Learning Opportunities

Learning with SLA (some require sign-in)

1. Innovation Lab
   Here is a place to explore and practice with free tools (Adobe, Confluence, etc.), to watch videos to learn about them, to find the latest management books.
   • Atomic Learning Videos
   • eBrary eBooks
   • ExecuBooks Summaries
2. 23 Things
   Here is the place to learn about and practice blogging, setting up a wiki, tweeting and more on your own. These are the basic Web 2.0 tools that if you haven't become expert at -- you can now.
3. Click University
   As an SLA member we have access to free webinars and other training that our colleagues have shared -- for instance how to research and locate jobs, working virtually, web searching strategies.
4. Leadership Training
   The best way to maintain your network of colleagues is to share experiences with them -- there is a wealth of information about what the opportunities are that you finally have time to explore.

Learning in DC

1. Politics and Prose Bookstore and Coffeehouse
   Washington DC's top independent bookstore offers free daily book talks (see Events Calendar) as well as monthly book discussion groups (currently there are 16 themes).
2. Smithsonian Resident Associates Programs
   RAP presents about 1,000 programs each year including lectures and seminars, studio arts programs, films and performing arts events and study tours. [ Note - Many of the same authors who do book talks for RAP can be heard free at P&P].
3. The Rare Book School
   RBS provides continuing-education opportunities for students from all disciplines and levels to study the history of written, printed, and born digital materials with leading scholars and professionals in the field. Founded in 1983, RBS moved to its present home at the University of Virginia (Charlottesville) in 1992. Course offering vary from year to year but favorites include "History of Book Illustration Processes to 1900" and "Introduction to the History of Bookbinding".
4. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
   Headquartered at American University, OLLI offers over 60 peer-taught study groups a semester. Most study groups run from 8-10 weeks from 10-11:50 am and 1-2:50 pm.
   Membership fees are $400 for two semesters or $225 for one semester.
   They also run a twice yearly series of free lectures in January and June.
5. Georgetown University Learning Community
   Non-credit, multi-session short courses on the Georgetown University Campus for persons 55 or better. Cost is $30 for one course, $50  for two or more courses.
6. National Geographic Society Events
   Offers a varied program of lectures, films, and other presentations during the day and in the evening at the Washington headquarters building.  Some events are free; most involve a small fee.
7. Newseum
   Programs focused on the media and its influence.  Very "Washington" kinds of activities often with well-known media personalities discussing current events or happenings they covered.  Costs vary depending on program.