Featured CE Classes

Introduction to EAD and Archival Description (2 Days)
Wed., May 23, 2007 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Thurs., May 24, 2007 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

EAD (Encoded Archival Description) is a standard for representing archival finding aids in XML. EAD allows online finding aids to be consistently indexed and displayed on the Web, and enhances interoperability between collections. Workshop topics include:

By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to start encoding finding aids from their own institutions in EAD. Benefits to participants include:

In addition, EAD finding aids created by participants are eligible for inclusion in a statewide database of finding aids. Search the finding aids database at the Archival Collections Web page (purl.fcla.edu/fcla/findaid).

Click here for more information or to sign up for this class.


Library E-Government Conversation (New Location)
Fri., May 18, 2007 (1 to 3:45 p.m.)

Please join us for this presentation and discussion about the controversy surrounding library E-Government Services.

Libraries large and small report being overwhelmed by public demand for E-Government Services. Libraries have a long proud tradition of assisting the public in obtaining government information about government programs and services. However, as federal, state and local government agencies improve services by making them available on the Web, they also are closing service centers and advising clients and customers to go to the public library for computers and assistance.

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These services include disaster recovery assistance, FEMA claims, insurance claims, driver’s license and tag renewals, Medicare and Medicaid forms, IRS filings and forms, Immigration and Naturalization applications, Department of Children and Families applications, voter registration, unemployment filing, job applications and employment tests. The list continues to grow.

Government agencies often refer the public to libraries for public access computers, but the public also needs assistance that only individuals with training and expertise with those agencies’ forms and procedures can provide. Often applicants also need a telephone to successfully transact their business. All of this creates difficult situations for library customers and staff alike. It is particularly a problem in libraries with limited resources such as staff, computers and bandwidth.

Thus far, no clear consensus has emerged within the library community about how to respond to the E-Government challenge. Some embrace it as a new role or opportunity to provide value to their customers. Some are attempting to develop relationships with referring agencies by seeking assistance and training for staff. Others say libraries should resist serving these customers and insist that agencies provide financial support if they want their customers served. Some are considering providing social work training to public service staff.

To help member libraries deal more successfully with the E-Government issues, TBLC is convening a Library E-Government Conversation. John Bertot of the Florida State University Information Use Management and Policy Institute will share what he has learned from his work on the issue. The Institute has been working closely with the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP) and the Florida State Library and Archives and has recently completed a study entitled “E-Government and Public Libraries: Current Status, Meeting Report, Findings, and Next Steps.”

John’s presentation will set the stage for a conversation among attendees about their E-Government experience and strategies for responding successfully to the challenges. Hopefully this discussion will help folks clarify their views, identify successful responses, and move closer to consensus on a unified library community outlook.

Please join us to share your experiences, listen to your colleagues, and see where the E-Government Conversation takes us.

Click here for more information or to sign up for this class.