Exploring WebJunction Minnesota A Service for the Minnesota Library Community

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Exploring WebJunction Minnesota A Service for
the Minnesota Library Community

• Mary Ann Van Cura
• State Library Services WJMN Team Lead
• Jennifer Hootman
• MINITEX WJMN Team Member

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WebJunction Background

• The Bill Melinda Gates Foundations U.S.
  Library Program
• 46,000 computers
• 11,000 libraries in the United States and Canada
• Five-year initiative
• Targeting public libraries serving less-affluent
  communities
• In May 2002, Bill Melinda Gates Foundation
  awarded OCLC and partners a three-year grant.
  Original partners are
• Online Computer Library Center, Inc.
• The Colorado State Library
• The Benton Foundation
• Isoph
• TechSoup
• Purpose
• Carry forward the Foundations work
• Build a Web-based, library staff community

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History
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Life After Gates?
programming
technology
access
personalization
training
support
e-learning
peers
planning
maintenance
management
timely
sustainability
continuing education
networks
upgrades
advocacy
staffing
patrons
volunteers
marketing
communities
funding
staff development
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A simple start
Build a community where library staff can support
each other public access computing in libraries
gtgt do it online.
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What is WebJunction?

• An online community where library staff meet to
  share ideas, solve problems, take courses, and
  have fun.
• Resources Support library staff with technology
  support and library development materials
• Courses Provide courses for online learning and
  professional development
• Community Bring library community together in
  online discussions and programs, and for meeting
  in person when possible

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Philosophy
Share
Read
Learn
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The WebJunction Community

• Community members
• (as of August 2007)
• 70,000 unique visitors to the site
• 28,888 registered members
• Active message boards
• 3,700 discussion topics
• 33,472 messages posted

• Online courses
• 250 online self-paced courses
• 27,960 total enrollments
• Monthly eNewsletter, Crossroads
• 12,000 subscribers

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Member Challenges
Whats the biggest challenge you face in your
library job in the coming year? from
WebJunctions 2006 Member Survey
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Member Accomplishments
Over the last year, what is the one achievement
you are most proud of in your library job? from
WebJunctions 2007 Member Survey

• I help people every day to find information or
  access to information.
• Initiated the adoption of the Learning 2.0 staff
  training program.
• Creating better planning templates and providing
  management tools.
• I have won two grants for my program.
• Working on a variety of new programming at the
  library including toddler storytime and
  programming for teens.
• Starting a blog.
• Keeping the lid on a volatile library community
  in a time of actute financial stress statewide.
• Satisfying my collection development
  expectations while staying within my budget.
• Increased student achievement
• Getting wireless in the library

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Site Refresh Highlights

• Clean, clear new look
• Reorganized content
• Fresher home page
• Easier Search and newsletter signup
• Lots of other cool stuff
• all based on your input and feedback!

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New MN Content Quick Links
New Look!
New Quick Links to WJMN Partners
v
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Minnesota WebJunction
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A cleaner look!
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• Resources
• Patron services
• Management
• Technology
• Weekly tips
• Combines 4 previous WJ sections

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Courses Course Catalog and Clearinghouse E-Learnin
g Institute Resources for library trainers and
administrators implementing e-learning. Live
SpaceWJs web conferencing solution
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Community Discussions Features Volunteer
activities
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Help and About Us are easier to find
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Our pop-up list of partners has moved to the left
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Member groups are easier to find Spanish
Language Outreach Rural Library
Sustainability Government Information
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New resources updated weekly on the home page
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Theres a BlogJunction feed on the home page
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We also spotlight WJ members libraries on the
home page
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Every page is easier to navigate and use
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Search is readily available from every page
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From any page, click the Sign in link at the
top of the window. Or go to the home page.
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Technology Planning
http//mn.webjunction.org/techatlas http//webjunc
tion.techatlas.org/tools/
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Outreach to Spanish Speakers
http//mn.webjunction.org/spanish
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Rural Library Sustainability
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Course Catalog
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My Courses to Track Enrollments
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E-Learning Clearinghouse
A comprehensive, searchable database of online
continuing education courses and academic
programs for library staff
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E-Learning Institute
http//mn.webjunction.org/ei
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Discussions
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Viewing Forums
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Viewing Topics
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Viewing Posts
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Posting a Message
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Research and Reports

• WebJunction recently published Trends in
  E-Learning for Library Staff and we will publish
  a Blended Learning Guide this Spring.
• Research is currently being conducted to examine
  staff training and development in library
  organizations, with an emphasis on E-Learning in
  an effort to obtain base-line data and set
  benchmarks for the field.

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Web Conferencing

• Live Space is WebJunctions web conferencing
  service for libraries. The service combines an
  easy to use yet robust technology with the
  training and support that will allow you to use
  it successfully.
• Live Space Offers
• Unlimited seats for every organization 
• A clean, easy-to-use interface
• Expert training in system administration and
  online facilitation
• Comprehensive, 24/7 technical support
• A starter package containing user guides, two
  headsets with microphones, and The Synchronous
  Trainer's Survival Guide.

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For more info.

• Mary Ann Van Cura
• Library Development Continuing Education
  Coordinator / WJMN Team Lead
• State Library Services
• 651-582-8632
• maryann.vancura_at_state.mn.us
• Jennifer Hootman
• Reference Services Librarian / WJMN Team Member
• MINITEX Library Information Network
• 612-624-2924
• hootm001_at_umn.edu
• Deanna Sylte
• Administrative Assistant /WJMN Team Member
• Metronet
• 651-646-0475
• info_at_metronet.lib.mn.us

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Thank You for Attending!

• Contact Us
• mnwebjunction_at_gmail.com