“LearningWeek Libraries” Live Webcast Premieres with Panel Discussion about Virtual Reference Desk Services

New York – November 28, 2001 – This week’s episode of LearningWeek Live – the first interactive weekly webcast featuring stories about the people, technology and business of learning today – features the premiere of a new program entitled “LearningWeek Libraries”.

Hosted by Hope Kandel, LearningWeek’s Library Correspondent, “LearningWeek Libraries” will be webcast live monthly and will focus on current issues facing libraries and the successful use of technology for library services.

This week’s LearningWeek Libraries show — which takes place on Wednesday, November 28 at 1:00 p.m. EST — features a roundtable discussion about virtual reference with distinguished leaders in the field:

• Anne G. Lipow is Director of Library Solutions Institute and Press

• Steve Coffman is the Vice President of Product Development LSSI (Library Systems and Services LLC)

• Brian Mikesell is Manager of e-Services for the St. John’s University Libraries, and a former LearningWeek Live guest

• Stephen Cohen is Creator of LibraryStuff.net, a Librarian for Live Librarian, Assistant Librarian at Rivkin Radler, LLP, and Contributing Editor to Public Libraries

These special guests will join Hope Kandel on LearningWeek Live at 1:00 p.m. EST (New York time) on Wednesday, November 28th. LearningWeek Live (LWL) airs every Wednesday at 1:00 pm EST at LearningWeek.com.

Each show features a dialogue on a learning news story and interviews with industry and thought leaders. Participants interact with special guests and colleagues around the globe.

Guests and show topics are drawn from the worlds of primary, secondary, and higher education, corporate training, publishing, libraries, web-based instruction –- anywhere concerted teaching and learning efforts are taking place.

The show concludes with the selection of the “LearningWeek Site of the Week”, recognizing achievement in providing access to quality learning in a connected world.

LWL is produced by Jonathan Finkelstein and John Walber, recognized experts in the learning and technology fields.

“The show has created a virtual space for real-time interaction among thousands of people united by their interest in improving education and accelerating learning,” said Finkelstein. “Human interaction is a basic ingredient for creating effective learning experiences, and it’s important to bring this approach to the discussion of learning issues themselves, live on the Internet.”

The format of this week’s live webcast, which will run about 60 minutes, allows participants to offer their perspectives, ask questions of the featured guests, and recommend topics for future shows.

Previous guests have included: Donavan Vicha of the American Library Association, Bobbi Kurshan of bigchalk, Matthew Pittinsky of Blackboard, Inc., Richard Katz of EDUCAUSE, Brandon Hall of brandon-hall.com, Casey Green of The Campus Computing Project, Denis Gilhooly of the UN Development Programme, Kristin Hirst of About.com, Bill Evans of Cal-State Chico, Bernard Percy of Converge magazine, and Gene Smarte of eLearning magazine. All archives are available on the LearningWeek site.

Sponsorship of the weekly show is provided by HorizonLive.com, Inc., Distance-Educator.com,Inc., The Technology Source, and The Employment Channel. Registration for events is free of charge at LearningWeek.com.

For additional information, visit LearningWeek.com.or email learningweek@learningweek.com.