WebJunction, an online learning community for librarians and library staff, has launched a new social and learning experience in close collaboration with partners in 15 state libraries. The new site builds on the deep repository of helpful content, relevant courses, and active discussions that have been the hallmark of WebJunction since 2003.
The new capabilities make it easier for librarians and staff to connect with peers, and colleagues from across the library community using powerful new social tools such as friends, public profiles, groups, discussions, tagging, and recommendations; create their own content, conversations, and spontaneous communities with fast, fun and easy-to-use tools; and learn the skills they need to thrive in their careers with new and more flexible online courses covering general business, technical, and library skills, complimented by social and learning management tools that add depth to the experience.
Originally launched five years ago with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, OCLC, and partners from across the library community, WebJunction has grown to over 30,000 registered members and has delivered thousands of courses.
Along with the new central site, 15 state libraries launched branded WebJunction portals for libraries and staff in their states. Eleven existing partners migrated from their prior sites to the new platform in the past few months. WebJunction has also announced that four new state library portals are launching for the first time - Georgia Public Library Service, the Idaho Commission for Libraries, the State Library of Ohio, and Rhode Island Office of Library & Information Services.
