Continuing Education and Professional Development: Other Upcoming Free Webinars

Below is a selection of free webinars coming up this month collected by the Maine State Library. To see the full list, please visit: https://maine-msl.libguides.com/CECAL

Wednesday, Sept 3 (2-3 pm)

Use Who You Have: Building a Library Training Program with Your Existing Staff (Niche Academy)

Join Garrison Libby and Emily Leachman to learn how to leverage your existing staff to create a robust training program for your library. A staff-led training team allows your library to institute a culture of continuous growth without having to invest a lot of additional money into staff development. Learn tips for creating an employee-driven training team, building bridges with related services, and suggestions for how to implement a training program without taking too much time away from other critical library services. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.nicheacademy.com/upcoming-webinars

 

Thursday, Sept 4 (2-3 pm)

Accessible Content from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (FDLP)

Learn how to extend your librarian superpowers with one simple act! Get strategies for serving your print disabled patrons by leveraging the National Library Service and its network of cooperating libraries. Did you know there is a free accessible library service available to every print disabled resident in the United States? There is! This program will tell you how to connect print disabled people to one of the largest recreational reading collections in the United States, filled with fully accessible audio and braille content, exceptional reader advisory services, and all the apps and devices to access this content with ease.For more information and to register, visit: https://www.fdlp.gov/events

 

Thursday, Sept 4 (2-3 pm)

Put Your Power on the Page: Showcasing Strengths to Win Grants (TechSoup)

Even if you're new to grants or part of a small team, you have strengths funders want to see. You just need to know how to identify and highlight them. In this 60-minute webinar, you’ll learn how to identify and communicate your organization’s unique assets — like people, programs, partnerships, and community trust. You’ll discover how to frame your work with confidence and clarity. You’ll learn the following skills: Spot and name strengths funders value most; Write compelling, strength-based grant language; Build trust and credibility. Walk away with fresh insight and simple tools to showcase your potential and turn what you’re already doing well into winning proposals. For more information and to register, visit: https://events.techsoup.org/techsoup-events-and-webinars/

 

Wednesday, Sept 10 (10-11 am)

What's Up Wednesday: AI for Librarians: Saving Time and Boosting Efficiency (Indiana State Library)

Discover how AI can automate repetitive tasks, improve workflow efficiency, and enhance library services. Explore tools for automated metadata tagging, chatbots for patron assistance, and AI-driven content curation to free up time for high-value tasks. For more information and to register, visit: https://continuinged.isl.in.gov/find-training/online-training-series/

 

Wednesday, Sept 10 (12-1:30 pm)

Disaster Planning. Realities of Response and Recovery (Network of the National Library of Medicine)

This 90-minute panel discussion brings together librarians from a variety of settings—public and academic to share candid stories from the front lines of disaster response and recovery. Panelists will discuss what happened in the immediate aftermath, how decisions were made under pressure, and the ways staff, leadership, and community partners worked together to restore services. Instead of focusing solely on best practices, this conversation will highlight the real-world challenges, tough decisions, and surprising moments of innovation that emerged in the wake of natural disasters, weather events, and other crises. Attendees will gain practical insights and takeaways they can adapt to their own settings to help prepare for the unexpected, respond effectively, and recover with resilience. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.nnlm.gov/training

 

Wednesday, Sept 10 (2-3 pm)

Agility in the Fog (Niche Academy)

In today’s rapidly changing world, nonprofit leaders are constantly faced with unpredictable challenges and uncertainty. Whether navigating through program crises, financial turbulence, or organizational change, the ability to lead with confidence, clarity, humility, and humor is more important than ever. Join Kari Anderson to explore key strategies for leading teams and organizations—regardless of size, location, or mission—through times of ambiguity.  You’ll leave with practical tools to make informed decisions, foster resilience, and maintain a clear sense of direction. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.nicheacademy.com/upcoming-webinars

 

Wednesday, Sept 10 (2-3:15 pm)

Super Searchers and Meet LEO (Public Library Association-ALA)

The ease with which misinformation can be created and spread online endangers everyday discourse—and libraries are uniquely suited to help counteract its negative effects. Google has created a new set of tools for evaluating material found online, making it easier to think critically about the veracity of digital information right at the point of search. New this year are additional tools to help library workers guide parents, caregivers and educators in safely navigating online with their children. Library consultant Toby Greenwalt demonstrates the capabilities of Super Searchers and Meet LEO and showcases potential applications in the library workspace. The same content will be presented in multiple webinars through September 2025, so you only need to participate once. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.ala.org/pla/education/onlinelearning/webinars

 

Tuesday, Sept 16 (1-2 pm)

Getting started with assistive technology (PACER Center)

Assistive technology (AT) supports people with disabilities in their daily life, learning, and work. This beginner-friendly webinar will introduce participants to AT and demonstrate a variety of devices and apps that help with communication, focus, organization, and independence. Participants will gain practical ideas and real-life examples of how AT can make a difference in everyday settings. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.pacer.org/workshops/

 

Tuesday, Sept 16 (3-4 pm)

Linked data for public libraries: An introduction (WebJunction)

You've heard about it and maybe even learned something about it, but still have questions? Join the club! What is linked data? Why is it important? Should public libraries pay attention to it? These and other questions will be answered by OCLC's in-house linked data expert Anne Washington. In addition to sharing the basics about linked data and how it works, Anne will walk through practical applications, and outline how linked data benefits discovery, access, and systems for libraries of all types and sizes. If you are a cataloger, work with the integrated library system and catalog records, or if you are just curious about the next generation of library metadata, join this session to learn more about how linked data impacts libraries and their users. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction.html

 

 Wednesday, Sept 17 (2-3 pm)

Using Grant-Funded Projects to Attract New Partners and Funders (Public Library Association-ALA)

The Public Library Association (PLA) and ALA’s Public Programs Office regularly offer competitive grant opportunities to libraries. This work supports seeding and sharing innovations while building capacity in local libraries. But grant funds are time- and project-limited. In this conversation, hear from past grantees about how they leveraged an ALA award to increase or improve service to their communities, grow partnerships, attract new funding, and sustain key work. ALA and PLA staff will also share their approach to granting and where to look for future opportunities. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.ala.org/pla/education/onlinelearning/webinars

 

Tuesday, Sept 23 (1-2 pm)

Elevate Your Visibility: Instagram, AI, and the Future of SEO (TechSoup)

A seismic shift in search just landed: Google now indexes Instagram content from professional accounts. That means your Reels, photos, and captions can surface in Google search results, opening powerful new visibility channels — far beyond Instagram itself. But that’s only half the story. At the same time, AI-driven tools are transforming how people search, find, and connect with causes online. From AI-powered search engines to content recommendations and smarter keyword strategies, artificial intelligence is reshaping what visibility means — and who gets found. For more information and to register, visit: https://events.techsoup.org/techsoup-events-and-webinars/

 

Tuesday, Sept 23 (3-4 pm)

Unraveling Legacy Toxicity: Navigating Dysfunctional Environments in Leadership (Colorado State Library)

Legacy toxicity poses a formidable challenge for individuals stepping into leadership roles within toxic organizations or groups. This phenomenon entails inheriting a dysfunctional environment characterized by abuse, neglect, and resistance to change from previous incumbents. Addressing legacy toxicity requires a nuanced understanding of its roots and dynamics, as well as strategic approaches to mitigate its effects. In this discussion panel, we delve into the complexities of legacy toxicity, exploring its manifestations, impact on leadership effectiveness, and strategies for fostering positive change in challenging environments. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.librarieslearn.org/csl-in-session

 

Wednesday, Sept 24 (2-3 pm)

Inspire Learning with the Library of Congress! (FDLP)

Primary sources in a variety of media—including manuscripts, photographs, maps, architectural drawings, sound recordings, and motion picture film—can be powerful teaching tools. The Library of Congress supports K-16 teachers with primary source-inspired programs, classroom materials, fellowships, and grants. This session will introduce a sampling of these opportunities and allow time for Q&A, as well as participant input about their favorite Library resources for educators. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.fdlp.gov/events

 

Tuesday, Sept 30 (3-4 pm)

Meaningful library gatherings: Bringing purpose to every meeting and event (WebJunction)

Libraries host countless gatherings—staff and board meetings, community events, public programs. Each is an opportunity to foster connection and spark curiosity. Many of us already strive to make our gatherings purposeful and engaging. This session invites us to go deeper, exploring how intentional design can transform routine meetings and events into effective and meaningful experiences. Drawing inspiration from The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker and highlighting real-world examples from settings both within the library and outside of it, we’ll share practical strategies for creating events that resonate, whether they’re internal meetings or public-facing programs. This session is ideal for library staff involved in planning meetings or programs who are looking to enhance the quality and purpose of their gatherings. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction.html