This month's list of free webinars brings a wealth of learning opportunities for library staff, trustees and friends. From communication to fundraising, and from boards to programming, this list is sure to bring you new insights and inspiration. Remember that most of these offerings are recorded, so know you can revisit when you have the time. The list, provided by the Maine State Library, includes over 50 webinars and an early October online conference, covering 20 different topic areas.

View and subscribe to the Maine State Library Continuing Education (CE) Calendar at: https://maine-msl.libguides.com/CECAL where events are now posted using... Read more

Libraries are creating their own outdoor games and interactive stories featuring local history, landmarks, and voices. These playful activities, often made by library staff, include texting with a mural, an audio tour by a Black feminist historian, a ghost scavenger hunt, and an “I spy” quest for architecture and culture. The creations are proudly low-tech. The larger approach is part of the national project, Engaging Beyond Our Walls (EBOW), and reveals new ways for libraries to connect with their community.

So far, more than 50 towns and cities have jumped in to create experiences, often with free templates and training from the... Read more

Everybody loves a Library of Things. Stories about these popular lending libraries are popping up all over mainstream and social media. Community members are heading to their local library branch to borrow everything from cookware and tools to prom dresses, plants, bikes, and more. Lending libraries offer community members the chance to share resources and minimize environmental impact, access items they might not be able to afford, try out a new skill or hobby, and build connection with others while promoting a sharing economy. Whether your library is considering starting a brand-new lending library, or you’re looking for ideas and... Read more

Employee burnout is rising at an alarming rate across many fields. In libraries, staff often face added unique challenges that contribute to workplace pressure and make the need for support even more pressing. To respond to these increased demands, WebJunction created From Burnout to Balance, a self-paced course that can help learners identify burnout causes, manage stress, and boost emotional resilience. 

The World Health Organization defines burnout as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” Common signs of burnout include low morale, anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, and physical symptoms such as exhaustion, headaches,... Read more