As promised, you can view Steven’s presentation on essential problem-solving resources here.

Business Reference 2012 presentation

Symbaloo Business Reference

Symbaloo Job and Career Resources

Whew.

OK, on to May’s CE events.

First, be sure to register for RLA-CE’s May program - Be a Librarian Problem Solver on Tuesday, May 22nd from 9:30-noon.  Helping our patrons avoid and resolve conflicts with companies is one of our most important tasks as librarians. Jon Yates, author of the new book What’s Your Problem?: Cut Through Red Tape, Challenge the System, and Get Your Money Back, will share his experiences as the Problem Solver for the Chicago Tribune. Steven Jablonski from the Skokie Public Library will then follow up with a presentation on essential consumer resources every librarian should know about. When it comes to solving problems, knowledge is power. Come to this program and increase yours! FREE!

Around the state -

The second and third parts of Book Reviewing with Janice Del Negro will be held on Sunday, May 6th and May 20th from 10am – 1pm.   Learn to review children’s and young adult books from a master! Janice M. Del Negro has been reviewing books for youth for professional library journals for almost thirty years. She is offering a three-session course designed to give participants insight into the career-expanding skill of book reviewing. Topics covered in these sessions include an introduction to the major professional review journals, criteria for evaluation of fiction and non-fiction, the elements of a cogent review, and feedback on your own reviews. Acquire or improve reviewing skills and have an impact on the professional world of books for youth. Del Negro, formerly editor of the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, has also reviewed for Kirkus and Booklist, and is currently reviewing for School Library Journal.

Becky Spratford will be talking about Thrills and Chills @ Your Library: How to Help Your Scariest Patrons at the Fremont Public Library on Tuesday, May 8 from 1-4pm. Becky is a great speaker and an expert on all things featuring nocturnal bumps or the like.  FREE!

This article typically sticks to events north of I-80, but I want to make an exception with When Water Emergencies Strike Your Collections: Response Training and Workshop on Thursday, May 10th from 9am-3pm. It’s at the Western Illinois Museum in Macomb, so it’s a ways away but it could well be worth the trip.  Anyone involved in disaster planning for collections or interested in disaster response training would benefit from attending this workshop. This workshop is sponsored by the Illinois Collections Preservation Network. Seating is limited so if you wish to attend, you must send an e-mail to beves@museum.state.il.us to reserve your spot. FREE!

May 10th is a busy day. The AVID-Audio/Visual Information & Discussion Group Spring meeting at the Cook Memorial Aspen Drive Library from 9:30-noon.  They will have a panel of representatives from up and coming vendors that provide digital popular materials (E-books, audiobooks, movies and music). The panel will include 3M Cloud Library (e-books), Baker & Taylor Axis 360 (e-books), Library Ideas Freading/Freegal (e-books and music), Midwest Hoopla (audiobooks, movies and music), Recorded Books OneClick Digital (audiobooks). FREE!

ATLAS is hosting a Diversity Training workshop at the Glenwood-Lynwood Public Library from 9:30-noon.  Vandella Brown, Diversity Program Manager at Illinois State Library will be on hand to lead a discussion on how to appropriately interact with people from all backgrounds.

The Business Librarians Interest Group (BIG) is hosting it’s next meeting at the Park Ridge Public Library from 9:30-noon.  Librarians working with the business community meet to network together, sharing resources, programming ideas and other related topics of interest to the group. FREE!

The next YLA Programmer’s meeting is Friday, May 11th from 9:00-noon at the Des Plaines Public Library.  They’ll discuss special needs programs; blending new programs into existing programs, rainbow time, Pokemon programs, and any new performers new to the area. FREE!

WebJunction is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, May 16th from 1:00-2:00pm called Libraries and the Era of the Learner: A Vision for the Future.  It’ll be a discussion exploring lifelong learning as an economic driver in the 21st century and the expanding role of libraries in this “era of the learner.” Building on discussions about 21st century skills and workforce development, we’ll hear from futurist Garry Golden on the changing workforce and the role that public libraries can play. We’re excited to take a glimpse into the future and to hear how libraries can identify changes, explore implications and pave the way for learners in the 21st century. This session will build on discussions from a face-to-face convening to be held in April, but will benefit and be of interest to all working in libraries. FREE!

Every three years, the Outreach/Promotion/Programming Section of LACONI presents an all-day Best of the Best showcase which feature samples of live performers by library presenters. It’s coming up on is Friday, May 18th!  at the Morton Grove Public Library. FREE!

The Western Suburbs RA SIG is having their final chat on Fantasy titles and authors on Tuesday, May 22nd from 9:30-noon at the RAILS Geneva DuPage River building.  If you’re attending, please read 2 books from any of the following three areas: Must Know Series by Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, George R.R. Martin, J. K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien; Up-and-coming fantasy authors: Joe Abercrombie, Gail Carriger, K. J. Parker, Patrick Rothfuss, David Anthony Durham); Fantasy Trend authors (Urban Fantasy, Para! normal Fantasy and Genre Mashups). FREE!

Dominican University and the Gail Borden Public Library are partnering to host Building a Productive Team on Thursday, May 31st from 9:30am-4:30pm.  The ability to work as a team is vital for the health of any organization. In this workshop, participants will learn how to conduct more productive meetings, ways to help team members fulfill their team roles and responsibilities, and approaches for handing team conflict.

If you’re looking for something that is not your typical library conference or workshop, the Chicagoland Library Unconference is just for you!  The Unconference will be held on Thursday, May 31st from 9:30am-4:30pm and the RAILS Wheeling Auditorium.  It’s your chance to determine the issues facing libraries and to work together to come up with creative solutions. CLUncon is a testing ground for moving beyond our walls and connecting with our communities. Attendees will brainstorm big ideas and hear from interesting speakers. Join us and share what’s important to you and your community. This is our unconference. Let’s do this together.

Finally, WebJunction is hosting a webinar on the 31st from 1:00-2:30 entitled Understanding Compassion Fatigue in Your Library.  You love your job. You love your library. You love helping your patrons and giving them the extra attention that lets them know you care. But there are days when you’ve given just about all you have to give. At the end of the day you feel drained, or irritated, or both! You may have achieved “compassion fatigue.” The term, which is used frequently in medical settings, describes a caregiver’s reaction to chronic stress that results in feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, self-doubt, lack of focus and fatigue. This webinar will help you recognize the symptoms and the situations that may trigger compassion fatigue and understand how it affects you and your working environment. Explore ways to take care of yourself so you can continue to show compassion and give your patrons the care they need. FREE!

Helping our patrons avoid and resolve conflicts with companies is one of our most important tasks as librarians. Jon Yates, author of the new book What’s Your Problem?: Cut Through Red Tape, Challenge the System, and Get Your Money Back, will share his experiences as the Problem Solver for the Chicago Tribune. Steven Jablonski from the Skokie Public Library will then follow up with a presentation on essential consumer resources every librarian should know about. When it comes to solving problems, knowledge is power. Come to this program and increase yours!

When: Tuesday, May 22^nd, from 9:30-noon

Where: Skokie Public Library

5215 Oakton St., Skokie IL 60077 map and directions

Cost: Free!  Sponsored by H.W. Wilson

Registration: Register Here

Have Questions?  Please contact us

Check out her outline for interesting facts: Did you know that cookbooks are 10% of all book sales or that one out of ten men collect cookbooks?

Cookbook and Crafting Outline                             CCRA bibliography

Here’s the link to my presentation.  This will let you view it online.  If you’d like to view it offline, you’ll have to download the zip file with the viewer.  It doesn’t install anything on your computer, there’s just a lot of clicking involved.

The forms I mentioned:

Guidelines to Program Planning

Attendance Sheet – This is really just an excel spreadsheet, nothing special.

Scratch Paper

Evaluation From

April is also a huge month for CE, so let’s get to it!

First, we’ll highlight our own RLA-CE workshops.

On Tuesday, March 20th, from 9:30-11:30, join Schaumburg Public Librarian and author Amy Alessio at the Des Plaines Public Library as she discusses the latest trends in cooking and crafting books in both fiction and nonfiction.  Cookbook & Crafting Readers Advisory will also show how we can entice readers to learn new skills or to explore depths in a favorite hobby!  FREE!

And you’ll want to keep Tuesday, April 17th from 9:30-noon free for Business Reference 2012!  Business Information Group standouts Emily Kornak of the Barrington Public Library and Shannon Scanlan of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library will discuss new resources and databases in business reference as well as helping small businesses effectively use social media; business outreach; and job and career resources.  FREE!

Now for the rest of the programs -

WebJunction continues their excellent workshops with Skills for the Everyday Leader on Wednesday, April 4th from 1-2pm.  Leading isn’t just for managers!  By the end of this webinar, you’ll have some simple and effective tools to help you work more powerfully with your colleagues or become the supervisor you always wanted to work for. FREE!

The ILA Youth Services Council’s Spring Workshop is Monday, April 9th from 10am-4pm.  They’ll cover “sense”-sational programs for children with special needs as well as legal issues as they relate to youth programming.  Ah those wacky youth librarians and their puns… FREE!

Slam the Boards on April 10th!  It’s fun and a great learning experience.  Promote librarians beyond the library! On the 10th of each month, visit your favorite “Social Q&A” sites (Yahoo Answers, Quora, WikiAnswers, etc.) and locate questions for which you can provide well-researched answers. Identify yourself as a librarian in your answer. Then post links to your answers on Twitter using the hashtag #slamtheboards. FREE!

Dominican University is sponsoring a seminar on motivating staff on Tuesday, April 10th.  Employees who feel valued and recognized for the work they do are more motivated and productive. Diane Decker will teach proven motivational techniques including delegation, coaching and feedback.  While this all day event (9:30-4:30) is not free, you will earn CPDU credits.

Tuesday, April 10th must really be the day for workshops because WJ is also offering one from 1-2pm.  Virtual Connections will help you get connected with your library patrons and vice-versa.  Learn how to build and maintain virtual, internet-based connections with your patrons by utilizing the tools they are increasingly using themselves, including Google Plus, QR Codes, and Pinterest.

On Thursday, April 12 from 9:30-noon, ATLAS is sponsoring a technology how-to program at the South Holland Public Library.  Confused about the different gadgets and how they work? Attend our meeting and receive a hands-on experience with a variety of e-readers, and learn how they work.

ATLAS seems to be a new librarian group providing continuing education.  Check them out at http://www.southsublib.lib.il.us/.  Good luck, ATLAS!

LACONI TSS is hosting a workshop on Workplace Relations on Friday, April 13th from 9:30-3:00pm at the beautiful Glenview Public Library.  Join Candace Fisher from Management Association for a full day of interactive discussions and hands-on application of tools to help you in your day to day reality.  Hosted by the Technical Services Section but everyone is welcome!

Check out the Readers Advisory Interest Group’s monthly meeting on Thursday, April 19 from 9:30-noon in RAILS’ Wheeling Conference Room.  FREE!

There’s a Sassy Meeting at the Limestone Public Library on Friday, April 20th from 10am-2pm.  It’s a chance for children’s librarians and their assistants to get together, share ideas, and support one another in their library settings.  They will be discussing Tweens and Teen programming and collections during this meetnig. FREE!

Dominican University is hosting the Chicago Children’s Book Publishers – Fall 2012 Preview on Saturday, April 21 from 1-3pm.  Local publishers Albert Whitman & Company, Capstone, Norwood House Press, and Sourcebooks, Inc., give a sneak preview of children’s and young adult books coming out for fall 2012. Come see what’s new before the reviews are even written. FREE!

Also on the 21st, the Fremont Public Library is hosting Making Literature Come Alive for Kids from 9:30-noon.  Join us for this interactive workshop in which storyteller, librarian, and author Rob Reid shows you how to hook kids’ interest in books through humor, storytelling, poetry, songs, and reader’s theater. A light breakfast will beserved, along with 2.5 CPDUs for teachers and librarians. Registration opens March 15 and closes April 14. FREE!

On Sunday, April 22nd from 10am-1pm, Dominican University will host the first of a three part series Book Reviewing with Janice Del Negro.  Learn to review children’s and young adult books from a master! Janice M. Del Negro has been reviewing books for youth for professional library journals for almost thirty years. Acquire or improve reviewing skills and have an impact on the professional world of books for youth. Del Negro, formerly editor of the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, has also reviewed for Kirkus and Booklist, and is currently reviewing for School Library Journal.

Dominican University is working with the Gail Borden Public Library to present Professional Hiring and Meaningful Performance Reviews on Tuesday, April 24th from 9:30-4:30.  Along with hiring new employees, conducting performance reviews can be one of a manager’s most challenging responsibilities. Participants will learn the do’s and don’ts of conducting interviews including the best questions to ask. This session will equip participants to provide a more positive and constructive performance review process for those they supervise.

ARRT’s Quarterly Literary Fiction Book Discussion is on Thursday, April 26, from 1:30-3:30.  In the words of bad 80′s sitcoms everywhere, this will be A Very Special Episode.  They’ll be meeting at The Curragh Irish Pub, to learn first-hand about what it’s like to begin a library book discussion that meets in a bar.  There’s also a book discussion involved, so be sure to read Jennifer Eagen’s A Visit from the Goon Squad ahead of time!

There will be a meeting of the Collection Development Librarians Networking Group on Friday, April 27th from9:30-11:45 at the Roselle Public Library.  They’ll be talking about developing the 400s, Deweyless libraries/rethinking the call number.  The future of audiobooks, and options for discards.  Newcomers are always welcome, but please RSVP to  Marcia Bose (mbose@roselle.lib.il.us).

When: Tuesday, April 17th from 9:30-noon

Where: RAILS Wheeling Building (the old NSLS building)

200 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling, IL 60090  map and directions

Cost: Free!  Sponsored by H.W. Wilson

Registration: Register Here

Have Questions?  Please contact us

WebJunction leads off March with the webinar “It Takes a Community to Bridge the Digital Divide” on Tuesday, March 6th from noon-1pm.  Susan Hildreth, director, Institute of Museum and Library Services; Ron Carlee, chief operating officer, International City/County Management Association; and David Keyes, community technology program manager, City of Seattle will discuss the key role that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is playing in the broadband adoption challenge and the actions already underway for building digital communities. FREE!

Dominican University is hosting an all day workshop on Wednesday, March 7th (8:30-4:00) called Ebooks: Issues and Trends.  Christine Lind Hague, Director, Rochester Hills (MI) Public Library and Member of the American Library Association’s Office for Information Technology Policy E-books Task Force will keynote the event covering copyright, ownership, and the future of ebooks. Whether you have an ebook collection or are thinking about establishing one, you cannot afford to miss this practical one-day ebook extravaganza.  This program isn’t free, but you will earn 6 CPDU credits.

If you’ve never Slammed the Boards before, make the most of the opportunity on Saturday, March 10th.  Promote librarians beyond the library! Visit your favorite “Social Q&A” sites (Yahoo Answers, Quora, WikiAnswers, etc.) and locate questions for which you can provide well-researched answers. Identify yourself as a librarian in your answer. Then post links to your answers on Twitter using the hashtag #slamtheboards.  FREE!

On the Front Lines: Engaging Our Communities is a 3-day (March 12, 13 & 14) workshop at the U0fI Springfield Public Affairs Center.  The conference will equip and enlighten front-line staff with training, exposure, 2.0 technology tools and techniques that will enable them to effectively and efficiently meet the needs of their community.  The keynote speaker is Eli Neuburger, but the real highlight will be that Northbrook Public Library Dynamic Duo, RLA-CE’s very own – Gwyn Stupar and Leah White!

Dominican University offers another 6-unit CPDU course on Thursday, March 15 at the Gail Borden Public Library.  Interpersonal Skills for Supervising Others.  This workshop will help participants learn to use communication tools to maintain and improve relationships with staff, peers and their managers. Participants will also learn how to establish and communicate expectations with staff and the use of two-way communication techniques necessary for the successful supervisor.

Dominican GSLIS’s Spring lecture – UNESCO, Libraries, and Inclusive Knowledge Societies will be held on Wednesday, March 21 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.  This evening lecture will be presented by Barbara J. Ford, director of the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs and Mortenson Distinguished Professor at the Library of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Ford will discuss the role of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO to support worldwide humanitarian development values by coordinating efforts and delivering expert advice on issues of education, science, communications, and culture to the U.S. Department of State. Among the topics to be discussed will be digital information and preservation which support the development of inclusive knowledge societies and UNESCO’s mission and are examples of issues that are of interest to the U.S. Commission. FREE!

WebJunction’s Adult Programs on a $0 Budget is sure to be very popular.  Join the webinar on Tuesday, March 27 from noon-1pm.  In just a few short years, the Laurens County Library, in rural South Carolina, has created an impressive and well attended series of adult programs on a shoestring budget.
Find out what Laurens has done that works, what doesn’t work, and learn how your adult programming can make your library a valued community hub, building awareness and increasing usage of all your services.