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Southeastern Library Association CE Page

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Southeastern Library Association CE Page

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Evonne Hall
This site offers a clearinghouse of sorts related to free (or nominal fees) options for CE.  Many of them are listed by category, some are listed by school-affiliation, and some are location based.  If a fee is involved, it mentioned alongside the source to save search time.   It offers a one-stop-shop for an incredible variety of offerings.

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The following is a list of organizations who offer webinars for free or at a nominal fee. The organizations listed provide webinars on topics associated with the different types of libraries and all aspects of librarianship. Some sites offer webinars that will take place in the future while others archive and index previously recorded sessions.

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Evonne Hall
This site is a resource for librarians associated with the education system.  Whether you're a school librarian or a YS librarian there are a ton of offerings related to topics pertinent in the field of education.  There are webinars and course offerings both synchronous and asynchronous available for CE credits.  One can download a certificate upon completion of needed for re certification credits.

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edWeb: A professional online community for educators

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edWeb is a free online community for professional educators, offering networking, resource sharing, collaboration, and professional development webinars.

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Mary Manning
This podcast is an extension of the Public Libraries Association. I have never thought of podcast as continuing education, but I have listened to this one. I like the convenience of podcasts. I have listened to shows on weeding, author talks, and advice for new directors and have found something useful in each.

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PLA's Brendan Dowling hosts a conversation with Lainey Mays and Christopher Connolly of the HarperCollins Library LoveFest team, and an interview with Juliet Grames, whose first novel, "The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna," will be released in the Spring.

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PLA's Brendan Dowling hosts a conversation with Lainey Mays and Christopher Connolly of the HarperCollins Library LoveFest team, and an interview with Juliet Grames, whose first novel, "The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna," will be released in the Spring.

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Mary Manning
The State Library offers a variety of webinars and courses for continuing education. I have done several webinars through the State Library and have always found them helpful. http://www.state.lib.la.us/public-libraries/training/on-demand-classes

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The State Library of Louisiana is one of your greatest sources for research, cultural, and governmental information, with special emphasis on resources unique to Louisiana.

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Posted by Amy Vines
I really enjoyed going to these seminars.  I attended  Working With Difficult People, From Co-Worker to Manager, Advanced Excel, Project Management and a few others.  For a flat price I could attend as many seminars as I wanted.  While I was at one seminar in Alexandria, LA, I met some library staff from the Rapides Parish Libraries.  We all agreed that most of the topics were relevant to the library world and they were all well presented with takeaways and certificates of participation at the end

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Pryor Learning Solutions is the industry leader in business training. We deliver thousands of high-quality training options that can satisfy your needs any time, anywhere, in any format.

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Annie Waguespack
This site provides a list of webinars and online courses that provide librarians with educational opportunities on various topics.  I feel that some of the most effective courses for rural librarians are prevalent topics such as "All Work is Team Work" or "Community Engagement: Building Connections with Technology."  This website provides access not only to upcoming  continuing education courses, but it also includes an archive of past training materials along with many other usefull resources, enabling the librarian to find the topics that are most relevant to him/her.

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Annie Waguespack
I chose to include WebJunction because this site provides a wide range of useful resources for librarians. WebJunction specifically includes a list of free monthly continuing education webinar opportunities that range from advocacy to programming to fundraising to technology (just to name a few). I included the link to the April Free Trainings page, although WebJunction includes a much wider variety of resources that can be found on the home page. This site is a great resource for librarians.

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These training opportunities were compiled and shared by the Wyoming State Library. Trainings in this list are available online and free of charge. For more CE opportunities check the WebJunction Webinar Calendar.

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Louisa Breaux
I found Knowledge Quest by the Journal of the American Association of School Librarians, specifically a page titled "PD for the Rural School Librarian".  This page has links to webinars and online professional development.  It also has a link to a librarian Twitter chat with hashtags for specific needs.  The chats take place weekly on designated nights, but if the librarian is not available at that specific time, they can always look back on previous chats by using the hashtags.

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From "Out standing in my field" to "Outstanding in my field"

My school library is a 25-minute drive to the nearest public library. We are also 57 miles from the nearest metropolitan area. It is sometimes quite hard to get away for professional development when you are a rural librarian. As a school librarian in a rural setting, I store up as much continuing education as I can during the summer. Instead of "solo librarians" I guess we are "silo librarians." I love to attend conferences, but that can be very expensive. I also do not have the advantage of being in a large district with district-wide continuing education systems. Therefore, I am always looking for PD connections in the form of webinars and online courses. I am happy to report the online offerings for school librarians are excellent right now.

AASL eCOLLAB Webinars and eAcademy Courses

This past November I joined the webinar "Virtual Learning Commons: Rethinking Your Library Website" with Heather Lister. This was an incredibly practical webinar in knowing the key areas to include on my school library web page. And since I prescribe to the Learning Commons philosophy, it was a perfect PD fit for me. For free on-demand webinars covering all types of professional topics try the archived AASL eCOLLAB webinars. The webinars have been free to AASL members and are affordable for non-members as well.

Another set of offerings from AASL are the eAcademy Courses. I am in the middle of Diana Rendina's eAcademy Course "Making Your Library Epic: Creating Innovative Spaces for Student Learning." This has been a very personal and practical online course looking at the library space. So, this course paired with the virtual learning commons webinar have helped to balance both the physical and virtual spaces that I manage.

SLJ and Other Online Professional Development

School Library Journal has a number of very interesting webcasts that are coming up very soon. The topics include books, professional development, maker spaces, augmented reality, and STEM. SLJ also archives the past webcasts in case you missed one. The Alumni at the UW-Madison School of Library and Information Studies offer an Alumni Webinar Series. And according to the website, they are FREE and all are welcome!

Twitter Chats

If you need a regular dose of PD or just professional connection you might turn to social media. If you have a Twitter account you might consider participating in one of the many Librarian Twitter Chats:

#TLChat Teacher-Librarian Chat, Second Monday, 8-9 pm EST

#MakerEd Maker Education Chat, Tuesdays, 6-7 pm EST

#YALitChat Young Adult Literature Chat, Wednesdays, 9-10 pm EST

Finally, even if you are not available during the Twitter chats you can always look back on them using the hashtag.

The Internet and social media helps me connect with the world as small town librarian #smlibk12 TweetDeck worked having the questions ahead pic.twitter.com/ozPQX5D9ZN

- Hannah Byrd Little (@HannahLittle) October 26, 2016

Categories: Blog Topics, Professional Development

Tags: best practices, continuing education, personal learning network, professional development, reflection, Twitter

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From "Out Standing in my field" to "Outstanding in my field"

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From "Out standing in my field" to "Outstanding in my field" My school library is a 25-minute drive to the nearest public library. We are also 57 miles from the nearest metropolitan area. It is sometimes quite hard to get away for professional development when you are a rural librarian.

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Louisa Breaux
I chose ALA's eLearning page for distance learning.  From this page, you can access links to various offerings such as webinars, e-forums, and online courses.  These offerings could be beneficial for any type of librarian.  As it says on the main page, "For all types of libraries: Everything you need to stay current".

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ALA eLearning--webinars, courses, workshops, e-forums and more--covers library-related fundamentals, advances, trends, and hot topics for all types of libraries. Find the online options that can best keep you and your colleagues and staff current.

ALA divisions, offices, ALA Publishing, and other units offer new elearning options all the time. If you do not find what you need, or if you have other questions or ideas about ALA eLearning, please contact online-learning@ala.org.

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ALA eLearning--webinars, courses, workshops, e-forums and more--covers library-related fundamentals, advances, trends, and hot topics for all types of libraries. Find the online options that can best keep you and your colleagues and staff current. ALA divisions, offices, ALA Publishing, and other units offer new elearning options all the time.

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East Baton Rouge School System (Librarians) 

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East Baton Rouge School System (Librarians) 

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Esther Castay
Within my local school district, East Baton Rouge Parish offers the GoSignMeUp link designed for employees to browse courses and professional developments offered within a variety of EBR departments. There is both a department for library services and school technology facilitator. Some classes include: Librarians Beginning/End of the Year Procedures, Google Certification Bootcamps, Monthly Virtual Meetings for School Technology Facilitators, etc.

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Esther Castay
The State Library of Louisiana promotes ongoing professional developments for librarians throughout the state. This allows librarians state wide to be well informed and provide quality services.  This link includes information regarding current classes, on demand classes,  ALA-APA approved courses in the Library Support Staff Certification Program, and links to additional online sources for librarian paraprofessionals and professionals.

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Training - Public Libraries - State Library of Louisiana

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The State Library fosters the ongoing professional development of library staff throughout the state, enabling them to be well-informed and competent to provide superior services to their constituencies. Current Classes Offered This i

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Posted by Abi Gail Leachman
This website offers free-online  webinars for librarians.  The topics are varied.  Registration and information is listed a month or two in advance.

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You searched for librarian webinars | OEDB.org

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Explore the latest education news and advice for online students.

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The Booklist Reader (Shelf Care: The Podcast)

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The Booklist Reader (Shelf Care: The Podcast)

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Posted by Abi Gail Leachman
Each episode will introduce you to rock-star librarians, hot topics in publishing, and books you need to know.
*Click Shelf Care: The Podcast to listen.

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Opinion, news, and lists from the book people at Booklist, Book Links, and Booklist Online

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The Institute of Museum and Library Services

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The Institute of Museum and Library Services

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Erica Didier
This site lists training programs, such as continuing education and e-rate training, for each state.

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Institute of Museum and Library Services

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"We want every child to participate in a year-round reading program. We plan to include marketing/promotion for all our programs and services to be sure our citizens are up-to-date about what our libraries offer, like the statewide electronic resources provided to all and the HomeworkLouisiana tutoring program available to all students."
-- Rebecca Hamilton, State Librarian, State Library of Louisiana
Continuing Education and Support for Library Staff
The State Library of Louisiana provided continuing education opportunities, advice and support to public library staff. This training helped library staff, directors, and trustees deliver basic library services to their communities competently and effectively. To this end, the State Library offered a yearly continuing education schedule along with courses certified by the ALA-APA Library Support Staff Certification Program. The State Library is the only state library agency in the country that teaches these courses and is one of the few course providers for the ALA-APA that is not a formal educational institution. Louisiana has the second highest number of nationally-certified support staff as a result of this. State Library consultants also helped public libraries develop policies, interpret library laws, and troubleshoot any other issues that arose.
IMLS Funds: $167,981.00

HomeworkLouisiana
Offered through the Louisiana State Library, HomeworkLouisiana is an online, after-school tutoring program available to all students in Louisiana from second grade through basic college level. Certified tutors provided one-on-one homework help via chat. This assistance was available Sunday - Thursday, 2 pm -10 pm from a public library or any home computer with an Internet connection. The Skills Center was available 24/7 and could be accessed from the library, school or home. An adult center provided assistance with job searches, resume-writing and interview prep. In 2016, HomeworkLouisiana provided more than 66K tutoring sessions. In a statewide survey of public library staff in September 2016, HWLA ranked 4.59 on a scale of 1-5 in importance to the public and 4.34 on satisfaction with the resource. This was the highest ranking of any of the statewide services offered.
IMLS Funds: $197,699.00

E-Rate Training and Support
The Louisiana State Library provided advice, instruction, and support to public library staff in applying for discounts on telecommunication services, Internet access and internal connections through the E-rate program. With these discounts, Louisiana public libraries were able to offer free Internet services, both wired and wireless, to their communities. The discounts also allowed libraries to increase bandwidth and make necessary technological infrastructure improvements. All of the main libraries in the state have an Internet connection that is at least 10 Mbps or more. This is a necessity for a state where nearly 38% of the population does not have home Internet access. State Library staff offered extensive one-on-one help to public libraries, guiding the libraries through every step of the process which has led to 100% participation.
IMLS Funds: $31,100.00

Review recent Grants to States projects from this state library in the State Program Report database.

Search the Awarded Grants Database for additional details about awards in this state.

View the IMLS funding by state report - Louisiana (PDF) with additional information about all IMLS funding for this state (FY 2018 - FY 2022).
Goal 1: Develop a competent, literate and knowledgeable citizenry that can benefit from increased educational opportunities and a lifelong love of reading and learning.

Projects include:

Literacy programming, such as HomeworkLouisiana, early literacy programs, and adult literacy programs

Talking Books and Braille Library materials and programs

Children's programming, including the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) and the Louisiana Readers' Choice (LRC) program

Interlibrary loan services and training

Louisiana Library Connection (LaLibCon) virtual library for statewide databases and e-resources

Services to prisons

Louisiana Book Festival

Goal 2: Encourage digital and information literacy among the general population and facilitate Louisiana residents in taking advantage of all benefits of technology, thus decreasing the Digital Divide.

Projects include:

Technology training for public library staff

Technology training for the general public

Technology support to public libraries

Goal 3: Increase the capacity of Louisiana public libraries to meet the needs of their communities and to make the public library the center for civic engagement.

Projects include:

Continuing education and consulting for libraries

New director and leadership training

E-rate assistance to libraries for Internet connectivity

IMLS Data Collection

State Library Administrative Agency Survey
The State Library Administrative Agency Survey (SLAA) provides descriptive data about state library agencies for all fifty states and the District of Columbia.

Public Libraries Survey
The Public Libraries Survey (PLS) provides national descriptive data on the status of public libraries in the United States and its territories. Explore state profiles representing more than 9,000 public library systems and over 17,000 public library outlets.

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"We want every child to participate in a year-round reading program. We plan to include marketing/promotion for all our programs and services to be sure our citizens are up-to-date about what our libraries offer, like the statewide electronic resources provided to all and the HomeworkLouisiana tutoring program available to all students."

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Erica Didier
SLCC offers a variety of professional and personal development courses, as well as advanced career training. These include various computer, accounting, marketing, classroom success, and management courses. They have online and on campus options.

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South Louisiana Community College Workforce Development

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Click on the course title to view all the current offerings available.

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Crystal Blacquiere
This website has a plethora of information. You can find professional training on just about any subject. Some library systems have a subscription for staff. You can also set up your own account.

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LinkedIn Learning with Lynda: Online Training Courses for Creative, Technology, Business Skills

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LinkedIn Learning with Lynda: Online Training Courses for Creative, Technology, Business Skills

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Learn business, creative, and technology skills to achieve your personal and professional goals. Join LinkedIn Learning today to get access to thousands of courses. Lynda is now LinkedIn Learning.

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Crystal Blacquiere
The ALA has several electronic lists you can subscribe to and communicate with others about ideas, issues, and activities. This link is to the ALSC-L subscription for children's services.

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Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)

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ALSC offers numerous discussion lists. See the list below for descriptions of each list.

All ALSC (and ALA) electronic discussion list management and subscriptions are now done through Sympa at http://lists.ala.org.
ALA Mailing Lists - User Guide
Subscriptions/Managing Your Lists in Sympa
How to Access List Archives
A policy for posting to ALSC-L was approved by the ALSC Board at the ALA Midwinter Meeting 2007 in Seattle, WA and subsequently revised in 2008 and 2010:
The above policy extends to all ALSC electronic discussion lists.
The ALSC-L electronic discussion list is a forum where subscribers communicate with one another about ideas, issues and activities concerning library service to children. All posts to the list should relate to that discussion. ALSC-L is a forum for free expression, where dynamic discussion and consideration of differing points of view is welcomed and encouraged. To establish a safe and open environment crucial for vibrant and productive discussion, it is the responsibility of all ALSC-L subscribers to set and keep a tone of respect.

* Maintain a culture of trust. Refrain from posting defamatory, obscene or offensive material. The prohibition of the posting of offensive material is intended to apply to hate speech, name calling, personal insults and similar material.

* Maintain a culture of objectivity. Refrain from posting self-promotional or commercial material, except for one-time notices about conferences, publications, blogs, position openings, or other announcements related to library service to children.

* Maintain a culture of professionalism. Refrain from postings of a personal nature. Respect the rights and privacy of others, and use social networks for personal notifications including births, accidents or illnesses.

* Maintain a culture of integrity. Refrain from the posting of copyrighted material. Subscribers should be authorized to copy, print, and/or distribute any material posted to the list. Documents meeting these criteria may be attached.

The ALSC Executive Committee has the right to suspend any ALSC-L subscriber who fails to participate according to the rules articulated in this policy. Subscribers will receive one written warning. Continued abuse may result in a suspension of ALSC-L privileges of up to six months. Appeals to an Executive Committee decision may be addressed in writing to the Executive Director within 30 days of a warning or suspension. The Executive Director will bring the appeal to the Executive Committee and relay the Executive Committee response within 30 days of the appeal.

The members of the ALSC Board of Directors communicate with one another and conduct association business on the ALSC Board Electronic Discussion List. Other individuals are welcome to subscribe to the ALSCBOARD list on a "read only" basis. "Read only" subscribers receive all posts to the list but cannot post messages themselves.

Alternatively, members can stay current with ALSC issues and business proceedings by accessing the ALSCBOARD Archives , which are open to the public.

Run by ALSC's Advocacy and Legislative Committee, this list offers important legislative updates. This list is open to members and interested parties. Subscribers can ask questions, post suggestions, and share new ideas.

The ALSC Priority Group Consultants and Committee Chairs Discussion List is for general communication amongst the ALSC leadership and staff.

The Children's Collection Management in Public Libraries Discussion Group established ALSCCOLMGT to provide an online forum for public librarians who are engaged in the development and management of children's print, audiovisual, and electronic collections. Subscribers can ask questions, post suggestions, and share new ideas.

ALSCSTORY is for all who want a place to discuss issues and concerns in storytelling, as well as keep in touch with a storytelling support group. People may post questions relating to the practice of storytelling.

Does your library celebrate Dia? Are you interested in learning more about Dia? This discussion list is a place for librarians to exchange ideas, solicit advice, and discuss Dia planning and programming.

A joint project of ALSC and YALSA, this list provides a means of discussion and networking for any individuals interested in library services for and with middle school-aged youth. Discussions, news, and information are welcome on the list; however, advertisements are not.

The Preschool Services Discussion Group established PRESCHSVCS to provide an online forum on any topic related to preschool services, programs, or materials related to children from ages infant through the preschool years, and the adults who serve them. Subscribers to the list can share successful programs or outreach efforts, highlight quality new materials, ask questions, or share new services that they have instituted.

If you have questions about any of the discussion lists above, please contact Laura Schulte-Cooper at alsc@ala.org.

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ALSC offers numerous discussion lists. See the list below for descriptions of each list. All ALSC (and ALA) electronic discussion list management and subscriptions are now done through Sympa at http://lists.ala.org.

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Sandra Robinson
Easy way to check online publication updates. Create a personalized news subscription.

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Thursday, April 27th, 2017

After a few months of hard work and dedication, we are delighted to announce that the instant news observer from Feedreader is available at feedreader.com/observe.

We hope you will love this new service that lets you research and observe website news, stories and media buzz based on your own choice without subscribing to every particular site (once you find a good source you may click 'Subscribe' button to add it to your Feedreader Online).

Here are a few examples of news profiles you may start with: Make Use Of, Business Insider, CBS Sports.

It helps you preview any site's RSS digest + find alternative news/feed sources for a wider range of media opportunities and choices; it also features a few important analytical and safe browsing options to make sure you can keep abreast of reputation, availability, and attitudes of every site/source you might subscribe to.

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Free RSS Reader. Read all your feeds online as a single stream. Now with real-time RSS feed search engine | Feedreader.com

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Thursday, April 27th, 2017 After a few months of hard work and dedication, we are delighted to announce that the instant news observer from Feedreader is available at feedreader.com/observe.

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Sandra RobinsonFree one-hour webinars  geared toward trends in librarianship.

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Ashley Hebert
ALA eLearning is a series of webinars, courses, workshops, e-forums and more--covering library-related fundamentals, advances, trends, and hot topics for all types of libraries.

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ALA eLearning--webinars, courses, workshops, e-forums and more--covers library-related fundamentals, advances, trends, and hot topics for all types of libraries. Find the online options that can best keep you and your colleagues and staff current.

ALA divisions, offices, ALA Publishing, and other units offer new elearning options all the time. If you do not find what you need, or if you have other questions or ideas about ALA eLearning, please contact online-learning@ala.org.

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ALA eLearning--webinars, courses, workshops, e-forums and more--covers library-related fundamentals, advances, trends, and hot topics for all types of libraries. Find the online options that can best keep you and your colleagues and staff current. ALA divisions, offices, ALA Publishing, and other units offer new elearning options all the time.

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Posted by Amy Vines
Terrific sources for articles, downloads, and webinars.

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I was recently asked to draft a staff development policy for my university's Library Services Department. The library staff are very proactive in seeking out and taking part in training and continual professional development (CPD), and at any one time we have awareness-raising and training sessions scheduled, staff lined up to attend professional conferences, and colleagues undertaking academic or accredited training programs. In addition, team members train each other in essential skills for using systems or software, and new employees are involved in induction training. This all makes for a wide variety of CPD activity, which is why the library management team thought it appropriate to develop a policy: so that we could have a strategic oversight over the training and development activities available to staff and ensure parity in accessing these opportunities.

I am in a very fortunate position, in that the driver for creating a staff development policy is an appetite for professional development. However, I am aware that others' experiences of enabling and engaging staff in training and development is quite the opposite and that ambivalence, lack of enthusiasm and institutional culture can hinder a proactive training and development environment. Therefore, I think it is useful to start a staff development policy by questioning the need for CPD at all. Asking and answering "Why bother in the first place?" then allows discussion around the "How?" and "What?" of a policy.
Why bother? What's the point of staff training and development?
For an organization to be effective and able to deliver its intended outcomes, its workforce needs to be skilled, competent and confident. In addition, the nature of libraries, across all sectors, means that they are subject to continual change, especially in today's digital information environment. Similarly, the political and economic environments in which libraries operate mean that we need to be flexible, agile and continually evolving. In order for a library to embrace change, its workforce must continually develop its professional and technical skills. It could be argued that the ability for a library to sustain through strategically aligning itself with its parent institution is reason enough to bother with training and development, but there are many other reasons for library and information professionals to engage in CPD and for library managers to invest in it, including:
But how do we find out what CPD our library staff require?
Library staff and library managers need to identify not only where training and development is appropriate, but also what kind development could be used. The provision of CPD within any library organization should be strategically informed and should enable the library to achieve its strategic goals. A well-informed staff development policy can be helpful in clarifying appropriate channels for identifying and commissioning staff training and CPD requirements. For many, the annual employee appraisal is a great opportunity to discuss individual performance and, more importantly, to set objectives for the coming year or planning cycle. In doing so, individuals should be able to discuss the type of development that would help fulfil individual and team objectives. It is important to take these discussions seriously and to act upon them, so that the review process is not seen as checking a box but as a fundamental part of service provision and strategic planning.

CPD should be continually discussed and considered - not just at review time - and having platforms for such discussion is good practice. Some library organizations might have a staff development committee that gathers staff training needs, organizes training programs, or scans mailing lists to ensure that staff are aware of external CPD opportunities. Similarly, library management teams can have "Training and CPD" as a standing item on their agenda to make sure that they can respond as and when training needs are identified.
But how do we actually do this CPD stuff?
So now that we have identified "why" we should bother with training and development and "how" we identify staff requirements, we can move on to "what" staff development actually looks like and how to make opportunities available. People often think only of conferences as soon as you mention CPD, but there are many forms of training for library professionals, including:

External training programs: External library groups can range from local consortia to regional branches of your professional associations, such as the American Library Association ( ALA) or the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals ( CILIP). While many organizations have a program of events throughout the year (excluding conferences), they also provide excellent opportunities to attend specialist library and information-oriented events. Regional or sector wide groups - such as the Society of College, National and University Libraries ( SCONUL), the M25 Consortium of Academic Libraries ( M25) or North West Academic Libraries ( NoWAL) - provide similar programs. They are all opportunities to receive practitioner-led training, share experiences and network externally.

Closing reflections
This has been a very brief overview of the why, how and what of training and CPD within a library and information context. It is by no means comprehensive, and there are many more reasons for pursuing CPD and many more avenues for doing so. I hope my reflections have been useful and that they form a basis for discussion and consideration of why we "bother" with training and development. It has certainly allowed me to reflect on what is important to include in a staff development policy and has affirmed why CPD is so strategically important in leading and managing library services.

One other thing that CPD enables is reflection, and I am conscious that have not made enough mention of this. Time and space for reflection, for thinking critically about what we do in our day-to-day work and in planning our future work (or future role or career), is essential good practice, and all the CPD platforms that I have mentioned above allow for this. In our busy working environments, time for reflection can often feel like it is out of reach, but it is only through reflection that we can step back and look at what makes us effective. Time to reflect on our practice, on our skills and on our future is time well spent. And that is essentially why we need to "bother" with training and development.
References
Appleton, L. (2017) "Library Conferences: Why Bother?" UKSG eNews, issue 408, https://www.uksg.org/sites/uksg.org/files/Editorial408.pdf

Hodges, S (2017) Leading Libraries: A Briefing Paper on Coaching and Mentoring, SCONUL https://www.sconul.ac.uk/sites/default/files/documents/LL%20Briefing%20paper%20on%20coaching%20and%20mentoring.pdf

Hussey, L. and J. Campbell-Meier (2017) "Is Their a Mentoring Culture Within the LIS Profession?" Journal of Library Administration, Vol. 57, issue 5 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01930826.2017.1326723

Morris, W. (2017) "Superhero Librarians are Coming: Get Your Capes On!" SCONUL Focus, issue 70, https://www.sconul.ac.uk/sites/default/files/documents/77.Superhero%20librarians%20are%20coming.pdf

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Training and development for librarians: Why bother?

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Leo Appleton, Goldsmiths University of London, presents his brief overview of the why, how and what of developing and implementing a training and continual professional development policy within a library. The article is based on his personal experience and explores why he believes CPD is strategically important in leading and managing library services.

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Library Support Staff Education and Training 

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Library Support Staff Education and Training 

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Ashley Hebert
Webinars  presentations, and a certificate program for library support staff  provided by the ALA. This is great training to provide library support staff.

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Interested in becoming a library worker? Find more information about what to expect at ALA's Explore your Career Path...What Library Pages Need to Know, Becoming a Library Assistant or Technician, and What Library Assistants and Technicians Need to Know.

Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) program offers webinars and presentations at conferences across the United States, which are often archived and available to the public on YouTube.

The ALA Online Learning project connects library employees with a wide range of online training. Click on "Online Learning News" to access a list of webinars. Click on the title for specifics concerning time and fees.

ABLE is a continuing education program provided by the Idaho Commission for Libraries. ABLE provides library basics for library staff and covers a wide range of topics, including collection development, merchandising, cataloging, and reference work.

OCLC's WebJunction provides resources that promote learning for library workers by fostering an online learning community. Clicking on the "Find Training" tab provides a variety of training options.

Infopeople provides training, webinars, and resources for library employees. Some webinars have been approved by the ALA's Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) program. Costs for webinars varies and many resources are free.

The A to Z: Diverse and In-Depth Training for Library Support Staff offers a series of webinars to "enhance the skills of library employees who serve in circulation, reference, and technical services." Registration is required and costs are listed on the website.

Tech Soup is a nonprofit organization committed to providing technology training to libraries. Resources include webinars, a blog, and technology experiences from libraries across the nation.

Library Juice Academy provides online professional development opportunities for library workers. Training focuses on practical topics and requires a fee.

Resources for webinars covering practical topics of interest for library workers:

ALA Library Competencies compiles a list of library organizations' competencies for different types of library workers.

OCLC's WebJunction provides the Library Staff Competency Collection (2012), which provides information about competencies that different organizations have developed.

" Academic Library Support Staff Competencies: What Should Support Staff Know and be Able to Do?" (2009) by Rachel Applegate provides a report of survey data concerning professional competencies for library support staff.

Some states in the U. S. may have their own set of rules and regulations pertaining to certification for library support staff members. The Certification Information by State page which is part of this Resource Center, provides links to information regarding statutes mandated by each state.

The American Library Association-Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) in partnership with the Western Council of State Libraries has developed a national Library Support Staff Certification Program. Each state offers certification at different levels. Please review state laws and requirements when considering a certificate program.

Information about certification programs and applicable state laws is available at Certification Information by State .

Visit the ALA-APA State/Regional Certifications (primarily for public library staff) page for more information.

" Criteria for Programs to Prepare Library Technical Assistants" (1998) from the ALA Committee on Education, Task Force for Review of the Criteria for Programs to Prepare Library Technical Assistants is a report that may be of interest for those who are considering a certificate program.

See also the ALA Certification for Support Staff paper for more information about the value of recognizing the value and accomplishments of Library Support Staff.

For information and resources for library license or certification of school paraprofessional and support staff positions visit the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Library Education and Licensing for school libraries.

Find information about Associate, Bachelor's, and Master's library degree programs on the Library Degree Programs page.

Learn more about the basics of obtaining a library associate degree at ALA's Explore a Career in Libraries...Do I Need a Library Science Associate's Degree?

There are few library bachelor degree programs. Some informatic, information technology, and data management programs are not library specific and are not included in the Resources by State section unless offered by a library school. Selecting a major/minor that complements a library master's degree is helpful, but not necessary, if pursuing a library master's degree is your goal.

Looking to learn more about becoming a professional librarian? Explore the basics of obtaining an advanced degree at ALA's Explore a Career in Libraries... Do I Need a Library Science Master's Degree?

Interested in learning more about financial assistance options? The site, the ALA Scholarship Program site provides information on the different types of scholarships, application process, and contact information. The ALA Scholarship Program provides opportunities specifically for library support staff as well as master degree programs.

Located on the ALA Scholarship Program

Financial Assistance for Library and Information Studies directory provides a wealth of information about award opportunities from state library agencies, national and state library associations, local libraries, academic institutions, and foundations. This directory is updated on an annual basis.

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Library Support Staff Education and Training

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Interested in becoming a library worker? Find more information about what to expect at ALA's Explore your Career Path...What Library Pages Need to Know, Becoming a Library Assistant or Technician, and What Library Assistants and Technicians Need to Know.

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Training Opportunities
Posted by Amy Vines
The state library has amazing, affordable courses especially about management and leadership.

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Training - Public Libraries - State Library of Louisiana

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The State Library fosters the ongoing professional development of library staff throughout the state, enabling them to be well-informed and competent to provide superior services to their constituencies. Current Classes Offered This i

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Jennifer Razer

ARKLIB-L is an email list related to Arkansas Libraries and related topics.

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Jennifer Razer

FYI: The Public Libraries Podcast
This podcast is a great place for librarians to find information about what is going on in public libraries around the country.

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PLA's Brendan Dowling hosts a conversation with Lainey Mays and Christopher Connolly of the HarperCollins Library LoveFest team, and an interview with Juliet Grames, whose first novel, "The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna," will be released in the Spring.

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PLA's Brendan Dowling hosts a conversation with Lainey Mays and Christopher Connolly of the HarperCollins Library LoveFest team, and an interview with Juliet Grames, whose first novel, "The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna," will be released in the Spring.

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Lauren Cleveland
Amigos Library Services offers continuing education seminars/webinars and conferences at low cost, usually $35.  Early registration can even gain a significantly reduce fee.  Most are offered online with a few offered in person.

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Continuing Education Services | Amigos Library Services

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Amigos Library Services training courses cover an array of topics important to libraries: from OCLC to digitization, and reference and technical services, to management and technology. Amigos provides educational services face-to-face or online. Search or browse the catalog to find the topic, date, and location best for you.

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FL DOS Division of Library & Information Services

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FL DOS Division of Library & Information Services

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Lauren Cleveland
The state of Florida offers various continuing education resources, including webinars, library co-ops, tech-talk, and online courses.

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Continuing Education - Division of Library and Information Services - Florida Department of State

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The Division manages the State Library and Archives, supports public libraries, directs record management services, and is the designated information resource provider for the state of Florida.

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Christina Byrom
UL Lafayette offers CE classes. There is a tuition fee to take these classes. There are some classes that can be useful to a rural librarian like Grant Writing, Management, and various other computer and business related classes.

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UL Lafayette Continuing Education Homepage

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Find Yourself in Continuing Education! From Art & Design to Professional Development to Technical Training - we have over 200 courses to choose from Winter/Spring 2019 registration is available. Want to register? Create an account or Login with an existing account, click the Login/Create Account link at the top of the page.

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Christina Byrom
ALA has discussion listservs for pretty much anything related to libraries. You choose which ones you want to subscribe to and every time someposts a thread you will get an email. This will help rural librarians stay connected to  other professionals

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This server provides you access to your environment on mailing list server. Starting from this web page, you can perform subscription options, unsubscription, archives, list management and so on.

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University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Library and Information Studies Continuing Education Catalog

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University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Library and Information Studies Continuing Education Catalog

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Daniel Perez
This connects to the UWM's continuing education program for LIS Studies. Includes: Webinars, Conference schedules, online courses, and other resources!

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Continuing Education - The Information School

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Early-bird discount! Register 2 weeks before your online class begins to automatically receive 10% off. Want emails about upcoming classes? Contact Anna Palmer to be added to our mailing list! Online Courses Summer 2018 Online Courses NEW! Social Media Strategy and Analytics June 4 - July 1 NEW!

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Daniel Perez
This is a great website where librarians can obtain insights from what others are doing in the field.

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LibraryWikis / Collaboration between Libraries

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If you are citizen of an European Union member nation, you may not use this service unless you are at least 16 years old.