MLA/DLA Conference 2021 registration now open

Registration is now open for the 2021 combined Maryland and Delaware annual conference. The conference will be held the first week in May, and will be virtual again this year.

If you wish to receive funding to attend the conference you must complete the "Request for Authorization for Leave and/or Expenses" (Form 354), and submit that to your supervisor along with your goals and intentions statement and a copy of your completed registration form.  The forms may be sent by email to the required supervisors.

Your goals and intentions statement must include at least 6 sessions that you will attend at the conference, along with a strong rationale for each.  What do you hope to learn at/bring back from each session and what do you hope to do with the knowledge you gain?   You may substitute other programs during the actual event, as long as you attend at least 6.

You must also include a justification for any pre-conferences you wish to attend, with the same information.  Please include your MLA membership number on the form if you are a member.

Applications must be received by March 19, 2021 to be eligible for funding.

If you have any questions, contact SD&T.

 

MLA/DLA Annual Conference 2021

May 3-7, 2021

Here is a link to the brochure:

https://www.mdlib.org/files/docs/conference/MLAProgram2021.pdf 

Here is a link to the registration form:

https://www.mdlib.org/ev_calendar_day.asp?date=5%2F3%2F21&eventid=115

LATI updates

The LATI oversight committee and new coordinator have upgraded LATI and created a wonderful new program for our library associates.  If you are unfamiliar with LATI or haven't heard about changes I hope you find this information helpful.

LATI is a state-mandated training program the library associates must complete within two years of their hire date.  It is also connected to participation in the State retirement system

The new program is divided into two sections:

1.   The Expanded Early Start Program (EESP): a 12 week, self-directed, online program based on OpenLMS which should be completed within 120 days of hire.

2.   Advanced LATI:  a 9 week, blending learning course combining face-to-face sessions, virtual synchronous sessions and online homework and reflection. The virtual and online components are offered through OpenLMS.

LAs are now registered for EESP as soon as they are hired and once EESP is finished they are registered for the Advanced LAT.  Currently, all LATI programs are being held virtually.

I also wanted to share the information that with the new program, non-LAs are now eligible for the  Expanded Early Start Program. With supervisor approval, non LA staff members may participate in  EESP which focuses on learning about your library, model reference behavior, and basic resources for reference questions.  Non-LAs are not eligible for Advanced LATI at this time.

On the Forms page of the blog I've posted a brief presentation with more details and a link to the current LATI handbook.

Continuing Education Hours for Staff Presented Programs

If your department or office is providing training to other staff members I wanted to remind you of a few things.

Any training that offers continuing education hours for staff needs to be approved by SD&T for those hours to count for r-certification.

Just send me a draft of your CEU form before your program and I'll check that it meets state requirements.  Forms not meeting the requirements will be discarded when they are received by our office even if staff have completed the program.

Actually, if everyone remembers to do this it cancels out the other things I wanted to mention.  Just be sure that I get a look at your forms before you send them out to participants.  Thanks.

Lisa

Learning Portfolios Presentation Now on the Forms Page

I created a brief presentation to go over the process of the Learning Portfolio creation and approval.  You might want to view this before you download the Learning Portfolio forms and instructions.  As always, direct any questions to SD&T.

Lisa

Learning Portfolio Form

 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X9pbM4AlJujmqDPIAonLVygEIez1UCnS/edit#heading=h.gjdgxs

Social Distancing at the Library - 6 feet everyone

 

Continuing education credits for recordings and webinars

 Many staff members are currently participating in webinars, SkillSoft training, and other online programs including recorded conference sessions.

If you are attending a session that provides a completion certificate or confirmation email, then you should attach this to your CEU form and submit a copy to your supervisor.  If you are using the program for continuing education credit then you should also submit a copy to SD&T.  

If you are watching a pre-recorded webinar or a recorded conference session, or any program that does not provide proof of completion, you should follow the "Recorded Webinars" procedure.  This information can be found on the Forms page of the SD&T blog  http://learning.prattlibrary.org/p/forms.html

If you are not certain that a program meets the criteria for continuing education credit, please send a link to the program to SD&T.

Renewals for the upcoming year - SkillSoft etc.

Maryland State Library has renewed the licenses for the following programs for the upcoming year, so we will continue to have free access to these programs for all EPFL staff.  

If you need to register for SkillSoft just let me know and I'll create an account for you.  The others have self-registration.  Just click on the link below to access.

Lisa

SkillSoft

Web Junction

Ryan Dowd, Librarian's Guide to Homelessness