This month's list of free webinars continues the flow of learning opportunities for library staff, trustees, and friends. From boards to technology, and from communication to outreach, this list brings opportunities for new inspiration to apply to practice. Remember that most of these offerings are recorded, so you can revisit when you have the time. The list, provided by the Maine State Library, includes over 40 webinars and an online conference, covering 17 different topic areas.

View and subscribe to the Maine State Library Continuing Education (CE) Calendar at: https://maine-msl.libguides.com/CECAL.

Do you have a free program that you would like... Read more

Serving on a library board is a terrific way to contribute to the library and the community. The role also comes with significant responsibilities, and many board members, also called trustees, will benefit from training. This compilation of resources includes materials and handbooks from state libraries, webinars and articles from WebJunction, and tips from organizations, such as United for Libraries.

A successful library board is no accident and requires cultivation and commitment. Taking the steps to be prepared with resources, activities, and training will help ensure the board is ready to serve the library and the community well. 

Adults can address a range of pressing issues when and if they have the ability to access and understand scientific information that is meaningful to them, their families, and communities. This includes health concerns such as the COVID-19 pandemic, lead in drinking water, food insecurity, and environmental impacts including climate change and energy security. These are all issues that disproportionately affect the most vulnerable, underserved populations (Grusky, et al 2017; Chetty et al 2019). Library directors, and their staff, often find themselves with opportunities and even clear calls to action to support the community in accessing information resources related to... Read more

At the risk of stating the obvious, training and continuing education is critical to ensuring staff are prepared for the work they are expected to do, and essential for staff to stay engaged in the organization and their role in it.   

As the rate of change continues to accelerate, it is sometimes difficult to decide what to prioritize for training and development—much less find the time to schedule and conduct it. But learning isn’t just another task to complete, it’s a fundamental part of building an engaged, resilient workforce. Find the time, and start somewhere, even if it’s small.