Librarians come in contact with copyright laws in a variety of ways in their work. Whether it is a student wanting to make copies, an instructor wanting to show a a film in class, or a small business owner wanting to use content for marketing materials, our work and our patrons present us with a myriad of copyright-related dilemmas. In this course, we will start with a brief overview of the history of American copyright law and then discuss how copyright law effects our work as information professionals.

A primary goal for librarians is to connect people with the information that they need. While librarians play a very large part in this process, we must not forget the role of library spaces. Libraries should be attractive, yes, but above all, they should be usable and accessible to all patrons. Develop the fundamentals for conducting a usability and accessibility audit for library spaces that will yield solutions for improving library layout, signage, and services, thus optimizing its usage.

Middle managers are the liaisons between their employees and library administrators. Managers can feel caught in the middle as they listen to and serve both sides. Successfully working with the administration while fostering a rapport with direct reports is a crucial driver of success. Managers will gain a foundation to successfully manage from the middle by formulating strategies to build relationships, establish workplace balance, gain senior management’s confidence, and avoid common mistakes.

One of the most valuable assets for a library is the personnel. Managers are instrumental drivers in fostering, mentoring, and developing productive and fulfilled library staff. Improve success and overcome challenges in personnel management including hiring, personnel review, and addressing disciplinary issues. Examine the importance of staff development, coaching, and training.

In the library profession every project is unique, with varying scopes, resources, and requirements. Even for a seasoned librarian, it can be difficult to keep track of project tasks and due dates. Designed for non-project management professionals, this course is a practical introduction to essential project management skills.

Libraries regularly adapt to new technologies, changing user needs, and evolving societal trends as they fulfill their missions to meet the needs of their communities. Through this course, learners will formulate strategies for managing change and mastering the skills and relationships necessary to build a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Library collections contain many types of video formats, from Blu-Ray discs to streaming videos. Using the Resource Description and Access (RDA) instructions relevant to cataloging tangible and digital video recordings, gain proficiency with descriptive elements, choice of preferred source of information, access points, and relationship elements for video content.

Audio recordings require a unique cataloging skillset from working with print books. This workshop covers the RDA instructions relevant to cataloging carrier-based and digital audio recordings. Topics covered include descriptive elements, choice of preferred source of information, access points, and relationship elements. This course is designed for catalogers who feel comfortable with RDA records for print resources and would like to feel more confident about RDA for audio materials.

Limited library budgets can lead many organizations to seek grants to help fund special initiatives, projects, or services. Writing a grant proposal can be a daunting task, tracking all the required forms and documents, in addition to finding a funding source. Grasp the fundamentals of a strong grant proposal, the typical grant review process, and how to ease into the world of grants by locating sources for funding.

This final course in the Metadata Principles and Practices Series focuses on the role of expressing relationships in metadata to enhance resource discovery.