Continuing Education and Professional Development: Other Upcoming Free Webinars

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

Wednesday, May 1 (2-3 pm)

Don't I Have the Right Not to Be Offended? Responding to Censorship in Fractious Times (Niche Academy)

The best defense against censorship is preparation, policies, and the ability to manage meaningful conversations with the community. Join Jamie LaRue to learn how the value of intellectual freedom came to be adopted by librarians and why it is so crucial now. Jamie will provide a checklist and brief discussion of essential policies and protocols.

For more information and to register, visit: https://www.nicheacademy.com/blog

 

Thursday, May 2 (5-6 pm)

Supercharging Summer Reading: Connecting with Your Community and Beyond (State Library of Oregon)

We will discuss how to: Engage with parents and caregivers in summer learning initiatives, Collaborate with local organizations for enriching summer learning opportunities,

Strengthen relationships with public libraries and educational institutions for summer reading programs.

For more information and to register, visit: https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/conted

 

Monday, May 6 (2-3 pm)

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence and Art: Taking a Look at Copyright Challenges for Libraries (ASERL)

The world of art is undergoing a revolution with the emergence of AI-generated creations. But who owns the copyright to these works – the person, the software developer, or someone else entirely? This critical question has implications for libraries, museums and other cultural heritage institutions. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on how copyright law interacts with AI art. We’ll explore how libraries can support the responsible use of AI in artistic creation, navigate the legal complexities of copyright ownership, and ensure the accessibility of these new forms of art for everyone.

For more information and to register, visit: https://www.aserl.org/#webinars

 

Wednesday, May 8 (2-3 pm)

Fundraising Basics: How to Prioritize Efforts to Maximize Success (Georgia Library Association)

Whether you’re new to fundraising or have an established program, have you evaluated which efforts will maximize your success? The Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation has a 30 year fundraising history and its Director of Development has almost 20 years of fundraising experience in a variety of industries. In the past few years, they’ve tripled their donor base and almost doubled their average annual amount raised. Learn which efforts have the biggest return on investment (ROI) based upon library surveys, experience, and proven success. You’ll leave with a road map to success that you can manage, no matter your team’s size.

For more information and to register, visit: https://gla.georgialibraries.org/carterette-series-webinars/

 

Thursday, May 9 (2-3 pm)

Getting Started with Girls Who Code webinar (Indiana State Library)

Girls Who Code wants to give you the tools and resources you need to develop inclusive computer science programming – no coding experience required. Join us to learn about our free Clubs program for 3rd-12th grade coders. We’ll introduce you to our three essential components for quality programming: (1) activities that teach coding and social-emotional development, (2) a culture of bravery where participants join a supportive community of peers and role models in tech, and (3) real-world application of coding for positive impact. Leave with step-by-step guidance for bringing new STEM initiatives to young people in your community!

For more information and to register, visit: https://indianastatelibrary.evanced.info/signup/calendar?ln=ALL

 

Wednesday, May 15 (1-2 pm)

Connecting with Local Government Officials - How Libraries Add Value (Montana State Library)

Join Tracy Cook, MSL Lead Consulting Librarian, and Dr. Gregory Gilpin, Montana State University Economist to learn about an economist's view of how libraries add value to their communities. This session will be divided into a 30-minute introduction and then 30-minutes of applied learning in breakout rooms. This is the second in a series of webinars focused on connecting with local government officials.

For more information and to register, visit: https://mslservices.mt.gov/ASPeN/Events/

 

Wednesday, May 15 (2-3 pm)

Conflict Management and De-escalation (Niche Academy)

When given the appropriate knowledge and skills, we are all capable of making informed, effective, and safe choices when facing customer conflict and violence. As part of that approach, join Suzanne Powell to discuss how we can create a shift in how we view and respond to these situations to enhance our safety and reduce employee stress. Suzanne will cover: The Continuum of Customer Conflict; How Communication Choices Determine Risk; Management of Behaviors VS Reactionary Efforts to Control; Zero Tolerance and Employee Safety; Contributing Factors to Customer Violence; Managing our Own Behaviors; Assertive Communication; Safely Gaining Customer Co-operation.

For more information and to register, visit: https://www.nicheacademy.com/blog

 

Wednesday, May 15 (3-4 pm)

Addressing Body Shape and Size Stigma in Libraries: Getting Started (Infopeople)

As library workers, we recognize the significance of creating environments that embrace diversity and prioritize the well-being of all patrons and staff. In this webinar we will be starting the conversation around how body shape and size stigma affect our society. We will be focusing on libraries, and how we can create services, spaces, and workplaces that better support people of diverse body shapes and sizes. We will describe the significance of weight stigma, its historical context, and its intersection with other identities, offering insights into the barriers it creates. Together we will discuss individual and organizational strategies to combat body shape and size stigma and support all library users and workers. By fostering awareness and implementing actionable steps, we aim to cultivate environments where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to access library resources and services without fear of judgment or discrimination. Join us as we initiate this essential conversation and take meaningful steps towards creating equitable and inclusive libraries for all.

For more information and to register, visit: https://infopeople.org/training

 

Thursday, May 16 (3-4 pm)

Supporting Healthy Communities: Public Library Responses to the Opioid Crisis (Webjunction)

The opioid crisis continues to rage unabated in our communities and worsened in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public libraries have a critical opportunity to support the information needs of patrons dealing with and impacted by substance misuse. Related programming and services are deeply connected to addressing health equity, and they help libraries link community members to critical information that can improve their lives and the lives of loved ones. WebJunction has released the “Opioid Crisis Support Kit for Public Libraries” to help library staff assess their strengths and capacity, identify key local partners with whom to collaborate or coordinate, and plan and implement programming and services that contribute to addressing the opioid crisis. Join this webinar to learn how libraries have found success and purpose with the Support Kit and gain insights to empower your community toward healthier outcomes.

For more information and to register, visit: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction.html

 

Friday, May 17 (12-1 pm)

Idea Lab Balancing Tech in Summer Reading (Libraries for Digital Equity)

In these fun, low-pressure virtual labs, a speaker will offer a 10 minute “micro-training” and then a 15 minute brainstorming session. Join in!

For more information and to register, visit: https://libraries4de.org/resources/upcoming-events/

 

Wednesday, May 22 (1-2 pm)

Info2Go! Introducing “Visions of America: All Stories, All People, All Places” from PBS Books (Idaho Commission for Libraries)

As we approach the semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary of America’s independence, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and PBS Books are working together to produce “Visions of America: All Stories, All People, All Places,” a digital-first series of videos and virtual conversations that explores our post-pandemic nation with a renewed interest in the places, people, and stories that have contributed to the America we live in today. Mandi Harris from PBS Books will be presenting on how libraries can use the videos and free, turnkey resources such as booklists and discussion guides to hold a variety of programs.

For more information and to register, visit: https://libraries.idaho.gov/continuing-education/info2go/

 

Wednesday, May 22 (3-4 pm)

Cardholder signup policies: Access in practice (Webjunction)

In 2023, BPL launched a research project to collect and study cardholder signup policies from public libraries across the nation. The project aims to identify the range of policies and procedures which govern cardholder access as well as the rationale used for establishing these policies. Research findings have been summarized in a report made available to the library field beginning spring 2024. Join us for a discussion about the inspiration for this study, how the research was conducted, and key findings and takeaways using data from more than 1,800 public libraries across the United States. 

For more information and to register, visit: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction.html