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Register Now! ASCLA Online Course “Improving Library Services for People with Disabilities”

Registration is now open for the next offering of “Improving Library Services for People with Disabilities”, an online course offered by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) that aligns with one of the division’s core values: access to library services and information for all.

Register online now for this course.

Schedule: The course will run October 1-28, 2012, with two live online meetings on Thursday, Oct. 11 and Thursday, Oct. 25 from 3:00-4:00p.m. Central time. Additional weekly coursework is self-paced. The course will be held in Moodle, our online course management system.

Who should attend? This course is truly designed for all library staff, including support staff, general professional staff, age-level or subject specialists, managers and administrators.

How will this course benefit my library? Providing library services to people with disabilities is a role filled by all levels of library staff. From the part-time aide checking out library materials to the library director determining policies, staff skills and attitudes are crucial for a satisfactory library experience. During this course, participants will identify library users with disabilities at their library and the resources and assistive technologies available to assist them; examine changes in attitudes, laws and technologies that have impacted people with disabilities; and will be able to recommend changes in personal and organizational behaviors to improve services for people with disabilities at their library.

Registration: Interested participants can register online now, register via fax or mail, or learn more about the course at the ASCLA website. Registration fees start at $130 for ASCLA members. Discounted group registration rates for two or more registrants from the same library, library system or network are available—download the group registration form. Contact ALA’s Membership and Customer Service Team with any questions about registration for this course at registration@ala.org or (800) 545-2433, option 5.

About the Instructor: Kate Todd has worked as a children’s librarian for The New York Public Library and as emerging technologies librarian for Manhattanville College. At Manhattanville College, she taught “Technology for Special Education” in the graduate school of education. She has also taught several online courses for the Association of Library Services to Children (ALSC), including “Children with Disabilities in the Library”—this new ASCLA course is the general staff counterpart to that course.

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Transform Your Library: Top-Notch Service for All Users!

Is your library reaching all of its users with effective services, a welcoming environment and knowledgeable staff? ASCLA, a division of ALA, offers expertise in serving special populations. Take advantage of this expertise: enroll in one of our upcoming webinars or online courses to gain valuable knowledge that will help transform your library’s services to Latino populations, the blind and visually impaired, and people with disabilities. Learn more below, or visit our online learning page to find out about all of our upcoming opportunities.

Questions? Contact registration@ala.org or (800) 545-2433, option 5.

WEBINAR: Serving the Blind and Visually Impaired in Your Library
Thursday, April 5, 2012, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Central Time
REGISTER NOW.
The need for services to the blind and visually impaired is relevant to all libraries. This webinar will introduce the Service Frontiers in BVIP Initiative for blind and visually impaired patrons. During the session we will review the definition of blindness; explore disability etiquette; and learn where the blind are and how to attract them with our library services. Service Frontiers in BVIP is a first-of-its-kind in the U.S. and we will create a successful model for public libraries around the country. This program will focus on developing partnerships –between libraries and the blind & visually impaired community– which will promote an ongoing exchange of needs, ideas and solutions for improving library services to this underserved population.
Who Should Attend: Public and academic Librarians; library staff communicating and serving this community; reference librarians identifying and delivering information materials to this community; web developers interested in gaining a practical understanding of Section 508.
Instructor: Buna Dahal, internationally acclaimed leadership strategist, ADA consultant, and secretary for the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado
Registration starts at $40 for ASCLA members. Single-login group rates are $99.

ONLINE COURSE: Improving Library Services to People With Disabilities
Apr. 23 – May 18, 2012
Two live course chat meetings: Thursday, May 3 & 17, from 3-4 pm CENTRAL/Chicago Time
REGISTER NOW. Previous course offerings have sold out!
Library services to people with disabilities are provided by all levels of library staff.  From the part-time aide charging out library materials to the library director determining policies, staff skills and attitudes are crucial for a satisfactory library experience. All libraries have a plan for serving people with disabilities, whether it is the installation of ramps or the creation of special needs story times. But improvements are always possible. Library staff who enroll will review the current level of service to people with disabilities then explore materials and sources that provide additional support or new ideas.
Who Should Take This Course: This course is designed for all library staff, including support staff, general professional staff, age-level or subject specialists, managers and administrators.
Instructor: Kate Todd has worked as a children’s librarian for The New York Public Library and as Emerging Technologies Librarian for Manhattanville College, where she also taught “Technology for Special Education” in the graduate School of Education. She also taught the popular ALSC online course “Children with Disabilities in the Library.”
Registration starts at $130 for ASCLA members. Group rates for multiple registrations from the same library, library system or network are available!

WEBINAR: Creating a Latino Friendly Library
Thursday, May 17, 2012, 2:00 – 3:30pm Central Time
REGISTER NOW.
Latino communities continue to grow and we continue to puzzle over how to get this significant segment of our communities into the library. This webinar will introduce practical and simple techniques that libraries of all sizes can use to begin the process of making Latinos feel welcome and comfortable in the library. Participants will learn how to work with and challenge the language and cultural barriers that keep Latinos from using the library.
Who Should Attend: Anyone whose library serves Latino/Spanish-speaking populations and who is interested in implementing a plan to bring more Latinos into the library and make them feel welcome.
Instructor: Yolanda J. Cuesta, lead consultant at Cuesta MultiCultual Consulting
Registration starts at $40 for ASCLA members. Single-login group rates are $99.