Continuing Education

Just as we believe education and lifelong learning for all is a core value of librarianship, we believe that professional development/continuing education of librarians is a core value of library systems. By supporting librarians’ professional development goals and making information accessible, we can aid librarians’ efforts in providing excellent library services within their communities. We take multiple approaches to continuing education: teaching and consulting by system staff, seeking topical training from outside partners and speakers, developing professional development content such as articles, and providing members with our annual IHLS Member Day continuing education, networking, and member appreciation event.

See all Continuing Education Events

Cataloging Basics — a CMC cataloging course

Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education

six-week crash course in basic cataloging

Co-sponsor
Illinois State Library

Moodle

Jul 07, 2025
Mon - 8 am

View in L2

IHLS Finance Committee Meeting

Zoom,IHLS Edwardsville 1st Floor Multipurpose Room

Jul 14, 2025
Mon - 4 pm

View in L2

IHLS Learning Center

Search our archive of continuing education articles, videos, and event recordings. Filter by library type, topic (including trustee training), and format.

Funding & Fundraising

IMLS Advocacy Update: What We Know and What You Can Do

Customer Service

Library Signage: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Doing Less with Less

Library Ethics 101 - What Would You Do?

Grant Writing

Grant Writing Tips and Tricks for Library Staff

Human Resources

Shining a Light on Managing Employees - A Library HR Webinar

Monthly/Annual Opportunities

IHLS regularly works with its staff, member libraries, and partner organizations to identify continuing education needs and provide member libraries with timely training options on a broad range of library and administrative topics. Special consideration is always given to topics that focus on applicable state, federal, and administrative laws. We also work to serve libraries through a variety of formats to meet libraries’ needs and budgets, including all-day conferences, in-person workshops, online webinars and trainings, and hybrid opportunities. We also operate the Cataloging Maintenance Center.

IHLS Member Day

Member Day is our biggest continuing education and networking event of the year! IHLS Member Day started as an annual day of member appreciation, and it has developed into a full one-day conference chock-full of learning opportunities. Learn more about IHLS Member Day

IHLS Third Thursdays CE

Starting August 2021, join Illinois Heartland Library System every third Thursday at 10 a.m. to discuss or learn about an exciting new topic. Sometimes we'll host a full continuing education webinar featuring IHLS staff or guests, and sometimes we'll incorporate a mini CE program into our Members Matter membership update events.

Cataloging

The Cataloging Maintenance Center is dedicated to providing cataloging support services to all Illinois library system-member libraries (members of Illinois Heartland Library System, Reaching Across Illinois Library System, and Chicago Public Library System). In addition to providing cataloging services for special collections, they offer regular training opportunities on niche cataloging topics. Visit the Cataloging Maintenance Center webpage for details on upcoming classes.

Additionally, SHARE, Illinois Heartland Library System’s resident automated consortium/LLSAP, provides cataloging training to both SHARE participants and standalone libraries. Visit the SHARE website for details on upcoming classes.