Neal-Schuman Distance-Learning Program Attracts Library Leaders Tuesday, Oct 16 2007 

NS-PEN and Press Releases Laura 4:00 am

Top Schools, State Organizations Engage with Expert-Driven Seminars.

New York, NY (September 25, 2007)—Four leading library organizations have adopted Neal-Schuman’s Professional Education Network (PEN) as a distance-learning resource. The Texas Library Association and the School of Library and Information Science at San José State University plan to promote the program aggressively to their members, students and faculty. The Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN) has purchased a number of seminar vouchers for their members and staff. Metropolitan New York Library Council (METRO) also signed up to offer Neal-Schuman PEN programs to their members.

Established early in 2007 in cooperation with the Ontario Library Association, PEN provides continuing education and career growth programs designed specifically for librarians and taught by recognized leaders and experts in the library community. Participants pay a flat fee per site in order to access hour-long Web and audio seminars that include dedicated Q&A time with the instructor. Because of the desk-top format, participants learn useful skills and information they can put to use immediately.

Courses include a broad range of useful topics, such as “Connecting with Reluctant Teens” with Patrick Jones, “Troubleshooting Techniques for Wireless Networks” with Louise Alcorn, “Planning Library 2.0” with David King, and “Mother Goose on the Loose” with Betsy Diamant-Cohen.

“The Professional Education Network makes it easy for us to provide for and stimulate the professional and career development of library personnel,” said Pat Smith, Executive Director for the Texas Library Association. “That’s an important part of our mission.”
While distance learning is not a new concept for librarians, PEN offers several advantages. Its content is designed for librarians by librarians—many of whom have written books for Neal-Schuman. The program’s low-technology requirements make it accessible to all types of libraries and eliminate set-up distractions.

“The program is a great service we can offer to our alumni,” said Jane Fischer, Assistant Director for Research and Professional Practice at the School of Library and Information Science at San José State University. “It’s important to us that we can make available the kind of relevant and current opportunities that PEN provides.”

Based on the current success of the program and positive feedback from attendees Neal-Schuman is planning more than fifty new courses for spring 2008.

For more information about Neal-Schuman’s Professional Education Network or to register for a course, visit www.nealschumanpen.com.

Announcing the Neal-Schuman Professional Education Network Thursday, May 24 2007 

NS-PEN Laura 9:00 pm

Continuing Education & Career Growth Programs Developed by Librarians for LibrariansIf you and your library colleagues are looking for better opportunities to learn from the profession’s leading practitioners and thinkers, the new Neal-Schuman Professional Education Network (NS PEN) is precisely the kind of growth opportunity you’ve wanted. Beginning in May of 2007, NS PEN will offer you a robust schedule of 50+ audio and web-based seminars and workshops, conducted by the field’s most innovative and successful library professionals. Many of the presenters are Neal-Schuman authors and the topics on tap are timely, thought-provoking, and designed for total convenience.We’re Delivering Opportunities for Growth… Directly to Your Desktop and Telephone!

While conferences and off-site seminars and workshops are valuable training opportunities for you and your staff, it can often be difficult to schedule time away from your library and to fund associated travel costs. With NS PEN programs, we bring the learning opportunities right to you. You can participate individually and you also have the flexibility to integrate these learning opportunities into your library’s staff development schedule. It’s affordable, accessible, and always convenient — so you can make professional learning a real priority.

Optimum Affordability & Flexibility… That’s the Right Combination

Programs offered through NS PEN give you these important advantages:

  1. Affordable Course Fees: We make these programs available for one affordable fee per location — most are only $85!
  2. Convenience: Our one-hour workshop schedules are designed not to disrupt day-to-day services so it’s easier for you to participate. And because there’s no travel time involved, you can create a longer-term training program, without disrupting your work schedule.
  3. Relevance: Unlike the majority of Web-based courses out there, these, like Neal-Schuman’s books, are specifically library-related: by librarians for librarians.

Bring the Profession’s Best Presenters and Trainers to Your Library

NS PEN programs showcase the profession’s innovators and leaders, with a unique emphasis on best practices, collection development, smart operational strategies, and effective outreach. In addition, our course lineup also includes programs focusing on professional and management skills, helping you build leadership capacity and develop specialized programs to meet patron and community needs. Many NS PEN presenters are favorite Neal-Schuman authors, including:

  • Patrick Jones, a noted teen novelist and expert on working with reluctant teen readers presents “Connecting with Reluctant Teens: Tips, Titles and Tools”
  • Belinha DeAbreau, a recognized expert in media literacy education will lead a conference covering “Developing Critical Thinking Skills through Media Literacy”
  • Lesley Farmer, a specialist in collaboration, outreach to the school community, and information literacy will present “Collaborating with the REST of the Professional School Staff”
  • Ken Haycock, a respected leader in building effective library boards and advocacy programs presents several programs, including “The Board Chair and the CEO: Shared Leadership for Board Development”
  • Robert Newlen, a valuable source of career-building knowledge and insight offers “Interview Skills That Will Land You A Job”
  • Ann Riedling, a innovator in helping librarians introduce 21st century research skills to students introduces new ideas in her program, “Learning How To Learn: the Ultimate Outcome for all Students”

NS PEN’s course lineup covers a diverse range of subjects, from building virtual teams and work groups to working effectively with your board of directors, virtual reference to using Web 2.0 tools with students. And that’s just the short list. You’ll also find workshops that cover how to write job descriptions, seminars about copyright issues, building diversity in school library collections, and creating on-line library events. Our program lineup will grow continuously to address the topics, trends, and issues that matter most to you and your library community.Our Course LineupFor a complete monthly course schedule, go to our calendar. You’ll find program dates, times, and specifics so you add courses to your schedule easily and conveniently.

Registration is Easy Too!

To register for any NS PEN workshop or seminar, we encourage you to use our handy online registration service at www.neal-schumanPEN.com or call us at 866-NSBOOKS (866-672-6657).