Just a friendly reminder about some upcoming deadlines for ASCLA and RUSA professional development activities. Please share this message-or portions of it-with any colleagues, friends or member groups who may find these events of interest. ***************************************** Virtual Convergence: proposal deadline extended The submissions deadline for Virtual Convergence webinars has been extended to close of business on Monday, Sept. 20! Submit a proposal now using the online proposal form. <http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ASCLA_VirtConverg2011> For four days-January 18-21, 2011-ASCLA will host the inaugural Virtual Convergence. The Convergence will present a multitude of webinars offered at various times throughout the day on topics relevant to your job performance. We are currently seeking topics and presenters for these webinars. Whether you are an expert in a particular topic area, or you are willing to serve as a "program planner" and recruit a speaker or panel of speakers on a topic that is of importance to the library community, we welcome your submissions! More information is at the ASCLA blog <http://ascla.ala.org/blog/2010/08/callforproposals-2011virtualconvergen ce/> . Potential program topics include consulting and independent librarianship; collaborative digitization; accessibility of libraries and library services; services to special populations including differently-abled library users, as well as all ages of incarcerated populations; issues affecting networks and cooperatives; and topics pertinent to state libraries. Presenters will be compensated. If you need more information about the proposal process, please contact Liz Markel, marketing specialist at [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask] ergence> . ***************************************** Online Courses: Genealogy registration closes Sept. 16 There is still time to sign up for RUSA's fall online courses--don't miss out on a chance to acquire new skills and enhance your resume. Registration for Genealogy 101 closes at the end of the day this Thursday, Sept. 16! There are only a few seats left, and it's first-come, first-served. Register online now! <http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=oloc&Template=/Conference/Confe renceList.cfm&ConferenceTypeCode=L> All pricing and comprehensive course descriptions are available at the RUSA website <http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/rusa/development/onlinece.cfm> . * Genealogy 101 <http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/rusa/development/genealogy101/index.c fm> Sept. 20-Oct. 22 Covering genealogy reference basics, and providing skills for confidently assisting family history researchers. * Business Reference 101 <http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/rusa/development/businessreference101 /index.cfm> Oct. 4-29 Demystifies business reference while providing an overview of business reference resources and preparing you to answer basic business reference questions. * Readers' Advisory 101 <http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/rusa/development/readersadvisory101/i ndex.cfm> Oct. 4-Nov. 11 This course offers online practice sessions to increase your comfort with providing RA services. ***************************************** Remember, these events are open to all, but division members get the best price on registration! If your professional expertise and interests align with either ASCLA or RUSA's areas of work, we encourage you to join! Become a member at www.ala.org/membership <http://www.ala.org/membership> or call 1-800-545-2433, option 5. Learn more about ASCLA at www.ala.org/ascla <http://www.ala.org/ascla> ,and RUSA at www.ala.org/rusa <http://www.ala.org/rusa> . Cheers, Liz Liz F. Markel, M.A. Marketing Specialist Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) The American Library Association // 50 E. Huron Street // Chicago, IL 60611 800-545-2433 // p. 312-280-4398 // f. 312-280-5273 // e. [log in to unmask] Find our divisions online at www.ala.org/rusa & www.ala.org/ascla Want to know what we're up to daily? Subscribe to our blog RSS feeds! RUSA: http://rusa.ala.org/blog/feed/ ASCLA: http://ascla.ala.org/blog/feed/