[MNASIS-L] More Things On a Stick launched January 20

[Deanna Sylte, Admin. Asst.]

More Things On a Stick Program To Launch in January 

ST.PAUL, Minnesota (January 15, 2009) --Minnesota's seven multicounty,
multitype library systems (multitypes) will launch the More Things On a
Stick: A Library Learning 2.0 Program on January 20, 2009.. This program is
the new version of the very popular 23 Things On a Stick Program sponsored
the Minnesota Multitypes last year. Staff in academic, school, public and
special libraries, as well as members of library Governing and Advisory
Boards are invited to participate in this fun, self-paced program that
encourages participants to experiment with various Web 2.0 tools. Mashups,
more organizational and productivity tools, and deeper uses of RSS and
Delicious are just a few of the new offerings in 2009.

 

All details about how to participate and suggestions for getting ready are
now available online at  <http://morethingsonastick.pbwiki.com>
http://morethingsonastick.pbwiki.com. Registration will begin on January
20th at this same address (as part of Thing 1). Those who complete all 23
Things plus the evaluation within 17 weeks will win a completion prize. 

 

More Things On a Stick are online activities that encourage participants to
experiment and learn about new and emerging technologies that are reshaping
the context of information on the Internet today. The activities are
hands-on with experiential exercises, short readings and discovery work.
Each Thing can take as little as one hour or as much time as you'd like to
give it. The Minnesota Certification Program has approved this program for
25 contact hours to meet public service and technology competencies.
Continuing Education Units will be available to all participants as well.
Early endorsements of this program include but are not limited to, MLA,
MEMO, MINITEX and State Library Services. Others are expected to add their
support and will be mentioned on the More Things on a Stick wiki site. 

Participants who wish to receive the completion incentive prize must
register their blogs (Thing 1) by February 20 and complete all Things plus
the evaluation (and blog about each one) by May 20, 2009. Receipt of the
completion prize enters participants in a statewide drawing for additional
prizes.

 

According to Ann Walker Smalley, Metronet Director, "Participants clamored
for 'Thing 24' when they had finished the original 23 Things On Stick! More
Things On a Stick builds on the learning from that successful program and
offers people the chance to try new Things that will make their personal and
professional lives more productive, more connected, and even more fun. Join
this online learning community and start 2009 with a resolution to try all
of the Things. You do not have to have done the original 23 Things On a
Stick to do More Things." Participants are encouraged to work with others in
their libraries or regions and to share their insights and discoveries
either through the participant blogs or in person. 

 

This program is the Minnesota twist on the 23 Things: Library Learning 2.0
program, developed by Helene Blowers at the Public Library of Charlotte &
Mecklenberg County. Library organizations across the country have used the
23 Things concept to encourage staff to learn and use these Web 2.0 tools.
The directors and staff of the seven Minnesota Multicounty Multitype Library
Systems are the core of the 23 Things On a Stick team, with additional
coaches available across the state. This group has worked together to
develop More Things On a Stick and to customize it for Minnesota library
staff. This group will track participants' progress as shown in the
individual blogs and provide helpful hints and encouraging words. 

 

The multitype library systems respond to the needs of Minnesota librarians
by providing library support services, including continuing education. The
multitype systems believe that knowledgeable library staffs are better able
to meet the needs of their library users. The multitypes connect library
staff in all types of libraries to professional and staff development
opportunities and look forward to broad participation in this exciting
learning program. 

 

Contact: Ann Walker Smalley, Metronet Director, ann at metronet.lib.mn.us

More Things On a Stick blog is online at
http://morethingsonastick.pbwiki.com