The Library of Michigan supports WebJunction with our federal LSTA funding each year. Take a look at some of the timely opportunities and topics below to increase your skills and development.

WebJunction’s free, online Course Catalog has 55 self-paced courses on library topics, as well as over 260 curated webinar recordings ready and available when you are. From customer service, to managing staff development, to designing programming for patrons of all ages, there is something to meet your learning needs!

Highlighted Training Content in the Catalog

Libraries Prepare to Answer Civil Legal Questions in Times of Crisis: With the economy staggering, unemployment soaring to unprecedented heights, and families reeling from weeks of confinement and uncertainty, people are turning to their libraries for help. Many of the issues people are struggling with involve civil legal information; questions related to unemployment, debt/money issues, foreclosures and evictions, or family stressors are all on the rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this webinar, two law librarians highlight the most common civil legal issues they are seeing, provide guidance on key ways for public libraries to respond to civil legal needs, and discuss best practices for online reference services. Let’s work together to re-empower our struggling communities and demonstrate just how essential libraries are in times of crisis.
Online Reference Basics: Online, or virtual reference, has rapidly become a service offered by many public libraries. It uses the tools of the internet to extend traditional reference service to the point of need, bringing the service to patron rather than requiring the patron to come in to the library. This course will help the learner to provide basic online reference service involving email and chat. The course addresses the advantages and disadvantages of online reference, gives step-by-step guidance, and provides tips and resources.

WebJunction Webinars for You

This upcoming webinar is open for registration. If you can’t attend a live session, all WebJunction webinars are recorded and available for free in the Course Catalog.

Opportunity Out of Adversity: Digital Access in Rural and Small Libraries

Thursday, August 6, 2020 ◆ 3:00 pm Eastern / 12:00 pm Pacific ◆ 60 minutes
Registration: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/opportunity-out-of-adversity.html

Opportunity often hides behind adversity. As libraries look to a future of post-pandemic challenges, from looming budget cuts to increasingly urgent community needs, David Lankes, in The "New Normal" Agenda for Librarianship, encourages us to consider framing the positive opportunities, rather than loss, in the changes that lie ahead. If we are intentional, we can use these circumstances to grow our organizations and to address the digital access disparities in small and rural communities. This presentation will explore how one rural library has improved internet access in partnership with an internet service provider, hosted telehealth appointments in collaboration with healthcare providers and transportation agencies, worked with schools to ensure opportunities for youth through esports, and improved digital literacy skills for patrons and local businesses.

Presented by: Dianne Connery, Director, Pottsboro Area Public Library, Texas

Strengthen Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Practice Through Self-Paced Learning
Tuesday, September 15, 2020 ◆ 3:00 pm Eastern / 12:00 pm Pacific ◆ 60 minutes
Registration: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/strengthen-EDI-practice-through-self-paced-learning.html

While classroom training has an important place in library staff education, learning is extended and reinforced when staff have the opportunity to work through difficult topics outside of the classroom. In order to support staff learning about issues of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), Multnomah County Library has developed a “Racially Just” toolkit, containing activities staff can use to learn and practice on their own, with colleagues, or in their staff groups. The toolkit workbooks include information and activities related to bias, microaggressions, allyship and cross-cultural communication, as well as a workbook focused on learning about Native American and Alaska Native people and communities. Learn how Multnomah Library developed the workbooks and what indicators signaled that their organization was ready to support staff with self-paced learning about EDI.

Presented by: Ekatrina Sotomayor, Access Services Assistant, Multnomah County Library (OR); and Amy Honisett, Learning and Development Specialist, Multnomah County Library

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Shannon White
Library Development Manager
Library of Michigan, 702 W. Kalamazoo, Lansing, MI 48909
Whites29@michigan.gov 517-335-1507 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan