Expanding your world through Web Conferencing: Connecting small libraries in big ways PLA 2010

Karen Burns Administrator, Southwest Iowa Library Service Area Cindi Hickey Director, Library Development State Library of Kansas Jennifer Peterson Community Manager, WebJunction

Agenda Definition and benefits (what and why) Uses and tools (when and where) Best practices (how) Success stories (who) Q&A

Before we begin… NOW: Twitter: #webconf Old Tech: Share your ideas, tools best practices; we'll collect and post them online LATER: WebJunction Group: webjunction.org/online-conferencing

What is web conferencing? Web conferencing is used to conduct live meetings, training, or presentations via the Internet. In a web conference, each participant sits at his or her own computer and is connected to other participants via the internet. [Or groups of individuals viewing together.]

Short history of libraries and web conf

Benefits Save time, money & the planet Available for all World of content Interaction & networking Archives Use your index card now to share other benefits of web conferencing.

Participant Quotes: “I liked being able to attend just the ones that I need and fit into my schedule.” “In my opinion, these sessions were as good or better than sessions at conferences, and I could remain at my desk while tuning in.” “Lots of learning going on and no travel expenses.” “It was as good as being there. I came away feeling refreshed - and with some good ideas.” “It is good that these sessions are archived because there are others in our library who should take advantage of some of the information first hand.”

One more benefit – a tool for learning Online courses Local discussion F2F Discussion boards/group chat Document sharing Take one online event and combine with: The result = expanded learning!

Web conferencing – some examples Library Services Collaboration Group learning Meetings Webinars Online Conferences Want more examples? Visit webjunction.org/online-conferencing. Use your index card now to share your examples of web conferencing.

Audience Interactiv e Features Technology Considerations Usability The Whole Package

Best Practices Know your role, and more. Active, not passive.

Best Practices for Participants Get Ready –Technology –Your space Get Set –Commit –Engage GO!

Best Practices - Presenters It’s different! Know what the tool can (and can’t) do. Be prepared. And practice prepared. Sustain the experience for attendees. Learn from the experts! Peter Bromberg: Five Tips For Successful WebinarsFive Tips For Successful Webinars Steven Bell & John D. Shank: Your Your Computer

Producer Job Description: Ensure that it all runs smoothly! Designate producer for each session Training for producers Checklist Troubleshooting document Introduce producer and how to contact Backup for troubleshooting

Success Stories

Collaborative Planning Yahoo Chat Classroom Google Docs Instant Msg (Doodle polls) Iowa Librarians Interview: Web Conferencing Tools for Collaboration webjunction.org/online-conferencing

Web Conference Groupies A Blend of Face2Face & Online Event

Webinar Programming WebJunction Webinars –Free! –100 archives and 2-3 new events each month –Accessible to all with internet –In partnership with other library agencies like ALA TechSource, REFORMA, ARSL –Leverage to augment other learning efforts More Library Webinar Programming More than a dozen other providers, mostly free! –TechSoup for Libraries –InfoPeople –OPAL –SirsiDynix Insitute –Library Journal and School Library Journal –Booklist –BCR Free Friday Forums –Your local and state library organizations –Other organizations providing non-profits

Technology Essentials 2010 “Pilot” the online conference model 10 presentations by 16 presenters 1157 pre-registrations 703 attendees, more than half from rural/small libraries 291 avg. attendees/session Production team of 5

One thing done well: top survey responses chat informative and engaging45 technical issues fixed quickly38 presenters knowledge/preparedness31 time management of sessions23 audience participation19 management/moderation of conference19 polls14 online conference format in general13 orientation to platform/tools13 broad range of topics13 archives - quick and convenient10 facilitation of chat, presenters, audience9 topics presented - timely, interesting9 having slides in advance8 links to resources in chat and in archives7 amount of information/learning6 5

webjunction.org/online-conferencing Come share your experiences, templates, checklists, best practices, and stories!

Q&A