LibraryU Fact Sheet

What is LibraryU?

Free web based training provided to Illinois library staff 24/7 initially developed by a number of Illinois Library systems through an LSTA grant.

What is LibraryU?

An initiative to enhance and widen the impact of the original LibraryU web site into a state-wide training model funded by a Gates Foundation Training Grant awarded to the Illinois State Library.

Why do we need it?

• Library staff continue to request more web based training that can be accessed anytime, anywhere.
• Web based training offers a convenient and less costly alternative to traveling to other locations for continuing education.
• Technology skills continue to play an important role in the library profession, and web based training is a logical way to master those skills.
• Well trained and educated library staff results in improved library service for patrons.

How can I be involved in this state-wide training model?

• You can provide the subject expertise for a LibraryU training module either as a member of a team, or as an individual. The authoring software is very user friendly and you do not have to know HTML to use it.
• If you have technical expertise, but do not have the subject expertise to develop a LibraryU module, you can provide technical support for individuals or teams who are developing training modules.

Why should I get involved? Won’t this take a lot of my time?

• This is your chance to be involved in a state-wide project that will have impact on not only library staff and patrons throughout the state of Illinois, but potentially throughout the world via the Internet.
• You will receive a stipend that will help to compensate for some of the time and resources you will spend in developing a module. Stipends will be based on the module topic, complexity of programming, module length and the development status.*
• You may have subject or technical expertise that would be beneficial to other library staff in the state. Together we can create a continuing education resource that will benefit everyone.

What do I need to do to get involved?

• Contact your LibraryU System representative first and let them know that you are interested in being part of this project.
• Ask your Library System contact to help you submit your training topic for review.

What happens after I submit my module topic for consideration?

• The information you supply will be reviewed by a number of people on the LibraryU Steering committee, prioritized for development and assigned a stipend.
• You will be notified if there are any necessary revisions before development, if your module is chosen for development, or if your module will be considered at a later time.
• If you are asked to develop your module, you will have approximately 3 months to complete the module and you will receive your stipend when the module is placed on the LibraryU web site.*

What if I need additional help or technical assistance during the development process?

• Your LibraryU System contact can either assist you or refer you to grant staff or other technical support.
• LibraryU grant staff will provide you with an authoring “cookbook” to give you the “recipe” to develop your training module. You will be able to submit the content for your module in a word document and the grant staff will be responsible for transferring it into the authoring software.
• As a part of the development process, your module will be reviewed prior to loading.

*LibraryU committees reserve the right to select topics for development and assign stipends based on review of all submissions received.