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.
The following resources are available to staff, volunteers, and board members from all Oregon academic, public, school, and tribal libraries.
View upcoming training events related to services and programs offered by the State Library of Oregon and free online training events as compiled by the State Library of Wyoming in the new training calendar. New events are added weekly and online conferences are listed below the calendar.
New Front Line Customer Service: A Six-Part Course
Brand new in the Oregon Library Staff academy: Front Line Customer Service, a six-module course which is designed to help staff grow customer service confidence and skills, lower stress, better respond to difficult customer situations with renewed energy and resolve, and build more positive and long-lasting relationships with library patrons. The modules focus on building confidence with:
Please note: this course will be available through April 3, 2023 only. If you need access to the academy please use this request form -- available to Oregon library staff, volunteers, and board members.
New The State Library of Oregon is pleased to offer board training resources for library advisory boards and library governing boards from United for Libraries, a unit of the American Library Association (ALA). These resources include the pre-recorded Trustee Trainings covering basic board topics, upcoming live webinars, on-demand webinars, and other resources such as tip sheets, guides, and toolkits.
On-demand webinars cover topics from library advocacy and support to EDI for board members to intellectual freedom and challenges to navigating the changing landscape because of COVID-19. These board training resources are available to directors, staff, volunteers, and board members of Oregon libraries and members of associated Friends and Foundation groups.
Basic Library Skills Academy
The State Library is pleased to announce the new Basic Library Skills academy -- open and free to everyone. This new academy covers introductory level tutorials and webinars on collection development, technical services, public programming and services, and more. Directors can use this resource to help onboard new staff and volunteers; staff can learn more about the overall operations of a library. No registration or user account necessary; however with a user account, Niche Academy will help you pick up where you left off.
New in the Oregon Library Staff Academy (Niche Academy):
Each week, the latest tutorials and recorded webinars are collected in their own category, New Tutorials and Webinars. Highlights from the past month include:
And many more can be found in the New Webinars and Tutorials section.
Need access to Oregon’s Library Staff Academy? Just fill out this form (available to Oregon library staff, volunteers, and board members). Then you can get started here: https://my.nicheacademy.com/oregonstaff.
Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness Academy by Ryan Dowd
LYRASIS
People Connect Institute (PCI) Webinars
Each Wednesday from 11:00a - 12:00p PT, explore new, relevant topics during a live webinar from People Connect Institute. These webinars will also be recorded and available about one week later in the Oregon Library Staff Academy / PCI Webinars category. For titles and registration information, please visit the PCI Webinars section. This resource is available to Oregon library staff, volunteers, and board members.
Statewide Databases
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.
The following calendar shows free online training events as compiled by the State Library of Wyoming and training events related to services and programs offered by the State Library of Oregon. To see a text version November's free events listed by category, please visit the WebJunction page on Free Training or download the PDF version. Online conferences are listed below the calendar.
To view only training events related to services and programs offered by the State Library of Oregon, click on the little "down arrow" to the right of the Agenda tab (right side of the calendar) and uncheck Wyoming State Library Training Calendar.
Online conferences, registration is free unless noted otherwise.
Oregon Reference Summit presents... a series of free virtual sessions. Check their website for upcoming sessions.
May 4-5, 2022 Grant Writing for Every Occasion (Wyoming SHRAB). Want to develop your grant proposal writing skills? Or are you just beginning to explore the world of landing grants? Grant writing is no secret– it’s a learned skill. This workshop will help you master the logic and preparation needed for success. Learn tips, tricks, and pitfalls of grant writing, plus where to find help. We’ll discuss the elements of a proposal and how to develop, prepare, and present a compelling case that will make funders sit up and take notice.
May 5, 2022 (6:00a - 2:00p PT) - Library Journal's Day of Dialog. In this day-long event you’ll hear from top authors in genre fiction, literary fiction, and nonfiction. And you still get to dialog by visiting virtual booths, talking with authors, and networking with colleagues. Typically, thousands of librarians register for Day of Dialog in its digital incarnation, so you may find the environment or live sessions becoming full during the day. But fear not! All sessions will be available for viewing on-demand within 24 hours of their initial broadcast, and the entire event will be available on-demand until August 5, 2022.
May 19, 2022, Re-Connect with Re-Creando! Seguimos Creando Enlaces (Creating Connections) is a free conference that fosters com
munity connections and cultural diversity in public, academic, and special libraries from the US, Mexico, and across the globe. This year’s virtual conference will take place Thursday, May 19, with the theme 𝐫𝐞Creando Enlaces- 𝐫𝐞Creating Connections. Conference sessions are proudly presented in both English and Spanish and include live translation. The Call for Proposals is now open and is available in English and Spanish (due March 19, 2022). For more information, visit http://creandoenlaces.org/.
May 19, 2022 (6:00a - 2:00p PT) - School Library Journal Day of Dialog 2022 Spring. Join us for the most anticipated librarian gathering of the spring 2022 publishing season—fully virtual and free to attend. Our daylong program of author panels, in-depth conversations, and keynote talks will keep you informed, inspired, and entertained, and provide insight into industry trends as you work to grow and diversify your collections. Come hear about the latest and most exciting forthcoming titles for children, tweens, and teens, from picture books and nonfiction to graphic novels and YA and engage in Q&A sessions with authors and illustrators. There will also be opportunities to visit the virtual exhibit hall to network with leading publishers, enjoy additional chats, and download digital galleys and other free resources.
May 24-25, 2022 (4:00 - 6:30p PT) - Indigenous Voices: Authentic Children's Literature in the Classroom & Library (San Diego County Office of Education) Native authors scheduled to speak include Cynthia Leitich Smith, Angeline Boulley, Traci Sorell, Christine Day, Brian Young, David Robertson, and Michaela Goade, among others. Sign up for this free two day event! And encourage your friends and colleagues to sign up, too. And make sure you get and promote books by Native writers.
Have a topic you'd like to suggest for a presentation and/or discussion? Please let us know! Looking for recordings from previous Topic Talks? See below the upcoming schedule.
Check back soon for new topics in 2022!
October 27, 2021 - Oregon Job Seekers: Who They Are and How Libraries Can Help
As extended unemployment benefits come to an end this summer, libraries anticipate an increase in the number of job seekers in their communities. This session will provide an overview of Oregon job seekers, focusing on trends and emerging areas of employment as the Oregon economy recovers. It will also present information about the characteristics of current job seekers and provide ideas for designing services to better support this important group of library users.
Presenters: Liza Morehead, Research & Data Analyst, Worksystems, Inc. (A 501(c)3 non-profit organization that pursues and invests resources to improve the quality of the workforce in the City of Portland, Multnomah and Washington Counties.) Michele Martin, Director of Technical Assistance, Director of New Start Career Network & NJ Career Network Online Job Seeker Community. John J. Heldrich, Center for Workforce Development, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Video recording: Video recording: Niche Academy (with slides, resources, etc.) or YouTube.
October 13, 2021 - Virtual Meet-up with Library Support & Development Services
Meet the Staff! Join your friendly library support staff this hour to hear about who we are and what we're up to. Bring your questions, all are welcome! Hosted by the Library Support staff: Greta Bergquist, Jennifer Cox, Ross Fuqua, Darci Hanning, Jennifer Mauer, Tamara Ottum, Arlene Weible, Ferol Weyand, and Program Manager, Buzzy Nielsen.
Video recording: YouTube
July 20, 2021 - Northwest Digital Heritage
Katie Henry (Oregon Heritage Commission), Evan Robb (Washington State Library), and Ross Fuqua (State Library of Oregon) hosted a session (including Q&A) about the new cross-state, interagency partnership, Northwest Digital Heritage. Learn about this new program which seeks to help public libraries and heritage organizations in Oregon build and share their historic and cultural collections broadly through a newly established, regional service hub of the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA).
Video recording: YouTube.
March 30, 2021 - Learn all about: Oregon Documents Depository
Jey Wann, Oregon Documents Coordinator, discusses the history of the Oregon Documents Depository Program, describes how to access State Library’s Oregon Documents Collection, and features some interesting, useful, fun, and even wacky, Oregon government publications.
Reference librarian Dave Hegeman covers the many ways Oregon documents can be used to reference, including laws and rules, statistics, and notable reference sources.
Video recording: Niche Academy (with slides, resources, etc.) or YouTube
March 16, 2021 - County Law Libraries and YOU
Oregon’s county law libraries provide invaluable services to the general public and legal community. They provide specialized legal resources and staff guidance to assist with legal matters and research.
In this session, join Amy Gregory from the Washington County Law Library and Jenny Pedersen from Deschutes Public Library to learn more about Oregon’s law libraries. Amy and Jenny will share examples of services offered by county law libraries, the types of resources available, and how the public can access those services and resources.
Video recording: Niche Academy (with slides, resources, etc.) or YouTube.
January 13, 2021 - Shared Learning: Providing Trauma-Informed Services in Small and Rural Libraries
How can staff in small and rural libraries adopt a trauma-informed approach without access to the resources that a larger library or a library in an urban community may have? That's just what several Oregon librarians set out to learn by participating in a recent Infopeople course, "Providing Trauma-Informed Services in Small and Rural Libraries." Come listen to their take-aways and hopefully leave with some of your own!
Video recording: Niche Academy (with additional resources) or YouTube.
December 9, 2020 - Winning Library Grants: An In-Depth Approach
Ready to learn the best method for writing grant proposals to give you the competitive edge? Discover how to plan and write grant proposals, including the nitty-gritty essentials of needs assessments, project development, and outcome measurement. Find out who gives funding best suited for your library and how to find grant applications (including five free resources for finding grant library funders and a funder’s wish list). Join Stephanie Gerding as she shares common grant proposal components and the top five tips for writing winning proposals. Your grant work will become easier and more effective! Access to the recording is limited to Oregon library staff, volunteers, board members, Friends and foundation members, please request access here.
December 2 - Winning Library Grants: Beginner Tips in 30 Minutes
Are you new to grant writing? Stephanie Gerding’s webinars are known for being practical and easy to understand. Learn the basic process of grant work and the shortcuts that will enable you to start winning grants now. Discover the most important thing to keep in mind when doing library grant work, easy planning steps, grant sources for beginners, and the top ten tips for success. You CAN win grants for your library! Access to the recording is limited to Oregon library staff, volunteers, board members, Friends and foundation members, please request access here.
November 18, 2020 - Library Innovation in COVID Times
Oregon libraries of all types are responding to the challenge of service during COVID times with a wide array of innovative programs and services. Innovation may include new services, but can also mean offering traditional services in different ways.
State Library staff have been collecting stories and want to celebrate the great work happening in the Oregon library community. In this session, Buzzy Nielsen and Arlene Weible will share examples and help participants connect with other library staff to learn more about how they may implement these ideas in their own community. Please come and share your own innovation stories or just listen and gain inspiration from your library colleagues across the state.
Video recording: YouTube or Niche Academy; download presentation (with embedded links)
October 20, 2021 - Virtual Programming Meetup
Have you been working to maintain connections to your community virtually? Would you like some ideas and strategies? This recorded session has your colleagues taking virtual programming in a variety of directions. From digital rooms to recorded demos, staff are working to help community members feel connected to the library in tangible ways. Each panelist briefly shared about a virtual strategy their library is using and there and at the end of the session, audience members were able to share their own endeavors and ask questions. Greta Bergquist moderated.
Panelists:
Video recording: YouTube or Niche Academy (with supporting resources)
September 29, 2020 - Virtual Meet-up with Library Support & Development Services
This is your chance to learn more about Library Support & Development Services and what we can do for your library. Hosted by the Library Support staff: Greta Bergquist, Ross Fuqua, Darci Hanning, Jennifer Mauer, Tamara Ottum, Arlene Weible, Ferol Weyand, and our new Program Manager, Buzzy Nielsen. Library Support provides services for all types of libraries in Oregon: academic, law, public, school, tribal, you name it! We will take a bit of time introducing you to our services and leave plenty of time for your questions. This session is useful to any library worker or supporter who’s interested in learning more about the State Library’s free services available to help make local libraries’ lives easier.
Video recording. Library Support and Development Services website. Contact Us web page.
August 7, 2020 - In partnership with OLA's Public Library Division: "Centering Race in Library Reopening: Opportunities for Systems Change".
Sonja Ervin, Equity and Inclusion Manager at Multnomah County Library, will talk about the work and progress Multnomah County Library has made with diversity, equity, and inclusion. She will also include things you can do at your library, no matter the size of your library. There will be time for questions and answers after her presentation. This presentation is free for all in the library community, and will be recorded for viewing at a later date.
Video recording (hosted in Niche Academy, no login in required) and the Presentation slides (PDF)
June 17, 2020: PL stats (COVID-specific) - an update
June 10, 2020: Check-In: How's It Going?
June 3, 2020: Unemployment and job-seeking services
May 27, 2020: Having difficult conversations with patrons
May 20, 2020: Reference during the pandemic: challenges and opportunities
May 13, 2020: Reopening Oregon (Governor’s Plan) and Libraries
May 6, 2020: Statistics - how to capture our work during the pandemic
April 29, 2020: Staging a return to library services: planning for a post-quarantine library
April 22, 2020: Services for Spanish speakers during COVID-19
Each Wednesday from 11:00a - 12:00p PT, explore new, relevant topics during a live webinar from People Connect Institute. These webinars will also be recorded and available a few days later in the Oregon Library Staff Academy / PCI Webinars category.
Request your registration links for these upcoming webinars. Note: all PCI Webinars (live and recorded) are limited to Oregon library staff, volunteers, board members, Friend and Foundation members.
Your Power Team is your Game Changer to hit your goal, grow your business, or offer support during setbacks. You’ve heard the drop-the-mic quote: "You are the average of the five people you spend your time with." But Jim Rohn left us without direction. How do you know who is or isn’t right to have on your Power Team for Library Growth? Turn the quote into a strategy by intentionally building your Circle of Influence with the five strategic people you need on your Power Team. A worksheet and core examples are included in this high-energy, interactive session. Get ready to Power Up with your Power Team in 2022!
Presenter: Mj Callaway, CSP, As a former corporate sales trainer and only award-winning woman sales executive to rank #1 nationally, Mj knows first-hand the disruptions professionals, managers, and executive teams handle daily. Yet, they still need to be positive and productive. She blends her experiences together, sales, speaking and journalism, to create interactive and impactful workshops. With more than 2,000 articles published in consumer magazines under her pen name, she's interviewed hundreds of people from youth entrepreneurs to CEOs to non-profit founders to professional athletes. She has a unique ability to make others feel like they're talking to a friend. Mj is a two-time cancer survivor, certified virtual presenter, and past-president of the National Speakers Association Pittsburgh Chapter.
May 18 CANCELED (90 minutes long): Cataloging Moving Images To be rescheduled
This session will present the RDA: Resource Description and Access core elements and moving-image-related elements necessary for most commercially available video recordings, including Blu-rays, DVDs, combo-packs, and streaming or digital video. The point of view will be from an original cataloging standpoint with examples following the MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data. Participants will be able to apply the RDA instructions specific to moving images, including electronic audio forms and Playaway Views.
Presenter: Bobby Bothmann is a professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato where he serves as the catalog and metadata librarian. Bobby catalogs analog and digital resources of all kinds, including books, serials, moving images, objects, cartographic resources, musical and spoken word audio recordings, and music in between many meetings. He is a member of the editorial board for Cataloging & Classification Quarterly and an active member of OLAC (OnLine Audiovisual Catalogers) where he has served in various leadership roles including treasurer, president, and the current archivist. He holds an MLIS from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and an MS in Geography and English Technical Communication from MSU Mankato. Bobby moonlights as an adjunct instructor for the School of Information Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he teaches cataloging and classification courses and tries to covert one student per semester to the cataloging side of the Force.
May 25: Dealing with Change: Using Mindfulness to Respond in Difficult Situations
Change is all around us, whether we like it or not. Often, change occurs without our control, and we must adapt to difficult situations. Mindfulness can help us stay in the moment and respond appropriately to strong emotions surrounding change. As a result of this program, participants will:
Presenter: Cari has worked in public libraries for 24 years. She is currently a manager at the Twinsburg Public Library. She is also a writer and the co-host of the Indie Writer Podcast.
May 31 (90 minutes long): The First Amendment in the Public Library: More than Book Bans
This session will lead participants through an exploration of library scenarios that involve the First Amendment. The session will begin with an introduction to the First amendment, its history, and its unique relationship to public libraries (25 minutes). Participants will learn about the intent of the First Amendment as well as the risks and possible consequences of violation. The second portion of the webinar will be in breakout style where each room or group will be given a realistic scenario and invited to identify and discuss the First Amendment implications (if present) in the scenario:
As a result of this program, participants will:
Presenter: Clare Membiela has been a librarian for over 30 years. Much of that time has been spent working as a large law firm librarian and an academic law librarian teaching law students and assisting law professors, attorneys, and members of the public in locating legal information and authority. The past 6 years have been spent as the Library Law Consultant for the Library of Michigan where Clare helps library directors, staffs, boards, and patrons understand and obtain information about the legal issues that affect Michigan libraries. Clare has a Master of Library Science (MLS) from Southern Connecticut State University and a JD from the University of Miami.
June 1: Reading into the Past with Census Records
Once every 10 years new Federal Census data becomes available for family history researchers. This year the 1950 Federal Census data is released! Learn about using Federal Census data to research your family history, the historical importance of data collected by census records, and how information not indexed in a database can lead to big breakthroughs in your genealogical research. Learn how to interpret information gleaned from sifting through census abbreviations, schedules, and more. At the conclusion of the webinar, participants will know:
Presenter: Maggie Rose has over 10 years of experience in Ohio Libraries. Currently, she works as the PR and Marketing Associate at the Barberton Public Library and is the Past-Coordinator for the Adult Services Division Action Council for the Ohio Library Council. Maggie started library work in 5th grade as a shelver and volunteer in her school library. As a teen, she started shelving in her local public library and has held many library positions since. Maggie graduated summa cum laude from the University of Akron with a BA in English and a minor in classical studies. She received her MLIS from Kent State and has been working as a librarian for six years. Maggie loves sewing, gardening, camping, and her boisterous family, which consists of a spouse, a boy, a girl, 2 dogs, 4 cats, 1 lizard, and 6 chickens.
June 8: How to More Effectively Write to Your Customers
Challenge: Many of us readily acknowledge their desire to bridge the gap between their solid speaking skills and less proficient writing skills. This challenge is especially meaningful when communicating with their organization’s lifeblood: the customer. Realizing the written word presents an enduring impression to readers, library staff need the tools to write with authority, empathy, and resolve. Solution: How to Write to the Customer explains how to initiate and respond to customer letters and emails in diverse situations by using a proven method of addressing the customer’s needs without abandoning the library’s position. You will learn to craft messages using the unique Customer Service Triad formula. Through a deeper understanding of the connection between your services and your patrons’ concerns, you will cultivate deeper relationships with readers.
Scope: This webinar includes the following learning points:
Learning Objectives: Attending this webinar will enable you to:
Presenter: Philip Vassallo, Ed.D., has designed, delivered, and supervised communication training programs for more than 20,000 executive, managerial, supervisory, administrative, and technical professionals internationally over the past three decades. Many of his students are nonnative professionals skilled in their profession but struggling with English language issues. He is the author of the books How to Write Fast Under Pressure, The Art of E-mail Writing, and The Art of On-the-Job Writing. He has edited major reports for the US government, City of New York, and the corporate world. He also writes the blog Words on the Line, which offers practical tips for developing writers. Dr. Vassallo holds a doctorate in educational theory and has taught internationally, recently as a faculty member of the Beijing International MBA program.
June 15: “Do Your Research”
“Do your research” has become a cliché but where do you start when you want to go beyond Google? How can you read scholarly articles when you don’t have access to an academic library? Where can you find expert opinions about both sides of an issue? In this webinar, you will learn about different starting points so that you can “do your research” and help others do the same. We’ll also cover starting points for students in search of a topic and the first steps of their research journeys. At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Presenter: Kira Smith is a virtual reference provider for Florida’s Ask A Librarian Service and a presenter for Novare Library Services. She has Master’s Degrees in Library Science and Education. Kira is a former public librarian, elementary school teacher and childbirth educator. She has lived in New York, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida. She enjoys teaching, technology, and travel.
June 22: Improving Your Posture at Work for a Healthier You!
Might you have text neck? Or Dead Butt Syndrome? Do you slouch? You can develop health problems from poor posture and prolonged sitting: back pain, stress incontinence, heartburn, balance problems, fatigue, headaches. The good news is that postural issues are preventable and correctable. In this interactive program you will:
You can leave this program with action steps you can start the same day.
Presenter: Laura Greco, RN, MEd is a wellness coach and speaker who helps professionals eliminate burnout, manage stress, create life balance, and rekindle their sense of purpose and joy. She believes that self-care (body, mind, and spirit) is the basis for well-being and that we all have the capacity to make positive lifestyle changes. She is the author of Wellness Made Simple. For more information, please visit her website, Your Bloom Wellness.
June 29: Classic Picture Books are Boring and What You Should Read in Storytime Instead
Many books considered classics are difficult to integrate as part of an engaging storytime. In this interactive and informative program, we will examine the numerous reasons why many classic picture books should no longer be a librarian’s first choice of material and what elements we look for in a book while planning storytime. You’ll also learn what new books are engaging the current generation of storytime audiences and when those old classics might still be a good option. As a result of this webinar, attendees will learn:
Presenter: John S. Ferraricompleted his undergraduate degree in English from Illinois State University and received his Masters of Library and Information Science from Dominican University in River Forest, IL. For the last 10 years, he had worked as a youth services librarian at Lisle Library District in Lisle, IL. On any given week he will perform up to 4 storytimes ranging from toddler to kindergarten. His favorite picture books contain at least one sasquatch.
Request your registration links for these upcoming webinars. Note: all PCI Webinars (live and recorded) are limited to Oregon library staff, volunteers, and board members.
Recorded webinars are available to staff, volunteers, board members, Friend and Foundation members of Oregon libraries through the Oregon Library Staff Academy. Need access? Please use this form.
May 2022:
April 2022:
March 2022:
February 2022:
January 2022:
From the OLA EDI and Antiracism Special Committee: EDI Antiracism Toolkit Now Available:
PLD Director's Training Session on the EDI Antiracism Toolkit, recorded on 1/29/21 (YouTube, approximately 2 1/4 hours).
Be sure to visit the OLA EDI Antiracism Committee web page.