FOLIO is coming in only 6 months and we are getting really excited to share it with everyone. We’ve adapted an approach used at Cornell that we hope will start to introduce FOLIO to library staff who haven’t had the opportunity to spend much time with it yet. FOLIO Fridays will provide a chance for EVERYONE across the Five College Libraries to become familiar with our new library services platform. The goal is to incorporate FOLIO into your routine at a modest pace. By spending a little time each week, you will become acquainted with the user interface, navigation, and terminology. By springtime, those who will use FOLIO regularly will be ready to start more formal training specific to your work.
What are FOLIO Fridays?
Each week, we’ll focus on a short, single activity, designed by one of the FOLIO Working Groups. We will kick off the day with a brief Zoom call for everyone to see the activity and ask questions. Instructions will be provided for staff to perform the activity on their own or in small groups at their institution. Local FOLIO folks will be available to answer questions. In the afternoon, staff can join a second Zoom call to share their experience and ask additional questions.
What aren’t FOLIO Fridays?
FOLIO Fridays are NOT formal training, nor are they a substitute for formal training which will come later in the spring.
What is the Friday schedule?
9:30-10am – Introductory Zoom Call
Whenever works for you – work on FOLIO Friday activity
Additional local drop-in times may be available
3:30-4pm – Sharing Experiences Zoom Call
I’m very busy. How long will this take?
Everyone is super busy right now and we’ve designed the activities with that in mind. Weekly activities are intended to take 20 minutes or less. The morning Zoom call will only be about 15 minutes plus time for questions.
What if I don’t work on Fridays?
We understand that no weekday works for everyone. With that in mind, all Zoom calls will be recorded and made available for later viewing. Likewise, all activities will be documented so they can be done at a later time.
Who should participate in FOLIO Fridays?
EVERYONE! While not all FOLIO Friday activities will be part of your regular work once we go live this summer, we expect everyone will take advantage of this opportunity to play around in the FOLIO sandbox to see what all the fuss is about.
When does this start?
FOLIO Fridays will begin Friday, January 14th.
How will we get support during FOLIO Fridays?
In addition to support at your local campus, you can join the FOLIO Friday channel on the Five College FOLIO Slack workspace. FIT and Leads members will be monitoring the channel and answering questions in real time. New to Slack and want to join? Request an account.
We can’t wait to share all the cool things about FOLIO with you. Stay tuned for more information early next week.
Sent on behalf of the FOLIO Implementation Team (FIT) and Working Group Leads
FOLIO Implementation Team (FIT)
Aaron Neslin, Five College Library Services Platform Coordinator
Steve Bischof, Project Manager
Anya Arnold, Implementation Coordinator, EBSCO
Kat Berry, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Rob O’Connell, Smith College
Janet Ewing, Mount Holyoke College
Jen Bolmarcich, Hampshire College
Susan Kimball, Amherst College
FOLIO Working Group Leads
Aaron Neslin, Five College Library Services Platform Coordinator
Lucinda Williams, Co-Lead, FOLIO Acquisitions WG (FAWG)
Kathleen Norton, Co-Lead, FOLIO Acquisitions WG (FAWG)
Jack Mulvaney, Lead, FOLIO Electronic Resources Management WG (FERM)
Colin Van Alstine, Metadata Management Committee (MM)
Susan Kimball, Lead, Circulation/Users for FOLIO WG (CUFF)