WebJunction:Connect, Create, Learn

RI Educational Media Association

January 2009

Karen Mellor

RI Office of Library and Information Services

WebJunction Rhode Island

• About WebJunction• WebJunction Features• WebJunction Tools• Join WebJunction

Agenda

3

WebJunction Rhode Island

What is WebJunction?

WebJunction Rhode Island

• 2002: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation award grant to OCLC to build an online portal for public libraries and other organizations

• Built as adjunct resource to Library Program• Other grants: Tech Atlas, Spanish Language

Outreach, Rural Libraries Sustainability• August 2008: New WebJunction launched,

incorporating networking and interactive tools

WebJunction History

WebJunction Rhode Island

• 2003: 4 state library agencies• 2008: 15 state library agencies• Over 40,000 members• 2,600 visitors daily• Anyone can join WebJunction (free!)• Members in community partner states receive

additional benefits

WebJunction Partners & Members

WebJunction Rhode Island

• Vision: relevant, vibrant, and sustainable libraries in every community

• Mission: build collaborative communities where library staff connect, create, and learn

• Professional networking• Share ideas, experience, expertise, opinions• Community building - skills, career • Online learning community for librarians and

library staff• Personalize your WJ experience: tag, bookmark

About WebJunction

Lead

Facilitate

Collaborate

Contribute

Consume

Personalize

Respond

Connect

Explore

Community Responsibility

Continuum of Engagement

Leve

l of

Par

ticip

atio

n

Individual

(help me get m

y

job done)

Collective (help

others get the job

done)

visitor > member > participant > contributor > SME > group facilitator > advocate > presenter > mentor > champion

searchnavigationtag clouds

registration/loginpublic profilefriending

commentrateedit

taggingbookmarksgroups

coursesreadattend webinar

add articlediscussionswiki

recommendcreate groupbuild relationships

topic SMEpresentguide

trainrecruitinspire

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WebJunction Rhode Island

WebJunction Features

WebJunction Rhode Island

• Thousands of helpful articles and tips– Technology– Library Management– Library Services

• Active discussions – Wide variety of topics– Driven by knowledgeable library staff around country

• Partner content– Enhance WebJunction Central– Integrate OLIS website– Utilize social tools

Rich Content

12

WebJunction Rhode Island

• Over 500 online courses - free for members!• SkillSoft, LE@D (University of North Texas)• Self-paced, live webinars, blended learning• Tools to share / discover courses – tagging,

recommendations, commenting• Track courses taken, plan to take, or have

completed• Must be logged in to enjoy benefits of

membership

Courses

14

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WebJunction Rhode Island

• Competency Index covers broad spectrum of library practice and service

• Pathfinder to courses and content that address knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Connects competencies to your learning• Topic-based (not work roles / library types)• Current competencies

– Library Management– Technology (March)– Full index coming

Competencies

16

WebJunction Rhode Island

• Connect with peers in library community– Member profiles– Connect with other professionals and staff

• Discussions – Discuss and contribute documents– Body of knowledge developed by library community

• Groups– Join groups– Create groups

Professional Networking

19

Professional Networking

21

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Privacy Settings

21

WebJunction Rhode Island

WebJunction Tools

WebJunction Rhode Island

• Groups on WebJunction Central– Formed around topic area– Anyone can join

• Groups on RI WebJunction– Based on local interests, issues (eg YART, Children’s)– Groups for short-term projects, closed groups– Discussions and documents

• Communities of Practice– Groups on steroids– Expanded topic area (Spanish Language, Rural Libs.)

Groups & Communities of Practice

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WebJunction Rhode Island

• Group creation– Anyone can create, but . . .– WJ Staff/Partners retain administrative rights– WJ Central: shows on WJ Central– WJ RI: create from RI Services page

• Communities of Practice– WJ RI can designate administrator– Larger topic area than group (content grows)

• Under construction– We’re learning about groups . . . stay tuned . . .

More about Groups

http://ri.webjunction.org/yart/resources/discussion

WebJunction Rhode Island

• Collaborative learning software application– Live virtual classroom– Synchronous online learning– Asynchronous learning (capture sessions)

• Conferencing solution– Virtual meetings conducted via Internet– No phones or wrestling with IP addresses!

Wimba

WebJunction Rhode Island

• Real time, interactive communication– Voice (VOIP, integrated teleconference)– Chat (public / private)

• Slideshare and application sharing• Interactive whiteboard• Participant list• Polling and survey capabilities• Available to WJ-RI members

Wimba Classroom

WebJunction Rhode Island

• Courses• Content, especially technology• Networking• And a new area on WebJunction

WebJunction for Teacher Librarians

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WebJunction Rhode Island

Join WebJunction!

WebJunction Rhode Island

• Join WebJunction• Personalize your WebJunction Experience• Allow others to see your profile• Network with colleagues and peers• Bookmark pages • Join groups• Contribute to discussions• Create content• Become an administrator?

My WebJunction

WebJunction Rhode Island

• Login to WJ when visiting • On login, click “Remember Me”• My WJ becomes visible• Visit RI Services for Quick Tips

and updates on our services• Visit the Member Center for

Help, Member Guides, News . . .

Tips for a fullfilling experience

WebJunction Rhode Island

• Update your profile• Make sure you’re

affiliated with WJ-RI• Make sure the pages

you visit have the RI banner on them (especially for courses)

More tips for a fullfilling experience

WebJunction Rhode Island

• Network with me• Send me a comment• Open your profile• Let me comment

back

See you on WebJunction RI!

WebJunction Rhode Island

Karen Mellor, Program Manager

karenm@olis.ri.gov | (401)574-9304

Chaichin Chen, Program Specialist

cchen@olis.ri.gov | (401)574-9307

Questions?

Contact us

RI Office of Library & Information Services