Professional Development Opportunities

Cataloging/Metadata

Using OpenRefine for Library Metadata (Library Juice Academy)

OpenRefine is a free open-source tool that makes editing messy metadata easier through clustering, faceting, advanced find and replace scripting, and linked data reconciliation in a spreadsheet-like environment. In addition to cleaning up metadata, OpenRefine’s linked data and URL building tools can extend metadata through databases and API calls.

February 6 – March 5

$200

LRM: A New Foundation for RDA & the RDA Toolkit (Library Juice Academy)

This course focuses on learning the new Library Reference Model (LRM) which is the foundation for the R3 (RDA Toolkit revision) and BIBFRAME 2.0. The LRM is an evolving model that merges the RDA foundational frameworks of RDA, FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records), FRAD (Functional Requirements for Authority Data), and FRSAD (Functional Requirements of Subject Authority Data). The LRM focuses on aligning terminologies with larger data communities of practice, refining the FRBR User Tasks, eliminating inconsistencies between the three models, and embracing linked data practices. This new model brings significant changes in how we think about data, to the RDA Toolkit, and to BIBFRAME.

February 6 – March 5

$200

Using and Understanding Library of Congress Subject Headings (ALA eLearning)

In this 6-week eCourse, Bobby Bothmann introduces you to the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) vocabulary and explains the various types of topical and free-floating subject terms. You will learn how to analyze the contents of a resource and convert that analysis into the LCSH controlled vocabulary.

Throughout the course, you will use the print and free online LCSH vocabulary, consult the Subject Headings Manual, and encode subject analysis in the MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data. This eCourse addresses the various types of free-floating subdivisions; the treating of names of persons, families, and corporate bodies as subjects; the use of the rules of three and four; and looks at special problems in subject analysis.

February 6 – March 19

$260.10 (ALA Member) / $289 (Non-member)

Fundamentals of Cataloging 2023 - Session 2.0 (ALA eLearning)

The Fundamentals of Cataloging (FOC) is a six-week online course that provides an introduction to the principles, policies and practices of cataloging in libraries. It is designed for librarians and library support staff new to cataloging; librarians and library support staff from other units who want to know more about cataloging; LSSC candidates pursuing certification in the Cataloging and Classification competency set; and experienced cataloging librarians and support staff seeking continuing education and networking opportunities.

February 27 – April 7

$196.71 (Core member) / $224.10 (ALA member or Student) / $249 (Non-member)

Beyond the Basics: Cataloging DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and Streaming Videos (Library Juice Academy)

This course is designed to help those with basic cataloging experience become comfortable cataloging more challenging formats. Participants will learn how to catalog motion pictures on DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and streaming formats in RDA and MARC through lots of hands-on practice including learning to identify the preferred sources of information to use when determining titles and statements of responsibility, how to handle multiple production companies, distributors, and dates frequently found on these resources, how to determine authorized and variant access points, and how to create accurate physical descriptions that reflect new fields added under RDA.

March 6 – April 2

$200

Understanding the BIBFRAME Model and Vocabulary (Library Juice Academy)

This course focuses on learning the basic principles of BIBFRAME 2.0, the bibliographic framework and vocabulary that is a likely replacement for MARC. Students will become familiar with the BIBFRAME model and principles that are applicable to practical application of cataloging and metadata and will create BIBFRAME records in the BIBFRAME Editor. A look at future developments will be included, including those that are part of the Linked Data for Production (LD4P) project.

March 6 – April 2

$200

Cataloging for Newbies (ALA eLearning)

Over the course of six months, you’ll learn the fundamental concepts and practices of library cataloging and gain a deeper understanding of advanced cataloging concepts. In the first twelve weeks, you’ll learn about basic descriptive and subject cataloging concepts, the creation and management of cataloging processes and workflows, the shared cataloging environment, and trends in bibliographic control that will affect libraries in the near future.

After you have completed the first course, you’ll delve into the second course, where cataloging expert and renowned instructor Dr. Mary Bolin expands on the topics from the first course and focuses on the elements of the cataloging process, including acquiring bibliographic data, working with library databases, and creating effective workflows. You’ll learn how to create MARC records, perform basic database maintenance, be introduced to BIBFRAME, gain insights on future trends in cataloging, and more.

Courses included in this bundle are:

Advanced eCourse: Cataloging for Non-Catalogers – 12-week eCourse; begins March 6, 2023

Advanced eCourse: Intermediate Cataloging for Non-Catalogers – 12-week eCourse; begins June 5, 2023

March 6 – August 27

$765 (ALA member) / $850 (Non-member)

Implementing Inclusive Metadata (NISO)

Inclusive terminology in metadata and its associated descriptors are essential for the successful discovery of relevant materials. As cultural shifts in the use of language occur, collaboration by content providers, platform providers and librarians can make a major contribution to developing a fully-inclusive information environment.This roundtable discussion will bring together stakeholders from across the information community for a cross-sector discussion of how metadata, controlled vocabularies, and other key elements of automated search can be improved in support of diversity and inclusion — both of users and of the information they seek. What guidance is there? What tools exist? How can changes be introduced with minimal disruption to systems constantly in use?

March 8, 11a-12:30p

Free (NISO members) / $100 (SSP member) / $135 (Non-member) / $30 (Student)

Fundamentals of Metadata 2023 - Session 2.0 (ALA eLearning)

This six-week course is an introduction to fundamental concepts of metadata, including:

• Similarities and differences between cataloging and metadata
• Descriptive, technical, and administrative metadata schema
• Content standards and controlled vocabularies
• Approaches to metadata creation and transformation
• Metadata project design

March 13 – April 21

$196.71 (Core member) / $224.10 (ALA member or Student) / $249 (Non-member)

Using and Understanding Library of Congress Classification (ALA eLearning)

Bobby Bothmann’s expert cataloging instructions offer you a comprehensive grounding in Library of Congress Classification (LCC) principles and practice. Starting with the basics, this eCourse will teach you how to assign LCC numbers with correct meaning in hierarchy, build numbers using tables, and apply numbers that help patrons browse your library.

March 20 – April 16

$188.10 (ALA member) / $209 (Non-member)

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.

April 6, 10a-12p EDT

$60 (Member) / $120 (Non-member)

Digital Collections

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.

February 6 – March 5

$200

Creating Online Exhibits with Omeka (Library Juice Academy)

Omeka is an open source web-publishing platform used by many libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural organizations for creating online exhibits of materials from their collections. This course provides the opportunity to explore the exhibit-building process and gain hands-on experience in creating a professional-level exhibit on a topic of your choice.

February 6 – March 5

$200

Appraisal and Collection Development for Digital Special Collections (Library Juice Academy)

This course covers principles of appraisal and collection development for creating unique digital collections that form part of an institutional repository or digital special collections. Using archival theory and principles of digital curation, the student will gain the understanding necessary to select digital materials that are in line with institutional and community collecting guidelines and missions. 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.

February 6 – March 5

$200

UX & Digital Collections (Library Juice Academy)

This course will instruct students on quality UX and UI practices in their creation and web presentation of digital collections. Crafting thoughtful UX procedures, students will have the opportunity to evaluate their own UX needs in this course, while learning how to operationalize reverse category tests and focus groups that give them much needed user data on their digital products. After covering user needs and expectations, the course will then include a section on digital collections and exhibits planning, including the creation of UI wireframes and mockups for web developers to utilize.

March 6 – April 2

$200

Fundamentals of Digital Curation in Libraries, Archives and Museums (Library Juice Academy)

This course is designed to give the student an overview of the fundamentals of digital curation theory and best practices in libraries, archives and museums. On completion of the course, the student will have a working knowledge of theory, best practices for establishing and maintaining digital curation programs and initiatives, and feedback on work on digital curation projects in the students’ own workplace or area of interest and study. 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.

April 3 – April 30

$200

Electronic Resource Management

Fundamentals of Electronic Resources Acquisitions 2023 - Session 1.0 (ALA eLearning)

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.

January 30 – February 24

$165.11 (Core member) / $188.10 (ALA member or Student) / $209 (Non-member)

Controlled Digital Lending in Libraries: Streaming and Other Content (ALA eLearning)

With digital collections now ubiquitous, and platforms and formats constantly changing, it can be difficult to understand how to set policies and parameters for digital lending. This event will discuss first sale, controlled digital lending (CDL), the e-book pricing struggle, and how to navigate CDL given the pending lawsuit against the Internet Archive.

Copyright expert Sara Benson will cover the fundamental legal grounding for controlled digital lending (CDL), including an explanation of the first sale doctrine and fair use. The webinar will explore the pending lawsuit against the Internet Archive as well as best practices with CDL. There will be time for questions and answers at the end of the webinar to address specific concerns from audience members.

February 9, 1:30-3p CST

$71.10 (ALA member) / $79 (Non-member)

Leadership/Management

Leadership Communication (Library Juice Academy)

Leadership communication is a difficult and complex art form to master. This course will give you the tools you need in order to successfully navigate communication at all different levels from interpersonal to groups, as well as help frame difficult conversations. In addition, you will explore how to manage effective teams and highlight processes for decision-making and discussion that foster a shared perspective and promote a space where good questions can be asked, intentions are clear, and assumptions are tested.

February 6 – March 5

$200

Recruiting and Retaining Librarians from Underrepresented Minoritized Groups (Library Juice Academy)

This course will address recruitment strategies that will improve your chance of attracting a diverse pool of applicants and minimize the influence of unintended biases in the selection process. Of course, hiring is just the first step to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We will also address factors that influence the long term retention of librarians from underrepresented minority groups.

March 6 – April 3

$200

Technology/Coding

Introduction to JSON and Structured Data (Library Juice Academy)

JSON is a semi-structured data format for encoding data and is a popular language for data sharing and interchange - as such it is considered a good alternative to XML. This materials in this course will cover all the core JSON syntax and data structures as well as other topics.

February 6 – March 5

$200

Introduction to XML (Library Juice Academy)

This course will provide an introduction to XML (the eXtensible Markup Language) and also introduce some basic tools for working with XML documents. The main goals of this course are for students to get comfortable with XML as structured data format, learn the basic rules and tools for working with XML, and learn about several XML standards used in the library, digital humanities, and publishing communities. Topics will include: understanding basic XML document structures and content models, XPath, XML Document Type Definitions (DTDs) and Schemas. The course will also provide an introduction to several more advanced topics, as time allows, including XML namespaces and Library of Congress XML markup standards that are relevant to electronic text resources and metadata management including Dublin Core, MARC-XML, and MODS.

February 6 – March 5

$200

Transforming and Querying XML with XSLT and XQuery (Library Juice Academy)

This course will provide an introduction to the XSL Transformation language (XSLT) and the XML Query language (XQuery) including hands-on basic coding in both XSLT and XQuery. The goal of this course is to introduce students to some basic XML tools for manipulating XML documents and data.

March 6 – April 2

$200

Code4Lib Conference (Code4Lib)

An annual gathering of technologists from around the world, who largely work for and with libraries, archives, and museums and have a commitment to open technologies.

March 14-17

$200 / $260 late registration after February 22

Miscellaneous

Copyright and Open Licensing Issues in Libraries (Library Juice Academy)

The question of copyright comes up frequently in librarianship, and issues surrounding copyright limitations pervade all aspects of library work including publishing, acquisitions, electronic resources management, metadata, resource sharing, and patron interactions. In this course, you will learn the foundations of copyright law, the types of resources that both are and are not covered by copyright restrictions, exceptions and limitations to copyright such as fair use and the TEACH Act, and open licensing options, including an overview of Creative Commons licenses. By the end of the course, you will have a better understanding of how copyright law applies in multiple library settings and scenarios and be able to handle copyright questions from your community with more confidence and ease. Note: this course primarily focuses on United States copyright law.

February 6 – March 5

$200

Fundamentals of Collection Assessment 2023 - Session 1.0 (ALA eLearning)

This six-week online course introduces the fundamental aspects of collection assessment in libraries. The course is designed for those who are responsible for or interested in collection assessment in all types and sizes of libraries. The course will introduce key concepts in collection assessment including:

• The definition of collection assessment
• Techniques and tools
• Assessment of print and electronic collections
• Project design and management

February 6 – March 17

$196.71 (Core member) / $224.10 (ALA member or Student) / $249 (Non-member)

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Cataloging & Technical Services (Amigos)

Libraries across the nation created and launched many Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives in recent years. These initiatives have been applied in all areas of the library, including cataloging and technical services. Attend this conference to see these efforts moving from proposal to practice. This Amigos Library Services online conference will examine EDI in action today in cataloging and technical services.

February 8, 10a-4p CST

Free (Amigos member or LIS Student) / $249 (Non-member)

Collaborative Collections: Shifts in Collection Development, Resource Sharing, and Management (NISO)

Libraries around the world see collaboration as a viable solution for providing access to a wide range of information resources and collections. Initiatives such as the US Ivy Plus Confederation - a union of 13 academic libraries working together to improve discovery of and access to information by leveraging their collective assets - have already served as a proof of concept. Changes in the economic environment mean that these sorts of adaptations will become more commonplace, if not essential to ensuring that library services are efficient, effective, and engaging. In this roundtable discussion, practitioners and decision-makers will discuss what is needed to effectively manage collaborative collections and emerging support needs. What work needs to be done? What kind of systems would be useful? What hurdles need to be overcome?

February 8, 11a-12:30p

Free (NISO members) / $100 (SSP member) / $135 (Non-member) / $30 (Student)

Fundamentals of Preservation 2023 - Session 1.0 (ALA eLearning)

The Fundamentals of Preservation (FOP) web course is an introduction to the principles, policies and practices of preservation in libraries and archives. It is designed to inform all staff, across divisions and departments and at all levels of responsibility. Provides tools to begin extending the useful life of library collections.

• Preservation as a formal library function, and how it reflects and supports the institutional mission
• The primary role of preventive care, including good storage conditions, emergency planning, and careful handling of collections
• The history and manufacture of physical formats and how this impacts on preservation options
• Standard methods of care and repair, as well as reformatting options
• Challenges in preserving digital content and what the implications are for the future of scholarship

February 13 – March 10

$165.11 (Core member) / $188.10 (ALA member or Student) / $209 (Non-member)

Know & Go: EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Organizational and Individual Self-Assessment Tools for Libraries (Amigos)

EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) organizational self-assessment tools provide ways for libraries to examine and assess EDI initiatives for adoption and improvement. These resource tools help staff identify and develop personal areas for EDI growth. This session focuses on 10 current organizational and individual EDI self-assessment tools for application in libraries.

February 27, 1:30-2:30p CST

Free (Amigos member) / $35 (Non-member)

Accessibility (NISO)

It can be all too easy to forget that the final letter “A” in DEIA is for accessibility. However, it is critical — and in many cases, a legal requirement — to ensure that the information being created, curated, and disseminated is accessible to all. This four-hour event will cover the perspectives and expertise needed to ensure that products and services meet required accessibility specifications. Whatever the product or interface, coordinating efforts between users, developers, administrators, information professionals, and others key stakeholders and service providers is essential. What are the stumbling blocks and what are some of the emerging solutions – whether technological or standards-based? Attendees will come away with a greater understanding of what’s needed and what’s possible.

March 29, 12-4p

$190 (NISO, LSA, NASIG members) / $255 (Non-member) / $50 (Student)