Columbia, SC – The Library Services Department of the State Library will be offering short classes on a variety of library resources.  These classes are designed to introduce South Carolina state employees to selected library resources and as continuing education for public and academic librarians in reference service.  Classes meet in the Computer Training Room of the State Library at 1500 Senate Street in Columbia.  Classes scheduled for this spring are:

Introduction to the State Library: More Than You Expect

Dates:      Monday, March 30, 2009 or Monday, April 27, 2009

Time:       10am – 12pm

Instructor: Brenda Boyd

The State Library is not just books on shelves.  This class will introduce state employees to databases and electronic materials that they can access from their offices and home and explain procedures such as interlibrary loan and special collections such as training videos and state documents. 

Grants Research:  Finding a Funder for Your Nonprofit Organization

Dates:      Wednesday, April 1, 2009 or Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Time:       10am – 12 pm

Instructor: Dawn Mullin

Learn how to locate information on grants available from private foundations and corporations, using the State Library’s electronic and print resources.  The Foundation Directory Online, the Foundation Center’s grants database, as well as grants-related web sites, will be demonstrated.  Includes basic information on writing a grant proposal.

Internet Health and Medicine

Date:       Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Time:       10am – 12pm

Instructor: Elaine Sandberg

Guiding others to reliable health information can be a daunting task.  This class is designed for employees and librarians who need a core of websites and resources to turn to for current, reliable, and comprehensive information.  The class will review reference tools, databases (DISCUS – South Carolina’s Virtual Library), and web sites.

Social Media? Its Time is NOW!

Date:       Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Time:       10am – 12pm

Instructor: Curtis Rogers

Many people today are confronted with an astounding array of new communications channels. Internet-based social media tools like blogs, podcasts, online video and social networks are giving voice to the opinions of millions of consumers. This session will take a look at how state government agencies can take advantage of these mostly free online tools such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Meebo, and Podcasting.

Newspaper Research

Date:       Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Time:       10am – 12pm

Instructor: Amanda Stone

Did you know that State Employees have access to newspaper articles from around the state?  Come learn how to find the information you need, in current and historical newspapers from South Carolina and beyond.  The class will discuss both online and in-print sources. 

Green Government Resources in DISCUS – South Carolina’s Virtual Library

Date:       Thursday, May 28, 2009

Time:       10am – 12pm

Instructor: Ruth Thompson

DISCUS, your online library that is available 24/7, provides numerous resources for researching environmental concerns, including topics such as recycling, alternative fuels, energy conservation, global warming, sustainable building, organic foods and much more.  This hands-on training will introduce participants to what is available in the DISCUS databases and will also teach methods for easily locating the needed information.

All sessions are free to South Carolina state government employees and library staff.  To register, please visit the calendar of events on the South Carolina State Library’s web site at www.statelibrary.sc.gov.    

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