catalog resources in an archival collection using such tools as the RDA Toolkit, the Library of Congress-Program for Cooperative Cataloging Policy Statements, and Library of Congress Subject Headings Manual. The class will address original cataloging of all forms of archives. Among the topics discussed will be the chief source of information, physical description, primary access point, and the choice of additional access points. Participants will learn the appropriate MARC fixed and variable fields for archives records and will study the relationships among these fields. Assignment of subject headings for archives will also be discussed. Several MARC record examples will be examined, and a number of hands-on exercises will be included. The booklet for this workshop contains an RDA Workflow providing the relevant RDA rules, the Library of Congress-Program for Cooperative Cataloging Policy Statements, and MARC coding information. The OCLC Bibliographic Formats and Standards will also be used. NOTE: Basic navigation in the RDA Toolkit will NOT be covered.
November 16–18, 1–3 PM Central
$100 (Members) / $200 (Non-Members)
Using MarcEdit (Library Juice Academy)
This four-week course will provide hands-on instruction to build, edit and manipulate library data using MarcEdit. This course will cover both basic functionality as well as more sophisticated uses making it appropriate for both new and experienced users of MarcEdit. This course can be taken as one of eight courses needed to earn our Certificate in Cataloging and Technical Services, but can be taken as a stand-alone course as well.
December 6–January 2
$175
Digital Collections
Ethics and Sustainability for Digital Curation (Library Juice Academy)
It’s not just about digitizing or capturing unique born-digital material to preserve it and put it online for unfettered access in an institutional repository or digital special collections platform. The responsible information professional needs to approach their task within a framework that supports ethical curation of digital collections and also includes the necessary component of financial and preservation sustainability. This course will explore ethical frameworks in various disciplines, from radical librarianship, to archives, and to community-centered and human rights documentation initiatives, in order to lay a working framework for stewarding digital collections in a responsible manner, no matter the setting, institution or purpose. This course can be taken as one of six courses needed to earn our Certificate in Digital Curation, but can be taken as a stand-alone course as well.
December 6–January 2
$175
Fundamentals of Digital Library Projects (Core)
This six-week online course introduces students to the breadth of considerations, standards and skills needed to successfully launch and manage a digital library program. The course will provide opportunity for hands-on activities to develop critical thinking and decision-making skills within the context of a digital library.
November 1–December 17
$149 (Members) / $169 (Non-Members)
Grant Writing for Digital Collections in Libraries & Museums (Library Juice Academy)
This course discusses local, regional, and national grant planning and writing, for the purposes of digital collections creation. Emphasizing the granular detail needed for successful grant submissions, this course will include sections on digitization explanation, metadata description, digital preservation and maintenance, harvesting and interoperability requirements, and specialized, user-friendly research applications that will make your application stand out, in order to secure funding.
November 1–28
$175
Grant Writing for Digitization and Preservation Projects (Lyrasis)
This four-hour class, which will be offered online in two-hour increments, focuses on preparing for and writing grants for digitization and/or preservation projects. The class covers the grant writing process from start to finish. Starting with finding funding opportunities, moving on to writing a proposal, through the grant review process, and finally covers grants administration and promoting grant-funded projects. The class also addresses collaborating on grant projects. General grant writing information can be applied to grant opportunities from a range of different funding agencies, but the focus of examples given in the class is on the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), since they are major funders for a range of institutions.
November 10–11, 1–3 PM Central
$150 (Lyrasis Members) / $175 (Non-Members)
Institutional Repository Management and Outreach (Library Juice Academy)
University-based institutional repositories (IRs) provide collections and services to campus communities and the public. Their purpose is to disseminate the digital products of research and scholarship on the web and offer a long-term preservation solution for the academy. This class is an introduction to IRs both practically and conceptually. It covers the role of IRs in higher education and libraries and dives into the nuts and bolts of IR administrative responsibilities, including policy writing, online content management, editorial workflows, permissions and access restrictions, and outreach strategies. Most critically, this course provides a foundational knowledge base or IR managers navigating the complicated world of open access publishing. The main objective of the course is to prepare and equip IR managers with the skills needed in their ongoing digital stewardship work.
November 1–December 12
$250
Introduction to Digital Preservation (Library Juice Academy)
This course is designed to give the non-archivists, non-preservationist a basic overview of the field of digital preservation practice in libraries, archives and museums. On completion of this course, the student will have knowledge of the history of the field of digital preservation, best practices for establishing and maintaining digitization and digital preservation programs, ethics and social justice issues related to digital preservation practices, and an overview of international approaches to digital preservation work. This course can be taken as one of six courses needed to earn our Certificate in Digital Curation, but can be taken as a stand-alone course as well.
November 1–28
$175
Electronic Resource Management
Electronic Resource Management: Acquisition and Implementation (Amigos)
Electronic resources make up a large portion of today's library collections, and electronic resources management (ERM) is an important skillset for library staff members to have. The first step in the ERM lifecycle is the acquisition and implementation of new content for your library. In this course, participants will learn about the various modes of access to electronic resources and the necessary steps to make these resources available to library patrons.
December 9, 10 AM–12 PM Central
$70 (Member Early Bird) / $95 (Member) / $130 (Non-Member Early Bird) / $155 (Non-Member)
Electronic Resource Management: Maintenance and Troubleshooting (Amigos)
Electronic resources make up a large portion of today's library collections, and electronic resources management (ERM) is an important skillset for library staff members to have. Unlike print resources, electronic resources require ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting to make sure library users are able to access them. In this course, participants will learn about maintenance procedures necessary to ensure access to electronic resources. The class will also cover common access issues and how to troubleshoot them.
December 14, 10 AM–12 PM Central
$70 (Member Early Bird) / $95 (Member) / $130 (Non-Member Early Bird) / $155 (Non-Member)
Electronic Resource Management: Assessment and Preservation (Amigos)
Electronic resources make up a large portion of today's library collections, and electronic resources management (ERM) is an important skillset for library staff members to have. These resources often make up a large portion of libraries' acquisitions budgets, and therefore, assessment of their usage is important. It can also be important to preserve access to these resources for long-term use. In this course, participants will learn strategies for assessment and preservation of electronic resources.
December 16, 10 AM–12 PM Central
$70 (Member Early Bird) / $95 (Member) / $130 (Non-Member Early Bird) / $155 (Non-Member)
Fundamentals of Electronic Resources Acquisitions (Core)
This four-week online course provides an overview of acquiring, providing access to, administering, supporting, and monitoring access to electronic resources. The course offers a basic background in electronic resource acquisitions including:
- Product trials
- Licensing
- Purchasing methods
- Pricing models
An overview of the sometimes complex relationships between vendors, publishers, platform providers, and libraries is also provided.
November 1–December 3
$109 (Members) / $149 (Non-Members)
Leadership/Management
Conducting Effective Meetings (Amigos)
Meetings are a weekly—sometimes daily—ritual for many library administrators and staff. According to a recent study by consulting firm, Korn Ferry, more than a third of respondents feel they waste between 2-5 hours a week on unproductive meetings or phone calls. It's time to put a stop to holding unnecessary meetings that waste money, waste time and are overall destructive to morale. In this session you will learn the skills, techniques and strategies to plan, lead and participate effectively in meetings of all kinds. From impromptu, on the spot discussions between colleagues to formal presentations and meetings with committees, departments, and/or library stakeholders, you'll be better prepared to get the most out of your time, staff and company's dime.
November 15, 1:30–2:30 PM Central
Free (Amigos Members) / $35 (Non-Members)
Library Management: Managing from the Middle (Amigos)
Middle managers are the liaisons between their employees and library administrators. Apropos to their title, these managers may feel caught in the middle as they attempt to hear and listen to both sides and adapt. A manager’s ability to successfully work with administration as well as foster a rapport with their direct reports is a crucial driver of success in libraries. This course is designed to help the first-time library manager gain a foundation to successfully manage from the middle.
November 29, 1:30–3:30 PM Central
$70 (Member Early Bird) / $95 (Member) / $130 (Non-Member Early Bird) / $155 (Non-Member)
LSSC Required Competencies: Communication and Teamwork (Library Juice Academy)
A six-week online course about communication and teamwork, designed as to meet the requirements of the Library Support Staff Certification. The course covers introductory information on professional communication and teamwork specifically to libraries, including mediums for communication, verbal and non-verbal skills, conflict management, customer service, receiving and providing feedback, effectively delivering presentations, and constructively working on a team.
November 1–December 12
$250
Technology/Coding
Git and GitHub for Libraries (Library Juice Academy)
This course introduces the basic concepts and skills for using Git and GitHub, a popular version control system and platform, in a library setting. Git and GitHub are often used to manage open source software, library technology, and academic research projects. Individuals and teams use Git to record changes within a project’s source code and GitHub to share and publish their work online. Library staff are using these technologies to support work in a variety of contexts, including metadata, data analysis, digital humanities, open educational resources, archives, and open science. While this course focuses on the fundamentals of Git and GitHub, students will pick up some basic command-line and plain-text editing skills along the way.
November 1–28
$175
Introduction to Linked Data (Library Juice Academy)
This course is an expansion of the "Introduction to the Semantic Web" course. Here we will build on the foundations established in the previous course (RDF, SKOS, OWL, URIs, etc.) and focus on Linked Data. This course is part of the Certificate in XML and RDF-Based Systems.
December 6–January 3
$175
Python for Librarians (Library Juice Academy)
We often are told ‘learn to code’ but not given a clear purpose or direction to realize this goal. This is especially true for workers in the library field. This course will attempt to address this challenge by providing a great introduction to data science aimed at all learners. Participants will be introduced to the Python programming language and how it can be used to analyze data. This includes organizing and writing code in Jupyter Notebooks, manipulating data with the Pandas, visualizing data with the Matplotlib, and making predictions with data using the scikit-learn library. No previous programming experience is required or expected. Exercises will be drawn from topics that resonate with the daily work of librarians and those in related fields. For example, participants will learn how to analyze a quantity of Sci Hub usage data and will examine DOI data harvested from the Crossref API. No software installation will be required to participate in this class; all programming work will be done using the online Google Colab environment.
December 6–January 2
$175
RDF, RDFa and Structured Data Vocabularies (Library Juice Academy)
This course will provide a deep dive into RDFa and applying vocabularies to resource description. Using RDFa we will explore how to mark up existing human-readable Web page content to express machine-readable data (RDF triples) that can be utilized by search engines, metadata systems, and content management systems.
November 1–28
$175
Website Accessibility for Everyone (Amigos)
Websites are considered accessible when all visitors—regardless of physical or developmental abilities or impairments—are able to access the presented information. Web accessibility is a broad term that refers to a series of international standards that define web site usability and how web sites can be usable to all visitors. In this workshop, we will explore the fundamentals of web accessibility; the kinds of user-related issues that need to be considered; regulations, laws, and standards surrounding web accessibility design; tools and technologies used for better accessibility design; and content and design best practices and techniques.
November 3, 2–4 PM Central
$105 (Member Early Bird) / $130 (Member) / $165 (Non-Member Early Bird / $190 (Non-Member)
Miscellaneous
Excel for Librarians (Library Juice Academy)
This class will teach the basics of working in Excel, including entering, structuring, manipulating, importing and exporting data. It will also cover some Excel functions and tools for basic data analysis. The class assignments will incorporate practical data tasks that you would encounter in a library or information management setting.
December 6–January 2
$175
Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods (Library Juice Academy)
This course is designed to facilitate familiarity with exploratory and open-ended qualitative research approaches such as field observation and interviews and the ways that they might be integrated into the work we do in libraries. It is about connecting research methods to questions about people and practices within and around their institutional contexts in order to improve services and gain insight into the library, campus, and/or community as field sites. The course seeks to develop a spirit of inquiry among participants by helping them to check assumptions and ask critical questions. It is structured around readings and a series of activities, reflective and investigative, intended to provide participants with an opportunity to develop a research mindset and gain practice with qualitative research methods and tools. Please note the December 2021/January 2022 session is eight weeks in length but includes six weeks of content and time for a winter session break.
December 6–January 30
$250