Register Now for Tech Days 2020

Guest post by Joy Schwarz, Continuing Education and Training Librarian for Winnefox Library System and the NEWI: Northeastern Wisconsin CE Partnership

Learn from experts without having to travel — we've transformed our annual event from workshops to webinars!

Registration is now open for Tech Days 2020, a series of four webinars over two days, September 23 – 24. The schedule of sessions is as follows:

• Wednesday, Sep. 23, 10:00 - 11:30am – Technology Training for Non-Techies. Helping patrons navigate their technology needs can be daunting when you’re not super confident in your own “techie” skills! Now that we’ve moved to a new world where virtual work and remote services have become central, many library workers must (to one degree or another) provide some level of tech support and training to their patrons while learning new skills themselves. How can we make sure we’re ready to support patron needs when we’re not so confident ourselves? During this session, we will explore some ways we can answer this at both an organizational and individual level, and share some tips for making sure that even the least tech-savvy among us can find our comfort zone. Presenter: Emily Clasper. Technology-related continuing education contact hours: 1.5

• Wednesday, Sep. 23, 1:00 - 2:30pm – Mind the Gap: How to Navigate Your Way Across the Digital Divide (And Why That Isn't As Easy As It Sounds). The headline version is simple – the “born digital” generation can handle any technology changes that come their way and the older generations cannot – but is that true, especially in light of the pandemic and an increased reliance on technology to work and live? How do librarians keep themselves up-to-date on new tech developments and ensure that patrons who need help with tech are able to find it? In this session, we'll explore the concept of the digital divide, examine just where this divide exists, and how we as librarians can help bridge the gap to keep all our patrons, digitally competent or otherwise, happy. After this session, participants will be able to discuss the concept of a digital divide in terms of age, race, gender and class; create physical and remote library space that is welcoming to people of all levels of technological competence; and locate tools and resources to assist patrons who may want help using new technology. Presenter: Kris Turner. Technology-related continuing education contact hours: 1.5

• Thursday, Sep. 24, 10:00 - 11:30am – Productivity and Technology. It may be hard to remember sometimes, but technology is here to make your life easier. There are great tools out there to help you be more productive and efficient, both on the job and at home. Join us as we do a rapid-fire review of a series of great low-cost and free tools that prove that technology is still your friend. Presenter: Kris Turner. Technology-related continuing education contact hours: 1.5

• Thursday, Sep. 24, 1:00 - 2:30pm – Change is a Constant: Technology, Service, and Constant Change. The one sure thing about technology is that it changes constantly, often leading library workers experiencing anxiety, frustration, and “tech burnout” as we struggle to stay abreast of the latest updates impacting our colleagues and patrons. Now, the uncertainty and changes brought by the Coronavirus pandemic have caused these issues to multiply. This session tackles the difficulties library workers often face as we deal with the pressures of system updates, device upgrades, learning new technologies, and dealing with information overload. We will discuss strategies for keeping up, staying confident, and guiding others through the ups and downs of constant change and new technology challenges. Presenter: Emily Clasper. Technology-related continuing education contact hours: 1.5

You must register for each webinar individually at https://techdayswisc.org/register. More information is available at that link, and you can also access resources from the 2015-19 workshops.

All webinar sessions will be recorded and available at the Resources page.

There is no charge to attend Tech Days webinars, thanks to sponsorship by all 16 library systems and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Public Library Development Team, with funding support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Questions? Contact Joy Schwarz at schwarz@winnefox.org

Posted by Cindy Fesemyer