Training Philosophy
My training philosophy is focused on two beliefs:
- I don’t just train people. I help them find the confidence to learn.
- The key is not resources, but attitude. Innovation, adaptation, and change are part of everyday work.
I’ve provided trainings and workshops for library staff and the general public, ranging from informal sessions from the back of a taxi** to half-day in-service trainings as part of staff development days. Topics tended to be focused around technology and daily life, but have included customer service, troubleshooting techniques, and writing skills.
** As I took a cab home just before launching my independent business, I got to chatting with the driver. Next thing I know, I’m giving him a mobile photography lesson from the back seat as he drove us across the Zakim Bridge. Since we didn’t crash, I decided it was a sign. 🙂
Online Training Programs
Host and presenter, “Social Media Made Simple,” Library Journal online course, May/June 2017
“Learning for Life Online: Tools & tricks for living life online,” (web-based, open-ended learning and exploration platform for the public) Boston Public Library, July 2011 – December 2012, archived on my site at http://www.jenniferkoerber.com/category/weekly-lessons/
“26.2 Things in Boston: an independent study course in social technologies,” (web-based distance learning course for staff) Boston Regional Library System (BRLS), September – December 2008
Workshops for the Public
“Technology Class” series & Drop-in Technology Help sessions (fall/winter/spring monthly series), Ipswich Public Library, Ipswich MA, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Amherst “Tech and Travel” Series (3-part workshop series), Amherst Public Library, Amherst NH, March – May 2019
“Plant Identification apps + Apps 101” (workshop), Amherst Public Library, Amherst NH, November 2018
Technology Workshop series (monthly series), Amherst Public Library, Amherst NH, October 2017 – May 2018
“Mobile Photography,” Concord Free Public Library, Concord MA, April 2017
“Social Media Basics,” Boxford Town Library, Boxford MA, September 2016, library-created flyer
Coordinator of training and trainer for the Boston Public Library’s Public Computing Center, offering 1 – 1.5 hour workshops each week on social media, online safety, writing for websites and social media, and other parts of living life online.
“Second Saturday Tech Series,” (monthly series) Amesbury Public Library, Amesbury MA, March – June, 2012
Professional Development for Staff
“No-Stress Personal Development Plans” and “Instagram for Library Work,” (staff in-service workshops), Grafton (MA) Public Library, September 2019
“Mobile Photography,” (staff in-service workshop), working with staff at the Boyden Library (Foxborough MA) as one component of their staff in-service day, April 2019
“Library Services for Immigrants and New Americans,” (webinar) Northeast Ohio Regional Library System, presentation of examples and best practices outline in my book, February 2019
Staff in-service half-day, New Bedford Public Library, May 2018, covering Technology Foundations review, basic troubleshooting strategies, learning new technologies, keeping up with emerging technologies, and personal skill development. Included a guided peer learning opportunity in small groups.
“Evolving Yourself: Personal Development,” (staff in-service workshop) Duxbury Free Public Library, June 2017
Staff in-service half-day, Somerville Public Library, May 2017, covering personal development, new technology competencies, Technology Foundations review, basic troubleshooting strategies, and online safety
“Writing Well for the Screen,” (staff in-service workshop) Concord Free Public Library, March 2017
“Evolving Yourself: Renew, Reuse, Reinvent,” (staff in-service workshop) Brookline Public Library, June 2016
“Coding as a Practical Library Program,” (webinar) part of the Library Journal Coding at the Library professional development series, April 2016
“Evolving Yourself: Renew, Reuse, Reinvent,” (staff in-service workshop) Cambridge (MA) Public Library, August 2015
“Evolving Yourself: Renew, Reuse, Reinvent,” (staff in-service workshop) Merrimack Valley College Library, August 2015
“Managing the Device Deluge: Training & Support for Staff,” (recorded presentation) NCompass Live, Nebraska Library Commission, July 2015
“Emerging Technologies in Libraries,” (recorded presentation) ACRL/CHOICE webinar, April 2015
“Bring the Funny – Humor and the Library,” (recorded presentation) NCompass Live, Nebraska Library Commission, January 2013 (also available on YouTube)
Staff training on WordPress, Facebook, “Writing Well for the Web,” and the Bibliocommons Discovery Layer for the Boston Public Library, 2011 – current
“Teach Them Where They Are: Online Learning for Patrons, and Learning for Life Online at the Boston Public Library,” (recorded presentation) NCompass Live, Nebraska Library Commission, November 2011 (also available on YouTube)
“Teach Them Where They Are: Online Learning for Patrons,” (workshop) Suffolk County (NY) Library System, October 2011
“Social Media for Libraries and Nonprofits,” (half-day workshop) Lexington Public Library, July 2011
“Social Media for Libraries and Nonprofits,” (half-day workshop) Massachusetts Historical Society, May 2011
“Who’s Out There?: User Personas and Libraries,” (recorded presentation) NCompassLive, Nebraska Library Commission, April 2011 (also available on YouTube)
“Keep it Consistent: Managing Your Library’s Online Presence,” (webinar) Tampa Bay (FL) Library Consortium, March 2011
“Who Am I Online? : Creating a Consistent Personal or Institutional Identity,” (workshop) Central Massachusetts Regional Library System (CMRLS), December 2009
“Who Am I Online? : Creating a Consistent Personal or Institutional Identity,” (workshop) BRLS, December 2009
“Who Am I Online?: Personal Start Pages and Other Digital Identity Tools,” (workshop) BRLS, March 2009
“Taming the Online Infoclutter: Using RSS to Keep Current and Manage Overload,” (workshop) CMRLS, November 2008
“We’ve Got the Beat: Finding and Downloading Music Online,” (workshop) BRLS, April 2008
“Reaching Patrons: Online Outreach for Libraries,” (presentation and workshop) BRLS, March 2007, March 2008, May 2009
“You Can Be the Expert: Helping Library Users with Basic Computer Troubleshooting,” (presentation) BRLS, November 2007
“Taming the Online Infoclutter: Using RSS to Keep Current and Manage Overload,” (presentation) BRLS, October 2007