PaLA CRD Webinar: User Assessment and User Studies

Dates & Time: December 15 from 2-4pm AND December 16 from 2-4pm (Webinar format is two 2-hour sessions)

Instructor: Erin Mayhood, Head, Music Library at University of Virginia

Description: In this workshop participants will learn how to transition their libraries into institutions that embrace assessment and user centered design. Specifically, we will learn how to:

1. incorporate users' expectations and needs into the program design process
   
2. understand and employ the basic methods of gathering user requirements data, including surveys, card sorts, focus groups, and usability testing
   
3. employ user requirements data in decision making and planning processes
   
4. keep up to date with ever-changing user demographics 5. incorporate user requirements data into library assessment programs

Cost: No cost to attend! The College & Research Division is able to provide this webinar through LSTA funds. Transportation cost to the webinar location is not included.

To Register: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGNlZy1OVDVSb0M4bjNTWi1RbHd0THc6MQ

Questions? Contact: Bonnie Oldham at bonnie.oldham@scranton.edu

This workshop has been fully funded with Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds administered by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries and would not have been possible without the help of the College and Research Division of PaLA. Show your appreciation by becoming a member of PaLA! And if you are a member – thank you!

Innovation and Libraries

On Tuesday, April 6, Stephen Abram spoke on the topic of "Innovation and Libraries" to members of the Canadian Association of Special Libraries and Information Services (CASLIS), a division of the Canadian Library Association. Abram was listed by Library Journal as one of the top 50 people influencing the future of libraries, and he recently left SirsiDynix to join Gale as vice president of strategic partnerships and markets. On his blog, "Stephen's Lighthouse," he posted his presentation. He also has compiled all of his previous postings on the value of libraries. His post on the Value of Academic and College Libraries, highlights a study called “Libraries Designed for Learning” by Scott Bennett--keynote speaker at the CRD's Spring program, "Information Commons in the Wild: Lessons from the Field" which will be held on June 15 at The University of Scranton. Abram calls this study, "... an articulate report on what needs to be considered to place the library at the heart of the new university – virtual and bricks."