University Libraries Offer Staff College Learning Opportunities During Winter Break

Every week there are new developments in one’s field: new technologies, new resources, new procedures. Staying current is a challenge for everyone. The University Libraries’ Staff College capitalizes on the comparatively quiet times of semester breaks by providing opportunities for library personnel to share their expertise with colleagues in a classroom setting to help others to build and sharpen their skills.

During the recent Winter Break, library professionals and guests from the Office of University Compliance and the Career Center presented nine workshops with 153 persons attending overall. The topics and presenters were the following:

- Wiki What? An Overview of Trends in Social Networking Technologies – Christy A. Groves
- Art and Architecture Resources – Alida M. Pask and Amy E. Trendler
- Create Your Own Podcast – Barbara R. Wills
- Database Update: New Information Resources @ Your Desktop – Stephen K. Duecker and Keith H. Cochran
- Backing Up Data and Saving Files Centrally – Alex Amira
- The Field Guide to Presentation Equipment – Alex Amira
- Legal Issues for Student Employment – Sali Falling, Larry S. Beck, and Janet G. Puckett
- Introduction to Metadata: What Is It, Why Do We Need It, and Where Is It Going? – James A. Bradley

Repeat sessions allowed staff from all areas and work shifts to attend while keeping daily operations functioning.
Cindy Turner, Visual Resources Curator, said, “When I signed up for a workshop on podcasting, I had no idea that I would be given an iPod for Christmas! Now that I have one I can really use this class to introduce this teaching mechanism and for personal use, including my daughter’s upcoming school trip!”