Plano Library Speaks: Podcast Episode #6

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Welcome to Plano Library Speaks, the podcast of Plano Public Library!

In this episode, your hosts, Rachel and Bob chat with library staff about a variety of topics, including using littleBits to make fun circuits, maintaining and upgrading professional skills and more. See our show notes below for details and links.

We speak with Development Coordinator Kristin Linscott about ongoing professional skill-building. Some resources and programs mentioned in this segment:

LinkedIn Learning – provides online training courses that cover a variety of topics (including business, design, web development and multimedia skills) and software (Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite and open source applications) 

Topics worth searching for on LinkedIn Learning:

• Teamwork
• Communication
• Marketing
• Time Management Skills

Upcoming Programs

Microsoft Excel Series

Microsoft Excel: Basics – Learn the basics of Microsoft Excel
Haggard Library, Tuesday, March 8 at 6:30pm

Microsoft Excel: Formulas & Functions – Learn the basics of Microsoft Excel Formulas and Functions and their uses
Haggard Library, Tuesday, March 15 at 6:30pm

Microsoft Excel: Budget Basics – Apply formulas and functions to the basics of budgeting in Microsoft Excel
Haggard Library, Tuesday, March 22 at 6:30pm

Microsoft Excel: Pivot Tables – Learn how to create and use Pivot Tables in Microsoft Excel
Haggard Library, Tuesday, March 29 at 6:30pm

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Create Your Elevator Speech (Adults) – Communicate your idea, who you are, or how you can benefit a company or organization in a way such that any listener can understand it in a short period of time. Learn how to design your pitch to get a positive response. Presented by Andrella Thomas from Capital One
Virtual, Friday, March 4 at 2pm – Register

Career Trends with Business Source Complete (Teen, Adult) – Use EBSCO Business Source Complete to research industry trends. Sort industry information by career, location and potential earnings
Virtual, Monday, March 7 at 1pm – Register

What Story Are You Telling? (Teen) – How others perceive you depends on your choice of words, actions, and even your appearance. If you’re not intentional in telling your story, you may not have the influence or image you desire. Learn the importance of establishing a strong personal brand and the five steps you can take to achieve one. Presented by Debra Austin, Chaos2Results Business Coaching & Consulting
Virtual, Monday, March 14 at 2pm – Register

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We speak with Library Services Representative Amy Bellotte about the upcoming littleBits Challenge program.

littleBits Challenge (All Ages) – Explore circuits through different challenges
Haggard Library, Saturday, April 2 at 3pm

Check out our littleBits Synth Kit in our STEAM Kit collection (as mentioned by Bob) from the library. Search for it in the catalog to place a hold.

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We speak with Librarian Caitlyn Tipps about the Digital Creation Spaces and the technology available.

Recently added software includes:

• Unity – game coding software; free open-source
• Visual Studio Code – coding software; free open-source (Needed to work with Unity)
• Soundbridge – a complete digital audio workstation (DAW) works with DCS MIDI sound mixer; free open-source 
• UnReal Engine 4 – 3D design software; free open-source

Upcoming Programs

Unreal Engine: Basics (Teen, Adult) – Learn the basics of the Unreal Engine software and its potential uses for animation, video game development, lighting and more! All skill levels welcome
Virtual, Wednesday, March 9 at 1pm – Register

Photoshop: Headshots (Adult) – Learn about headshot photography and editing using Photoshop.
Virtual, Monday, April 18 at 6:30pm – Register

Audition: Podcast Editing (Teen, Adult) – Learn the basics of audio editing in Adobe Audition for Podcasting
Virtual, Tuesday, April 26 at 6:30pm – Register

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We speak with Library Services Representative Evan Gan about the variety of programs and tasks does at the library.

Some of The Write Workshop classes have been taught virtually and are recorded:

Oh, I Have An Idea! – Have an idea for a story, but need help getting started? Join Plano Public Library to brainstorm your next short story or best-selling novel! Check out resources on the blog.

The Construction of Space – Learn how to construct a literary space for your story using characters, object details, and a film-like lens. Check out resources on the blog.

The Manipulation of Time – How does time work in narratives? Learn how to manipulate the difference between a reader’s experienced time and the story’s fictionalized time to strengthen your narrative. Check our resources on the blog.

Check out our other National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) blog posts for additional resources on finding your voice, building characters and your final draft.

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Evan also helps select and catalog the World Languages Collection for Chinese materials. The majority of this collection is at Haggard and Davis libraries, though you can place holds to get this collection at any of our locations. You can also access many books in Chinese through the Libby app.

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