JobSearch Help Desk

A press release from NC Governor’s office announces the JobSearch Help Desk, “which will train librarians to help patrons connect with employers and conduct job searches at public libraries.”

“Beginning in March, the State Library will conduct training sessions statewide for librarians.  The workshops will focus on use of North Carolina’s statewide electronic database consortium NC LIVE plus print and online tools for skills such as resume writing, job searching, and interviewing.”  Read the press release for more information.

Support Staff Certification

Just in case you haven’t thought about it in a while, library support staff certification is moving along. Read the MW09 briefing document [PDF] posted on the ALA-APA Library Certification page. Take a look at the ALA LSSCP blog as well.

LSSIRT Newsletters

Want to keep up with what’s going on with the Library Support Staff Interests Round Table (LSSIRT)?  Check out their newsletters page from time to time. The latest issue is from December 2008 [PDF].

Online Library Assistant Training Program

Rutgers University is accepting applications for its Spring 2009 online program for paraprofessionals at academic and research libraries.

The Rutgers Online Library Assistant Training Program is an online, on-the-job, twelve week class designed for library assistants and associates who are relatively new to work in academic and research libraries.  It offers a look at the “big picture” issues for academic and research libraries, including library values, functions, and practices; how different functions fit into the mission and processes of the library; developing excellent service skills; and some best practices.  Participants can expect to spend five to seven hours per week on the class.  This program was originally developed with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

In last spring’s section of the Online Library Assistant Training Program, Rutgers hosted 17 people from 13 different institutions in 9 states.

Participants commented that:

“I found out much more about my own library ? through this course.  Now I have a better understanding of the various departments.”

“This is a great program for the paraprofessional.”

“I recommended to my employer to let as many support staff take this course as possible.  It’s worth the time and money spent on it.”

For details about the Online Library Assistant Training Program, go to
http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/professional-development/online-library-assistant-training-program.html

Questions?  Contact Melanie Andrich at mandrich@rutgers.edu

State Library Continuing Ed.

The State Library of North Carolina is pleased to announce the Online Workshop schedule for January–March 2009.  More dates will be announced in January for April and May.

Online Continuing Education topics include:

Library as Place

Advocacy: What is it?

Advocacy: Community

Advocacy: Public Officials

Advocacy: The Media

Demonstrating Value Evaluating Library Services (3 day)

Promoting Library Services using Blogs and RSS (2 day)

Online NC LIVE topics include:

NC LIVE Consumer Health Resources Module

NC LIVE Drug Resources Module

NC LIVE Mental Health Resources Module

NC LIVE Nursing Resources Module

Registration is now open and space is limited, so register soon.  Check your calendar before the holidays as deadlines for the first few workshops are in mid-January. For dates and workshop descriptions click on the link below.

http://statelibrary.dcr.state.nc.us/ce/conted.htm