Mohawk Valley Library System

Category: Technology

  • Free Webinar – Training the Accidental Trainer

    Date: Wednesday, June 01 AND June 08, 2022
    Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
    Place: Online at https://cdlc.libcal.com/event/9193964
    Presenter: Community Tech Network
    Cost: Free

    Please note: When you register for this program, you are committing to attending TWO session: June 1 and June 8, 10:00 – 11:30 am.

    This training is prioritized for CDLC members who regularly assist others with computer-related questions such as setting up email, how to use a new tablet or mobile device, and how to access the internet.

    Do you regularly assist people with basic aspects of technology such as helping someone sign into or create an email account, navigate an online job application, or show someone how to use their new tablet? These ‘train the trainer” sessions will help make these interactions easier.

    In these two interactive sessions, library staff will more fully understand the needs of people with low levels of digital literacy and what can be done to assist them, including encouraging internet safety. They will also learn about low-cost internet options and how to help patrons access these options.

    When registering, please answer this question to better inform the trainers about your needs, “What are the top 1-3 challenges in providing tech support to your patrons?”

    This training is being funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and will be taught by the Community Tech Network. Attendance for both sessions is required.

    This workshop is supported by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated to the New York State Library by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

  • Hybrid Workshop/Webinar – It’s Computers All The Way Down : Navigating the Digital Divide in the COVID Era

    Date: Thursday, May 25, 2022
    Time: 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
    Place: CDLC Offices OR Online via webinar (note: CDLC has moved to Latham)
    Presenters: Jessamyn West
    Cost: Free

    Library technologist Jessamyn West will discuss the ways in which this past two years created new challenges (and opportunities!) for technology education work. It seemed that every problem turned into a technology problem and issues of access and the digital divide became very imposing, very rapidly. She’ll discuss the ups and downs of remote tech support and share some things that made a difference.

    This is a hybrid event, so you can register to see the presentation in person or online. The in-person location is the large auditorium in our new space at 800 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham, NY.  The auditorium has ventilation upgrades and room to distance. Register for either in person or online access at https://cdlc.libcal.com/event/9017047. Registration is required.

    This workshop is supported by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated to the New York State Library by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

  • Free Webinar – Website Accessibility Principles

    Date: Wednesday, April 27 2022 OR Thursday, May 12, 2022
    Time: Wed, April 27: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM OR 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM; Thurs May 12: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM OR 11:00 AM-12:00 PM OR 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM OR 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

    Join us for small sessions to learn about website accessibility. The same material will be presented at each of these sessions. Register for the date and time that works best for you. MVLS encourages ALL member library staff who maintain library websites to attend one of these sessions. Space in each session is limited to 10 individuals and registration is required.

    Register at https://tinyurl.com/563pzwu3.

    Outline of the topics that will be presented: 

    • Foundational Principles
      •  What is Digital Accessibility
      • Why Digital Accessibility is Important
      • 4 Pillars of Accessibility
      • Standards | WCAG A, AA, AAA
    • Making Environments Accessible
    • Accessibility Factors
      • Logical Flow
        • Headings
        • Navigation
      • Alt Tags / Alt Text
        • Introduction
        •  Informative Images
        • Decorative Images
        • Best Practices
      • Labeling and Tagging
      • Color Contrast 

    The program will be presented by the staff of AKEA, a website design and accessibility firm in Lansing, Michigan. AKEA focuses on creating accessible websites that are easy to navigate for every single web visitor. 

    This workshop is supported by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated to the New York State Library by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

  • Free Digital Inclusion Consultations from NDIA Experts (National Digital Inclusion Alliance) 

    The New York State Library has partnered with the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) to offer FREE one-hour, virtual one-on-one consultation sessions for any New York State public or association library, public library system, or regional library council (3Rs). These sessions are intended for libraries/systems that would like to do a deeper dive into any of the following topics around digital inclusion work:

    •             addressing digital equity barriers

    •             building partnerships and coalitions

    •             developing digital navigator programs

    •             collecting, analyzing, and using local data to conduct asset mapping.

    We encourage you to sign up early. Consultations will take place in April and May 2022.

    If you would like to take advantage of one of these sessions, please contact vicky@digitalinclusion.orgwith your interest area and/or questions, and you will receive a Calendly link to schedule a time.

    The National Digital Inclusion Alliance is a community of digital inclusion practitioners and advocates working collaboratively to craft, identify and disseminate financial and operational resources for digital inclusion programs.

    For any questions about the New York State Library’s Digital Inclusion programs, please contact Lauren Cardinal (Lauren.Cardinal@nysed.gov), Library Development Specialist, Division of Library Development, New York State Library.

  • Free Webinar – Digital Privacy 101 : A Primer for Libraries

    Date: Thursday, December 09, 2021
    Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
    Place: Online at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NfaP4bteRr65AeS6vnScgQ
    Presenters: Christine Fena and Claire Payne, Stony Brook University

    In this engaging session, participants will have the opportunity to explore several key aspects of online privacy, as well as think about ways to educate and inform their own patrons about digital privacy issues. The first part of the webinar will focus on some basics of how personal information is stored, used, and shared on the open web, in addition to a discussion of specific experiences such as navigating privacy policies. The second part of the session will focus on digital privacy concerns that are specific to library programs, policies, and services. Throughout, the workshop leaders will aim to create a space for participants to think critically about approaches to digital privacy, and to discover strategies they can use to become privacy advocates at their own libraries.

    Free to ESLN Members (MVLS libraries, select CDLC as your ESLN Council). Registration is required.

    This session is sponsored by the Empire State Library Network.

    Contact Susan D’Entremont at susan@cdlc.org or Caitlin Kenney at ckenney@wnylrc.org for more info