Library Summer School - Take an online course for FREE!

Greetings Colleagues,
One of the many benefits of WMRLS membership is free admission to WebJunction's online library continuing education workshops. The WebJunction course catalog covers a wide range of topics and is continually updated. Consult the WebJunction Online Course Catalog and complete our WMRLS Online CE Registration Form to receive a WMRLS code that will enable you to take the course for free. On June 15, WMRLS will issue the confidential coupon code to all staff of member libraries who complete our online registration form. This coupon code must be redeemed by August 31. You will have access to the course that you select for one full year.

Below is a selection of the topics covered by the WebJunction online courses. On June 15, WMRLS will issue a confidential coupon code to all staff of member libraries who complete our online registration form:


Application Software
Adobe Acrobat (8)
Crystal Reports (2)
Databases (19)
Desktop Publishing (12)
Excel (25)
Flash (3)
Graphics (13)
Microsoft Office (general) (4)
Outlook (23)
PowerPoint (13)
Project (16)
Visio (6)
Word (29)

Customer Service & Interpersonal Skills
Communication (11)
Customer Service (14)
Ethics & Values (6)
Interpersonal (41)
Learning (personal) (15)

Library Management
Advocacy & Outreach (1)
Budget & Finance (13)
Facilities Management (6)
Friends & Trustees (1)
Funding (1)
Marketing (12)
Policies & Procedures (3)
Library Services
Children (7)
Readers Advisory (1)
Reference & Information Resources (4)
Technical Services (8)
Young Adults & Teens (2)

Networking & Security
Email Systems (9)
General Networking (9)
General Security (17)
Servers (20)
Telecommunications (3)
Wireless (5)

Operating & Automation Systems
Linux (23)
Windows (17)

Organizational Management
Leading Organizations (28)
Legal Responsibilities (8)
Project Management (21)
Strategic Planning (12)

Personnel Management
Hiring (6)
Staff Training & Development (17)
Supervision (18)
Workplace Safety & Compliance (18)

Technology (general)
Basic Computer Support (4)
Hardware (4)
Technology Planning (16)
Video (5)

Web Design & Development
Web Design (33)
Web Development (19)

~ Sincerely, Janet Eckert, Western Massachusetts Regional Library System

Troubleshooting Computer Problems

WebJunction is now offering a free course titled "Troubleshooting Computer Problems". This 1.5 hour self-paced online course is free to all WebJunction members (and WebJunction membership is free).

• Course information
• Register to become a WebJunction member (free)

The Joy of Computing

From the MaintainIT Project Website:

"Now there are two Cookbooks you can download and use to keep public computers running in your library! Packed with tips and techniques from public librarians from across the country, inside each Cookbook you’ll find practical information covering a variety of topics."

Library Technology and Management Competencies

Recommended Reading from the WebJunction website:

Managing the library's public computer programs, keeping the equipment operable, and satisfying the patrons using them involves a host of skills and knowledge by Betha Gutsche, Editor

From the WebJunction website:

"Defining competencies for sustaining public access computing programs is the first step toward providing a roadmap for library staff to identify skills gaps through assessments and to connect to learning opportunities to achieve each competency.

Download the pdf of the full Competencies for Sustaining Public Access Computing Programs, which includes the Management Competencies.

Download the pdf of the Technology Competencies only.

WebJunction’s competencies are divided into three sections—two of which address technical skills and knowledge and a third that addresses the management of public access computing programs. Technology Competencies for Patron Assistance defines skills that frontline library staff need in order to provide direct assistance to patrons on the public computers. The System Administration section defines skills necessary to set up, configure and maintain the public computers and networks. The Management Competencies are the umbrella over all, covering the master-planning, coordination and integration aspects of running a public access computing program. "