1. A little about MERLIN Community http://www.merlincommunity.org Updated: 09.01.09

2. Announcing “new” MERLIN

3. What is it? MERLIN is the learning community for Maryland public library staff It is now being presented to you via Joomla, an open source content management system that is simpler to use. The web address is simpler to remember http://www.merlincommunity.org http://www.merlincommunity.org

4. Participate and Contribute Use the calendars to learn about training and other statewide events. Launch online training. Engage in discussions and share resources on various library-related topcs. Create and contribute to blogs and wikis for statewide committees and projects. Network with kindred library folk statewide.

5. Statewide Training & Events Calendar Go to Calendars > Shared Statewide Training & Events Calendar Includes Maryland public library systems and regional libraries; Maryland Library Association; and the State Library Resource Center. Select free webinars from OPAL, SirsiDynix Institute, WebJunction are also listed; along with significant statewide meetings and events. Some training and events are available by invitation only. find training …

6. Click on OPTIONS to search, filter, or email subscribe. For example, if you want to see all technology events or get an email whenever someone posts an event about Children & YA. Or search for all “Learn How To Learn Online” sessions.

7. Training From the MERLIN home page, click on Training Aside from the Calendar and SkillSoft Login, take a look at all of the available training listed under “More Online Learning”

8. Other interesting links.. MLA, SLRC, and More Communities listed on top of home page Library Lingo – Maryland’s alphabet soup Discussions – discussion board Blogs & Wikis – contribute yours Social Networking – we’re working on this Virtual Meeting Setup – how to meet virtually

9. Places to subscribe Calendars OPTIONS or RSS On Twitter - see Tweets on home page - http://twitter.com/MerlinCommunity http://twitter.com/MerlinCommunity RSS feed for Highlights on home page Any discussion thread that interests you More options coming your way …

10. Register You can use many of the features on the new site without registering – you just can’t contribute to discussions, polls, or comment. If you had an old MERLIN account, you still need to register for this new site. Register is under “Login to Contribute” There will be more opportunities to contribute as we grow the site. You will still need to register and login to SkillSoft separately.

11. Share your ideas We’re now launching this site and we’re letting it grow organically. This means that you can help us shape it by contributing your ideas. Just click on “Send us your ideas” (under Highlights) or contact a MERLIN Community Builder. You can also comment on just about any page (but you need to login).

12. Brought to you by the MERLIN Community Builders Maurice Coleman, Harford County Annette Gaskins, Harford County Katy Daily, Anne Arundel County Cathay Crosby, Ask-Us-Now Nini Beegan, DLDS – Past builders – Beth Tribe, Howard County; Dan Wood, SMRLA; Cameron Casswell, Anne Arundel; Allen Dunson, Garrett County; Matthew Aaron, Anne Arundel; Jennifer Howell, WRML Interested in joining? Contact Nini Beegan, nbeegan@carr.org nbeegan@carr.org