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.
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
Wednesday, Feb 18 (9 am-1:45 pm MT) Leader Talk: Building the Skills AI Can’t Replace (Training Industry)
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes an integral part of work, learning and development (L&D) leaders are rethinking which skills matter most. While technology enhances efficiency and personalization, success still depends on human capabilities such as adaptability, communication and strategic thinking. The most effective organizations are developing learning strategies that strengthen these skills while embracing AI as a partner in performance. Join this Training Industry Leader Talk to explore how to balance technology-driven learning with human-centered development. Learn how to build programs that prepare employees to work alongside AI, solve complex problems and lead with insight and creativity. https://trainingindustry.com/webinar/
Friday, Feb 27 (8:45 am-5:00 pm CT) Big Talk for Small Libraries
This free one-day online conference is tailored for staff from small libraries – the smaller the better! All of our presenters are from libraries serving fewer than 10,000 people, or are 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! https://nlc.nebraska.gov/scripts/calendar/eventshow.asp?ProgID=25071
PROGRAMS BY TOPIC
ACCESSIBILITY
Feb 12: LibGuide Accessibility Webinar – Part II (Technical Focus) (Library Accessibility Alliance) https://libraryaccessibility.org/events
ADVOCACY
Feb 11: Telling the Library Story: Advocacy Tools for Budget Season (ALA/AASL) https://connect.ala.org/aasl/discussion/free-online-program-telling-the-library-story-advocacy-tools-for-budget-season-february-11-1#bm694f0d84-83fc-4d8a-bcd4-019bfc3985e8
ASSESMENT/PLANNING
Feb 17: 9 Green Flags You’re Ready for Federal Grants (Even If No One’s Ever Told You That Before) (Nonprofit Learning Lab) https://www.nonprofitlearninglab.org/webinars
Feb 18: 12 Golden Rules of Nonprofit Finance (Propel Nonprofits) https://www.propelnonprofits.org/upcoming-trainings/
Feb 24: The Nonprofit Leadership Trifecta: HR, Marketing, and Grant Writing (TechSoup) https://events.techsoup.org/events-at-techsoup/
Feb 25 What’s Up Wednesday – Preparing for Tomorrow: The Benefits of Futures Thinking in Libraries (Indiana State Library) https://continuinged.isl.in.gov/find-training/online-training-series/
Feb 26: Nonprofit Sustainability: Build Strategies That Actually Work (Candid Learning) https://learning.candid.org/page/live-training
BOARDS
Feb 11: Library Trustees and Advocacy (Niche Academy) https://www.nicheacademy.com/upcoming-webinars
Feb 18: Communicating Your Library’s Value and Getting your Board “On Board” to Help! (Nebraska Library Commission) https://nlc.nebraska.gov/scripts/calendar/eventlist.asp?Mode=ALL
CAREERS (Staff)
Feb 3: Pathways and Specialties: Choosing the Right LIS Program (American Libraries) https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/al-live/
Feb 25: Communicate effectively, influence upward, and anticipate leadership needs (Niche Academy) https://www.nicheacademy.com/upcoming-webinars
Feb 25: Influence Is Your Superpower: The Human Advantage Al Still Can’t Automate (Training Magazine Network) https://www.trainingmagnetwork.com/calendar
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT
Feb 3: Green games for green libraries: video games as tools for environmental education (IFLA) https://www.ifla.org/events/?unitid=undefined&location=undefined&month=2&eventyear=2026&sc=1
COMMUNICATION
Feb 25: Day 1: Social Media Boot Camp – Two-Day Webinar Series (Firespring) https://firespring.com/resources/webinars/
Feb 26: Day 2: Social Media Boot Camp – Two-Day Webinar Series (Firespring) https://firespring.com/resources/webinars/
DEVELOPMENT & MANAGING CHANGE
Feb 4: Solving Heavy Problems in Light-Hearted Ways (Georgia Library Association) https://georgialibraryassociation.org/Carterette-Series-Webinars
DIGITAL RESOURCES
Feb 18: Meet FRED(R) from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FDLP) https://www.fdlp.gov/events
FUNDRAISING
Feb 4: 5 Essential Strategies for Planning a Successful Charity Golf Event (Nonprofit Hub) https://nonprofithub.org/webinars-events/
Feb 9: Data-Driven Fundraising: Lessons from 2025 to Power Up 2026 (Nonprofit Learning Lab) https://www.nonprofitlearninglab.org/webinars
Feb 11: Asking Styles: A Revolutionary Concept in Fundraising (CharityHowTo) https://www.charityhowto.com/nonprofit-live-webinars
Feb 18: The Donor Cultivation Playbook: Smarter Touches, Stronger Results (Bloomerang) https://bloomerang.com/webinars-events/
Feb 23: Turning Impact Into Investment: Storytelling that Drives Funding (Nonprofit Learning Lab) https://www.nonprofitlearninglab.org/webinars
Feb 25: Monthly Giving: Your Nonprofit Sustainability Plan (Productive Fundraising) https://productivefundraising.com/event/
Feb 26: Exactly What to Say in the Ask (Blackbaud) https://www.blackbaud.com/events/all-events
LEGAL
Feb 5: Orientation to Legal Research: Federal Legislative History (LOC: Law Library) https://blogs.loc.gov/law/
Feb 17: All About the 990 (TechSoup) https://events.techsoup.org/events-at-techsoup/
LIBRARY SPACES
Feb 9: Inviting emerging adults into the library: Lessons from El Paso’s Centre Future (WebJunction) https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction.html
Feb 19: Info2Go! Libraries as Cooling Centers: Every Library Can Be One! (Idaho Commission for Libraries) https://libraries.idaho.gov/continuing-education/info2go/
MANAGEMENT
Feb 3: Transformational Leadership in the Time of Uncertainty (ASERL) https://www.aserl.org/#webinars
Feb 4: Thriving Amidst Bureaucratic Distress: Tools to Help Everyone Involved (Niche Academy) https://www.nicheacademy.com/upcoming-webinars
Feb 18: DEI, Burnout, and the Case for Compassionate Leadership (GrantStation) https://grantstation.com/product/online-education/view-all-2
Feb 23: Improving Team Motivation (GovLoop) https://www.govloop.com/training/
Feb 26: Creating a Culture of Recognition & Engagement (Training Magazine Network) https://www.trainingmagnetwork.com/calendar
OUTREACH & PARTNERS
Feb 10: The Reading Culture Advantage Webinar Series: Module 6 | Partnering with Families & Caregivers (LibrariesLearn/CSL) https://www.librarieslearn.org/csl-in-session
PROGRAMMING
Feb 4: Homesteading at Your Library (Nebraska Library Commission) https://nlc.nebraska.gov/scripts/calendar/eventlist.asp?Mode=ALL
Feb 4: Unearth A Story this Summer with SciStarter and the Collaborative Summer Library Program (SciStarter) https://scistarter.org/events
Feb 11: What’s Up Wednesday – Story & Strategy: A Library Con (Indiana State Library) https://continuinged.isl.in.gov/find-training/online-training-series/
Feb 17: Acts of Science: Connected Info Session (SciStarter) https://scistarter.org/events
Feb 25: Harnessing community strengths for research and interventions on wildfire smoke in the Yakima Valley of Washington state (NNLM) https://www.nnlm.gov/training/schedule
Feb 26: Intergen at the Library: Programming and Engagement Across Ages (WebJunction) https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction.html
READERS’ ADVISORY
Feb 5: Spring Adult Faves (Booklist) https://www.booklistonline.com/GeneralInfo.aspx?id=63
Feb 9: Certified Swoon Worthy Reads (Booklist) https://www.booklistonline.com/GeneralInfo.aspx?id=63
Feb 12: Amazing Audiobooks (Booklist) https://www.booklistonline.com/GeneralInfo.aspx?id=63
Feb 17: Booklist Spring 2026 Graphic Novels & Manga Preview (Booklist) https://www.booklistonline.com/GeneralInfo.aspx?id=63
Feb 18: The HarperCollins Spring/Summer 2026 Adult Preview (Library Journal) https://www.libraryjournal.com/section/events
Feb 19: MacKids School & Library Spring 2026 Preview (Booklist) https://www.booklistonline.com/GeneralInfo.aspx?id=63
REFERENCE
Feb 10: Chronicling America for Historical Research (Library of Congress) https://www.loc.gov/events/
Feb 11: Cosmic Pioneers: Discovering Galaxies Together (SciStarter) https://scistarter.org/events
Feb 12: An Introduction to Congress.gov Webinar (LOC: Law Library) https://blogs.loc.gov/law/
SCHOOL LIBRARIES
Feb 10: Future-Ready Classrooms: Innovating Early Learning with Digital Tools, AI, and Data-Informed Instruction (edWeb) https://home.edweb.net/webinars/
Feb 11: Beyond Behavior: Understanding Attention-Seeking in Young Children (Early Childhood Investigations) https://earlychildhoodwebinars.com/webinar
Feb 11: A Math Education Game Changer: Assessing What Really Counts (edWeb) https://home.edweb.net/webinars/
Feb 12: The Science of Reading is Necessary but Insufficient: Enter the Three-Sciences Framework (edWeb) https://home.edweb.net/webinars/
Feb 17: The New Instruction Librarian Live: Real Problems, Real Solutions (ASERL) https://www.aserl.org/#webinars
Feb 19: Support Student Well-Being Through Focused Learning and Meaningful Human Connection (edWeb) https://home.edweb.net/webinars/
Feb 25: Innovation in Action – Libraries that Power Digital Learning – Future Ready Librarians Webinar Series (All4Ed) https://all4ed.org/activity/2026-future-ready-librarians-webinar-series/
Feb 26: The Reading Culture Advantage Webinar Series: Module 7 | Cracking the Code on Reader Engagement (LibrariesLearn/CSL) https://www.librarieslearn.org/csl-in-session
TECHNOLOGY
Feb 3: Leveraging AI to Streamline Operations for Nonprofits (TechSoup) https://events.techsoup.org/events-at-techsoup/
Feb 5: Monthly Giving: Your Nonprofit Sustainability Plan (PACER Center) https://www.pacer.org/workshops/
Feb 10: AI Applications and Safeguards for the Future-Forward Finance Office (Blackbaud) https://www.blackbaud.com/events/all-events
Feb 10: Hope in the Library: How Libraries Can Help Shape Our Future with Artificial Intelligence (ASERL) https://www.aserl.org/#webinars
Feb 27: Acts of Science: Connected Info Session (ProQuest/Clarivate) https://about.proquest.com/en/events/events/
TRAINING & INSTRUCTIONS
Feb 4: 3 Small Actions for Big Virtual Engagement (Training Magazine Network) https://www.trainingmagnetwork.com/calendar
AT YOUR LEISURE
Pre-recorded webinars to view at your convenience
Flip the Script on Donor Loss: The Strategic Shift Every Fundraiser Needs (Bloomerang)
This session introduces rolling retention metrics, a proactive approach that provides real-time visibility into donor behavior. Attendees will learn to calculate their current retention standing against national averages and implement a rolling retention strategy for 2026. Visit: https://bloomerang.com/webinars-events/
Programming for Inclusion: Disability Outreach and Native Representation with Support from the Peggy Barber Tribute Grant
In this webinar, learn how past winners of the Peggy Barber Tribute Grant used the funds to create innovative and exciting programs for their libraries. Through the grant, the Brookings Public Library created the VisABILITY Initiative, which offered programming focused on disability outreach and education. The BPL began by offering accessible programming that encouraged community members with disabilities to engage with the Library. The educational phase, aimed toward Brookings residents as a whole, worked to bring awareness to disability issues and bring the voices of those with disabilities to the forefront. Through partnerships, events, and connections with area resources, this 2-year initiative set a precedent for disability programming and relations at the BPL. Visit: https://programminglibrarian.org/learn/programming-inclusion-disability-outreach-and-native-representation-support-peggy-barber
Training Frontline Staff to Deal with Book Challenges Effectively (ALA/ALSC)
In 2022, the American Library Association recorded 1,269 demands to censor books, the highest number of attempted bans since tracking began more than 20 years ago. Unfortunately, children’s materials highlighting marginalized groups rank high among these attempts. In this webinar, members of the ALSC Managing Children’s Services Committee will discuss ways to ensure your frontline staff is ready to meet a challenge, and you will learn training tips to prepare your team when a challenge arises. Visit: https://elearning.ala.org/local/catalog/view/product.php?productid=983
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 January 2026
Library Development Bureau Presentations
- Learn @ Lunch (new workshop series)
- How to Work with Library Volunteers (presentation recording)
- 5-Actions Program (presentation recording)
Intellectual Freedom (new category)
- Fighting for the First
- Understanding Intellectual Freedom and Censorship
- Library Boards and Intellectual Freedom
Library Foundational Training (LiFT)
- The Reference Interview – free WebJunction account needed to complete the self-paced course
Library Safety
- Library Security Solutions
Leadership and Management
- Working Well with Your Team: How to Manage Your Staff
READ THIS NEXT!
This month’s book recommendation is Winning Grants: A How-to-Do-It Manual for Libraries (3rd edition) by Stephanie K. Gerding; foreword by Patricia “Patty: Wong (Chicago: ALA Neal-Schuman, 2024). Written as “a playbook for [library] grant design” (Patricia Wong, Foreword), the latest edition of Winning Grants will serve all types and sizes of libraries applying to private, community, corporate and other kinds grant opportunities. Big and small libraries, academic, public, and non-profit can all benefit from this step-by-step guide to the grant process cycle, as well as examples of success stories and customizable worksheets and checklists. The author also maintains a blog site with current funding opportunities. For those seeking and applying for library grants in the very competitive world of funding sources, Winning Grants is an essential tool.
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