Five Weeks to a Social Library
Cost: FREE
When: Between February 12 and March 17, 2007
Where: Online
Who: 40 librarians interested in social software and it use in libraries
(Course content will be freely viewable to interested parties and all live Webcasts will be archived for later viewing)

The course will be taught using a variety of social software tools so that the participants acquire experience using the tools while they are taking part in the class. The course will make use of synchronous online communication, with one or two weekly Webcasts and many IM or Skype chat sessions made available to students each week.

By the end of the course, each student will develop a proposal for implementing a specific social software tool in their library.

Applications for course participantion are currently being accepted (deadline Dec. 1, 2006). The application process is designed to ensure that the course will benefit those librarians who have the most to gain from learning about social software and who would not otherwise have access to conferences or continuing education.

So all of you medical librarians who complain that you do not have time or insitutional support to attend conferences or continuing education should be very interested in this, because this class is for you!

The course will cover the following topics:

• Blogs
• RSS
• Wikis
• Social Networking Software and SecondLife
• Flickr
• Social Bookmarking Software
• Selling Social Software @ Your Library
  

Participation Requirements:
Each participant will take part in a weekly small group chat (either via VoIP or IM) with four other participants and a facilitator and will have the opportunity to chat with social software experts throughout the week. They will also attend at least one of two live Webcasts offered weekly. There will be weekly readings, podcasts, and Webcasts for the users to peruse and discuss. Each user will have a blog on which to post reflections on what they are learning and will be able to read and comment on other participants' blogs. The final assignment for the course will involve developing a proposal for implementing a social software tool at their library.
Applicants must be self-directed, passionate about using social software to benefit their library, and willing and able to invest the time required to take part in the course. While it is not necessary to have had exposure to social software tools in the past, general comfort in the online medium is strongly recommended.

Users must have the following items to participate:

• An AOL Instant Messenger account (free).
• A Skype account (free).
• Windows 2000 or XP or Mac OS 10.3 or later.
• A recent version of IE, Firefox, or Safari.
• A headset or microphone that connects to your computer (not sure if we will be using this -- we'll keep you posted).
• A reliable and relatively fast Internet connection. While broadband is not required, it is strongly recommended as it may not be possible to fully take part in the course without it.
• Time to invest in learning, discussion and reflection.

For more information including application guidelines please go to: Five Weeks to a Social Library