Offering Good Things For Free…..Log on today to http://www.sirsidynix.com/

SirsiDynix takes its role seriously as a strong supporter of the library community. As part of that commitment, we bring you the SirsiDynix Institute. Whether you’re a pragmatist or a futurist, the Institute has something to offer you. It’s an exciting, free professional development community that we’ve created to put librarians in touch with industry-leading speakers in librarianship and technology. Through Web seminars, and SirsiDynix Upstream, the institute is a single source for discussion and resources, focusing on your work and the issues you face.

The Dynix Institute was established in February 2003, to provide all librarians, not just Dynix customers, with a platform for ongoing learning. Since that time, 10,000 librarians have benefited from our Web seminar series, which has now presented and archived more than 43 professional development Web casts. These offerings have been delivered by such thought leaders as Marshall Breeding, Dr. Carla Hayden, Carol A. Brey-Casiano, Pat Wagner, Andrew Sanderbeck, Michael Gorman, and many others. Topics have included: Advocacy Skills, Resource Sharing, Web Site Analytics, Dealing with Conflicts, Collection Development, Strategic Planning, Promoting Online collections, and many others.  

Participating in a Web seminar series is easy. Simply click here to see the schedule of speakers and to register for an upcoming seminar. Here is a sampling of the fall line-up of speakers.

► September 21, Dr. Ravindra Sharma, ACRL Academic Librarian of the Year, “Diversity in American Libraries: A View”

►October 26, Ulla de Stricker, “So, You Want to be a Consultant?”

► November 10, Stephen Abram, Vice President of Innovations for SirsiDynix, “Google Inc. and Libraries: Our Common Future”

► November 16, Andrew Sanderbeck, Consultant, “Proven Streams of Revenue for Under Funded Libraries”

► December 14, Lee Rainie, Director Pew Internet & American Life Project, “Everything connects to everything: The impact on people’s relationships, to each other, and to information”

The Institute is a true class act. What SirsiDynix has done here is a shining example of “getting it right.” The inventors and the wise individuals who provide the funding are to be commended for offering the library profession this forum for delivery of high-quality professional content and a growing archive for browsing to boot. To anyone who hasn’t yet visited the Institute, I’d say, “Do yourself the favor of bookmarking it, and make it a habit to check on upcoming seminars.” To everyone I’ll say – “Keep the suggestions coming for topics and speakers – what a win-win for us all.” Ulla de Stricker, consultant and contributor to the Institute

SirsiDynix Institute Upstream

As an extension of the SirsiDynix Institute, we are excited to announce a new semiannual project called SirsiDynix Institute Upstream: Unexpected Ideas, Uncensored Opinions, with the first edition launched earlier this year. Like other services of the SirsiDynix Institute, this publication is offered at no charge and is available to all librarians. The purpose of SirsiDynix Upstream is to connect librarians with the keen insight, unique ideas, and valuable opinions of leading library thought leaders as they answer thought-provoking questions in a forum that encourages and embraces original thinking. In each issue, contributing library thought leaders respond to a common question posed for that particular edition.

In these days when continuing education has become increasingly expensive and inaccessible, the SirsiDynix Institute provides a unique and flexible approach that participants will find most enjoyable. I found my own experience as a Dynix Institute presenter to be so rewarding. I encourage librarians everywhere to read the new SirsiDynix Institute Upstream offerings for fresh perspectives from some of our most prominent library leaders. Carol A. Brey-Casiano, past ALA president, and current Director of El Paso Public Library