Continuing Education Resources for Library Staff

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 apps handpicked by our hosts. We will be featuring a variety of apps during the webinar, with some being recommended for their 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.

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.

Self-care is so much more than a manicure or massage. It is how we restore, replenish, and nurture ourselves. It involves tough aspects like saying no, setting boundaries, assertive communication, as well as gentle restorative practices such as relaxation, laughter, and nourishing our soul. Join wellness coach Laura Greco and learn more about taking care of yourself...for a change. As a result of this program, attendees will:

• identify 3 benefits of practicing self-care
• name 4 self-care techniques

Presenter: Laura Greco - With more than 20 years as a patient care nurse, and now working as a certified wellness coach, author, and educator, Laura helps professionals improve their well-being, eliminate burnout, and find their elusive joyful work-life balance. Using practical strategies, humor, and empathy, Laura’s interactive programs break apart complex and sometimes in tangible topics. She then reassembles them with clarity, highlighting both simple action steps and why they work. Your audience will leave feeling capable, empowered, and inspired to make positive changes.Laura has a BSN (University of Michigan), master’s in adult education (MEd, Penn State), training from HeartMath and Mass General’s Benson Henry Mind Body Institute, certifications in wellness coaching (Wellcoaches and Center for Credentialing and Education). She is the author of Wellness Made Simple and Wellness Made Simple for Residents.

Are you passionate about transforming your library into a haven for all, including unsupervised youth and teens? Join us for an insightful webinar where we dive into innovative strategies to engage and positively influence these young minds. Hear from Tiffany Duck, experienced public library manager and David Duck, Youth Development and Preventative Services Manager as they share expert insights, real-life success stories and practical techniques that foster respect, creativity, and community.
Attendees will learn about:

• Practical tips to engage teens
• Actionable items to support youth and teens at the library
• Resources to enhance your professional toolkit

Who will benefit from this program?

• All staff that interact with unsupervised youth & teens at the library
• Anyone who wants to become a champion for youth engagement!

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.
Presenter: David Duck - 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.

Whether large or small, rural or urban, all library communities serve children with disabilities. Developing an awareness and understanding to the needs of kids with disabilities and their families is vital for providing relevant and impactful library services to all. This webinar shares ideas for programs, collections, and services that welcome and support kids with disabilities and their families. Attendees will also learn about ways you can make their existing library programs more inclusive for all. As a result of this program, attendees will:

• Learn national statistics of disability prevalence in their communities
• Learn about the concepts of library accessibility, inclusion, and equity as it relates to children with disabilities 
• Gather at least 5 library service ideas to support kids with disabilities and their families
• Learn at least 3 strategies to make their existing library programs more inclusive for kids with disabilities and their families

Presenter: Author, trainer, librarian, administrator, teacher, and accessibility consultant Renee Grassi is an advocate for equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in libraries, schools, and communities. As a neurodivergent librarian herself, Renee has worked in public libraries for over 17 years, developing award-winning library initiatives that welcome, support, and welcome disabled residents and their families and caregivers. Learn more at reneegrassi.com. 

Through this program we will consider how to address the sensitive topic of grief in professional settings, offering practical guidance on how to communicate with empathy and provide meaningful communicative support. Grief is a complex human experience. We will consider strategies for fostering a supportive and compassionate work environment while maintaining respect for individual experiences. As a result of this program, attendees will:

• Recognize the many ways forms of grief in our library workplace.
• Understand how to provide supportive communication techniques with respect.
• Develop strategies for creating a supportive work culture that acknowledges and accommodates grief.

Presenter: Dr. Stevie M. Munz, Ph.D. is an award-winning teacher and researcher with 10+ years of experience in the communication field. She has led hundreds of discussion forums, presentations, trainings, and workshops. As a communication expert, she is passionate about developing your communication power skills!

• Best practices for selecting books for read-alouds for storytime
• How to choose rhymes, movement songs, and activities that are engaging and age-appropriate for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers
• Tips for managing crowd dynamics and adapting storytime to the needs of different audiences
• Techniques for creating smooth transitions that keep young participants engaged from start to finish

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.

This training equips library staff with the skills to plan, execute, and follow up on a community meet and greet with local organizations and stakeholders. The session will cover event planning, effective partner engagement, hosting strategies, and sustaining relationships to enhance community collaboration.  Participants will also learn how to create a welcoming and productive networking space that fosters meaningful partnerships, promotes library resources, and encourages collaborative programming.

Presenter: Nicole T. Bryan is the Branch Manager of the Macon Library at Brooklyn Public Library. She spent some of her career within the social services arena, developing programs and meeting constituents’ needs. Currently, she assesses the delivery of library services to diverse populations in public library branches and homeless shelters in Brooklyn, N.Y. Nicole was just awarded the 2023 Woman of Distinctions award from the 56th District Assembly member. Nicole received her MLS degree from Long Island University and has been working in the library field for over 20 years.

Use the information from this interactive session to stand out from everyone else as a top-level professional. Learn about the four A's that will help you develop your professional image as a competent and trusted resource within your organization or in any setting. This session will teach you how to use your skills and professional image to maximize the potential you possess and position yourself as a valued employee within your organization.  As a result of this program, attendees will learn how to:

• Hone their communication skills and understand how and when to communicate effectively
• Maximize their professional presence in person and virtually
• Leverage emotional intelligence to build a positive and professional image
• Bring their A-game to work as a knowledgeable and esteemed top-level professional

Presenter: Clenise Platt is a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is a gifted leader, communicator, strategic thinker, and creative who partners with senior leaders, executives, and teams to develop, plan, and execute dynamic and innovative programs, initiatives, and presentations. Her areas of concentration include leadership and board development, employee engagement, talent development, customer service, and culture cultivation. Clenise has authored several books and articles focused on personal, professional, spiritual, financial, community, youth, and leadership development. She has been published in multiple publications including the Virginia Libraries Journal. She is the host of the Plattinum Passport Podcast available on podcast platforms across the web and at www.theplattinumgroup.com.

Trauma-Informed Libraries has become a buzz word in the field and seemingly everywhere, but what exactly does it mean? In this webinar, we will take deep dive into providing easy to digest explanations of what it means to be trauma-informed, why does it matter, and simple, actionable steps that professionals working in libraries can take to implement at their libraries from small scale to large scale.  Trauma and traumatic events impact approximately 90% of adults in the United States. And according to the large-scale study conducted in the late 1990s by the CDC and Kaiser Permanente, traumatic events that occur in childhood otherwise known as Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impacted 64% of the study participants and that those traumatic events in childhood later impacted health outcomes for adults. Trauma is ubiquitous, so what do we do about it? Join Bea Forkan and find out.
As a result of this program, attendees will:

• Understand key definitions as it pertains to both trauma and trauma-informed practices.
• Understand the importance of cultivating a trauma-informed philosophy at your organization and as part of your work style. 
• Learn how to implement strategies at your organization. 

Presenter: Bea Forkan is a writer and librarian based outside of Chicago. She holds a certification in ACEs through the ACE Interface company and has worked with youth and family services in the public library sector for 13 years. She has a special interest in providing services and collections that serve new parents and babies and is committed to providing services that reach marginalized populations. Outside of library work, she also runs an adventure travel company, Vacation Writing, that offers international writing retreats. 

Libraries are uniquely positioned to play a support role to teens who have experienced trauma. Libraries can be a familiar, welcoming environment that can encourage autonomy and healing. This webinar will go through the basics of trauma-informed care and provide specific examples of programs and practices for librarians to make a safe and calm atmosphere for teens. As a result of this program, attendees will learn:

• Basics of trauma-informed care
• Communication practices
• Basic mindfulness techniques that can be added to library programs
• Ideas for library programs with a trauma-informed care lens
• Library collection and display suggestions
• Ideas for partnerships to create a trauma-informed 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.