ESLN Technology: Expanding Southeastern Training

The Expanding Southeastern Training project will allow our council to offer professional development trainings simultaneously remotely and in-person. Consequently, this will expand access to these trainings for the library workers and healthcare professionals who attend them—including those who serve underrepresented populations. In fiscal year 2020/2021, Southeastern hosted 83 programs that served 1,462 people. Since the onset of the pandemic, all of these programs have been remote because of safety reasons. It is also increasingly difficult for people to leave their workplaces to attend training and we believe that this trend will continue post-pandemic. Moving forward, our goal is to make events accessible to people who wish to attend training events on-site, at our headquarters, and also from remote locations. Southeastern does not currently have the technology available to host hybrid events. With this award we will purchase technology equipment (e.g. computers, cameras, microphones, computer equipment, lighting, and speakers) to create a studio for broadcasting events from our headquarters. In addition to broadcasting, the technology will allow for two (2) way communication between people on-site and those attending remotely. This studio will also allow us to pre-record sessions using professional equipment. We will also establish a mobile unit, so that if we have events off site, they can also be broadcast. This project will allow us to host professional and engaging experiences for everyone who attends our programs and training events, regardless of their location. The outcome will be the ability to host events that are more accessible and flexible to a wider audience.