The Information School

Public and Community Library Services

When: Sept 25 – Dec 17, 2023 (12 weeks)

Where: Online, asynchronous (see more info)

Cost: $425 (10% off if you register 2 weeks before the start date)

CE Credit: 3.5 CEUs/35 LEUs

Program#: 308524

Registration: This class is now open for Wisconsin Directors seeking Grade II or III certification only. Please email the CE Team, ce-info@ischool.wisc.edu, directly for registration information. 

Not a WI Public Library Director? Join the waitlist. Any available spots will be released one week before the course start date.

Payment and Cancellation Policy

Questions? Email the CE Team

What people are saying…

I really enjoyed this course and I have already been putting the information that I gained to use on the job.

The instructor was extremely responsive.

Service is the heart of libraries. This class will help you create the best possible array of services for your particular community.

You will learn how to assess your users’ needs, evaluate outreach opportunities, and leverage resources to provide superior service at your library. Explore, customer service, programming, reference fundamentals, and using technology to enhance services.

This course is a requirement for the Wisconsin Public Library Director Certification. Wisconsin library directors taking this class are eligible to apply for a certification course scholarship.

Topics

  • Community and user needs assessment
  • Outreach to the community and community building
  • Customer service
  • Programming
  • Readers’ advisory
  • Reference interview
  • Searching and research strategies
  • Evaluating resources
  • Legal/ethical issues in reference
  • Training for staff and patrons to use resources
  • Technology and physical space in service
  • Networking with other institutions and professional allies

Instructor

Headshot of BarbaraBarbara Alvarez has nearly 12 years of experience with libraries and information organizations. She has worked in four different public libraries in two different states, as well as taught over 2,000 LIS students for four years. Barbara is passionate about the public library’s role in the community.