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About Webinars

What Is a Webinar?

A webinar is a live meeting/demonstration/training/seminar that takes place over the Web.

The visual component is Web-based. You sit at your computer and view a presentation on the Web. The presentation can be made up of PowerPoint slides, a live Web session, a sharing of documents (such as Word or Excel documents), or a combination thereof. Some meetings allow for collaborative sharing of a document, which means that more than one person can edit the same file.

MINITEX provides the audio connection via your telephone. If you have a telephone that has a speakerphone feature, you may wish to use it. That way you do not have to hold your handset during the presentation. It's also a great way for your colleagues to participate in the session along with you.

MINITEX sessions are typically limited to 10 attendees and generally last between 20 minutes and one hour. These small, focused sessions provide a great way for library staff around the region to ask questions and to receive personalized attention during the training.

Webinars are an efficient way to transmit and share information. There is no transportation involved—so webinars save time and money! Webinars are a perfect vehicle for sharing timely and important information and to train library staff on a variety of topics.

How Does a Webinar Work?

MINITEX primarily uses Microsoft Live Meeting 2007 Web conferencing software. MINITEX also uses Adobe Connect (formerly Macromedia Breeze) and Live Classroom Web conference software as alternatives. All you need to attend a webinar is your telephone and your Web browser—there's no need for additional equipment or software.

However, before the webinar you will want to check your computer to ensure a compatible Web browser (learn more about Technology Requirements for webinars).

  • MINITEX announces upcoming webinars to MINITEX libraries via multiple electronic lists, newsletters and via the MINITEX Web site.
  • Library staff in the MINITEX region register for the desired session.
  • MINITEX sends an email message with the URL of the meeting and phone number for the desired session.
  • Ten minutes before the start of the session, participants click on the URL provided in the MINITEX email.
  • Five to ten minutes before the start of the session, participants should dial the 800 MINITEX telephone number to access the audio portion of the webinar.

Technology Requirements

MINITEX primarily uses Microsoft Live Meeting 2007 Web conferencing software.

MINITEX also uses Adobe Connect (formerly Macromedia Breeze) and Live Classroom Web conference software as alternatives. The technology requirements listed below will apply to most of the webinars we host. In the case that we use our alternative software, system requirements will be sent out to participants with the instructions to attend the meeting. A day or two before your scheduled webinar we suggest that you perform a browser test to check that your computer can access the Live Meeting 2007 session.

If your system is not compatible, the test will prompt you to install the Windows-based Live Meeting Console. You will need administrative rights to your machine to install the Live Meeting Console. There is also the option of using the Web-based Live Meeting Console (with limited functionality). If you prefer to use the Web-based Live Meeting Console you can perform a browser check below:

Troubleshooting

  • If your login is not working, call the phone number that was included in the webinar login instructions and tell the presenter you cannot get into the session.
  • If you have entered in the URL of the session and you see a page with links to download Live Meeting, you may not have performed a system compatibility check. In this case, call the presenter with the phone number that was included in the webinar login instructions and ask for assistance.

Who Uses Webinar Technology?

  • MINITEX
  • OCLC
  • Vendors of library products and electronic resources (ProQuest, LexisNexis, ebrary, etc.)
  • The University of Michigan
  • The University of Wisconsin
  • Hewlett Packard, CISCO, Prudential, American Express, Dow Jones, Capital One and more

Many organizations and corporations use webinar technology for training and information dissemination purposes. Companies are discovering the time, money savings and sales opportunities that come with Web-based meetings.

Webinar Etiquette

Keep in mind that when you participate in a webinar session there are usually many other people participating as well. That means that it is important for you to be ready to go when the session begins.

  • Have the email that contains the URL to attend the session and login instructions handy.
  • Before the start of the session, login by going to the URL that was sent to you via email.
  • As a courtesy to other attendees, make sure to dial into the conference call with the 800 telephone number provided by the session start time.
  • Use your telephone's mute button if you have background noise in your computer area. Voices of patrons or staff, ringing telephones and other noise can be distracting for webinar participants.

Suggest a Webinar

Is there a topic that you think would make for a useful training session? Please suggest ideas for a MINITEX webinar. Chances are, if you want to know about something, so do other folks in the region. Please send your idea to Sara Ring at MINITEX (ring0089@umn.edu / 612-625-6088 / 800-462-5348).

Contact Information

If you would like additional information about webinars, please contact Sara Ring at MINITEX (ring0089@umn.edu / 612-625-6088 / 800-462-5348).

More Events

Want to find out about other library events?

Browse our events calendar to get information about upcoming conferences and training opportunities.