Continuing Education Resources for Library Staff

Are you curious about how AI tools can enhance your work and learning, but want to focus on information you trust? Join us for a practical webinar exploring Google's NotebookLM, a powerful AI-powered research and writing assistant that works exclusively with your uploaded sources. Unlike general chatbots trained on the broad internet, NotebookLM focuses its analysis on the documents, links, and audio files you provide. This makes it an ideal partner for organizing, analyzing, and extracting insights from your own materials.

In this session, you will learn how to get started with NotebookLM, including uploading various source types such as PDFs, Google Docs, web links, and audio files. You will discover how to generate summaries, briefing documents, quizzes, mindmaps and an interactive podcast. We’ll conclude with a showcase of creative ways librarians, teachers, researchers, and library staff are using this tool.

Presenter: Kira Smith has been a dedicated Virtual Reference Specialist with Florida’s Ask A Librarian service for over 15 years. A recipient of multiple Exemplary Reference Awards, Kira is passionate about guiding people to the information they need. In addition to her work in virtual reference, she freelances as a research consultant for journalists, providing expert insights and fact-finding services. Kira also regularly hosts webinars, sharing her knowledge and experience in the fields of online reference and information literacy. Her diverse background includes experience as an elementary school teacher and a certified childbirth educator, adding depth to her understanding of teaching and communication. With a love for technology, education, and travel, Kira continually seeks innovative ways to enhance learning experiences and connect with people around the world.

Readers love Romance, but with all the different sub-genres and tropes, it can be hard to keep up! Join us for a one-hour webinar to get the skinny on all things Romance RA. We’ll talk about how to talk about Romance from across the desk (door closed, open or cracked?) and how to craft the most effective search to find your patrons the book of their dreams! We’ll also discuss the language we use surrounding the content of romance novels (including spice levels), read-a-likes for popular authors, and if you can really judge a romance novel by its cover! 

Who will benefit from this program

• All staff members that interact with patrons
• All circulation staff members
• Reader’s advisory staff

Presenter: Emilia Mudd has been a librarian for thirteen years with Calvert Library in Maryland, and has been reading romance for a lot longer than that! She has an MLIS in Library Science from San Jose State University and is a published romance author. In her spare time, she is an avid reader of many genres and enjoys gardening and drinking too much coffee.

Are you looking for creative ways to engage teens with big impact but low stress? Join us for a dynamic webinar focused on passive programming. We will explore practical ideas, examples, and tips to implement programs and self-directed activities.  Learn how to foster teen participation, build community, and make your library a welcoming space.

Attendees will learn about:

• The value of passive programming
• Specific passive program examples
• How to adapt programs to fit diverse needs

Who Will Benefit from this program:

• Library staff who work with teens
• Youth services staff
• Front-line staff

Co-Presenter: Tiffany Duck is a consultant and owner of LitDext LLC, a literacy and information services company. She has thirteen years of experience as a public library manager in various types of library systems. Tiffany is an adjunct instructor in the Library and Information Science.

Co-Presenter: Born in the East End Community of Newport News, VA David Duck is dedicated to serving youth and families.  With a B.A. from the University of Virginia, and an M.S. from Frostburg State University, David shares his passion for engaging families through quality programming, evidence-based practices, and an overall understanding and connection to youth/family needs. 

Storytime isn’t just fun—it’s foundational. In this session, we’ll explore how to intentionally apply early literacy practices to storytime sessions in meaningful, engaging, and developmentally supportive ways. Learn how to align your book choices, songs, activities, and interactions with the five early literacy practices (talk, sing, read, write, play), and better understand the “why” behind what we do. 
We'll explore how to share early literacy concepts with caregivers in ways that feel approachable and encouraging, making storytime a shared journey toward lifelong learning. Whether you’re refreshing your approach or looking to build more intentionality into your storytimes, this session will help connect the dots between storytime fun and meaningful impact.  
What attendees will learn:

• Learn how to incorporate the five early literacy practices (talk, sing, read, write, play) into storytime planning and delivery
• Identify developmentally appropriate strategies to support language and literacy development in babies, toddlers, and preschoolers
• Gain tools to articulate the purpose of storytime and the value of early literacy to caregivers.

Presenter: Katie Clausen is the Early Literacy Services Manager at Gail Borden Public Library and a current PhD candidate in Information Studies at Dominican University. She holds an MLIS from Dominican University and an M.A. in Children’s Literature from Simmons College. Katie has shared her expertise at numerous conferences, and her articles have been featured in the Children & Libraries: The Journal of ALSC and Marvels and Tales. Her specialties include early literacy, children’s literature evaluation, and best storytime practices.

New library workers face the challenge of learning a job as well as integrating into a workplace culture and environment. Part of onboarding is showing how the library as an institution supports and encourages employees, and engaged employees are a significant marker of an organization’s success. How do you ensure each new employee has a consistent and positive experience? Concrete tools and workflows will provide every person involved with a smooth and collaborative outcome. 

As a result of this program, participants will:

• Discuss the essential parts of onboarding and how the process interacts with hiring and training
• Explore ways to organize incoming employees’ action items and how to ensure that all employees complete the onboarding process successfully
• Learn how to design a workflow that meets their library’s needs

Who will benefit from this program:

• Managers/supervisors; administrative and human resources professionals.

Presenter: After serving in many different capacities as a library worker, Cari Dubiel is now the Assistant Director at Twinsburg Public Library in Ohio. She is also an author and the lead editor of a small press.

Every year, Andrew presents a program in November on Giving Thanks. This year he invites you to take a look at gratitude and life through Stoicism. Stoicism is a philosophy that provides a framework for ethical self-improvement and for living a human life worth living. 

On Thanksgiving Day, we’re supposed to make time for thanks, to actively think about gratitude. But what is gratitude? The Stoics believe it is inclusive and counterintuitive. It wasn’t just about being grateful for the good, but for all of life. 

Join Andrew for an hour of thought-provoking information including The Control Test. This program could change how you think, feel and act about gratitude on Thanksgiving Day and every day after.

Presenter: Andrew Sanderbeck 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 in the U.S. and many countries around the world. 

Neurodivergent children have needs that can make coming to the library a challenge. To bridge this barrier and embrace and celebrate this community, we created programming and a designated physical space that is inclusive and provides an enriching library experience. This program will walk participants through how we developed and implemented an adaptive storytime and a sensory wall so that they can apply aspects of these strategies that work for their libraries and communities. We will also discuss the importance of staff training and the significance of families seeing the library as a safe and welcoming space for their children. 

As a result of this program, attendees will be able to:

• identify the various challenges and barriers neurodivergent families encounter when visiting the library. 
• apply multi-sensory elements and calming strategies to their existing programing and physical spaces.  
• describe the key elements staff should be trained in to feel confident in their ability to interact with neurodivergent customers of all ages. 

Presenter: Danielle Navarro has worked at Calvert Library as a children's librarian for 4 years. Before that, she taught a self-contained K-2 Autism class in public schools during the pandemic and worked as a registered behavior technician at outpatient clinics. Her passion is making the library fun and engaging for all kids, whether that be the physical environment itself or the programs the library offers. 

Presenter: Missy DeCesaris has worked for Calvert Library over 20 years, beginning her journey as a part-time children's librarian. She currently serves as the Children's Supervisor at Calvert Library Prince Frederick, where she continues to inspire a love of reading and learning in young patrons. Throughout her career, Missy has actively collaborated with Calvert County Public Schools' Functional Skills and Special Olympics programs, fostering inclusive library experiences for all children. 

Incarceration in the United States affects all members of society whether directly or indirectly. Prison libraries, like their public counterparts, are uniquely positioned to provide a safe environment for individuals to access the resources needed to enhance their knowledge and skills to further their education to prepare for their future.  

Statistically, those who are incarcerated have much lower literacy rates than those who are not incarcerated. Frequently, libraries are left out of the equation when implementing literacy programs in carceral environments. Prison libraries, partnering with other library types, can be the catalyst to increasing literacy in preparation for further education and successful reintegration post-incarceration. 

This webinar will provide insights into prison literacy programs, offer ideas of how libraries can and should take the lead in improving their incarcerated patrons’ literacy skills, and challenge participants to take part in creating or enhancing literacy programs with library support.
From this webinar, attendees will be able to:  

• Create a plan to start a literacy program within their organization. 
• Identify and create partnerships with outside organizations for programming.
• Identify impactful resources, data, and support for literacy programs in carceral facilities 

Presenter: Aaron Blumberg is a degree-holding librarian and Justice-impacted advocate, consultant, and trainer. He advocates for the rights of the incarcerated and other marginalized groups, specifically uncensored access to information and the need for digital literacy. Aaron was a member of the working group which updated the American Library Association’s “Standards for Library Services for the Incarcerated or Detained” and has served as an advisor and consultant on IMLS grant-funded projects.  

His current research and advocacy endeavors include prison literacy programs; access and accessibility; partnerships between carceral, public, and academic libraries; and breaking down barriers to education during and after incarceration. 

He has presented webinars on topics such as censorship in prisons, advocating for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated populations, and library services to the incarcerated for the American Library Association, Ithaka S+R, OCLC, and the California Library Association. Most recently, Aaron co-presented two sessions at the 2025 ALA Annual Conference on related topics.

What if speaking to power felt less like a risk and more like a skill you could grow? In this 60-minute session, Michelle Ornat shares practical strategies for engaging with positional power, such as those in leadership or decision-making roles, with insight and confidence. This session begins by exploring how awareness is a strategic advantage and how successful conversations start with intention. You will discover how to “plate” a message, whether you are addressing problems or complaints, sharing updates or information, pitching new ideas or proposals, or raising concerns. This approach helps build trust, highlights credibility, and positions you as a thoughtful, solution-oriented leader.
Attendees will learn how to:

• Apply self, relational, and situational awareness to improve communication and outcomes
• Plate problems with solutions, frame updates with outcomes, and pitch ideas with purpose
• Deliver messages, especially sensitive ones, with clarity, structure, and professionalism

Who Will Benefit from this Program:

• All Staff including Supervisors and Managers

Presenter: Michelle Ornat is a transformational coach, speaker, and founder of Ornat Coaching & Consulting. She brings more than two decades of leadership, executive, and management experience in public libraries and city government to her work with mission-driven women and organizations. She is a Certified Professional Coach, Energy Leadership Index™ (ELI) Master Practitioner, and Certified Executive Coach | COR.E Leadership Dynamics™ Specialist. Michelle actively supports public libraries through her involvement locally as a member of the Solano County Library Advisory Council and nationally through ALA, PLA, and Core, including co-chairing the Core Library Consulting Interest Group and serving on the PLA Leadership Development Committee. Connect with Michelle at www.ornatcoaching.com or on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-ornat.