Continuing Education Resources for Library Staff

Training resources from the State Library of Oregon are supported in whole by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act administered by the State Library of Oregon.
These resources are available to staff, volunteers, and board members from all Oregon academic, public, school, and tribal libraries.

Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness Academy by Ryan Dowd

• Already registered for the academy? Then you're ready to access it here!
• Need to register for access? Follow these step-by-step instructions.
• Monthly webinars hosted by Ryan Dowd are free to Oregon all library staff, volunteers, and board members. Please sign-up (and select the second option) to receive registration announcements.
• NEW: recordings of Dowd's monthly webinars are now available in the academy. Future recordings will be added shortly after the live event.

LYRASIS

• ​LYRASIS offers free live webinars, f​ree information sessions, and demonstrations of software and services. ​ 
• ​Oregon staff can also save on other classes and events. When registering, use these steps:
  1. ​Click on "Checkout as Non-Member of LYRASIS"
  2. Use your library's address on the registration form
  3. And use OSL20-21 for the Promo Code on the payment page

Niche Academy

• Staff Training Tutorials covering topics such as ethics, public service, reference, and technology.
• Patron-focused Tutorials for common library products (like OverDrive and Mango Languages) as well as tutorials on research essentials. The tutorials can be embedded on your library's website and also use for staff training.

Statewide Databases

• Gale/Cengage is the statewide subscription for magazine/journal/news articles, reference eBooks, statistics, images, audio, and video content); for training resources and more, visit this resource page on Gale/Cengage.

• EBSCO LearningExpress Library is the statewide subscription for practice tests, skills-building for math, reading, and writing, computer skills tutorials, e-books and career development tools; for training resources and more, visit this resource page on EBSCO LearningExpress Library.

Tech-Talk
Provides how-to technology,  communications, and leadership tips. While not written specifically for library staff, the State Library regularly receives positive feedback about this service. 

• Sign up to receive the weekly e-newsletter
• View archived webinars and attend upcoming webinars
• Access resources on their website, use ORLIBTECH for both the username and password when prompted.

Training for Trustees

Ready to get started? Visit United for Libraries and register as needed or login to access the resources below!

• Short Takes for Trustees is a series of 10 short videos (8-10 minutes each) that can be shown during Trustee meetings to stimulate discussion about the important role that Trustees play in the governance of their libraries. Topics in the series explain the basics, such as what it means to be a Trustee (discussing the broad fiduciary responsibilities of governing boards as well as the limits of an advisory board), as well as how to set policy, how to evaluate the library director (and why you should!), along with board self-evaluation, and the ethical and parliamentary standards for boards — both governing and advisory.
   
• The Trustees Academy is a series of online courses designed to help Trustees become exceptionally proficient in their roles on behalf of their libraries. All of the online courses are taught by a professional in the field. Courses include: Trustee Competencies, Working Effectively with the Library Director, The Library’s Budget for Trustees, Standing Up for Intellectual Freedom, and Everyday Advocacy – Why the Library Matters!
   
• Bonus Webcast: Troubled Library Boards: Prevention and Survival (scroll down the page). Troubled library boards are increasingly common. Serving on a troubled board is stressful, and it can take the focus away from a board’s primary mission. What essential practices can prevent or minimize board problems? When a board does become dysfunctional, how can those involved survive and create change? This recorded webinar is led by Sally Gardner Reed, former executive director of United for Libraries; Trustee Jo Beckwith of Illinois; and Stephen Bero, director of the Algonquin (Ill.) Public Library.