What is the Continuous Learning Subscription Service?
The Lincoln Trail Libraries System Continuous Learning Subscription Service (CLaSS) offers a convenient, easy means for LTLS members to plan for continuing professional development for staff, public library trustees, and school administrators. CLaSS subscribers purchase an annual subscription to a full schedule of over 25 quality continuing education and training events, which covers attendance at all events for library staff, trustees, and administrators. In addition, CLaSS+ is available to our LINC libraries. CLaSS+ provides LINC libraries all their education and LINC training events for one low annual fee. See the Fee Structure Table.
What are the benefits? Give me some good reasons why my library should subscribe?
Wide Selection At Fixed Rate:Library agencies will have a wide range of topics to select from at a fixed rate. No matter what programs your staff select or how many of your staff attend, your library pays one set fee. This means better value for the library agency in addition to a single, known budget line item making it easier to determine the library annual budget for continuing professional development.
Convenient and Flexible Registration:
For one low fee, anyone from the subscribing agency (librarian, other staff, board member, etc.) can register for and attend any program. There are no additional fees, and subscribing libraries can register up to five staff members for any one program. Additional staff members will be wait-listed and will be added a week prior to the program if spaces are available. Individuals on the wait-list will be notified by e-mail that they have been added to the class.
Online Registration:
All members can now use the online registration system. Log on to the online registration system to see events, see what you are currently registered for, or register for a new event. If you have questions, contact Donna Schaal at 217-352-0047, Ext. 204, or email ce@lincolntrail.info.
Less Bookkeeping:
For a one-time annual subscription fee the library agency gets twelve months of quality education and training. The agency does not have to write multiple checks and the library staff member is no longer obliged to submit purchase orders and send or bring payment for individual events.
Flex-printing for Course Materials:
Some course materials will be made available online. This option allows subscribers to download and print any time, anywhere. Individuals will be responsible for bringing listed course materials to the event. Materials will include power point presentations, handouts, bibliographies, etc. Any materials that are considered to be "critical" to attending an event will be printed by LTLS and given out upon arrival for the training session. Critical materials will include ALL manuals for training events. CLaSS members who are unable to attend an event and would like copies of materials may download and print them at any time.
Continuous Learning On Demand:
All subscribing libraries are eligible for up to two programs on demand at no additional cost (some restrictions apply).
Program 1: LTLS consultants will work with you to design one trustee development workshop ( 3 hours maximum). We will provide materials and come to your library.
Program 2: LTLS consultants will provide one staff workshop (3 hours maximum) with some restrictions. Your library must guarantee a minimum of 10 library staff participants (may include friends, volunteers, library staff, and board from neighboring libraries, and/or instructors/administrators from your parent institution). Your library will be expected to pay for associated materials. LTLS can provide the following workshops:
•FISH Philosophy of Customer Service•Meeting Management•Facilitation Training•Values Assessment•Strategic Planning
•Technology SeriesIf there is another topic you would like to see covered, let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you. (LTLS may not be able to provide workshops on all topics.)
How does the service work for subscribing agencies?
Agencies subscribing to CLaSS pay a one-time annual subscription fee, which covers the cost of sending all agency employees to any LTLS continuous learning event. CLASS+ allows attendance to all continuous learning events plus all LINC training. The subscription fee is based on data for numbers of paid staff for Public and School Libraries and FTE paid staff for Academic and Special Libraries as reported on the library's LTLS Annual Profile Summary for the previous year. The following sliding scale will be used:
|
For Public and School Libraries, the staffing is calculated by the number of staff members. For Academic and Special Libraries, the staffing is calculated by the number of FTE staff. |
||
Staff
Range |
CLaSS |
CLaSS+ |
1 |
$
85.00 |
$ 105.00 |
2 |
$
135.00 |
$
170.00 |
3
to 4 |
$
240.00 |
$
290.00 |
5
to 10 |
$
345.00 |
$
450.00 |
11
to 50 |
$
445.00 |
$
600.00 |
51
- |
$
500.00 |
$
710.00 |
Why did we choose to use FTE for Special and Academic Libraries and number of staff for Public and School Libraries?
When LTLS was developing the cost structure for CLaSS, we initially used the FTE data as calculated on the Annual Profile Summary. This is based on using a 40-hour week. It became clear that this did not make sense for most public and school libraries as many of them are not open 40 hours per week. For example a library with 3 staff members who together work 40 hours would have 3 people able to attend events but only 1 FTE staff. For this reason, we are using number of staff for public and school libraries. For academic and special libraries we are using FTE because these institutions are generally open 40 hours and the FTE numbers are a more accurate measure of the number of staff eligible for CLaSS events.
Are there staff I don't have to count in the fee structure?
School and public libraries that have paid student staff (student means high school or college person) that only work after 5 pm can exclude those staff members from the staff number count. Volunteers, substitutes, and library friends are not included in the CLaSS fee structure, but are welcome to register for events at the non-subscription rate.
What if I have a question about my subscription fee?
Email ce@lincolntrail.info or call Donna Schaal (217-352-0047, Ext. 204).
How do I sign up for the Service?
Print, complete, and send in the CLaSS order form or send an email to ce@lincolntrail.info; be sure to indicate which plan you would like (CLaSS or CLaSS+). LTLS will accept subscriptions until October 17, 2008. If you want to attend an event prior to that time and you have not indicated if you will be subscribing, you will be charged the regular individual event price. If you decide later that you will subscribe, those individual event fees will be credited to your subscription fee. As soon as you indicate that your library will be participating, LTLS will bill you for the fee and you are eligible for all the events that LTLS is offering.
Is the Service priced by Building or by Agency?
The service is priced by agency, which means that there is one price for an entire school district. For schools, the best value would be to subscribe for the entire district with an agreement by the district as to how the payment would be split among buildings. However, Lincoln Trail will make accommodations to school districts that want to subscribe building by building. Just use the same table for fees and count your number of staff members by building to get the price.
Is CLaSS the only way member libraries can take advantage of LTLS education programs and LINC training?
No. Library Agencies that choose not to subscribe can register and attend any and all of the events offered. For non-subscribing agencies, every CE event will have a minimum fee of $40.00. (Check the event listing for actual cost.) Payment is due on or before the event and a processing fee of $10.00 will be charged for late payments. When considering the ability to attend multiple events and send multiple people to each event, libraries will save money by choosing to subscribe.
What About LINC Training?
The four core courses offered in LINC Training (Getting Started, Basic Circulation, Advanced Circulation, and Adding Items) may be purchased as a group for $120.00 or individually at $40.00 per training session. All other LINC training programs will be priced at $40.00 each.
Can we request Continuous Learning On-Demand events if we do not subscribe to CLaSS?
Yes. Non-subscribers will have access to on-demand programming with the same criteria as for subscribing libraries except that there will be an additional cost of $75.00 per contact hour plus all materials.
What is the final deadline for all registration for events?
Registrations will close three business days prior to an event.
How does a library cancel a registration?
All registrations must be cancelled at least three business days prior to an event. Contact LTLS at ce@lincolntrail.info or 217-352-0047, Ext. 202. For non-subscribing agencies, failure to cancel a registration three business days prior to an event will result in a bill for the event plus a $10.00 processing fee. Currently there is no penalty for cancellation by subscribing libraries; however, if "no shows" become a problem, this procedure will be reconsidered.
What if an event has to be cancelled?
LTLS reserves the right to cancel an event due to insufficient enrollment. Individuals will be contacted as soon as the decision to cancel has been made.
In the event of bad weather, a program may need to be postponed. LTLS will either email or have a message on the CE Phone Extension (ext 222 of the LTLS voice mail system) no later than 1.5 hours prior to the start of the event. However, we recommend that registrants contact LTLS to inquire about changes as well.
What if a registrant has a need for special accommodations?
LTLS is committed to providing CE and training opportunities that are accessible to all registrants. Please indicate if you have any additional needs, such as accessibility, for which we may make advance arrangements.
Where will events be located?
Events will normally take place at LTLS headquarters in Champaign, IL unless otherwise indicated. LTLS also offers Continuous Learning On-Demand for libraries that desire to schedule customized programs at a location and time of their choosing.
Will a non-subscribing library get all the handout information if they pay for an individual event?
Yes. They will receive information on how to access materials associated with events they have paid for.
If we schedule a Continuous Learning On-Demand Event at our library, can volunteers, substitutes, or library friends attend?
Yes. Volunteers, substitute staff, or library friends are welcome to attend On-Demand Events. Volunteers, library friends, and substitutes may also attend regularly scheduled programs at the list price.