 | | | | | Happy 2012! New Year resolutions are beloved by some and scorned by others, but we can all agree on the importance of planning. A good beginning is half the work, so let's begin the New Year with a new start. Dust off those technology plans, do some strategic brainstorming and focus on planning for a good year. Build the right foundation and you can spend less time putting out fires and perhaps even get ahead of your to-do list. | | |  | What Will Get You to Yes? | | | TechSoup Global has been working on the Public Access Technology Benchmarks project for over a year now, and we're excited to share what we've learned, and what we hope will be useful tools for the library community. If you'll be in Dallas for ALA MidWinter on Jan 21st, the Urban Libraries Council will lead a session on Saturday to share the first draft of the benchmarks (The Edge Initiative) and invite feedback. Thanks to Sarah's recent blog post, you can see a sneak peek at a sample benchmark right now and consider how it applies to your library. What you would need to answer "yes, we do that" to each of the indicators' bulleted points? What would help you get to Yes? We'd love to hear what you think. Please share your comments in our two-question survey. | | | | Online Events | | | App it Up!
January 19, 2012; 11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Pacific
Register Online In this free, one-hour webinar, we will share valuable information regarding creating and using apps in libraries and nonprofits. Thanks to a grant from Microsoft, TechSoup's App it Up project has enabled us to learn about the kinds of apps nonprofits and libraries are using to engage constituents, tell stories, and accomplish their goals. Discover popular apps you can put to use right now. Listen in when Shawn Michael of NPower explains how her organization effectively uses apps. Find out how to develop and deploy an “app-propriate” strategy when we share tips and lessons learned on the entire process of developing apps. Making the most of your MS Donation
January 26, 2012; 11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Pacific
Register Online Do you want to know more about the broad range of software Microsoft donates to U.S. nonprofits and libraries through TechSoup? During the hour, we will be speaking to Gretchen Deo from Microsoft, as well as Brian Calvert and Julie Navejas from TechSoup, about the benefits and details of the Microsoft software donation program. Find out what types of software are available, discover nonprofit resources offered through Microsoft, and learn about benefits automatically included with Microsoft software donations. Whether you've already received a Microsoft donation or are contemplating your first, this webinar will help you make the most of your Microsoft software donation. Tweet Chat: Mobile Storytelling
January 31, 2012; 11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Pacific In this tweetchat we'll discuss tools, technologies, how-to, and creative ways to create digital storytelling using mobile devices. We'll cover Instagram, Path, and other mobile applications; low-tech, on the fly ways to capture stories; livestreaming; and geolocation such as Foursquare and Gowalla. Never participated in a tweet chat before? It's easy, check out this how-to and video in our Nonprofit Social Media 101 Wiki. | | | | Four Ways Technology Plans Pay Off | | | - Technology plans help you make the case for more funding. In these tough economic times, funding is going to organizations that are well organized and have specific goals, as well as a plan for reaching those goals and measuring progress.
- Many funders require technology plans. If you're applying for e-rate discounts, technology grants, or government funding, you may need to have a technology plan in place.
- By following a technology plan, you're much less likely to give into “technolust” (buying expensive new technology that you can't support due to a lack of ongoing funds, staff time and/or expertise)
- Technology planning encourages you to align your IT decisions with the library's overall strategic priorities, the needs of your community, and the requirements of your staff.
Not sure where to start? Of course TechSoup has plenty of resources to help you on your way to writing an excellent technology plan for your library or nonprofit! | | | | | |  | | | | | | | TechSoup is a nonprofit with a clear focus: providing other nonprofits and libraries with technology products and information that empowers them to fulfill their missions and serve their communities. How can we help you? | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
On January 24 and 25, get GrantStation for only $99 — a $160 savings. Identify private and government grantmakers with GrantStation's online database and use the tutorials to secure funding. Already have a GrantStation membership? Add another year during this two-day offer. Looking to learn more about GrantStation? Check out this webinar archive for a tour of GrantStation and learn how a membership can connect your organization to thousands of national, regional, and local funding opportunities. | | | | | | TECHSOUP PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT | | | | | | | | | |
If you plan ahead, you can shield your computers from malicious threats by installing anti-virus software on your library computers. Boxed donations of Norton AntiVirus 2011 and Norton Internet Security 2011 are now available in the TechSoup Limited donation program. These products are available to more organizations, have reduced administrative fees, and can be requested in unlimited quantities. Norton AntiVirus 2011 automatically protects computers against viruses, spyware, and other security risks. Norton Internet Security 2011 provides automatic protection against the latest online threats, scanning all incoming and outgoing data and also existing files. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | We have a new survey this month to learn your thoughts on a benchmark sample from the new Edge Initiative. Please take a moment to answer our two question survey and if you're lucky, win a prize! | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | You are receiving this email because mcl_begee@yahoo.com is subscribed at TechSoup. If you would like to stop your subscription, please click here to unsubscribe. TechSoup Global is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working towards the day when every nonprofit, library, and social benefit organization on the planet has the technology knowledge and resources they need to operate at their full potential. TechSoup Global, 435 Brannan Street, Suite 100, San Francisco, CA 94107 | Copyright © 2012 TechSoup Global.
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