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January 7, 2005

Pat McGuckin
Randy Nehrt

White Announces New Year, New "U" For LibraryU Web-Based Training Initiative

SPRINGFIELD — Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has announced that LibraryU (http://learning.libraryu.org), the longtime free Web-based training and continuing education initiative supported by the Illinois State Library and Illinois' regional library systems, has been greatly expanded and renamed "LibraryU Reloaded."

White said the LibraryU Reloaded upgrade has been made possible by a grant the State Library received last year from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation U.S. Library Program. Thirty-two new course modules have been added to the website, presenting a wide array of new, free learning opportunities that are available anywhere and at anytime for members of the library community and the patrons they serve.

"Librarians and other members of the library community have always been open to new ideas and committed to ongoing training and education to provide the best possible service to their patrons," White said. "LibraryU Reloaded represents a fresh new opportunity for members of the library community and their patrons to obtain quality online instruction that is cost-effective and convenient for the learner. Best of all, this online training and continuing education is free and available through the Internet anywhere, and at anytime."

Users may enroll for coursework in areas such as budgeting basics, shelving, designing Web-based instruction, fundraising, community building, customer and information service and library law. There are courses for administrators, librarians, trustees and the general public. Though most of the new coursework is designed to provide training opportunities to members of the library community, new modules will be added in the future with a greater emphasis on coursework for library patrons.

Specific course offerings among the thirty-two modules include:

• Library Budgeting Basics
• Planning Story time for Children
• Web-based E-mail for Beginners
• Evaluating Information Found on the Web
• Laws That Affect Libraries
• Basic Web-based Reference
• The Talking Book Program for print disabled patrons
• Programs for Special Needs Children
• Four separate courses teaching how to shelve
• Merchandising That Works

White said early response to the upgrade from participants has been extremely favorable. One LibraryU student wrote, "Those Library U classes are great! I went through the Readers Advisory one and will be using it as a training tool for my staff." Another user enthused, "I spent a bit of time on it yesterday and think that it is fantastic! I have copied part of it for my notes and for board members.... the course is wonderful and very thorough."

Persons may access the new modules by self-registering for a LibraryU account, or by sampling courses anonymously. Persons registering for a LibraryU account may track their progress through courses and receive a certificate of completion after finishing a module.

White also encouraged persons seeking quality online information to access Illinois Clicks! (www.illinoisclicks.org), another statewide Illinois Internet library with resources reviewed and selected by Illinois librarians. Illinois Clicks! may be also accessed from the LibraryU website.