Useful online tools to increase your productivity & improve customer service

Ever wondered if there's a better way to do something? Chances are that someone else has wondered the same thing and had a brilliant idea for a freely available online service. Many of these useful online tools remain "under the radar" and unknown to most. This short format* course will focus on introducing learners to different types of useful and little known online tools.

During the course we’ll be covering useful online tools in the following areas:

• Productivity
• Presentations
• Tutorial creation
• Social media
• Web design & images
• Books & reading
• Communication

Completion of this course will help you increase productivity, improve workflow and enhance communication.

* Our new short format courses are reduced in price ($55 in-state/$110 out-of-state) and are customized in length to the topic, designed to be started and completed in 2 – 3 weeks and offer practical knowledge and information that can be put to use immediately.

Course Description: During the course, you will participate in two online meetings that are integral to the completion of this short format course. In these meetings, the instructor will highlight useful tools and provide scenarios to help describe their value in a library environment. In addition to the online meetings, the instructor will provide readings, with resources and useful tips and techniques that can be applied immediately. You will use online tools to complete projects that are relevant to you, your library, and your community.

Online Meetings:
October 2, 2014 at Noon Pacific/1 PM Mountain/2 PM Central/3 PM Eastern
October 16, 2014 at Noon Pacific/1 PM Mountain/2 PM Central/3 PM Eastern

Note: Please ensure that you are able to attend these two meetings before enrolling in the course.

Course Outline: When you log in to the Infopeople online learning site, you will see weekly modules with these topics:

• Module 1: Tools to Improve Your Workflow and Increase Productivity
  • Sample recipes for IFTTT (if this then that)
  • How to identify new productivity tools (keeping on top of them)
  • Specific tips for some of the highlighted productivity and workflow tools
• Module 2: Tools to Connect with Library Users and the Community
  • Highlight of the following tools and examples of how they could be used in the library setting:
    • Tools that can enhance the library’s social media presence
    • Tools that can assist in developing more creative and appealing training resources or presentations
    • Tools that can help customize library websites and online images
    • Tools related to books and reading

Time Required: To complete this course, you can expect to spend 2½ hours per module, for a total of five course hours. Each module contains readings, an online meeting, and various options for projects. You can choose the options most relevant to your work and interests. Although you can work on each module at your own pace, at any hour of the day or night, it is recommended that you complete each week's work within that week to stay in sync with other learners.

Who Should Take This Course: Library staff at any level interested in increasing productivity, better handling workflow, improving communication, and connecting with library users.

Online Learning Details and System Requirements may be found at: infopeople.org/training/online_learning_details.

Learner Requirements: None

Course Start: This short format course starts on Tuesday, September 30, 2014.

After the official end date for the course, the instructor will be available for limited consultation and support for one more week, and the course material will stay up for an additional week after that. These extra weeks give those who have fallen behind time to complete the course.

Keywords: Computer skills, Planning, Technology