Continuing Education Resources for Library Staff

Teen Behavior in the Library: Managing this (sometimes-challenging) developmental stage
Teens are going through a lot developmentally: puberty, social comparison, familial and cultural pressures. Sometimes they take that transitional stress to your library. Managing behaviors and expectations, while making the library a welcoming place is a tough line to walk. But understanding the why of this teen behavior is a start. In this program you'll learn about:

• Puberty and biological change in teens
• Cultural and societal pressures on teens
• Online pressures on teens
• De-escalation techniques
• Tips for communicating with teens
• Suggestions on policies on teen behavior in the library 

Presenter: Carrie Rogers-Whitehead is the founder and CEO of Digital Respons-Ability, a mission-based company that educates tens of thousands of students, parents and teachers through in-person and online courses across the country. She has written two books for librarians around adolescents: Teen Fandom and Geek Programming: a Practical Guide for Librarians and the ALA-award winning Serving Teens and Adults and the Autism Spectrum: a Guide for Libraries and continues to work with teens.
 

You may be familiar with jigsaw puzzles, chess and even Dungeons and Dragons in your local libraries, but what about all these new board games on store shelves? What are these about? If all you know of board games is Candy Land, Monopoly and Connect 4, join us and discover more options! Modern tabletop board gaming grew as a hobby over the course of the pandemic as folks needed a way to unplug with those in their small circles. In this post-quarantine world, as folks venture out, people of all ages are relearning how to relate to their community. Board games can be a fun, engaging tool to fast-track relationships built around empathy and inclusion in a welcoming environment. Takeaways from this program will include:

• Information about how board games support Social-Emotional Learning
• Confidence utilizing collection development skills to curate a relevant board game collection at your library
• Ability to adapt board game programming at a scale sustainable with your staffing
• Tools and resources for further growth as you create a tabletop culture in your library

Presenter: Annabelle Blackman is a Librarian II at Oakland Public Library in California. Around 10 years ago, she discovered modern hobby games alongside her then 3-year-old. She facilitates many family game days at the library, attends board game conventions for professional development, as well as for funzies. She stays active in her local scene, serving as a Board Game Ranger Captain at a local indie role-playing game convention, Big Bad Con. Professionally, Annabelle has a particular interest in games that appeal to intergenerational groups of varying literacy levels, and English language fluency. A personal gaming goal of hers is to one day learn and conquer trick-taking games!

¡Las horas de cuentos no deberían terminar al crecer! Este programa ofrece a los participantes una guía para crear una hora de cuentos para adultos que hablan español. Acompáñanos a explorar los beneficios de un programa que promueve la lectura, celebra la diversidad cultural y narrativa, e invita a su comunidad a conectar por medio de la literatura. En este programa, los participantes aprenderán:

• Los pasos para crear una hora de cuentos en español para adultos 
• La relevancia de las narrativas para la cohesión social 
• La importancia de promover las colecciones en español

Biografía: Ana Villalpando es estudiante de doctorado en la Universidad de California, San Diego. Desde que comenzó su carrera en bibliotecas públicas en 2016, Ana ha priorizado la defensa de la justicia lingüística, la igualdad de acceso a la información y el abordaje de las desigualdades sistémicas a través de una programación bibliotecaria consciente. El trabajo de Ana ha sido presentado en la Conferencia Nacional Reforma, la Conferencia de la Asociación de Bibliotecas de California, las Conferencias Binacionales Seguimos Creando Enlaces y la Academia de Bibliotecas de California.

When was the last time you were read a story? Story time for Spanish-speaking adults

Storytime shouldn't end when you grow up! This program offered in Spanish is a guide for participants to create a story time program for Spanish-speaking adults.  Join us in exploring the benefits of a program that promotes reading, celebrates cultural and narrative diversities, and invites your community to connect through literature. In this program, participants will learn:

• How to create a story-time program in Spanish for adults
• The relevance of narratives for social cohesion
• The importance of promoting Spanish-language library collections

Presenter: Ana Villalpando is a doctoral student at University of California, San Diego. Since her career in public libraries started in 2016, Ana has prioritized advocating for language justice, equal access to information and addressing systemic inequities through conscious library programming. Ana's work has been presented at Reforma National Conference, California Library Association Conference, Seguimos Creando Enlaces Binational Conferences, and California Libraries Learn Academy.

Imagine a future where "change" in your library is met with enthusiasm and viewed as an opportunity for growth. Dive into The Change Drama Triangle theory to unravel resistance and stagnation, understand the roots of change-induced drama, and learn effective defusing techniques. Then, discover the powerful impact of The Empowerment Triangle (TED) theory, a positive alternative to embrace. Along with real-life examples, you’ll get three essential practices for collaborative adaptation, triggering an optimistic ripple effect for you, your colleagues, and your library. Gain invaluable insights, proven practices, and strategic approaches to navigate change gracefully, purposefully, and positively. As a result of this program, attendees will: 

• Understand the reasons change causes drama
• Identify what The Change Drama Triangle entails
• Embrace The Empowerment Triangle (TED) for positively impacting your choices and life
• Apply positive practices to strengthen a thriving work environment

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.

The imposter syndrome occurs when we doubt our abilities, talents, skills, and accomplishments despite evidence of our success. There is a lot of discussion around overcoming imposter syndrome. But did you know there are benefits of imposter syndrome? Join this discussion of what it is, how it can be beneficial, and how you can manage and tame it. As a result of this program, participants will be able to describe two benefits and deterrents of imposter syndrome and name three strategies for taming imposter syndrome

Presenter: Laura Greco, RN, MEd is a certified wellness coach and speaker who facilitates learning and changing habits. She helps professionals eliminate burnout, manage stress, create life balance, and rekindle their sense of purpose and joy. Self-care (body, mind, and spirit) is the basis for well-being and we all have the capacity to make positive lifestyle changes are 2 of her foundational beliefs.

Ted Talks are educational, entertaining, timely and sometimes stretch your thinking, beliefs and opinions on a variety of topics. They are free to access and easy to share with your coworkers, friends and family. Ted Talks can be used as tools for self-growth and as an opportunity for your team, department and organizational learning and development. With the nearly impossible task of choosing only seven Ted Talks to discuss in this hour, Andrew and Holly will share their takeaways from the talks and also explore why you should watch Ted Talks to boost your self-awareness and to be more mindful of the magical world around you.

Presenter: Andrew has been developing and conducting training programs for library organizations for more than twenty years. He has presented Web-based, On-line, and Face-to-Face sessions on Customer Service and Communication Skills in the U.S. and many countries around the world. Andrew’s programs are filled with proven techniques that attendees can immediately apply with their difficult and challenging customer behaviors. He is the past president of the Haywood County Library Board of Trustees in Western North Carolina.

Any library worker can be a hero and use book displays or online book lists to market their library's collection, revealing the hidden gems on their shelves and introducing patrons to materials they may have missed. In addition, book displays, both in the library and online, can be used to market programs, partnerships, and library services as well. Attendees will learn how to craft displays and lists that are effective in promoting the theme or message behind the display.

Join Passive Readers’ Advisory expert Lila Denning for an hour of all the ways that you can promote your library’s collection with better book displays. Book displays are a fun, creative marketing technique that any library can use.  She will show you how to create book displays that will draw readers in and help them to find those titles that don’t get enough attention.  Attendees will learn how to:

• Understand what are the features of a great book display and how to craft them with a focus on marketing your collection
• Discover ways to use book displays to promote services, ongoing and special programs and events
• Identify opportunities to fit in book displays all over your building, even in smaller libraries with limited space

Presenter: Lila Denning is a librarian in Florida specializing in Passive Readers Advisory for patrons of all ages. She is the acquisitions coordinator for the St Petersburg Library System and has worked in circulation, reference, and youth services. She serves the volunteer coordinator for the Horror Writers of America. You can find her on Twitter @Vantine and on BlueSky @Vantine.bsky.social. On her blog, bookdisplays.blogspot.com, she talks about ideas for book displays and other forms of Passive Readers Advisory and how to best use it to serve your patrons.

Looking for program ideas to draw your adult patrons in the door of your library and keep them coming back for more? Join author and library director Jenn Carson to explore workable program models that can be adapted to your patrons and your physical (or virtual) space. Topics include something for everyone, with sections on Food & Drink, Arts & Crafts, Books & Writing, Technology & Media, Health & Wellness, Business & Finance, and Nature & Gardening. Attendees will:

• Discover who you really think an "adult" is and how you can serve them
• Walk away with at least 3 new ideas that will work for your audience, budget, and space
• Learn how to tackle logistical issues like administrative buy-in, finding funding, accessibility, marketing, and legal matters
• Understand the importance of community partnerships in program planning

Presenter: Jenn Carson is the Director of the LP Fisher Public Library and the creator of www.yogainthelibrary.com, a popular, non-profit resource dedicated to educating librarians and teachers about creating yoga and meditation programs in public, school, and academic libraries. In 2016, Carson received the Innovation Award from the New Brunswick Public Library Service for her physical literacy initiatives. In 2017, she earned the Atlantic Provinces Library Association Memorial Award to create a website for physical literacy programming in libraries (www.physicaliteracyinthelibrary.com) and was declared a “remarkable woman making a difference in Atlantic Canada” by Amplify East (www.amplifyeast.com/amplifiedvoices/jenn-carson). She is the author of three books and numerous chapters and articles on library and community services and you can find out more about her work at www.jenncarson.com.

Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a productivity guru, or simply curious about the latest app trends, join us for an engaging and interactive webinar where we dive into the world of apps. In this session, we will explore a curated selection of twenty apps handpicked by Kira and Holly. We will be featuring a variety of apps during the webinar, with some being recommended for your practicality and excellence, while others have been selected to inspire interesting conversations and diverse viewpoints. This blend ensures that our session will not only introduce you to valuable apps but also encourage engaging discussions and the sharing of different perspectives among participants. Be ready to share your favorite apps with fellow participants and get inspired by new recommendations from others.

B.Y.O.B. – Bring Your Own Beverage and Appytite!

Presenter: Kira Smith is a Virtual Reference Specialist for Florida's Ask A Librarian service and helps coordinate Florida's statewide delivery service. With Master’s Degrees in Library Science and Education, Kira brings a strong educational foundation to her work. She is passionate about helping people find the information they need. Additionally, she freelances as a research consultant for journalists. Her background includes experience as an elementary school teacher and childbirth educator. Kira's interests lie in teaching, technology, and travel. She is also an aspiring prompt engineer, and she is excited to see what the future holds for this emerging field.

Presenter: For over thirteen years, Holly Klingler has been training people in a variety of career fields on how to maximize their communication, creativity, and critical thinking skills.  She has presented at the Akron Women’s Bar Association, the Ohio Certified Public Accountants Annual Conference, the Hudson Job Corp., and has trained library staff for over twelve years, eight of which were as the Continuing Education trainer at the Northeast Ohio Regional Library System. 

She teaches valuable techniques to help professionals showcase their strengths, sharpen their skills, and grow both their abilities and confidence. Holly has a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy, a Masters of Library and Information Science, and a certification in nonverbal analysis. She is also a certified Career Development facilitator and an MBTI Certified Practitioner and Facilitator.

• eAccessibility Evaluating Your Library’s Success Indicators and Scalable Staff Training
• Podcasting and Your Library
• Grow and Strengthen Your Team
• Engaging Online Community Members