webinar iconFormat: Webinar, original date November 10, 2020
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

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. Presenters share what they learned the hard way, in large and small libraries, so that you can be more prepared and self-assured.

Presented by: Lauren Stara and Andrea Bunker

webinar recordingFormat: Webinar, original date November 15, 2016
Hosted by: Infopeople
Length: 1 hour

  • Have you thought about what to do in an active shooter situation?
  • Have you identified the most vulnerable areas in your library?
  • Do you know where to go for resources to create an active shooter procedure?

Join North Dakota State Librarian Mary Soucie as she discusses what should be included in an active shooter procedure, including an emergency & disaster plan, communication plan and evacuation plan. Additionally she will cover how to respond (run, hide, fight), and what you need to be aware of to prepare for this situation.

Presented by: Mary Soucie

webinar iconFormat: Webinar, original date February 22, 2019
Hosted by: Big Talk from Small Libraries, Nebraska Library Commission
Length: 1 hour

Madison County Public Libraries was named the 2018 Best Small Library in America by Library Journal. Library Journal’s annual award, with the support of sustaining sponsor ­­Baker & Taylor (B&T), was originally created in 2005 to encourage and showcase the exemplary work of libraries serving populations under 25,000.

Presented by:  Shawna Bryce

webinar recordingFormat: Webinar, original date August 11, 2016
Hosted by: WebJunction and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries
Length: 1 hour

On paper, your job description as a library director may not cover some of the unique challenges and opportunities that come with serving a small or rural community. Juggling the nuances of a new position can be overwhelming, but equipped with a tool belt of everyday skills ranging from assessment to communication and outreach to time-management, you can move through your new role with confidence. This session will be useful for anyone interested in strengthening their role in the library, even if you aren’t a director. Come learn from a successful new director, 10 fresh tips for working with staff, boards, and the community to create a strong and vibrant library. Join us and bring your tips and ideas to help new directors succeed!

Presented by: Jennifer Pearson

webinar iconFormat: Webinar, original date May 24, 2022
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

Across the United States, there are increased reports of book challenges from community members, which have led to very public and heated discussions. As public library leaders and staff consider how to prepare for similar local challenges, being proactive about developing and sharing policies and procedures can help to create clarity and establish expectations around responses to book challenges. This preparation may also include engaging stakeholders, partners, and supporters around the value and essential need for intellectual freedom in the library. Join this discussion with panelists who are working through these issues in their communities, to learn about the resources they have found useful, and their suggestions for getting started.

Presented by: Amanda Vazquez, Amber McLain, Brianna Hoffman, and Jennifer Pearson

webinar iconFormat: Webinar, original date October 8, 2020
Hosted by: OCLC and IMLS
Length: 1 hour

Amid COVID-19, many archives, libraries and museums are reopening and expanding access to services in their communities. The challenges of reopening during a pandemic have led to many questions about the handling of materials as well as the management of building operations. From allowing the virus to die naturally, to using disinfectants, to applying UV light or heat treatment—there are many options to consider. View this 60-minute webinar from the REopening Archives, Libraries and Museums (REALM) project to hear how some organizations are implementing policies and procedures around the use of these various treatments and considerations that could inform your own local decisions. You’ll also hear an update on REALM testing efforts and the development of project resources.

Presented by: Bexx Caswell-Olson, Chris Carron, Scott Carey, and Kendra Morgan

webinar iconFormat: Webinar, original date March 27, 2019
Hosted by: Infopeople
Length: 1 hour

In a world with a 24-hour news cycle, libraries must be ready to communicate quickly about any crisis that may impact their community. Yet few libraries have an up to date crisis communication plan. From a natural disaster, a shooting in a branch, anger in the community over a library program or partnership, or a social media campaign against a library choice, a crisis can take many forms.

Join presenter and communications director Kim Crowder as she shares how you can create a full crisis communications plan from start to finish. She will discuss real examples of crisis communications plans that worked, and missteps that you can avoid. Start building a strong plan and community relationships now that will help you once a crisis hits.

Presented by: Kim Crowder

Format: Self-paced course
Developed by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

In a crisis, you must be prepared to communicate clearly and quickly. This course for leaders of libraries, archives, and museums will guide you in preparing to communicate in the event of a crisis. You will identify stakeholders and potential responses, create a roster for your crisis communications team, and use a template to build your own customized Crisis Communications Plan.

Related course: Introduction to Crisis Communications for Libraries, Archives, and Museums

webinar iconFormat: Webinar, original date June 15, 2021
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

The growing research and library case studies on the benefits of eliminating overdue fines indicate that the advantages to both library and patron far exceed the monetary value of the fines. This webinar explores going (and staying) fine-free as a social justice issue and as a revenue issue. Presenters will discuss considerations such as the barriers to access for those facing financial insecurity, the cost to collect fines often exceeds the revenue they bring in, and that many libraries report that patrons return more items after going fine-free.

Presented by: Mark Fink and Peter Bromberg

webinar iconFormat: Webinar, original date July 25, 2018
Hosted by: NCompass Live, Nebraska Library Commission
Length: 1 hour

Is your library prepared for disaster? Find out what you need to know at this introduction to disaster planning. During this session, we will discuss the following:

  • Identify, anticipate and avoid preventable emergencies
  • Plan for emergency response for staff and patrons
  • Suggest ways to prevent destruction and protect collections
  • Consider mitigating damage when an emergency occurs so that disaster is avoided or minimized
  • Establish guidelines for managing disaster salvage and recovery

Presenter: Michael Straatmann

webinar recordingFormat: Webinar, original date January 30, 2018
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

Recent catastrophes have highlighted the important role public libraries play in enhancing their community’s resiliency and post-disaster recovery efforts. Many community leaders now view libraries as ad hoc disaster recovery centers and recognize librarians as Information First Responders. This presentation will help you and your library embrace this new role as Information First Responders, who quickly enable people to get back to work, back to their lives, and ensure recovery of the community’s economic life. Learn what you need to prepare before disaster strikes, guided by New Jersey State Library’s Disaster Preparedness & Community Resiliency Toolkit, which has been emergency-tested by libraries. Your library can be at the forefront in providing that safe haven in times of crisis and helping your community return to normal life.

Presented by: Michele Stricker

webinar recordingFormat: Webinar, original date November 4, 2014
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

Many librarians find themselves challenged to make the transition into proficient managers, often without clear guidance. For her dissertation on front-line public library managers, Michele Leininger, a PhD candidate at the University of Pittsburgh, chose to investigate how and where new managers find the help they need. Through a series of diaries and interviews at one library system, Michele’s research tells both the individuals' stories about how they learned and transitioned from librarians into managers, as well as the story of the library organization and its peer support network. Discover what the research has revealed and what it means for others interested in the transitional journey to proficient manager.

Presented by: Michele Leininger

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Format: Webinar, original date January 22, 2020
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

Dissent and conflict are critical components of progress and are catalysts that move individuals, institutions, and communities toward systemic change. Author Cass Sunstein writes, "Behavior that is sensible, prudent, and courteous is likely to lead individuals and societies to blunder." Librarianship, on the whole, is prone to such behavior, choosing conformity over conflict, and inertia over action. Authentic dissent in librarianship can be a catalyst to facilitate positive change against systemic oppression in libraries, and in society at large.

Presented by: Margo Gustina and Eli Guinnee

webinar iconFormat: Webinar, original date July 11, 2019
Hosted by: WebJunction and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries and Library Journal
Length: 1 hour

Privacy, confidentiality, and intellectual freedom are core values of librarianship that are easy to agree with, but difficult to implement. Hooray for Freedom! will help you assess your professional practice, give you the legal and ethical context to support democracy in your library, and help you identify practical ways to implement improvements.

Presented by: Margo Gustina and Eli Guinnee

webinar iconFormat: Webinar, original date August 8, 2019
Hosted by: WebJunction and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries and Library Journal
Length: 1 hour

Building on part one, Hooray for Freedom! Privacy, Confidentiality, and Intellectual Freedom in the Library, this webinar will help you assess your library’s current policies and procedures within a legal context, and help you draft specific policy language. We’ll explore considerations for libraries of all sizes in order to codify the library profession’s values for our institutions

Presented by: Margo Gustina and Eli Guinnee

webinar recordingFormat: Webinar, original date October 12, 2016
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

Have you noticed that some libraries manage to thrive even when times are tough and things are going against them? We would all love to know how to pave the way for future success in a world that seems to change by the hour. Successful libraries don’t have a crystal ball but they do share five characteristics that encourage positive results, regardless of what the world throws their way. Learn how to activate these characteristics in your library, including low cost/no cost tips that apply to any size of library or community. Give your library a new lease on life and revitalize excitement about your services.

Presented by: George Needham

webinar iconFormat: Webinar, original date September 28, 2021
Hosted by: OCLC and IMLS
Length: 1 hour 30 minutes

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged many cultural institutions to reimagine their practices. Partnerships, programming, and services have all shifted to meet the public's new and changing needs. Some of these changes have been temporary, and others are here to stay. Join us as international library, archive, and museum colleagues discuss the operational changes they will be continuing, regardless of pandemic conditions.

Presented by: Frederic Bertley, Stuart Hunt, Gwen Mayhew and Lynette Schurdevin

Format: Self-paced course
Developed by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

A crisis is any situation that threatens the integrity or reputation of your library, museum, or archive. This could include funding reductions, safety or security events, health issues, public challenges, or other problems.

In this course, you will learn about the three types of crises and how they are defined. You will also compare examples of crises. Finally, you will evaluate your organization’s crisis preparedness.

Related course: Crisis Communications Planning for Libraries, Archives, and Museums


webinar recordingFormat: Webinar, original date November 29, 2018
Hosted by: WebJunction and OCLC, Transformative Leaders Series
Length: 1 hour

Charles Darwin said, "It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." It has never been a better time to be a librarian—especially when we recognize and act on our power to help people in our communities build better lives through learning and literacy. To do that, our identity, our education, our organizations, and our work is changing. Learn how library staff are becoming change agents to help Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, the 2016 Gale/LJ Library of the Year, become an essential asset in its community.

Presented by: Gina Millsap and Thad Hartman

webinar iconFormat: Town Hall, original date April 13, 2020
Hosted by: WebJunction and Research Library Partnership, OCLC
Length: 1.5  hours

The COVID-19 crisis has created a strain on both the personal and professional lives of library staff everywhere. As libraries respond to rapidly evolving information and guidelines, building closures, and loss of resources, staff are considering new, virtual ways to connect with and support patrons and colleagues.

Join us for a 90-minute OCLC virtual town hall with a welcome from Skip Prichard, President and CEO of OCLC. This live event will feature WebJunction and OCLC Research Library Partnership program staff and four guest panelists from public, academic, special, and school libraries who will share their experiences with the shifting landscape, including how libraries are moving services, programming, and learning online.

Panelists will also discuss methods for taking care of ourselves and one another as we grapple with the stress and fear that results from a crisis of this magnitude. Having a strong network of support is essential to everyone’s well-being, so we want to hear from you, too. Please bring your ideas, questions, and insights, and plan to participate via chat and in other interactive elements of the town hall.

webinar iconFormat: Webinar, original date April 18, 2019
Hosted by: WebJunction and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries
Length: 1 hour

All libraries provide vital services to their communities, but libraries that serve small, rural populations have the potential to go beyond providing information and access—they can inject the vitality that will help their communities thrive. Addressing the challenges faced by rural areas may seem daunting to a library with few staff and limited resources, but any tiny library can find more ways to support the needs of their community by thinking strategically and creating new connections with their stakeholders, patrons, and other library staff. Learn how small library director and 2018 Library Journal Mover & Shaker, Allie Stevens, applied the concept of growth mindsets to set her priorities, use resources and volunteers smartly, and avoid burnout as a solo librarian. Follow her lead to turn your library into a powerhouse for your community.

Presented by: Allie Stevens

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Format: Webinar, original date April 19, 2023
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

Libraries, like all organizations, need to plan for both anticipated and unexpected staff transitions. This webinar will introduce practical approaches to preserve organizational knowledge, clarify processes for current staff and trustees, and ease the learning curve for new employees. With higher turnover rates and the ever-changing nature of our work in libraries, procedures and policies should be updated and adapted proactively, instead of reactively, to ensure that work is accomplished by well-prepared staff, ready to meet changing community and organizational needs. From payroll to password management, and from job evaluations to janitorial, the various facets and functions of the library can be clarified to better support all staff transitions. Learn how both short- and long-term transitions can be navigated effectively and purposefully with a “transition readiness checklist,” moving both library staff and trustees toward a shared understanding of roles and expectations across the organization.

Presented by: Bonnie McKewon

self pacedFormat: Self-paced Course
Developed with: Funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Length: 3 hours

Are you new to the public library director role? Or considering becoming a director in the future?
 
This series will introduce you to the many and unique facets of public library directorship. Each of the four on-demand recordings provide a broad overview that both informs and inspires.

Overview
Public Library Directors 101 is an introduction to some of the key concepts every new public library director needs to know on the day they start their new job.

This four‐part video series was designed by state librarians, library development directors, and CE coordinators around the question: “What do public library directors tell us they wish they had known when they started their job?

The videos are under ½ hour each and apply to any library director in any size of library in any state. It is recommended that new library directors view all of the videos within the first month they begin their job. The videos are as follows:

  • Your New Role – Whether you have served in a different role at your library or you are brand new to the community, this video explores how a library director needs to refocus when assuming this new position.
  • Community Relations – The directorship is an outwardly‐focused position in the library. This session explores the concept and considers the library as a community anchor institution.
  • Planning and Project Management – The director is the futurist for the library. While he or she may have participated in planning activities in the past, now the director will be leading the charge in planning for the library’s future and implementing the plan.
  • Asset management – Finally, this episode looks at how the director will be managing all the assets of the library system ‐ which includes buildings, the collection, revenue, and staff.

Course Design:
Produced through the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) Continuing Education Connector project.

webinar recordingFormat: Webinar, original date March 15, 2016
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

Sooner or later, all libraries need to realign or reinvent services and workflows to respond to shifting community needs, but there’s often a disconnect between ideas generated by staff on the front lines and the decisions made by management. Imagine a library where all staff feel empowered to submit, vote and comment on service and workflow ideas. To reach this ideal, Sno-Isle Libraries (WA) has embraced the idea management process in order to consider and approve ideas holistically, for cost, benefit and time, and before a heavy investment of resources. Sno-Isle Libraries realized that building a collaborative, transparent framework to support workflows, change, ideas and community engagement is essential to creating a culture of purposeful innovation. During this webinar, you’ll gain a clear understanding of the "what" and "why" of idea management, hear lessons learned, and leave with tools to empower staff to lead from any position by sharing their ideas.

Presented by: Christa Werle

webinar iconFormat: Webinar, original date August 4, 2020
Hosted by: OCLC, IMLS and Battelle
Length: 1 hour 30 minutes

As libraries and museums around the country begin to resume operations and reopen to the public, the need for clear information to support the handling of core museum, library, and archival materials has become increasingly urgent. Through the REopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums (REALM) Project, 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. Join us to learn more about the testing process, how to present results to your stakeholders, project resources to inform your local decisions, and what you can expect from the project in the months to come. 

Presented by: Sharon Streams, Kendra Morgan, Marvin D. Carr, Thomas Mera, and Will Richter

webinar iconFormat: Webinar, original date January 29, 2021
Hosted by: OCLC, IMLS and Battelle
Length: 1 hour

Almost a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, libraries, archives and museums (LAMs) continue to adapt and respond. These institutions face the challenges of redesigning services to limit the spread of the virus while meeting community and staff needs amid uncertainty. Providing science-based information to support local decision making, the REopening Archives, Libraries and Museums (REALM) project is conducting research on how long the COVID-19 virus survives on materials that are prevalent in LAMs. With six rounds of lab testing and two scientific literature reviews completed, project team members will provide an update on the latest results, summarize what is known and unknown about the virus, and highlight free resources. Presenters will share strategies implemented at their institutions, and the project team will preview what is on the horizon for REALM, and for LAMs.

Presented by: Chris Cooper, Robin Foley, Anna Musun-Miller, and Kendra Morgan

webinar recordingFormat: Webinar, original date April 4, 2012
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: Length: 1 hour

Many of us regard a move into management as going to the dark side, but leadership is not only reserved for those with manager in their title. Learning effective supervisory skills can benefit many levels of work in the library, especially if you wear multiple hats in your organization serving as both staff peer and manager. Find out the top 10 actions to take and the top 10 mistakes to avoid as an everyday leader. By the end of this webinar, you'll have some simple and effective tools to help you work more powerfully with your colleagues or become the supervisor you always wanted to work for.

Presented by: Edra Waterman

webinar recordingFormat: Webinar, original date November 5, 2018
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

Innovating. Meeting community needs. Managing the daily business of running a library. It can feel as though there aren’t enough hours in the day to do it all. But there are powerful models like the Millvale Community Library which is acting as an agent of change in the community without sacrificing their core role as an information resource. This small but mighty library addresses their community’s food desert, uses clean energy, offers a tool-lending library, and more—while operating in a financially sustainable way. Learn how they do it, and how you can, too!

Presented by: Susan McClellan

webinar iconFormat: Webinar, original date April 15, 2021
Hosted by: OCLC and IMLS
Length: 1 hour 30 minutes

The REopening Archives, Libraries and Museums (REALM) project is hosting a webinar to explore the topic of COVID-19 vaccines and how they impact the reopening and ongoing operations plans for organizations. Presenters will provide information on vaccine education, including resources available to help address vaccine misinformation in the community. They will also share aspects of what is known and unknown in the scientific community about vaccines, along with a general update about the REALM project.

Presented by: Crosby Kemper, Erica Kimmerling, Amy Marino and Elisabeth Wilhelm

webinar iconFormat: Webinar, original date May 5, 2022
Hosted by: WebJunction
Length: 1 hour

Libraries, archives, and museums have adapted their facilities, services, and programs in response to community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many found they didn’t have to do it alone. Building networks that foster information exchange and collaboration among museums, libraries, and other local assets and organizations can help us manage uncertainty and strengthen our capacity. Our panelists, who represent a variety of cultural heritage institutions, will share their experiences with local, state, and national partnerships and networks during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight successful strategies that can help you lead staff and public during a crisis.

Presented by: Cassandra Williams Rush, Julie Brophy, Sherry Aragon and Stacen Goldman