This Social Library special edition highlights libraries who use Facebook to thank staff and volunteers for their great work. Recognizing members of your library team on social media provides a great way for the public to thank them as well. Examples include staff in t-shirts provided by an anonymous donor, and a creative closure announcement for staff training. And don't forget to use social media to recognize and thank your Friends group during National Friends of Libraries Week, October 21-27! If you'd like to see your library featured in an upcoming edition, please let us know via social@webjunction.org or find... Read more

Introverts around the world will relate to Adult Services Librarian, Elizabeth Koenig's inspiration for starting an arts and crafts program for adults at her library. "'I'd done various art parties in my home for friends and had found I really preferred them to the more awkward (for me) sit-down dinner parties."

Her in-home art parties were so well received among her friends that she pitched the idea to her supervisor as a program at the Everett Public Library in Washington state. Koenig launched the monthly program, called Create @ the Library, in 2014 when she was the children’s liaison looking... Read more

October brings a wealth of online opportunities for library staff, trustees and friends, provided by library and non-profit organizations commited to meeting your learning needs. From STEAM to storytimes, and from digital literacy to equity, this list is sure to bring you new insights and inspiration.This list of over 80 free webinars and day-long online events covering 23 categories was collected by the Wyoming State Library. It's updated monthly on the Free Training page, where you can also view the offerings by category.

For additional training, check out the WebJunction Catalog, free and open to library staff and volunteers everywhere.... Read more

Children today need to be prepared for living in a digital, media-smart world and youth librarians are in a great position to effectively serve this need. Since digital technologies and online behaviors evolve so rapidly however, many librarians need professional development to advance their own digital and media literacy skills to better support their young patrons’ development as critical thinkers and producers of digital media. A new series of continuing education modules can help you develop the skills you need to become a media smart library.