[MNASIS-L] SLA MN Chapter hosts the SLA Virtual Seminar, October 26th: Library benchmarking, part 2

[Janet Arth]

The Minnesota Chapter of SLA will host the October 26th SLA Virtual 
Seminar:  "Library benchmarking and the product development lifecycle -- 
part 2: Integrating benchmark findings into the information product 
development lifecycle"

Date:  Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Time:  1:00pm - 2:30pm CT  (plan to arrive a few minutes early, because the 
seminar starts promptly at 1pm)
Location:
        Ecolab Research Center
        655 Lone Oak Drive
        Eagan, MN  55121

Your host:  Barbara Peterson

Directions: 
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=655+lone+oak+drive&csz=55121&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=

Cost:  $10 for SLA/ASIST members:  $15 for non-members  (Please make your 
check payable to "Minnesota Chapter SLA" and bring it with you to the seminar.)

How to register:  Send the registration form shown below to Jim Tchobanoff 
(jtchobanoff at bigfoot.com)  or call Jim at 651 636-3738.  Space is limited, 
so register ASAP.

Registrations will be handled in the order received and a confirmation 
message will be sent.

[Please note that if you register, you are obligated pay for your seminar 
attendance, whether or not you show up on the 26th]


*********************************************

October 26th Virtual Seminar Registration Form:

Name:

Phone number:

SLA/ASIST member:  yes  no

Do you need a receipt:  yes  no

*********************************************

Thanks to Barbara Peterson of Ecolab for hosting the seminar.

Any questions, call me at 651 636-3738 or send an email to 
jtchobanoff at bigfoot.com

Jim Tchobanoff

Seminar information follows:

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Library Benchmarking and the Information
Product Development Lifecycle

Part II
Integrating Benchmark Findings Into the Information Product Development 
Lifecycle

October 26, 2005
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm CT

Benchmarking is a discipline that helps form the foundation for strategic 
planning and even more basic management of libraries and other information 
functions. Librarians are hungry for information on how their services 
compare to other libraries', and benchmarking is one way to get informed. 
Benchmarking helps librarians gain invaluable quantitative and qualitative 
data on how their resource allocation compares to that of similar 
libraries, learn what innovative initiatives are in place in other 
libraries, and develop more robust strategic plans for their own libraries.

This seminar is divided into two parts. Part I will focus on the principles 
of benchmarking your library to others. This will include the various types 
of benchmarking research, what libraries can expect to get out of 
benchmarking research and how to use the results, success factors in 
benchmarking, and the why's and how's of benchmarking projects, including a 
five-step process for completing a benchmarking study. We will discuss 
tools and programs currently available for those interested in 
benchmarking. Part II will focus on benchmarking data as a decision-support 
tool. Participants will hear about using the results of benchmarking 
research to inform the strategic planning process. After laying out a 
framework for strategy development, we'll look at how to use benchmarking 
study results to build a case for change or justify the current direction.

The two segments of this seminar complement each other, but each will stand 
on its own for those participants who choose to take just one.

Description
In the second segment of this seminar, the more strategic portion, we'll 
focus on integrating benchmark research findings into the information 
product development lifecycle and the functional strategy. We will answer 
the question, "What do I do with the results of my benchmarking study?" 
Examples of benchmarking data and resulting action items will be discussed. 
Participants will learn where in the strategic planning process 
benchmarking can help, and how to use results to drive the direction of the 
library. They will also learn how to frame the results of the study for 
customers, staff, and management in a way that makes the biggest impact.

Virtual Learning Series Speaker
<http://www.sla.org/content/learn/learnmore/distance/2005virtsem/101205vls/rstrousespeakerbio.cfm>Roger 
Strouse, Vice President and Lead Analyst, Outsell, Inc.
<http://www.sla.org/content/learn/learnmore/distance/2005virtsem/101205vls/rstrousespeakerbio.cfm>Karen 
Wilson, Director, Data Solutions with Outsell, Inc.,