Learning for Librarians and Library Staff while working remotely:
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak Lynda.com has made their 16-course Learning Path: Remote Working: Setting Yourself and Your Teams Up for Success available to all, no library card required.
Coping Strategies for All During a Time of Isolation and Uncertainty 4/2/20 by the Massachusetts Library System
Library 2.0 special pandemic mini-conference: “Serving the Needs of Communities in Crisis.”
PLA Public Libraries Respond to COVID-19: Successful Ways to Work Remotely
Turning Outward Together: Staying Grounded in Challenging Times by The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation weekly 4 pm EST Wednesdays
**Watch the ALA Rural Library Management Webinars presented to date–free to all NH, ME, VT, MA library staff & volunteers.
Free online IT training courses at Alison.com
DigitalLearn.org Basic computer skills from PLA
–The Accidental Facilities Manager
Now more than ever, the care and feeding of library buildings, from historic to new, demands greater attention. With occupant health and safety in mind, common issues, such as cleaning, plumbing, or HVAC systems, take on new urgency. Many library directors and staff become facilities managers by default, with no formal training. This webinar offers a primer on building systems and issues, along with tools for preventive maintenance, energy assessments, optimizing ventilation and filtration, and more.
–EdTech CertificationGCF Learn FreeFrom Microsoft Office and email, to reading, math, and more
–GCFLearnFree.org offers more than 200 topics, including more than 7,000 lessons, more than 1,000 videos, and more than 50 interactives and games, completely free.
–Google for Education Free Applied Digital Skills Curriculum
–Growing Through Conflict: Healthy Workplace Communication
We are all so busy! Who has time to deal with conflicts? When conflict occurs, and we are confronted with a colleague, library patron, supervisor, or board member who is frustrated and upset, it can be tempting to identify a quick fix. However, when we do take the time to practice clear communication to uncover what people really need, we can get to better outcomes. Practicing healthy communication skills will boost your self-confidence and contribute to a happier workplace.
-NoveList and Library Aware Learning Opportunities
–Social Distancing, Programs & Readers Advisory. Free Webinars from the State Library of Iowa. Socially Distant Teen Programs. Socially Distant Reader’s Advisory.
–Khan Academy Free courses, practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners, including adult learners, to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom.
These free webinar recordings on early literacy and library programming are helpful for library workers new to children’s services, and those who are looking for new ideas in programming for young children:
- Best Storytime Practices webinar series presented by Story Be Told’s Jenifer Strauss in 2018-2019 for the Library of Michigan. Topics include Act It Out and Play; In a Galaxy Far, Far Away; Touch the Brightest Star; Storytime Is Your Time to Shine!; Full Body Storytime: and Put the Book Down and Engage! Scroll down the Library of Michigan webinars page to “Youth Services” to see all the links. Handouts for these webinars are also available.
- Every Child Ready to Read webinars presented by Sue McCleaf Nespeca in 2016-2017 for the Library of Michigan. Ten webinars cover topics from ECRR basics to mixed-age storytimes to family engagement, and more. Scroll down the Library of Michigan webinars page to “Every Child Ready to Read” to see all the links.
- Storytime 101: Rethinking the Basics with presenter Brooke Newberry, hosted by YSS Powerhouse, a service of the Wisconsin Library Association.
- Successful Programming for Babies and Toddlers presented by Kendra Jones and Brooke Newberry, hosted by Infopeople, the LSTA-funded training arm of the California State Library.
- Block Play: Building a Foundation of Early Learning in the Library presented by Pamela Martin-Díaz and Marra Honeywell, hosted by the Indiana State Library.
- Building Early Literacy Skills with Babies presented by Stephanie Prato, hosted by the Central New York Library Resources Council.
- Engaging Toddlers in Active Early Learning presented by Stephanie Prato, hosted by the Central New York Library Resources Council.
- Infusing Preschool Early Literacy with STEAM, Music, and Movement presented by Stephanie Prato, hosted by the Central New York Library Resources Council.
- PLA Webinar: Thinking Sideways: Computational Thinking and Early Literacy Free hour long on-demand webinar that explores the components of computational thinking, what it looks like in early childhood, and how library staff use developmentally appropriate activities to support whole-child development
- Our Way to Literacy! from the Michigan State Library (4/24/20)
- DIY Puppets and Props to Support Imagine Your Story from the Michigan State Library (5/8/20)
- Stepping Gently Outside of Your Comfort Zone Out of the box ideas for storytime (1/21/20)
- Phone a Story – Simple Fun and a Call Away. Recorded webinar and resources from the Colorado Virtual Library.
–PBS Media Literacy Certification
–Raising the Bar – training initiative of the New York Public Library
–Project READY: Reimagining Equity & Access for Diverse Youth 25 module free online professional development tool aimed at improving relationships with, services to, and resources for youth of color and Native youth.
Please note that Section 1 (Modules 1-13) is appropriate for all library staff to begin exploring equity, diversity, and inclusion in libraries. Modules 1-13 are foundational and not youth centered and each module takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete.
–Digital Storytime: Kids, Apps and Libraries Free module-based online professional development course for librarians and educators that provides a richer understanding of how and why apps can be used with young children and their adults. Developed by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
–Storytime Development Workshop A self-paced series of exercises developed by Melissa Depper, Storytime Supervisor for Arapahoe Libraries. This series designed to guide self-reflection on strategies to define storytime goals and consider best practices in literacy-based storytime delivery and content selection.
–Supercharged StorytimesA free 10 hour WebJunction self-paced course consisting of six modules, which include videos, readings, activities, and reflection questions. The course provides training in how to intentionally apply research-based practices to boost early literacy in young children attending library storytime.
Teen Services:
–ConnectedLib 9 free self paced modules aimed at building librarians’ capacity to engage and promote connected learning and 21st century skills among today’s digital youth. Developed by faculty members from the library and information science schools at the University of Washington and University of Maryland.
–A Teen Walks into the Library Developed by the Colorado State Library, this free, self-directed course is for all library staff who frequently interact with teens. Learners will gain a beginning level of understanding of working with teens in the library setting.
–YALSA Teen Services Competencies for Library Staff free webinars.
Stem:
–Motion With Longway Planetarium Laurie Bone from the Michigan State Library. (4/28/20)
–STEM in the Kitchen with Longway Planetarium’s Laurie Bone from the Michigan State Library (5/12/20)
–Teaching Tolerance webinars and self-paced learning.
– 450 free online courses from Ivy League Schools
If you are evaluating additional virtual services for your community or are updating web pages or guides, consider the Federal Depository Library Program-FDLP network
Looking for a certificate program: Library Juice Academy has a range of online professional development courses for librarians, archivists, and other staff, focusing on practical topics to build new skills.