News & Noteworthy

LITA Offering Two Web Courses in August

LITA is pleased to announce the availability of two Web Courses: Building Web Applications with HTML5, CSS3, and Javascript: An Introduction to HTML5, presented by Jason Clark of Montana State University Library and Getting Started with GIS, presented by Eva Dodsworth, Geospatial Data Services Librarian at the University of Waterloo Map Library.

Geolocation, Native video, Offline storage, Semantic markup elements, Responsive web design, Canvas elements, Voice input, Drag and Drop, Opacity, Gradients… HTML5 (a generic term which includes new HTML tags, enhanced CSS styles/behaviors, and new Javascript APIs) has been released and is changing the way web developers work. With wide support in mobile browsers and the latest browser releases from Google and Firefox, HTML5 is poised to be the technology that will help build the next version of the Web. Building Web Applications with HTML5, CSS3, and Javascript: An Introduction to HTML5 will consist of four live lectures held August 6, 8, 10, and 13, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm CDT with additional self-paced modules in Moodle. Participants will examine the trends and enhancements that HTML5, CSS3, and the new Javascript APIs enable, talk through the specifics of implementation, and work through building a prototype HTML5 application.

Modeled on Eva Dodsworth’s LITA Guide (http://neal-schuman.com/gsgis/) of the same name, Getting Started with GIS will provide participants with an introduction to the both online and desktop GIS currently being used by library administrators, librarians, library support staff and library users.  The three week course will run August 13- September 4 and will consist of weekly asynchronous lectures and modules in Moodle. Participants will learn firsthand how to create online maps; how to properly use maps in library web pages; how to embed GIS technology into library projects; and how to enjoy GIS and mapping technologies in personal endeavors.  Students will be exposed to many online resources that are currently being used by public, academic and special libraries across North America.  No previous mapping or GIS experience is necessary.

For registration and additional information on both courses, visit: www.ala.org/lita/learning/online