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, Sept 10 (11 am-2:30pm) Learning Tech Showcase (Training Industry)
Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming the learning landscape in this Training Industry Learning Tech Showcase. Watch real-time demos of AI solutions that adapt training experiences, support learner growth and surface data-driven insights to improve performance. Engage with product experts during interactive Q&A sessions to explore practical ways AI can enhance your learning ecosystem. Whether you’re just starting to explore AI or looking to elevate your current strategy, this is your opportunity to reimagine what’s possible in modern training. For more information and to register, visit: https://trainingindustry.com/webinar/
Thursday, Sept 18 (all day) Open Books, Open Minds 2025 (School Library Journal & Library Journal)
We are excited to bring back the successful virtual event Open Books, Open Minds A Celebration of Reading & Literacy. A co-production of SLJ, LJ, and The Horn Book, this day-long event will convene authors, teachers, librarians, literacy experts, and other education leaders as well as product and services providers to elevate the love of reading and celebrate the process of fostering engaged reading environments. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.slj.com/section/events?eventtype=virtualEvents
PROGRAMS BY TOPIC
ACCESSIBILITY
Sept 4: Accessible Content from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (FDLP) https://www.fdlp.gov/events
Sept 16: Getting started with assistive technology (PACER Center) https://www.pacer.org/workshops/
Sept 17: Increasing Pathways to Career Development Through Inclusive and Accessible Processes (Candid Learning) https://learning.candid.org/page/course-catalog#format_webinar
ADVOCACY
Sept 15: Leveraging Library Data to Advocate Value (ASERL) https://www.aserl.org/#webinars
Sept 17: The Neuroscience of Customer Testimonials (Training Magazine Network) https://www.trainingmagnetwork.com/calendar
ASSESMENT/PLANNING
Sept 4: Put Your Power on the Page: Showcasing Strengths to Win Grants (TechSoup) https://events.techsoup.org/techsoup-events-and-webinars/
Sept 16: 10 Tips and Tricks for a Successful Grant Seeking Strategy (CharityHowTo) https://www.charityhowto.com/nonprofit-live-webinars
Sept 17: Using Grant-Funded Projects to Attract New Partners and Funders (Public Library Association-ALA) https://www.ala.org/pla/education/onlinelearning/webinars
Sept 23: Blueprint for Community Change: Strategic Planning Made Easy (Alliance Research & Training) https://allianceresearchco.org/
Sept 24: Sustaining Revenue and Navigating Tariff Impacts in the U.S. – A Practical Guide for Nonprofits (Nonprofit Learning Lab) https://www.nonprofitlearninglab.org/webinars
Sept 25: Evolving Staff Roles, Policies, and Practices: Results from PLA’s 2024 Annual Survey (Public Library Association-ALA) https://www.ala.org/pla/education/onlinelearning/webinars
Sept 25: From Confusion to Clarity: Strengthening Financial Oversight in Nonprofits (Charity Village) https://resources.charityvillage.com/learning-centre/webinars/
Sept 30: Strategic Technology Planning for Nonprofits (TechSoup) https://events.techsoup.org/techsoup-events-and-webinars/
BOARDS
Sept 4: Boards in Times of Uncertainty (Propel Nonprofits) https://www.propelnonprofits.org/upcoming-trainings/
Sept 18: Ask Me Anything: All about Nonprofit Boards (Candid Learning) https://learning.candid.org/page/course-catalog#format_webinar
CAREERS (Staff)
Sept 25: Share Knowledge, Ideas, Learning, and Library Solutions! (Nebraska Library Commission) https://nlc.nebraska.gov/scripts/calendar/eventlist.asp?Mode=ALL
Sept 30: How to Manage Yourself (GovLoop) https://www.govloop.com/training/
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT
Sept 9: Must-Add Middle Grade (Booklist) https://www.booklistonline.com/GeneralInfo.aspx?id=63
Sept 15: Pura Belpré Picture Book Celebration! (Booklist) https://www.booklistonline.com/GeneralInfo.aspx?id=63
Sept 17: Trials and Tribulations: Introducing the New Jersey State Library’s Efforts to Digitize Historic Court Documents (FDLP) https://www.fdlp.gov/events
COMMUNICATION
Sept 23: Elevate Your Visibility: Instagram, AI, and the Future of SEO (TechSoup) https://events.techsoup.org/techsoup-events-and-webinars/
DEVELOPMENT & MANAGING CHANGE
Sept 18: It’s All About Culture: Strategic Plan Implementation and Addressing Power, Fear, and Trust (Fast Forward Libraries) https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kqn2c0Z9R2yeyllatr_ZgA#/registration
Sept 23: Unraveling Legacy Toxicity: Navigating Dysfunctional Environments in Leadership (Colorado State Library) https://www.librarieslearn.org/csl-in-session
DIGITAL RESOURCES
Sept 3: Controlled Digital Lending: Risks and Rewards (Georgia Library Association) https://georgialibraryassociation.org/Carterette-Series-Webinars
Sept 8: Comparing the Tools: A Panel on Library Publishing Platforms (ASERL) https://www.aserl.org/events/
FUNDRAISING
Sept 3: Write It, Amplify It, Fund It: Hands-On Storytelling and AI Hacks for Year-End Success (Nonprofit Hub) https://nonprofithub.org/webinars-events/
Sept 3: Digital Fundraising Strategies and Tactics for Success (Firespring) https://firespring.com/resources/
Sept 4: No more waiting: How to fundraise faster, braver, and smarter (Bloomerang) https://bloomerang.co/webinars-events/
Sept 9: Digital Fundraising and AI for Nonprofits: An Inflection Point (Blackbaud) https://www.blackbaud.com/events/webinars
Sept 9: Fundraising Life Hacks: Fitting It All in When You’re Wearing Too Many Hats (CharityHowTo) https://www.charityhowto.com/nonprofit-live-webinars
Sept 23: Craft End-of-Year Email Campaigns That Actually Convert (Blackbaud) https://www.blackbaud.com/events/webinars
Sept 30: How to Keep All Those Donors You Worked So Hard to Get (Productive Fundraising) https://productivefundraising.com/event/
LIBRARY SPACES
Sept 10: Disaster Planning. Realities of Response and Recovery (Network of the National Library of Medicine) https://www.nnlm.gov/training
MANAGEMENT
Sept 8: Getting Ahead of the Curve: How to Develop a Practical AI Policy for Your Nonprofit (Nonprofit Learning Lab) https://www.nonprofitlearninglab.org/webinars
Sept 10: Agility in the Fog (Niche Academy) https://www.nicheacademy.com/upcoming-webinars
Sept 11: Overcoming Your Biggest Leadership Challenges (Training Magazine Network) https://www.trainingmagnetwork.com/calendar
Sept 29: Tips for Effective 1:1 Meetings (GovLoop) https://www.govloop.com/training/
Sept 30: Meaningful library gatherings: Bringing purpose to every meeting and event (WebJunction) https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction.html
REFERENCE
Sept 16: Silver Secrets: Practical Preservation for Small and Mid-Sized Collections (Connecting to Collections) https://connectingtocollections.org/webinars/
Sept 17: Research Impact & Intelligence Services: Providing Expertise (ACRL/Choice360) https://www.choice360.org/media/webinars/
Sept 25: Leverage documentary film to inspire inquiry, deepen discourse, and drive interdisciplinary learning (ProQuest-Clarivate) https://about.proquest.com/en/events/events/
SCHOOL LIBRARIES
Sept 3: Investing in Student Wellness: Attendance Gains, Behavior Breakthroughs, and the Telehealth ROI (edWeb) https://home.edweb.net/webinars/
Sept 9: Wellness First: Back-to-School Strategies for School Librarians (ALA/AASL) https://www.ala.org/aasl/about/gathering
Sept 16: 10 Strategies to Strengthen Family Engagement: From Intention to Action (edWeb) https://home.edweb.net/webinars/
Sept 17: Shaping the Future of K-12 Education with AI (Follett) https://www.follettcommunity.com/s/webinars
Sept 18: Climbing the Engagement Ladder in Math: From Passive Participation to Powerful Collaboration (edWeb) https://home.edweb.net/webinars/
Sept 24: Inspire Learning with the Library of Congress! (FDLP) https://www.fdlp.gov/events
TECHNOLOGY
Sept 3: What is E-rate? How can my library benefit from E-rate? How do I apply for E-rate? (Nebraska Library Commission) https://nlc.nebraska.gov/scripts/calendar/eventlist.asp?Mode=ALL
Sept 8: eLearning’s AI Tightrope: Real Stories From Those Who Walked It (and Stuck the Landing) (Training Industry) https://trainingindustry.com/webinar/
Sept 10: What’s Up Wednesday: AI for Librarians: Saving Time and Boosting Efficiency (Indiana
State Library) https://continuinged.isl.in.gov/find-training/online-training-series/
Sept 10: Super Searchers and Meet LEO (Public Library Association-ALA) https://www.ala.org/pla/education/onlinelearning/webinars
Sept 16: Linked data for public libraries: An introduction (WebJunction) https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction.html
Sept 22: Academic AI Meets Special Collections: Real Stories, Real Impact (Library Journal) https://www.libraryjournal.com/section/events
Sept 23: Why Aren’t My Google Ad Grants Ads Working?! Fixes, Tips, and Insights (Nonprofit Learning Lab)
Sept 23: Human & Artificial Intelligence in the Library: Supporting Critical Thinking and Research (All4Ed) https://all4ed.org/activity/2025-future-ready-librarians-webinar-series/
Sept 24: Pretty Sweet Tech (Nebraska Library Commission) https://nlc.nebraska.gov/scripts/calendar/eventlist.asp?Mode=ALL
Sept 24: GenAI in Higher Ed: Adoption and Literacy Education Approaches & Challenges (ARCL/Choice 360) https://www.choice360.org/media/webinars/
Sept 24: Open Educational Resources (OER) in Higher Education: A Fresh Look at the Basics (Niche Academy) https://www.nicheacademy.com/upcoming-webinars
TRAINING & INSTRUCTIONS
Sept 2: What We Get Wrong About Presentations and How to Fix It (Training Magazine Network) https://www.trainingmagnetwork.com/calendar
Sept 3: Use Who You Have: Building a Library Training Program with Your Existing Staff (Niche Academy) https://www.nicheacademy.com/upcoming-webinars
Sept 29: Lead with Empathy: Connecting Equity and Emotional Safety in the Workplace (Nonprofit Learning Lab) https://www.nonprofitlearninglab.org/webinars
AT YOUR LEISURE
Pre-recorded webinars to view at your convenience
Finding Power in Purpose: A Library Professional’s Framework for Change (SirisiDynix)During our free, 30-minute session, you will: Zero in on FindMojo and their unique approach to workplace engagement; Discover research-backed techniques that center intrinsic motivation and individual joy; Learn how to effectively implement these strategies and introduce them to peers. Fuel your passion and bring meaningful change to your workday and your community. Visit: https://www.sirsidynix.com/events/
Preparing for Program Challenges at your Public Library (Programming Librarian)Are you unsure how to handle a program challenge in your library? Do you worry about having the right policies and procedures in place? Two public library directors will share their personal experiences with intellectual freedom challenges of programs. Learn best practices and strategies for supporting staff, board, and community members through program challenges. Resources to assist in responding to challenges and crafting appropriate policies, procedures, and training will be provided. Visit: https://programminglibrarian.org/learn/preparing-program-challenges-your-public-library
Reaching Across the Aisle for Library Funding and Other Initiatives (EveryLibrary Institute)For libraries and other organizations looking for financial and political support, influence begins with empathy. Do you know the other person’s priorities? How your political opponents find the information that guides their decisions? What misunderstandings they might have about your positions? And, most importantly, what mistakes might you have been making when communicating your values and advocating for your causes? Topics include the concept of listening with a “clean heart and fresh eyes,” the 75% rule, why emotions can be more important than facts, questions that elicit information, building trust and respect, turning enemies into allies, and how the Discovery Model might change your opinions as well. Visit: https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/reachingacrosstheaisle
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.
Categories and Tutorials added in August 2025
LIBRARY FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING (LiFT) – The Collection Management series
- Developed by the Idaho Commission for Libraries in partnership with WebJunction and using an IMLS grant, this series of trainings will gradually replace the ABLE (Alternative Basic Library Education) courses. Please note that a WebJunction account (free) is needed to access the courses)
Note: While the Niche Academy trainings are available for free to New Mexico public library managers and staff through the New Mexico State Library subscription, an account is needed to access the content. Some of the tutorials require additional approval prior to watching. For more information, please contact Ada Negraru, Continuing Education Coordinator: ada.negraru@dca.nm.gov
READ THIS NEXT!
In addition to the calendar of professional development webinars, Read This Next! highlights one recent reading (print book, eBook, journal article or blog post published within the last five years) focusing on the librarianship profession.
September is National Preparedness Month. Emergency Preparedness for Libraries, by Julia Todaro walks the readers through several types of disaster planning and response scenarios specific to libraries in the twenty-first century. Whether caused by natural calamities or human accidental or intentional actions, no emergency is ever welcome. However, good preparedness such as creating and frequently updating response plans, training and documentation can mitigate the impact that these events have on library patrons, staff and buildings. The book serves as a handy guide to different types of emergencies ranging from storms and floods to vandalism and active shooter situations. It covers different types of scenarios and recommended planning prior to the events and responses during and following the emergencies. It also includes sample trainings and documentation that library directors and staff can use to plan for disasters long before they occur.
Julie Tadaro. Emergency preparedness for libraries (London: Bernan Press, 2020).
Free eBook access to this title through New Mexico Reads, a statewide eBook and eAudio service, which features titles highlighting New Mexico authors and topics. The platform also includes a selection of Library and Information Science works. Access the platform through the New Mexico State Library’s website or directly: https://nmreads.boundless.baker-taylor.com/ng/view/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
Happy Reading! Happy Learning!