Public service

Yeah, I know. They are always congregating around the computers looking at that MySpace site again. Oh, no--this time they are all making a tremendous amount of noise laughing while they are watching those YouTube videos. What is it about all of this? We could go on and on, couldn’t we? It is a different world. Come to this workshop to learn about this new world and how to connect with those who live in it:

Modern libraries serve a far broader mix of people and personalities then almost any other public service organization. And by far, the majority of library patrons are pleasant, cooperative, and appreciative of our services.

A certain percentage, however, range from difficult, to demanding, to angry, to irrational, to downright scary. These patrons require special attention, special skills, and special strategies if we are to interact with them effectively and make our libraries safe and sane places for us to work in, and feel good about.

Spanish is the "second language" in California but the primary language spoken in many first generation immigrant homes. Libraries need to work towards making all library users feel comfortable and welcome when using library services.

Do you ever have difficult or unsatisfying interactions with library users from other cultures? Do your customers ask for services in languages you don’t understand? Do your excellent customer service skills seem to fall short with diverse library users? Would you like to be able to communicate effectively with any customer who comes through the door?

(An Infopeople Online Learning Course)
March 6, 2007 - April 2, 2007

What do selling on ebay, quilting, and skateboarding have in common? They’re all high interest themes that will get your community excited about the library’s computer training classes. Instead of teaching “click here” and “click there,” why not use a theme-based approach to help users acquire computer skills effortlessly while they learn about their favorite topics?

This course is suitable for both designated and occasional trainers.

We've all heard that video games are violent, expensive, inappropriate for their target age group, and addictive. But just like books, video games can also be literary, educational, socially relevant, identity forming, and challenging. And video games are a medium of choice for the millennial generation.

The ability to talk informatively, entertainingly, and persuasively about books in both impromptu and structured environments is an essential skill for all library staff. Formal booktalks, off-the-cuff shelftalks, and book discussions can be powerful tools for promoting the habit of lifelong reading and stimulating the use of your library’s collections.

Jun 28, 2005 - Aug 23, 2005

(An Infopeople Online Learning Course)
December 4, 2007 - February 11, 2008