Check out the Professional Development Calendar for more information and to register for the following FREE online professional development opportunities.
NOTE: The calendar shows Maine State Library (MSL). MSL is the host for the national professional development calendar.
The LEARN @ LUNCH Workshop Series is facilitated by the New Mexico State Library’s Development Bureau. Upcoming live sessions and registration details below.
NEW TO NICHE highlights the library continuing education trainings and tutorials newly added to the NMSL Professional Development Niche Academy Learning Platform. Find them after the At Your Leisure pre-recorded webinars section.
READ THIS NEXT! This section features one recent reading (print book, eBook or journal article published within the last five years) focusing on the librarianship profession. Scroll down after the New to Niche section to find this month’s reading selection.
CONFERENCES
Thursday, Mar 5 (9 am-5 pm ET) Middle Grade Magic 2026 (School Library Journal)
Join School Library Journal on March 5 for our eighth annual Middle Grade Magic virtual event, a day-long celebration of authors and creators dedicated to crafting literature for kiddos ages eight through 12. Get a first look at some of the most anticipated new titles for your young readers, from modern coming-of-age tales to eye-popping graphic novels to immersive fantasy. Attendees will also have the opportunity to check out the virtual exhibit hall, chat directly with booth reps, download educational resources, and enter to win prizes and giveaways. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.slj.com/event/middle-grade-magic-2026
Tuesday, Mar 10–Thursday, Mar 12 (12-4 pm ET) Southeast Collaborative Online Conference (SECC)
The 2026 Southeast Collaborative Online Conference (SECC) is a collective effort by the Georgia Public Library Service, State Library of North Carolina, South Carolina State Library, Tennessee State Library & Archives, and The Library of Virginia to offer innovative and useful online learning experiences for library staff at all levels through a convenient online conference. There is no charge to attend and registration is open to all. For more information and to register, visit: https://sites.google.com/view/secollaborative/Home
PROGRAMS BY TOPIC
ACCESSIBILITY
Mar 3: Online Accessibility: Working with Vendors to Meet Online Accessibility Standards (Washington State Library) https://www.sos.wa.gov/library/resources-libraries/library-development/training/training-calendar?audience=state
Mar 5: Assistive technology for early childhood (PACER Center) https://www.pacer.org/workshops/
Mar 10: Online Accessibility: Alt Text, Contrast, Descriptive Links, and Forms (Washington State Library) https://www.sos.wa.gov/library/resources-libraries/library-development/training/training-calendar?audience=state
Mar 11: Explore Accessible Birding & Exploration Through Citizen Science Month (SciStarter) https://scistarter.org/events
Mar 18: Building an Accessible Library and Workplace – Practical Do’s, Don’ts, and Best Practices (IFLA) https://www.ifla.org/events/?unitid=undefined&location=undefined&month=3&eventyear=2026&sc=1
Mar 26: Online Accessibility: PDFs (Washington State Library) https://www.sos.wa.gov/library/resources-libraries/library-development/training/training-calendar?audience=state
ADVOCACY
Mar 10: Impactful -and Ethical- Storytelling for Nonprofits (Volunteer Match) https://www.idealist.org/en/orgs/volunteer-engagement-resources
Mar 30: Conscientious, Humble, and Stuck: Why Libraries Struggle to Market Themselves, Show Their Value, and Ask for Resources (ASERL) https://www.aserl.org/#webinars
Mar 31: Agile Infographics (Training Magazine Network) https://www.trainingmagnetwork.com/calendar?menu_item=events&page=1&sub_menu_item=calendar
ASSESMENT/PLANNING
Mar 4: What, When, Why and How to Outsource: Advice for the Practical Nonprofit (Firespring) https://firespring.com/resources/
Mar 5: Introduction to Nonprofit Accounting: The Basics (TechSoup) https://events.techsoup.org/events-at-techsoup/
Mar 16: Meeting Moments of Change: Strategic Planning for an Unpredictable World (Nonprofit Learning Lab) https://www.nonprofitlearninglab.org/webinars
Mar 17: How to Supercharge Your Grant Research (CharityHowTo) https://www.charityhowto.com/nonprofit-live-webinars
Mar 18: Modernizing a Small Library on a Small Budget: Systems, Culture, and Community in Year One (Nebraska Library Commission) https://nlc.nebraska.gov/scripts/calendar/eventlist.asp?Mode=ALL
Mar 19: Streamlining Your Year-End Financial Close in 2026: An Audit-Ready Guide for Nonprofits (Charity Village) https://resources.charityvillage.com/learning-centre/webinars/
Mar 24: Show Your Auditors Some Love! Stay Audit Ready All Year-Round (Blackbaud) https://www.blackbaud.com/events/all-events
Mar 25: From Fear to Connection: Learning How to Ask for a Gift (GrantStation) https://grantstation.com/product/online-education/view-all-2
BOARDS
Mar 26: Boards & Asking Styles: A Roadmap to Success (Charity-How-To) https://www.charityhowto.com/nonprofit-live-webinars
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT
Mar 12: Library of Things – A Critical Component of Libraries as Access Points to a Local, Resilient, and Sustainable Future (IFLA) https://www.ifla.org/events/?unitid=undefined&location=undefined&month=3&eventyear=2026&sc=1
Mar 18: The Power of One: Navigating a Single-Person or Small Technical Services Department (Georgia Library Association) https://georgialibraryassociation.org/Carterette-Series-Webinars
Mar 19: Increasing Access with Technology on Hand: Using what you already have to increase access to partially hidden, previously unmanaged collections (ASERL) https://www.aserl.org/#webinars
COMMUNICATION
Mar 17: Content That Connects: Digital Outreach for Nonprofits (TechSoup) https://events.techsoup.org/events-at-techsoup/
Mar 30: Simple Nonprofit Newsletters that Boost Donor Retention (Productive Fundraising) https://productivefundraising.com/event/
Mar 31: Designing a Bilingual Fundraising Strategy That Serves Your Community (Nonprofit Learning Lab) https://www.nonprofitlearninglab.org/webinars
DEVELOPMENT & MANAGING CHANGE
Mar 19: Engagement as the Engine of Change (Training Industry) http://www.trainingindustry.com/webinars/
DIGITAL RESOURCES
Mar 4: Anywhere Adventures Research Workshop: Using Library Collections To Explore Your Hometown (Library of Congress) https://www.loc.gov/events/
Mar 10: A Lunch and Learn Webinar: Navigating the Serial Set (LOC Law Library) https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2026/02/upcoming-us-law-webinars-march-2026/
Mar 11: Academic Library Collection Benchmarking (ProQuest/Clarivate) https://about.proquest.com/en/events/events/
Mar 19: An Orientation to Legal Research: U.S. Federal Statutes (LOC Law Library) https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2026/02/upcoming-us-law-webinars-march-2026/
FUNDRAISING
Mar 4: Fundraising Masterclass Series: What you can aspire to – How Digitally Mature Organizations Engage and Convert Donors Year Round (Blackbaud) https://www.blackbaud.com/events/all-events
Mar 4: The Toy Box Approach to Nonprofit Funding Diversification: Smart Funding Choices That Support Mission Over Time (Nonprofit Hub) https://nonprofithub.org/hubinars/
Mar 18: Navigating Donor Conversations: From Preparation to Partnership (Niche Academy) https://www.nicheacademy.com/upcoming-webinars
Mar 18: The major gifts playbook: Turn Potential Into Power (Bloomerang) https://bloomerang.com/webinars-events/
Mar 26: Fundraising Masterclass Series: The Role of a Fundraising Database Manager: What’s New, What’s Not (Blackbaud) https://www.blackbaud.com/events/all-events
LEGAL
Mar 5: An Orientation to Law Library Collections Webinar featuring the State Law Library of Kentucky (LOC Law Library) https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2026/02/upcoming-us-law-webinars-march-2026/
Mar 24: Intellectual Freedom & Academic Libraries: How Can the Office for Intellectual Freedom Help? (ALA/ACRL) https://www.ala.org/acrl/conferences/elearning/acrlpresents
LIBRARY SPACES
Mar 11: What’s Up Wednesday – How to Build a Library in a Community Center One Bite at a Time (Indiana State Library) https://continuinged.isl.in.gov/find-training/online-training-series/
MANAGEMENT
Mar 5: Accountability 2.0: How to Create Accountable People (Training Magazine Network) https://www.trainingmagnetwork.com/calendar?menu_item=events&page=1&sub_menu_item=calendar
Mar 11: Interlibrary Loan: From Basics to Current Issues (Network of the National Library of Medicine) https://www.nnlm.gov/training
Mar 18: Managing Cash Flow (Propel Nonprofits) https://www.propelnonprofits.org/upcoming-trainings/
Mar 30: Active Listening Tips for Supervisors (GovLoop) https://www.govloop.com/training/
OUTREACH & PARTNERS
Mar 4: Tour de Force: Build Bridges by Leading Tours of Your Library (Nebraska Library Commission) https://nlc.nebraska.gov/scripts/calendar/eventlist.asp?Mode=ALL
Mar 4: Navigating Donor Conversations: From Preparation to Partnership (Niche Academy) https://www.nicheacademy.com/upcoming-webinars
Mar 11: Rural Libraries, Technology and Funding: Where Do We Go From Here? (Niche Academy) https://www.nicheacademy.com/upcoming-webinars
PROGRAMMING
Mar 3: Programming with Your Library of Things (WebJunction) https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction.html
Mar 16: Escape Experiences at the Indiana State Library – Can You “Escape,” too? (FDLP) https://www.fdlp.gov/events
Mar 17: Acts of Science: Connected Info Session (SciStarter) https://scistarter.org/events
Mar 19: Level Up International Dark Sky Week with Citizen Science (SciStarter) https://scistarter.org/events
Mar 25: What’s Up Wednesday – Outward In: Community-Led Programming and Asset Mapping (Indiana State Library) https://continuinged.isl.in.gov/find-training/online-training-series/
READERS’ ADVISORY
Mar 4: The Importance of Monsters: How Engaging in the Horror Genre Sparks Bravery (LibrariesLearn/CSL) https://www.librarieslearn.org/csl-in-session
Mar 10: Random House Children’s Books Summer 2026 Preview (Booklist) https://www.booklistonline.com/GeneralInfo.aspx?id=63
Mar 11: Disney Publishing Spring/Summer 2026 Preview (Booklist) https://www.booklistonline.com/GeneralInfo.aspx?id=63
Mar 18: Readers’ Advisory: Ideas & Practice 2026 (Booklist) https://www.booklistonline.com/GeneralInfo.aspx?id=63
Mar 19: DK’s Summer 2026 Librarian Preview (Booklist) https://www.booklistonline.com/GeneralInfo.aspx?id=63
REFERENCE
Mar 5: College Access Starts at Birth: Lessons from Rural America (Harvard Graduate School of Education) https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/events
Mar 12: The Value of a Humanities Education in Preparing Future-Ready Graduates (Library Journal) https://www.libraryjournal.com/section/events
Mar 12: 2026 PLA Presidential Candidates Forum (Public Library Association) https://www.ala.org/pla/education/onlinelearning/webinars
Mar 19: Navigating Misinformation in One-on-One Patron Interactions (WebJunction) https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction.html
Mar 24: A Practical Guide to Researching U.S. Food Law and Regulations (FDLP) https://www.fdlp.gov/events
SCHOOL LIBRARIES
Mar 3: Chronic Absenteeism and Daily Routines That Influence Attendance (edWeb) https://home.edweb.net/webinars/
Mar 5: Collaborative Parent Conversations: Simple Steps to Go From Lines to Loops (edWeb) https://home.edweb.net/webinars/
Mar 6: Reading Inspires! (Reading is Fundamental) https://rallytoread.org/event
Mar 9: Cybersecurity Priorities, Policies, and Practices for K-12 Leaders (edWeb) https://home.edweb.net/webinars/
Mar 10: Connect & Collect- Poetry and Verse Novels (ALA/AASL) https://www.ala.org/aasl/about/coms/member
Mar 17: Standardizing IEP Documentation: Benefits, Best Practices, and Winning Strategies (edWeb) https://home.edweb.net/webinars/
Mar 18: Redefining Facilities Leadership: How Purpose and Clarity Drive Better Service (Follett) https://www.follettcommunity.com/s/webinars
TECHNOLOGY
Mar 3: AI in Action (Licensing, Data Privacy, and Open Access) (ASERL) https://www.aserl.org/#webinars
Mar 4: Info2Go! Privacy Literacy is Information Literacy (Idaho Commission for Libraries) https://libraries.idaho.gov/event/info2go-privacy-literacy-is-information-literacy/
Mar 9: How to Use AI Tools Safely: Protect Your Nonprofit (Nonprofit Learning Lab) https://www.nonprofitlearninglab.org/webinars
Mar 24: Surviving with a Skeleton Crew: IT Best Practices for Small District Teams (Follett) https://www.follettcommunity.com/s/webinars
Mar 25: Pretty Sweet Tech (Nebraska Library Commission) https://nlc.nebraska.gov/scripts/calendar/eventlist.asp?Mode=ALL
Mar 25: AI Impact Hour for Nonprofits (TechSoup) https://events.techsoup.org/events-at-techsoup/
TRAINING & INSTRUCTIONS
Mar 10: How To Be More Coach-like (Training Magazine Network) https://www.trainingmagnetwork.com/calendar?menu_item=events&page=1&sub_menu_item=calendar
LEARN @ LUNCH WORKSHOP SERIES
March 25, 2026, 12:00 pm. Resources from the UNM Center for Disability and Development
Registration: Learn @ Lunch: Resources from the UNM Center for Development and Disability – LibCal – New Mexico State Library
April 15, 2026, 12:00 pm. Intellectual Freedom Basics for Libraries.
Registration: Learn @ Lunch: Intellectual Freedom Basics for Libraries – LibCal – New Mexico State Library
AT YOUR LEISURE
Pre-recorded webinars to view at your convenience
Celebrating Literacy with Youth in Your Community: Read Across America All Year Long (ALA eLearning)
In celebration of Read Across America, the ALA Literacy Assembly is hosting a webinar to highlight the work of librarians who are bringing communities together for shared literacy experiences all year long. Angela Falkenberg, Verity Sturm, and Liliana Garcia will share a collaborative project between Washington, DC Public Schools and DC Public Library, which focused on the intersection of literacy, recreation, and community. Visit: https://elearning.ala.org/local/catalog/view/product.php?productid=916
“I’m Excited About Writing a Technology Policy” – Said Nobody Ever (TechSoup)
In technology, we tend to spend most of our time and efforts working on the actual technology — purchasing and setting up new computers, adding users to software systems, troubleshooting the printer (again), and trying to get that report out to the funders on time — and very little time analyzing our organization’s data risk. Risk management is an overwhelming topic, and, in this webinar, we will be focusing on a fundamental aspect of having an up-to-date and comprehensive computer use policy. Join us for an engaging webinar where we’ll uncover the secrets to crafting a rock-solid computer use policy. Discover how a well-defined policy can safeguard your organization’s data, boost productivity, and create a culture of responsible tech use. Visit: https://www.techsoup.org/community/events-webinars/im-excited-about-writing-a-computer-policy-said-nobody-ever-2025-01-29
Partnering for Democracy: Public Libraries and the League of Women Voters (EveryLibrary Institute)
Public libraries are centers of communities that are well-suited to serve as polling places, ballot drop-off locations, and to obtain trusted election information. How do you get started with election administration activities while remaining nonpartisan? Join us for an informative webinar designed for public libraries to build strong partnerships with your local League of Women Voters for election administration. We’ll explore effective strategies for collaboration, share resources for promoting civic engagement, and discuss ways librarians can support voter education and advocacy in their communities. Whether you’re new to working with the League or looking to strengthen an existing partnership, this webinar will provide practical tools to enhance your impact. Visit: https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/webinars_on_demand?utm_campaign=webondemandannounce&utm_medium=email&utm_source=votelibraries
NEW TO NICHE
Hosted on Niche Academy, a learning, training, and development platform for public library staff and managers, the NMSL Professional Development Academy provides dozens of recorded trainings and tutorials focusing on a variety of topics such as basic librarianship skills, library management, community relations, accessibility, and many others. Each month, new recordings and tutorials are added to the NMSL Academy.
Tutorials added in February 2026
Library Development Bureau Presentations
- Learn @ Lunch workshop series: Digital Citizenship and Public Libraries (presentation recording)
Staff Wellness and Support
- Dealing with Burnout at Work
READ THIS NEXT!
Navigating Difficult Situations in Public Libraries: The PLA Guide to Trauma-Informed De-Escalation, by Margaret Ann Paauw (Chicago: ALA Editions, 2025).
A Public Library Association survey of librarians in the United States found that 97.5 of respondents wished that they had access to more resources for navigating difficult situations in libraries. Addressing this need, the book is designed as “an essential guide for librarians looking to create a safe and welcoming environment for patrons from all walks of life,” by providing “practical strategies for de-escalating difficult situations in a trauma-informed way.” The book’s three main parts focus on Understanding Trauma and Mental Health; Foundation and Skill Building; and Aftercare, with the last chapter dedicated to Recognizing the Emotional Impact of Library Work. The Appendices include resources on mental health assistance, crisis intervention, national crisis hotlines, as well as further reading on trauma-informed practices and burnout, compassion fatigue, and moral injury.
The title above is available for check-out or interlibrary loan at the New Mexico State Library. For more library and information science titles, check out NMSL’s recently acquired library and information science collection titles: 2025 – New in Library and Information Science – LibGuides at New Mexico State Library. The El Portal also includes a large selection of Gale OneFile Information Science eBooks and articles.
Happy Reading! Happy Learning!
by Ada Negraru, Continuing Education Coordinator