Communicate with Colleagues

 Home » Interact with Colleagues » Communities of Practice

Communities of Practice (CoPs)

A CoP is an online member interaction tool designed with member's needs in mind: a calendar of upcoming events, an up-to-date roster, links to useful resources and, most importantly, solutions and ideas from your peers. Members of a CoP share a common job, interest, or project. A CoP is much more than a discussion board or mail list because it has many integrated tools that are archivable and searchable.

Don't see what you're looking for? Request a new CoP.

Be sure to read our etiquette guidelines.

Academic Library Community
A forum for academic library staff to discuss issues, share best practices, and assist in solving problems.

Adult Services Community
A forum for all staff who provide the reading, reference, programing and services to adults to share ideas, knowledge and expertise; seek answers; discuss topics and trends with colleagues.

Audio-Visual Information and Discussion (AVID)

Forum for staff at libraries to converse and learn about audio visual topics.

Business Librarians Group (BIG)

Forum for those interested in helpful hints, best practices, and ideas for answering business questions in an informed and skillful manner. Topics cover various aspects and issues of providing business information. Occasionally, a vendor or other guest speaker will discuss a new tool or resource of interest.

Business Managers/HR Managers Networking Group
Open to those whose key job function is business or HR management. Offers support and sharing of best practices on any administrative issues.

Circulation

Forum for discussion of topics relating to the circulation of materials.

Computer Class Instruction

A forum for all staff involved with technology training of patrons and staff. This group will share class ideas, curriculum, tips, and tricks.

Consumer Health Information

Welcomes anyone who provides health and medical information to consumers. Share ideas about collections, services, instruction, programs, marketing, outreach, and partnerships. Programs may include speakers and visits to various institutions. The group meets 4 times per year. For more information, please contact Laura Kuhl.

Development Networking Group
This group shares experiences and information on a wide range of development and fundraising topics, including annual campaigns, cause fundraising, capital campaigns, endowments, foundations, and planned giving.

ELSUM
For library staff interested in all aspects of electronic databases, including selecting, purchasing, utilization, and marketing.

Genealogy and Local History
For library staff interested in all aspects of genealogy and local history, including participation in Digital Past.

Going Green
For all library staff interested in "greening" their workplace to share ideas, knowledge, and expertise.

High Schools
A community appropriate for those school library media specialists working with 9th through 12th grade students attending high schools located within the NSLS service area.

Interlibrary Loan
An online community for people who ensure and assist patrons in locating and borrowing materials.

Library Advocates
Open only to those participating in the advocacy card program.

Library Volunteer Coordinators

Group of volunteer coordinators who work within a library setting attempting to follow best practices for managing volunteers while maintaining library policies and procedures.

Marketing and Web
Topics for this group include marketing and PR; Web-related topics ranging from design, usability, and Web writing to technical issues; forms of electronic communication, such as e-newsletters; and graphic design issues.

Network Managers/IT
For those whose key job function is managing the technological infrastructure of their library. Offers support and sharing of best practices, tips, and tricks.

New Librarians
For new or soon to be librarians working in the profession to share their experiences, ideas, and issues of interest.

Outreach Services for Seniors and Special Populations

An ongoing collaborative effort of north suburban library Outreach staff to discuss current trends and consider new initiatives for Outreach Service.

Page/Shelver Supervisors

A forum for page supervisors to discuss issues, share best practices, and assist in solving problems.

Public Library Directors
A forum for public library administrators in the North Suburban Library System to discuss ideas related to libraries and library management.

Schools
A forum created for the exchange of ideas, discussion and best practices between Pre-K - 8th grade school library media specialists and staff.

Special Librarians
For librarians working in libraries other than public, school, and academic.

Technical Services
A forum for library personnel to discuss ideas related to acquisitions, cataloging, and materials processing.

World Language
For library staff across all levels to share ideas and resources to serve non-native English speaking patrons.

Young Adult Services Forum (YASF)

This online community was established to facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices among Illinois young adult librarians. YASF is a sanctioned Illinois Library Association forum.

Youth Services (YSCoP)
Share, store, and access best practices for working with children, young adults, their parents/caregivers, and educational professionals.