OCLC, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Battelle are conducting research on how long the COVID-19 virus survives on materials that are prevalent in libraries, archives, and museums. The project will draw upon the research to produce authoritative, science-based information on how—or if— materials can be handled to mitigate exposure to staff and visitors.

It can be a challenge to remain up to date in our ever-changing, always-demanding library positions. It's a good thing, then, that library staff tend to be lifelong learners, and just as good that there are more free training opportunities available out there than ever before. This month brings 95 webinars and one online conference, covering 23 topic areas to explore. 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... Read more

The Denver Public Library has prioritized research and learning related to racial equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and recently hosted the Advancing Racial Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Symposium. This was a dynamic and engaging 3-day online gathering with diverse voices committed to prioritizing how libraries, and other organizations, can look at how they are advancing racial equity and inclusion in the workplace.
 
In addition to over ten hours of panel presentations, the symposium included self-care sessions at the beginning and end of each day, virtual networking opportunities, and a World Café for individuals to assess and discuss... Read more

The WebJunction team of OCLC’s Research and Membership Division recently completed a very successful five-week, online, instructor-led course for public library staff to strengthen their patrons’ access to civil legal justice. The course Creating Pathways to Civil Legal Justice is part of a larger national training initiative in which WebJunction is collaborating with the non-profit Legal Services Corporation (LSC) to enlist libraries in the effort to reduce the justice gap—the divide between the civil legal needs of low-income people and the resources to meet those needs. The project is funded by the Mellon Foundation and the Susan Crowne Exchange.

Through LSC’s... Read more