[Libs-Or] FW: January News from TechSoup for Libraries

Mon Jan 10 11:50:54 PST 2011

Continuing education and product opportunities from TechSoup for Libraries.

From: Stephanie from TechSoup for Libraries [mailto:techsoupforlibraries at techsoupglobal.org]
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2011 11:51 AM
To: MaryKay Dahlgreen
Subject: January News from TechSoup for Libraries

[Image removed by sender.]

Welcome to the January TechSoup for Libraries<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=UQjWKOm5dc6AVtY95dno8w..> newsletter! This month we have a TechSoup Product Spotlight, news about TechSoup's Digital Storytelling Event 2011, upcoming webinars, our new blog series - The Accidental Technology Trainer, new BTOP resources, and a new survey. You received this email because you participated in a webinar, contributed content, ordered products, or were interested in resources from TechSoup.

TechSoup Product Spotlight: BetterWorld Telecom<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=d0U7HoobXYG6dCWLp0Plmw..>[Image removed by sender. better world logo]

TechSoup's first discounted phone system package is available from BetterWorld Telecom, a green company. The discount package includes Cisco Voice over IP phones, hosted Voice over IP, and virtual PBX phone service for an admin fee of $10, plus discounted rates for phone service and Internet connection, if needed. It's a complete "unified communications" office phone system. For example, voicemails and faxes can be received as email messages, and users can place or receive office calls remotely through any phone or through a web interface.

The BetterWorld offering is a GreenTech product because it allows employees or volunteers to efficiently work remotely, therefore reducing travel, office space, and hardware requirements and minimizing environmental impacts. For more on unified communications, read Elliot Harmon's article, Unified Communications for Nonprofits<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=R22U_P5S9KhWmP2Gh2u9fA..> and watch a recorded webinar<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=Y6-CHaFZ0g-J3FSiEvlqTw..> with BetterWorld's Matt Bauer on how unified communications can save money and spare the environment.

Through TechSoup's donation program<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=u50tznvDoe0e2pFECKkkyA..>, you can save 80-96% on brand-new software donated by top companies, including Microsoft donated software<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=usIJ9Qo8XhIv48jamgQUEQ..> and refurbished computers<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=by8W2PnCiHV5m2xPBEr62w..>. Products are available to all public libraries that are listed in the IMLS database<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=kaztqvqt0UoRWJelg9QDUg..> and/or have a valid 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and to nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) designation.

TechSoup Digital Storytelling Event 2011

[Image removed by sender. tsdigs logo]Join us for this fun, educational, three-week adventure<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=kxntpIM81gsWvMngEVPQog..> to learn, create, and produce your best digital story (and win some prizes!). Create a digital story that conveys your library's mission and work in a compelling and creative way. Want ideas? Check out the winning entries<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=IBSywUPZgWvMrQGJ2_ybXw..> from our previous challenge. The Digital Storytelling Event is open to all libraries and social benefit organizations and runs from January 13 - 31, 2011. Get ready to submit your YouTube or Flickr digital story (60 seconds or less video or 5-panel picture story) by attending the free webinars listed below.

Free TechSoup Webinars [Image removed by sender. TStalks-banner.gif]
How to Tell Your Digital Story<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=8mAF8F8ZIn0ZjE84yfZUAw..>

Thursday, January 13, 2011, 11:00 a.m. Pacific (Noon Mountain / 1pm Central / 2 pm Eastern)

Does your library or nonprofit have a story that you'd like to share? Are you working with people who could benefit from having their voice heard? Attend this free webinar and learn about the elements of creating a compelling story.

Michael Margolis from GetStoried<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=6aJG6g7JhQu9IrT3xb9JMA..> and Rob Kershaw from Center for Digital Storytelling<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=c-ot5YIugMn8EyjA9YAw2A..> will provide information to help you understand how to tell digital stories effectively and how stories can make an impact. These experts will share how they produce fun, informative, authentic visual content to spread the word about their programs, cultivate donors, and activate their community.

Tools for Digital Storytelling<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=fgj9IwUQlHp9s5AVJupYnw..>

Thursday, January 20, 2011, 11:00 a.m. Pacific (Noon Mountain / 1pm Central / 2 pm Eastern)

This webinar will cover the essentials you need to shoot, produce, and broadcast your library's digital story. Evonne Heyning will highlight a few case studies, insider tips, and tools of the trade, making it easy to learn what will work for you. We'll also review how you may be eligible to acquire some of these tools through TechSoup's donation program. Join us for this highly educational webinar and get up to speed on best devices, find out how to upload and edit visual content, discover the best media channels, and learn about social media integration.

Visit the webinar archives<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=Zxeu7MjHQRlV3SeBVIW3Jg..> to watch past webinars.

Our New Blog Series: The Accidental Technology Trainer

[Image removed by sender. tagcloud]During the last few months, we showcased a blog series on our website, Successful Grants in One Hour a Week<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=i_No-0HHAwXKBgJm_b2UHg..>. Through weekly blog posts, we outlined easy steps to learn the entire grant process.

This year, we are going to start off by focusing on technology training. Many libraries and nonprofits are telling us that technology training is a major community need, and sometimes there are struggles in providing this service. Many of us find ourselves in a trainer role accidentally, whether providing workshops in computer labs, classrooms, or one-on-one with users or staff.

Stephanie Gerding<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=i_3sTfkhRwxst2M8VzH8yA..>, author of The Accidental Technology Trainer<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=IzWcCi-bEi_ohKMPtqylFw..>, will share training tools and techniques, solutions to the most common concerns of technology trainers, and helpful advice from many years of coordinating and providing training. You'll discover why learning styles are important, how to create an interactive learning community, write and share a lesson plan, and use activities to increase learning and retention. In February we will wrap up the series with a free webinar.

New BTOP Resources: Stories from the Field and Discussion Group

TechSoup, with support from the Surdna Foundation<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=6LsXzLLDhejemtuchdrSWQ..>, has been researching the needs of nonprofits and libraries<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=Np16WJCaqBu-eGKa12hbIg..> who received Broadband Technologies Opportunities Program (BTOP) grants, to help them succeed in grant implementation and sustainable development. Our newest resource, Broadband: Stories from the Field<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=TF7r2T7cCRMvjK9CXVic3A..> previews what we've been working on. Read how BTOP grantees around the country are thriving and find many valuable tips for your work.

Nearly everyone we've spoken with has expressed a need to connect and share ideas with other grantees. Many of you said that your greatest "aha" moments came when you were able to discuss ideas and experiences with organizations and public libraries working on similar projects. In response to your needs, we created an online group where folks engaged in broadband projects can share and learn. As the discussion grows, we'll be adding your ideas and insights to the information hub. Together, we can build a great body of knowledge and resources. Please take a moment to visit and join our new Google group<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=TXUHXQB1Igx0vVZlcjXMsg..>.

[Image removed by sender. winner]Monthly Survey

This month, we'd like you to share job descriptions with us, specifically for trainers. Please complete this survey<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=kpZQdDpLK95XL7LuzWAdjg..>, and we'll enter your name in a monthly prize drawing. This month's winner, selected by Sarah's daughter, is Mary Cresson from the Denton Public Library<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=bCD64RRpOIWgeGaCDPtsrA..> in Denton, Texas.

Happy New Year!

Not everyone is a fan of setting resolutions. However, the beginning of a new year is always a great time to reflect on what we learned during the previous year and review the successes we've achieved. If you find yourself thinking along these lines, take a few minutes to share your technology success stories with us<http://tsg.convio.net/site/R?i=fdXSpJ-PG-wSEOAGBMWcIw..>, so we can help others learn from your experience. Don't forget that what might be "that's nothing" to you may be an "aha!" to someone else!

-TechSoup for Libraries
techsoupforlibraries at techsoup.org<mailto:techsoupforlibraries at techsoup.org>

TechSoup Global is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working towards the day when every nonprofit, library, and social benefit organization on the planet has the technology knowledge and resources they need to operate at their full potential.

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