Published 7/29/2021, Last Updated 5/16/2022 4:45 PM CT
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.
Upcoming Continuing Education Events
You can find all of our upcoming continuing education events on our homepage, or you can search the Library Directory and Learning Calendar website, where you can also register for events (and log outside continuing education events). You can also download and print our current CE flyer, found below.
Search and Register for IHLS Continuing Education Events on Library Directory & Learning Calendar
Want a printable calendar?
Download and Print Our 2022 Q2 Continuing Education Flyer
Continuing Education 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 has developed into a full one-day conference chock-full of learning opportunities. It has also been designed to provide a large-scale networking opportunity for all IHLS membership, both with system staff and with each other. Learn more about our most recent or upcoming IHLS Member Day
Registered Attendees can access the recordings on the IHLS Member Day 2021 event site 
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.
Consulting
Illinois Heartland Library System staff members are available to discuss questions and concerns of member libraries, suggest resources for libraries, and share what has been learned in the course of our professional experience. From developing diverse collections to board relations to information technology, you can book a time with our staff and pick our brains.*
*System staff cannot offer support in areas such as the law, construction, and human resources. However, we can still point you in the direction of resources.
**For cataloging support, please contact the Cataloging Maintenance Center.
To speak with a member of the IHLS professional staff, contact Ellen Popit, IHLS Associate Director.
IHLS Learning: Articles and Videos
Video: Reading Colors Your World: Making Your 2021 Summer Reading Program Cheerful & Bright
Article: Conducting Board Meetings During a Shelter-in-Place Order
Article: Tips for Proving Your Library’s Worth Post-Closure
Link: Definitions from the Illinois Administrative Code (Effective January 2020)
Additional Continuing Education Resources
- Open continuing Education Directory
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AASL eLearning
American Association of School Librarians
http://www.ala.org/aasl/learning
Tags: School libraries
ALA eLearning
American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/educationcareers/elearning/
Tags: Public libraries, School libraries, Academic libraries, Special libraries, Public Library Trustees
ACRL Conferences & eLearning
Association of College and Research Libraries
http://www.ala.org/acrl/conferences
Tags: Academic libraries
AISLE Calendar of Events
Association for Illinois School Library Educators
https://www.aisled.org/calendar.htm
Tags: School libraries
Alternative Basic Library Education
Idaho Commission for Libraries
https://libraries.idaho.gov/continuing-education/able/
Tags: Public libraries, School libraries, Academic libraries, Special libraries, Public Library Trustees
Cataloging Maintenance Center
Illinois Heartland Library System
https://www.illinoisheartland.org/cmc
Tags: Public libraries, School libraries, Academic libraries, Special libraries, Public Library Trustees
Gumdrop Books Online Professional Development and Training Sessions
Gumdrop Books
https://www.gumdropbooks.com/OnlinePD.aspx
Tags: Public libraries, School libraries
Illinois Library Association Events
Illinois Library Association
Tags: Public libraries, School libraries, Academic libraries, Special libraries, Public library trustees
Library 2.0
Library 2.0
Tags: Public libraries, School libraries, Academic libraries, Special libraries, Public Library Trustees
Library of Congress Educator Office Hours
Library of Congress
https://loc.gov/teachers/professionaldevelopment/office-hours/
Tags: School libraries
Library Marketing & Communications Conference
Library Marketing Conference Group
https://www.librarymarketingconference.org/
Tags: Public libraries, Academic libraries, Special libraries
LibraryWorks
LibraryWorks
Tags: Public libraries, School libraries, Academic libraries, Special libraries, Public Library Trustees
My Library Is…
Reaching Across Illinois Library System
Tags: Public libraries, School libraries, Academic libraries, Special libraries, Public Library Trustees
PLA Education
Public Library Association
http://www.ala.org/pla/education/
Tags: Public libraries, Public Library Trustees
Reaching Forward South
Reaching Forward South Planning Committee
http://www.reachingforwardsouth.org/
Tags: Public libraries
RAILS Continuing Education Archives
Reaching Across Illinois Library System
www.railslibraries.info/services/ce-archives/
Tags: Public libraries, School libraries, Academic libraries, Special libraries, Public Library Trustees
SLA Learn
Special Library Association
Tags: Special libraries
SHARE Training
SHARE, Illinois Heartland Library System
https://share.illinoisheartland.org/training
Tags: Public libraries, School libraries, Academic libraries, Special libraries, Public Library Trustees
Niche Academy Webinars
Niche Academy
https://www.nicheacademy.com/blog
Tags: Public libraries, Academic libraries
WebJunction
OCLC
Tags: Public libraries, School libraries, Academic libraries, Special libraries, Public Library Trustees
WVLS Continuing Education
Wisconsin Valley Library Service
https://www.wvls.org/continuing-education/
Tags: Public libraries, Public Library Trustees