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Calling All Futurists and Scenario Planners!

At the ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco, ASCLA will be sponsoring a valuable preconference for all librarians!

Who hasn’t experienced the need for a window into the future to help inform in areas such as resource development and fund raising activities, community engagement, strategic planning and advocacy efforts? This preconference, sponsored by ASCLA Future of Libraries Interest Group and ALA’s Center for the Future of Libraries, will help all creative thinkers. Experts trained in the nationally recognized Foresight program at the University of Houston, will go through the steps for activities that you can do to develop scenarios for your organization. You’ll also learn some of the techniques of trend-spotting. Please register for this timely and essential preconference here; for all ASCLA preconferences go here). More about this preconference:

Looking to the Future: Strategic Foresight and Scenario Planning Go beyond trend spotting and learn how professional futurists leverage strategic foresight tools and approaches to look and see the big picture of where we are headed. Join our presenters, two consultants trained in Foresight by the University of Houston, as they lead hands-on activities where you will learn tools and techniques you can leverage for creating future scenarios at your own organization. This preconference will have maximum value for those interested in strategic planning, scenario planning, trend-spotting, futurism and anticipating significant changes that lie ahead. Co-Sponsored by the American Library Association’s Center for the Future of Libraries and the Future of Libraries Interest Group.  Register here.

Speakers:

  • Jamie Hollier, MLS., Consultant
  • Jen Chang, MLS., JD., Consultant.

Date: Friday, June 26 2015, Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Location: TBD

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ASCLA seeks proposals for 2013 webinars

ASCLA invites subject matter experts and experienced librarians with knowledge to share to submit proposals for ASCLA webinars to be presented in 2013 as a part of ASCLA’s outstanding online learning offerings.

ASCLA welcomes proposals on topics that will assist our diverse membership in improved service delivery and job performance, as well as topics that reflect ASCLA’s expertise and are valuable for all types of libraries, librarians and library support staff across the profession. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis until all available presentation slots for 2013 are filled. Webinar presenters are compensated for their work and will receive training and support for Blackboard Collaborate, the webinar technology platform used by the division.

More information about the submission process and ASCLA’s online learning offerings is at the ASCLA website under the Online Learning section. Access the proposal form now.

Proposal topics for courses and webinars may include, but are not limited to the following:

ADA updates for libraries; adult programming in a correctional library; eBooks; assessing accessibility knowledge; benchmarks and evaluation measures; best practices, standards and guidelines to improve library service; innovative services for an aging population; budgeting; collaborative digitization; correctional librarianship 101: covering the basics of a good prison/jail library; data analysis and assessment; dealing with learning disabilities; designing effective surveys; cultivating member loyalty through relationships in cooperative organizations; download training for patrons who use screen readers; emerging technologies for those with special needs, including apps and iPads; evaluating and improving cooperative services; evaluation content analysis; financial literacy; future trends in library service; GIS training; grants: how to find grant funding and write your proposal; group purchasing; health literacy; how to be a consultant; how to be a futurist; how to deliver online training; how to hire a library consultant; nonprofit leadership; increasing public understanding of the value of libraries; innovations in library service; law librarianship for correctional librarians; managing and improving services in a library cooperative; marketing library services to special needs populations; marketing on a shoestring budget; navigating book selection sources; outcomes-based education; outreach skills; outreach to visually or physically handicapped populations; partnering with community organizations; project planning; public education as a marketing tool; recognizing great service in member libraries; seeking grants for consultancy work; services to library patrons with cognitive or mental impairments; low-literacy adults; diverse populations, including special needs populations; tablet computers; training staff to confidently serve library users with disabilities, and raising awareness of this important population; technology trends for special needs populations; utilizing focus groups to prioritize services to the disabled; and working with refugees.

Questions about submissions or about ASCLA’s online learning programs should be sent to Andrea Hill, ASCLA web manager and primary online learning contact at ahill@ala.org.