Title: E-Government Resources: Connecting Library Users to Services and Information (An Infopeople Online Learning Course)
Dates: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 – Monday, May 21, 2012
Instructor: Laura Cadra
To register for this course: Click the link to Online Registration at:
http://infopeople.org/training/e-government-resources
Fee: $75 for those in the California library community and Infopeople Partners, $150 for all others.
As federal, state, and local governments eliminate printed forms and even close service outlets, libraries are on the front lines of connecting their users with online or “e-government” resources. In a recent study, 63% of libraries reported that providing access to government information is one of the most critical Internet services they provide. Patrons are using library computers to fill out Social Security forms, research Medicare prescription drug benefit programs, file court petitions, renew drivers’ licenses, and obtain passports.
To help these library users, you must be able to efficiently navigate this sea of online information and offer strategies for locating and using the e-government resources and services they need.
Whether you answer reference questions or select content for a library webpage, this course will help you:
· Identify the key types of government information available online
· Understand issues related to accessing e-government resources in libraries
· Identify user groups which can benefit most from e-government resources
· Assist your patrons with federal and state websites offering government benefits, services, and employment
· Explore websites on citizen and resident responsibilities
· Review and recommend specific e-government resources for inclusion in your library website and online catalog
As a result you’ll be able to match free, high-quality e-government resources with user needs for information about Social Security, immigration, taxes, voting, statistics, and many other topics.
Course Description:
This four-week online course will help you understand the important role libraries play in connecting their users to e-government resources. Through readings and guided exercises, you will explore federal, state, and local government websites targeted to specific populations, such as veterans and job seekers, as well as websites with information on government obligations such as taxes, law, and licensing. The focus will be on practical, real-life approaches using typical reference questions, information needs, and homework assignments. Discussions will explore how e-government impacts the use of public access computers and how libraries are creating guides and pathfinders to government services.
Preliminary Course Outline: Using an Internet connection and web browser, you will log in to the Infopeople online learning site and complete the following learning modules:
Week 1: Getting Acquainted with Government Information
Overview of government information
The evolution to e-government
Types of information available from federal, state, and local governments
Major portals for e-government
Week 2: Government Benefits and Assistance
E-government resources for job seekers and the unemployed
E-government resources for veterans
E-government resources for families and individuals
Week 3: Citizen and Resident Responsibilities
Federal and state tax information websites
Voter information websites
Federal and state law websites
Professional licensing websites
Week 4: Enhancing Your Reference Services with E-Government Information
Statistics websites
Health websites
Identifying e-government resources for your library’s website and online catalog
Time required: To complete this course, you can expect to spend up to 2 ½ hours per week, for a total of 10 course hours. Each week's module contains readings and various options for assignments, discussions, and online meetings. You can choose the options most relevant to your work and interests. Although you can work on each module at your own pace, at any hour of the day or night, it is recommended that you complete each week's work within that week to stay in sync with other learners.
Who Should Take This Course: Library staff members who provide reference services to adults as well as those who are responsible for identifying resources to add to the online catalog or the library website. The emphasis will be on federal, state, and local e-government resources.
Online Learning Details and System Requirements may be found at:
www.infopeople.org/training/learning_details.html.
Payment: Your invoice will be emailed to the email address of the person who completed the registration. If that is not the person paying the invoice please forward invoice to the appropriate person. Payment is due within 30 days. If you have any questions about your invoice or payment please contact Gini Ambrosino at assist@infopeople.org.
Course Start: This four-week online learning course starts on Tuesday, April 24, 2012.
After the official end date for the course, the instructor will be available for limited consultation and support for two more weeks, and the course material will stay up for an additional two weeks after that. These extra weeks give those who have fallen behind time to work independently to complete the course.
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Gini Ambrosino, Infopeople Project Assistant
705 E. Bidwell, Suite 2 – 312
Folsom, CA 95630
(916) 690-6595
assist@infopeople.org
http://infopeople.org/
