[Publib] [collib-l] Register for ACRL e-learning course, "Virtual Reference Competencies Part 1"

[Diane K. Kovacs]

Register for now for the Association of College and Research 
Libraries (ACRL) e-learning course, "Virtual Reference Competencies 
Part 1," to be offered September 29 ­ October 17, 2008.

ABOUT THE COURSE
The technical competencies essential or desirable for virtual 
reference librarians to acquire or to improve on are the foundation 
of virtual reference service provision. Virtual reference service is 
built on a technical infrastructure. The Internet, the World Wide 
Web, e-mail, Web chat, Instant Messaging, and all the associated 
supportive technology and software are the environment in which 
virtual reference librarians work. In "Virtual Reference 
Competencies: Acquire and Improve Technical Skills and Knowledge," 
participants will engage in learning activities, supported by 
readings as well as lecture and discussion to acquire and improve the 
technical competencies required by effective virtual reference 
librarians.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
·         assess and improve your ability to type on a computer 
keyboard and make use of other related input devices (mouse, 
trackball, touchpad, etc.)
·         assess and improve your work with multiple software 
applications on a computer with multiple windows, to move 
appropriately between windows/applications, and to move quickly and 
mindfully between multiple activities chatting, searching print or 
electronic sources, etc. (minimal multi-tasking)
·         evaluate and add to your detailed functional knowledge of 
how to access the Internet, use Internet e-mail, connect to Web sites
·         increase your detailed functional knowledge of at least one 
Web browser
·         cultivate your awareness of the basic technologies that any 
given virtual reference service user may or may not be using, have 
access to, or be limited by
·         develop awareness of the chat software specifics for a 
given system you are going to be using then develop detailed 
functional knowledge of the specific chat software used by your 
library or other organization for chat reference
·         cultivate awareness of how to connect to and chat through 
Web-based chat software, Internet messaging, etc.
·         add to your awareness of the options for document or 
information delivery

INSTRUCTOR
Diane Kovacs, Kovacs Consulting
The instructor has been teaching virtual reference related concepts 
and skills online and in-person for more than 14 years. She is the 
author of The Virtual Reference Handbook: Interview and Information 
Delivery Techniques for the Chat and E-Mail Environments Neal-Schuman 
Publishers (2007) published concurrently in the United Kingdom by 
Facet Publishers (2007)  and The Kovacs Guide to Electronic Library 
Collection Development:  Essential Core Subject Collections, 
Selection Criteria, and Guidelines  (Neal-Schuman, January 2004). 
Additional Biographical Information is available at 
<http://www.kovacs.com/aboutus.html>http://www.kovacs.com/aboutus.html.
<http://www.kovacs.com/dianevita.html>More information on Diane Kovacs
REGISTRATION
Registration for this seminar is now open. For additional information 
and a link to the online registration form, visit:
<http://www.acrl.org/ala/acrl/acrlproftools/virtualref.cfm>http://www.acrl.org/ala/acrl/acrlproftools/virtualref.cfm
ACRL and ALA members will receive a registration discount. The 
seminar is limited to 60 participants, so register early. Payment may 
be made by credit card or purchase order (PO) only.
ACRL member: $135
ALA member: $175
CACUL member: Can $195 (charges will be made in U.S. dollars)
Nonmember: $195
Student: $60
********
ACRL is a division of the American Library Association (ALA), 
representing more than 13,000 academic and research librarians and 
interested individuals. ACRL is the only individual membership 
organization in North America that develops programs, products and 
services to meet the unique needs of academic and research 
librarians.  Its initiatives enable the higher education community to 
understand the role that academic libraries play in the teaching, 
learning and research environments.
-- 
Diane K. Kovacs, Web Teacher - http://kovacs.com
Web Design & Construction for Libraries Part 1:  XHTML and CSS (beginners)
http://kovacs.com/webdesignpart1.html
Web Design & Construction for Libraries Part 2: CSS and Javascript 
(intermediate)
  http://kovacs.com/webdesignpart2.html
Web Design & Construction for Libraries Part 3: Building Library 2.0 (advanced)
(contact the teacher to be notified when this course is ready)
diane at kovacs.com or diane.kovacs at gmail.com (Gtalk or e-mail) AIM & 
Yahoo:  SaintsMrsDi - MSN - diane at kovacs.com  Di Wind in Second Life