Check out the Professional Development Calendar for more information and to register for the following FREE online professional development opportunities.
NOTE: until we can get the calendars synced, the calendar will show Maine State Library (MSL). MSL is the host for the national professional development calendar.
NEW! READ THIS NEXT! Starting in January 2025, in addition to the calendar of professional development webinars, Read This Next! will highlight one recent reading (print book, eBook or journal article published within the last five years) focusing on the librarianship profession. See this month’s reading selection in the “At Your Leisure” section following the online professional development calendar.
PROGRAMS BY TOPIC
ACCESSIBILITY
Feb 6: Accessible Publishing at the University of Michigan Press (Library Accessibility Alliance)
Feb 19: Brief, but Descriptive: Writing Effective Alt Text (Niche Academy)
ASSESSMENT/PLANNING
Feb 6: Does Your Library Need a Strategist? (ASERL)
Feb 11: Grantseeking Strategies for Small Teams: Achieving Success with Limited Resources (TechSoup)
Feb 11: Transforming Business Models (Propel Nonprofits)
Feb 19: Strategic Financial Planning: Turning Your Board Goals and Budget into an Action Plan (NLL)
Feb 20: The Next Step in Grants: Effective Post-Award Management (GovLoop)
Feb 24: From Insight to Action: Using Public Library Data for Decision-Making, Strategic Planning, and Advocacy (RIPL)
Feb 27: Ask me anything: Finance playbook for nonprofits (Candid Learning)
BOARDS
Feb 3: How to Get Your Board to Invest in Fundraising Tech (Nonprofit Learning Lab)
CAREERS (Staff)
Feb 10: The Research Data Services Landscape: How Do You Start and Where Does Your Library Fit In? (NNLM)
Feb 18: Strategies for Success for Neurodiverse librarians (Colorado State Library)
Feb 19: Branching 101: A Beginner’s Guide to eLearning Customization (Training Magazine Network)
CHILDREN & TEENS
Feb 6: Empowering teens: Enhancing information literacy through games and interactive programming (WebJunction)
Feb 25: Talking Teen Services: Working with Teen Volunteers Panel (Colorado State Library)
COMMUNICATION
Feb 5: Fostering Healthy Communication in Your Library (Nebraska Library Commission)
Feb 10: Unlocking the Power of Visual Storytelling for Impactful Communication (Nonprofit Learning Lab)
Feb 12: “Sorry, I Don’t Speak Librarian: Finding Your Voice and Writing for Your Audience” (Indiana State Library)
DEVELOPMENT & MANAGING CHANGE
Feb 13: Cultivating Empathy, Trust, and Optimism: Strategies for Motivating Demotivated Library Teams (Colorado State Library)
Feb 26: Turn strategy into action with Theory of Change (WebJunction)
DIGITAL RESOURCES
Feb 12: Where do we go from here? Tools for Finding and Sharing Data (NNLM)
Feb 19: Enhancing Earth and Space Science Research with the Science Explorer (FDLP)
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION
Feb 12: Sustaining K-12 DEI Initiatives in a Changing Landscape: Tips, Tools, and Strategies (edWeb)
Feb 12: Tools for Overcoming Rejection and Social Exclusion at Work (Niche Academy)
Feb 27: Building Inclusive Organizations and Demonstrating Impact in Libraries (ASERL)
FUNDRAISING
Feb 5: Asking Styles: A Revolutionary Concept in Fundraising (CharityHowTo)
Feb 18: Creating a Full-Funnel Fundraising Strategy (TechSoup)
Feb 27: Monthly Giving: Your Nonprofit Sustainability Plan (Productive Fundraising)
Feb 27: The Human Side of Fundraising Webinar Series | Session I: The Heart of Fundraising – Building Genuine Relationships (Blackbaud)
LIBRARY SPACES
Feb 25: Info2Go! Moving a Library? Tips, Tricks, and Lessons Learned (Idaho Commission for Libraries)
MANAGEMENT
Feb 5: AL Live: Adapting, Transforming, and Maximizing Your Community College Library (American Libraries)
Feb 5: Staff Matters: The 4 Most Overlooked Secrets to Every Leader’s Success (Training Magazine Network)
Feb 6: Siloed No More: Creating a Library System Map to Show Interconnectedness (Fast Forward Libraries)
Feb 13: Leading Change: How Leaders Can Be Agents of Change (Training Magazine Network)
Feb 19: Elevating Others: Unlocking Your Team’s Full Potential (ASERL)
Feb 20: Celebrate National Library Lovers Month with TechSoup! (TechSoup)
Feb 24: Active Listening: What It Is & How to Do It (GovLoop)
OUTREACH & PARTNERS
Feb 5: Building Community Partnerships and Inclusive Opportunities (Programming Librarian)
PROGRAMMING
Feb 4: Color Our World with Citizen Science: From Space to Sea (STAR Net)
Feb 10: Getting Started with Citizen Science Kits at Your Library (NNLM)
READERS’ ADVISORY
Feb 11: Books that are Buzzing for Spring (Library Journal)
Feb 11: Inclusive Shelves: Titles to Help Curate Your Collection (Booklist)
Feb 27: Graphic Novels for Adults and Young Adults (Booklist)
REFERENCE
Feb 11: The Homeland Security Digital Library: Keeping at the Forefront (FDLP)
SCHOOL LIBRARIES
Feb 4: 3 Simple Steps for Teachers to Meet Every Learner’s Needs (edWeb)
Feb 6: Supporting Newcomers: Building Bridges Between Classroom and Home (edWeb)
Feb 13: DLDay Live Broadcast! (All4Ed)
Feb 18: Build an Amazing Virtual Library (Demco)
Feb 20: MacKids School & Library Spring 2025 Preview Event (Booklist)
TECHNOLOGY
Feb 5: Simplifying E-Rate Funding for Mobile Hotspots and Library Bookmobile Wi-Fi (Niche Academy)
Feb 26: Boost your Nonprofit’s Cybersecurity: 10 Expert Tips for Safeguarding Your Organization (Firespring)
Feb 26: Pretty Sweet Tech: AI and Social-Emotional Learning for Early Childhood (Nebraska Library Commission)
VOLUNTEERS
Feb 6: The Volunteer Management Lifecycle: Refresh or Reboot? (Charity Village)
Feb 25: Nonprofit leaders speak on mastering high-impact volunteer engagement (Candid Learning)
ONLINE CONFERENCE
Friday, Feb 28 (9:45 am – 6pm) Big Talk From Small Libraries 2025 (Nebraska Library Commission)
This free one-day online conference is tailored for staff from small libraries – the smaller the better! Each of our speakers is from a library serving fewer than 10,000 people, or is directly partnered with a small library and co-presenting with the library. Topics range from technology to programming to new roles for the library. This event is a great opportunity to learn about the innovative things your colleagues are doing in their small libraries. Everyone is welcome to register and attend, regardless of how big or small your library. But, if your library serves a few hundred to a few thousand people, this is the day for you!
For more information and to register, visit: https://nlc.nebraska.gov/scripts/calendar/eventlist.asp?Mode=ALL
AT YOUR LEISURE/PRE-RECORDED WEBINARS TO VIEW AT YOUR CONVENIENCE
A librarian’s case against overdue book fines (TEDTalk) – Libraries have the power to create a better world; they connect communities, promote literacy and spark lifelong learners. But there’s one thing that keeps people away: the fear of overdue book fines. In this thought-provoking talk, librarian Dawn Wacek makes the case that fines don’t actually do what we think they do. What if your library just … stopped asking for them altogether? Visit: https://www.ted.com/talks/dawn_wacek_a_librarian_s_case_against_overdue_book_fines
Best Practices for Hybrid Programming (Programming Librarian) – Using lessons learned from more than four years of hybrid programming at a research institution, Alyssa Denneler, assistant librarian at Indiana University Bloomington, will discuss do’s and don’ts for conducting events in the campus and local community. Of particular note are considerations for planning your event, post-event documentation and wrap-up, and ensuring you have the tools you need to confidently host a valuable event for all involved. Visit: https://programminglibrarian.org/learn/best-practices-hybrid-programming
E-rate Unlocked: Strategies for Library Directors and Business Offices (EveryLibrary Institute) – Dive into a comprehensive understanding of E-rate’s technological and financial impacts, harness the strength of unified collaboration, and sharpen your strategic foresight. With evolving compliance challenges and the pressing need to maximize funding, this webinar is your essential guide to confidently securing your library’s digital future. E-rate benefits libraries by enhancing technology access, expanding their roles in the community, and providing patrons with essential digital tools and internet access. It also assists in alleviating budget constraints, allowing for service improvements. Visit: https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/erate_unlocked_strategies_for_library_directors_and_business_offices
READ THIS NEXT!
In addition to the calendar of professional development webinars, Read This Next! highlights one recent reading (print book, eBook or journal article published within the last five years) focusing on the librarianship profession.
This month’s recommended reading is Library 2035: Imagining the Next Generation of Libraries. Edited by Sandra Hirsh (Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2024).
Why read this book? In a fast-changing world, which sees AI bring in several innovations a day, Library 2035 boldly “aims to forecast the landscape, services, community, profession, and future of the libraries over the next decade.” (p.1). The book’s 25 chapters are divided into six parts: Landscape; Community; Equity and Inclusion; Organizations; Library Workers; and Vision. The topics include, among others, predictions about the future of technology, sustainable libraries, the impact of libraries in the global community, the library jobs of the future, librarians’ wellness, and how to adapt to change. A webcast series accompanies the book and is available online.
This title is part of NMSL’s Library and Information Science collection. Check out other recent acquisitions in that collection: 2025 – New in Library and Information Science – LibGuides at New Mexico State Library
Happy Reading!