{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Plano Library Speaks: Skill developing, littleBits, Digital Creation Spaces and Writing","description":"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. Learning & Leading   We speak with Development Coordinator Kristin Linscott about ongoing professional skill-building. Some resources and programs mentioned in this segment: LinkedIn Learning \u2013 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: \u00a7 Teamwork \u00a7 Communication \u00a7 Marketing \u00a7 Time Management Skills   Upcoming Programs Microsoft Excel: Basics \u2013 Learn the basics of Microsoft Excel Haggard Library, Tuesday, March 8 at 6:30pm Microsoft Excel: Formulas & Functions \u2013 Learn the basics of Microsoft Excel Formulas and Functions and their uses Haggard Library, Tuesday, March 15 at 6:30pm Microsoft Excel: Budget Basics \u2013 Apply formulas and functions to the basics of budgeting in Microsoft Excel Haggard Library, Tuesday, March 22 at 6:30pm Microsoft Excel: Pivot Tables \u2013 Learn how to create and use Pivot Tables in Microsoft Excel Haggard Library, Tuesday, March 29 at 6:30pm   Create Your Elevator Speech (Adults) \u2013 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 \u2013 Register   Career Trends with Business Source Complete (Teen, Adult) \u2013 Use EBSCO Business Source Complete to research industry trends. Sort industry information by career, location and potential earnings Virtual, Monday, March 7 at 1pm \u2013 Register   What Story Are You Telling? (Teen) \u2013 How others perceive you depends on your choice of words, actions, and even your appearance. If you\u2019re 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 \u2013 Register   Kids & Family We speak with Library Services Representative Amy Belotte about the upcoming littleBits Challenge program. littleBits Challenge (All Ages) \u2013 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.   Did You Know? We speak with Librarian Caitlyn Tipps about the Digital Creation Spaces and the technology available. Recently added software includes:   \u00a7 Unity \u2013 game coding software; free open-source \u00a7 Visual Studio Code \u2013 coding software; free open-source (Needed to work with Unity) \u00a7 Soundbridge \u2013 a complete digital audio workstation (DAW) works with DCS MIDI sound mixer; free open-source \u00a7 UnReal Engine 4 \u2013 3D design software; free open-source   Upcoming Programs Unreal Engine: Basics (Teen, Adult) \u2013 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 \u2013 Register Photoshop: Headshots (Adult) \u2013 Learn about headshot photography and editing using Photoshop. Virtual, Monday, April 18 at 6:30pm \u2013 Register   Audition: Podcast Editing (Teen, Adult) \u2013 Learn the basics of audio editing in Adobe Audition for Podcasting Virtual, Tuesday, April 26 at 6:30pm \u2013 Register   Meet the Staff 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: \u00b7 Oh, I Have An Idea! \u2013 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. \u00b7 The Construction of Space \u2013 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. \u00b7 The Manipulation of Time \u2013 How does time work in narratives? Learn how to manipulate the difference between a reader\u2019s experienced time and the story\u2019s fictionalized time to strengthen your narrative. Check our resources on the blog. \u00b7 Check out our other National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) blog posts for additional resources on finding your voice, building characters and your final draft.   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. Evan selected and cataloged materials for the 2020 Texas Book Festival Collection Enhancement Grant, awarded to Schimelpfenig Library to add books in Chinese to the collection. ","author_name":"Plano Library Speaks","author_url":"http:\/\/planolibrary.libsyn.com\/website","html":"