Skills for Community-Centered Libraries Curriculum Available
Like many libraries across the nation, the Free Library of Philadelphia is undergoing a paradigm shift. Increasingly, our focus is not only on extensive collections but on how we are engaging with our communities. To address this shift, the Free Library created the Skills for Community-Centered Libraries curriculum.
The Skills for Community-Centered Libraries curriculum is available for free so that all libraries can access and implement it with their own staff. The curriculum is designed to provide participants the opportunity to reflect on the work they do and create small shifts in their professional practices and mindset toward a common goal of engagement... Read more
Working with Historical Collections during a Contemporary Crisis
As archivist for the Indiana Historical Society, Maire Gurevitz’s role is twofold: unraveling the stories hidden in new and existing collections and helping researchers investigate their own mysteries. COVID-19 presented a new challenge, but one that the Library & Archives team at the Historical Society tackled with the same determination. We talked with Maire about adapting to the limitations of the pandemic and the opportunities it presented for her institution and the field as a whole.
When asked, about what she has learned that could be helpful to other libraries and museums, Gurevitz shared, "I hope this experience has taught... Read more
Mobile Library Law Center Launches
As the Lawyer in the Library program continued its expansion throughout Maryland, it received a big boost in August 2021 when Baltimore County Public Library debuted its Mobile Library Law Center. "We are proud to be the first library system in the country to own and operate a mobile legal vehicle, servicing those who don’t have access to legal help," said Baltimore County Public Library Director, Sonia Alcántara-Antoine. The unit will travel twice a week to underserved areas on the east and west sides of Baltimore County, serving as a mobile legal office. Lawyers from Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) will... Read more
What We Learned from You: Satisfaction Survey Results
This summer, we asked WebJunction learners to complete a satisfaction survey to help us better understand how WebJunction is meeting your needs, what you need going forward, and where we could improve.
Over 1,900 members of the WebJunction community—which includes anyone who took a course in the WebJunction Course Catalog, attended a webinar, or subscribes to our newsletter—took the time to provide feedback, and for that we are very grateful! Knowing what's working and what could be improved helps us immensely to adjust and make your WebJunction experience even better.
Free September Webinars for Library Staff
It must be back-to-school time, because this month's list of free webinars is robust and relevant! Join the spirit of learning at your library and make some time for staff development. This month's list includes 75 free webinars and 4 online conferences covering 21 topic areas. Thank you to the Wyoming State Library for collecting this list of learning opportunities! It's updated monthly on the Free Training page, where you can also view the offerings by topic.
For additional training, check out the WebJunction Catalog, free and open to library staff and volunteers everywhere.
COVID-19 Resources
REopening Archives, Libraries and Museums (REALM), research partnership
Libraries and Museums as Vaccination Sites
Library Storytimes during COVID-19, Part 1 and Part 2
Recent Social Library Editions, highlighting how libraries are responding to COVID-19
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Upcoming Webinars
28 September 2021
International Pandemic Perspectives: Problem-Solving in Times of Crisis
Library, archive, and museum colleagues from across the globe discuss the innovative changes they've made and will be continuing in their fields.
19 October 2021
Public Libraries and Public Health: Partners for Community Health
Join this webinar for an introduction to public health, and hear how public health practitioners and library staff are partnering for success.