In this archive you will find the tips published through May 2008.
The most recent tips are listed below; for the full list, go to the Documents tab.
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Banish Burnout
If left unchecked, the negative effects of burnout can rule your life. Get yourself through tough times with smart strategies.
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Join the Conversation
Contributing to a discussion space is a rewarding experience. Solve problems and find out how your colleagues weigh in on issues you care about in WebJunction's forum!
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Online Communities of Practice
Thriving communities of practice amongst library professionals are the result of harnessing the power of our virtual social networks.
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The Open Source Alternative
Many libraries are reaping the benefits from opting for open source. Is open source software the right choice for your library?
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Proactive Disaster Planning
The only mistake you can make in disaster preparation is assuming it will never happen to you! Mitigate risk and protect your library's assets with smart planning.
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Successful Patron Interactions
With preparation, practice, and support from colleagues, you can empower yourself to handle any situation.
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Choose the Right Path
Pathfinders serve as quick entry points into the information landscape of libraries.
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Build Strong Readers
How do you transform young reluctant readers into ardent booklovers?
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Harness the Power of the Budget
Regardless of whether you write this detailed planning report, its contents affect every aspect of library operations.
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Planning Interior Spaces
Check out these resources to help make your library's environment welcoming to staff and patrons.
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Librarian Exchange
Library professionals are known for the exchange of information, so why not explore the possibility of exchanging location?
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Databases: Get the Word Out
The research options available at libraries contain an extraordinary depth of information. Provide better search strategies to your community by promoting e-sources.
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Keep Your Cookbooks Handy
If it was possible to stain and dog-ear virtual recipes, these cookbooks would be a mess. Take a moment to thumb through them for ideas on diversity and technology programming.
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Ethics in Librarianship
Ethical standards provide a reliable and critical framework for workplace decisions and library policies.
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Providing Access to Technology
From assistive technology to digitization projects, the best way to achieve accessibility is to make it a priority.
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The Law-Abiding Librarian?
Strong opinions abound when it comes to CIPA and the Patriot Act. Staying informed and participating in an open dialogue with your colleagues is the key to making progress.
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A Time of Change
Starting a new year is often a harbinger of change. Manage it well for a successful transition!
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The Correctional Librarian Community
Get to know your colleagues that work in prison librarianship.
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Managing Your Projects
Project management methods can help you tackle projects at your library in new and valuable ways.
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Professional Networking at Conferences
The benefits of conferences are multi-faceted! Attend lectures, meet new colleagues, and give your own presentation.
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The Power of Failure
Recognizing failure as a positive step towards success can encourage creativity and innovation in the workplace.
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Make New Friends
The Friends of the Library improve the quality of our libraries through such activities as advocacy, promotion, fund-raising, and networking.
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The Board of Trustees
From advocacy to strategic planning, our board of trustees makes up a diverse range of people working together on behalf of libraries.
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Shine the Spotlight
Tell the world about your library, your fellow WebJunction members, or even yourself!
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Internet Librarian 2007
WebJunction staffers and members who attended last week's Internet Librarian share some tips from the conference.
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Reach Out to Older Adults
Welcome older adults to the library with specific services and improve the richness of your community.
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Reference Services in the Digital Age
These resources can help create, transform, and sustain an effective virtual reference program.
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Personal Branding for Professional Development
You've been Googled! Managing your public identity with care is a must for professional development.
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Who Is WebJunction? You Are!
Visit a Community Partner, get to know your fellow members, and strengthen the ties of our library community.
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Collection Development
Expand your library's collection with some fresh ideas! These resources will help development of youth and digital collections.
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Advertise Your Library
Hot off the presses! Create publicity for your library through various media channels.
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Feedback: It's Good to Give and Receive
Whether you're delivering input to a coworker or surveying the public for their opinion, feedback has the power to affirm positive points while provoking change through constructive criticism.
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Volunteers Make a Difference
Achieve a fantastic volunteer program with these tips to help you recruit and retain quality volunteers.
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Intellectual Property and the Librarian
Do you know the difference between copyright and trademark? Brush up on the definitions and issues surrounding intellectual property law and policy.
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Cultural Competency
Effective communication is the key to successful relationships. Taking an active interest in improving your cultural competency skills will make your library a more welcoming place, for both employees and patrons.
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Strengthen Your Children's Program
Providing quality services to children will keep them returning to the library for lifelong learning opportunities. Check out these resources and enrich the children's program at your library.
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Working with E-Government
With a continuous influx of government services going from paper to electronic, public libraries are feeling the impact in their public access computing programs.
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Connecting Public Libraries and School Libraries
Collaboration between public and school libraries creates higher impact services and improved working conditions for library staff.
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Learn How to Teach the Internet
Internet knowledge is a basic survival skill. Check out these resources that can help you provide computer training and assistance to patrons.
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Advocate with Images
Use images to let the community know about the exciting activities happening at your library.
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Evaluate Your Library's Website
You don't need a user-centered design expert, access to a usability lab, or even an excess of funds to conduct a usability test. Check out the following resources and improve the usability of your website!
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Become a Leader in Your Community
Learn how to politick with the best of them! If they won't come to you, bring the library to community leaders by taking a seat at their table.
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Public Access Computing: Keep Your Program Happy and Healthy!
Whether you are developing a new Public Access Computing program or revamping an existing one, WebJunction has tools and resources to help.
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Translate or Transcreate?
Join the debate on creating Spanish language materials for the library!
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WebJunction's New Online Course for Rural Library Sustainability
If you need some new ideas for your library, check out our brainstorming lists and get inspired!
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Create a library wish list
Let your community know what your library needs and wants. Who knows? You might actually get it!
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Brainstorm New Ideas!
If you need some new ideas for your library, check out our brainstorming lists and get inspired!
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Use the TechAtlas Event Tracker
Track all requests and solutions to computer troubles in the library with this useful tool!
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Let's Play Tag
Organize information using vocabulary that makes sense to you.
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Spanish Language Outreach
Strengthen the library community with outreach services to the Spanish speaking community
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Technology Planning Made Easy Update
Writing a technology plan doesn't need to be hard. Free tech planning software like TechAtlas can make the process much easier. TechAtlas was recently upgraded--check out the new and enhanced features, then get started!
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The Benefits of RSS
Reading library or technology blogs seems to have become another mandatory addition to the work day and RSS feeds can help you organize and limit what you receive.
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Take our Management Skills Introduction Course
Learn core management skills with WebJunction's Course of the Month
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Protect your computers
Avoid future computer problems by using preventative measures now!
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Teen Outreach
Reaching out to teens will benefit both them and the library. We have some examples and resources to help get you started or reinspired.
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Avoid Email Overload
Is email running your life? Increase your email IQ with some simple tips.
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What Everybody Ought to Know About Writing a Blog
Do you need more information about writing a blog? Are you creating a blog but need help grabbing patron attention? Check out these tips on creating an effective blog.
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Research and Statistics
Using research and statistics can be the best way to make decisions for your library. Check out some of the research currently available and then perform your own.
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Go Digital
Do you envision your collection being viewed by anyone and everyone?Check out these resources that discuss selecting, building, maintaining, and preserving digital collections.
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Understand Your Library's Impact, Then Advocate!
Take a look at these resources which can help you tell your library's story of community contribution and give you ideas for making an even greater impact.
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Friends of the Library
Everyone needs a friend, including your library. Find inspiration on starting or revitalizing a Friends Group with these resources!
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Tech Requirements for E-Learning
All geared up for an online learning experience? Don't forget to make sure your computer meets the technology requirements.
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What is E-Learning?
E-Learning for library staff is hot right now and WebJunction has plenty of information on what it is and how to use it.
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The importance of ongoing learning
Pursue continuous learning opportunities to be happier in your current position and move forward with your career.
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Setting up your learning environment
Having trouble carving out time to take a course or keep up with what's new in the library field? Implement some new strategies and you'll be learning in no time!
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Reverse mentoring: learn from LIS students
Want a new perspective on hot social issues facing libraries? Read the current issue of Post-Tracks, with articles written by current LIS students.
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Mentoring is for everyone
Mentoring can provide many benefits to your library workplace. Discover some of them in the Mentoring section on WebJunction.
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Find online courses to take now
Want to pursue e-learning, but you don't know where to find good courses? Check out these resources!
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Empower yourself to learn something new!
What's the best way to ensure you learn something new?
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E-Learning Buddy System
Having a partner can provide you with the extra motivation needed to stay on track.
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Conversion Software Makes it Easy to Create Self-Paced Tutorials
Want to make face-to-face training material available long after the training is over? Create self-paced tutorials by converting PowerPoints to Flash files.
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Benefits of e-learning
We've all heard that e-learning is great, but what are the real benefits to pursuing online courses?
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Tough Questions
We can't all be legal or medical experts but we can provide patrons with authoritative resources. Check out this advice for when you are asked a tough question.
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Try a web-based productivity tool
Write, plan, present, and calculate--now more than ever you can do it on the web.
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Almost free software for libraries
Tech Soup Stock for Libraries and other programs make software more affordable for libraries. Resources are available to help you navigate the various requirements!
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Wireless Internet Access Policies
Does having wireless internet access mean a new policy? Here are examples from two libraries.
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Visit another Library's Website
Looking for great ideas for your library's website? Try another library!
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Shared Computer Toolkit
Is the Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit for you?
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Try this Handy Technology Staff Calculator
Analyze and quantify your staffing needs and make a better case with administrators and funders.
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Maximize your software donation program savings
Plan purchases to get the most out of software donation programs.
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Use this free library wireless graphic
Got wireless at your library? Use this graphic to let folks know.
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Technology inventory made easy with TechAtlas
Do you want an up-to-date inventory of your library's technology but don't know where to start? By using the technology inventory tools in TechAtlas you can just do it!
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Update your Library's Policies
Unattended children? Staff running internet businesses off e-Bay? Use these sample policies to update one of your library's policies today!
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Library Job Descriptions
Writing a job description for staff in your library? Check out samples from libraries around the country!
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Got Games?
Love it or hate it, gaming is here to stay, and some Libraries have moved beyond the technology to offer gaming strategies for literacy, socialization, and more.
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Library Sustainability
Managing a small or rural library? You are not alone! Our Rural Library Sustainability Section can help.
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Market Your Library
Think you can't get the word out about your library's programs on a shoestring budget? These marketing resources will change your mind.
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Space Planning
Reorganizing? Rebuilding? Restructuring? Don't jump in without taking a look at these space planning resources.
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Securing Technology
How secure are your public access computers? Have you tried the free MS Shared Computer Toolkit? Take a look!
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Staying Connected Professionally
What's going on outside of your own library? Take a look and get connected to your colleagues and peers for great ideas about how to make you library better and your work easier.
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