We've crawled the web for some of the most useful library learning opportunities, most of them free and all of them curated for the librarians of Illinois.

Here's where you can expand your skills in February 2024...

All learning is online unless noted otherwise.

Library Issues & Book News 

• Feb. 1, 12 p.m.
  Fact Finding and Black History (School Library Journal)
• Feb. 1, 1:30 p.m.
  Julian Randall in conversation with Clint Smith (Hachette Book Group)
• Feb. 5, 3 p.m.
  Igniting Summer Learning with STEAM (edWeb.net)
• Feb. 6, 1 p.m.
  Graphic Novels for Adults and Young Adults (Booklist)
• Feb. 7, 2 p.m.
  Leading a Culture of Reading: How to Engage and Inspire Readers in Your School Community (edWeb.net)
• Feb. 8, 12 p.m.
  CSL in Session: Trends & Libraries  (Colorado State Library)
• Feb. 8, 12 p.m.
  Overview of the CCC Annual Copyright License for Higher Education (Copyright Clearance Center)
• Feb. 8, 1 p.m.
  Disney Publishing Spring 2024 Preview (Booklist)
• Feb. 8, 1 p.m.
  Disney Publishing Spring 2024 Preview (Booklist)
• Feb. 8, 1 p.m.
  Books That Are Buzzing For Spring (LJ)
• Feb. 13, 1 p.m.
  Adult Faves (Booklist)
• Feb. 13, 1 p.m.
  Project Outcome 101 (PLA)
• Feb. 14, 1 p.m.
  Cultivating and Sustaining the Relationship-Driven Library (Niche Academy)
• Feb. 20, 1 p.m.
  Magnificent Middle Grade (Booklist)
• Feb. 20, 1 p.m.
  Evaluating Open Access Investment Opportunities for Your Library (Lyrasis)
• Feb. 20, 1 p.m.
  ALA's Sara Jaffarian Award Presents - Growing Readers, Growing Leaders: Fostering Bi-literate, Bi-Cultural, and Bi-Lingual Student (Programming Librarian)
• Feb. 21, 1 p.m.
  The Read Woke Challenge: Ignite Curiosity, Inspire Empathy, and Create Community (edWeb.net)
• Feb. 22, 9 a.m.  
  Digital Preservation 101: What Libraries Should Know (Indiana State Library)
• Feb. 22, 11 a.m.  
  Summer 2024 Preview with HarperCollins Children’s Books featuring Patricia McCormick, Maureen Johnson, and Naomi Shihab Nye (Booklist)
• Feb. 22, 2 p.m.
  Switching it Up! Creating a Video Game Collection for Your Library (WebJunction)
• Feb. 23, 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. ONLINE CONFERENCE
  Big Talk From Small Libraries – Small Libraries Doing Big Things! (Nebraska Library Commission)
• Feb. 27, 10 a.m.
  The Inside-Out Library – How OA is Changing the Role of the Librarian (ACRL Choice)
• Feb. 27, 1 p.m.
  Living Room Conversations: Connecting Your Library Community Through Conversation  (ALA)
• Feb. 27, 2 p.m.
  Co-Creating Library Services for Transformative Impact (WebJunction)
• Feb. 29, 1 p.m.
  Free & Low-Cost Programming for Youth (Indiana State Library)
• Feb. 29, 2:30 p.m.
  New by Newbery! Spring into These New Middle-Grade Reads by Newbery Authors! (Booklist)

Cataloging

• Feb. 23, 1 p.m.
  Core Competencies for Cataloging and Metadata: Then and Now (ALA Core Forum)

Intellectual Freedom & Censorship

• Feb. 6, 2 p.m.
  Free Webinar for Students: Parent Perception of Librarians Survey Discussion (EveryLibrary)
• Feb. 8, 2 p.m.
  Insights for the IF and Legislative Fight from the Parent Perceptions Survey Series (EveryLibrary)

Grants & Fundraising 

• Feb. 1, 1 p.m.
  Introduction to Proposal Writing (Candid.Learning)
• Feb. 6, 1 p.m.
  Introduction to Measuring Your Impact (Candid.Learning)
• Feb. 8, 1 p.m.
  Introduction to Project Budgets (Candid.Learning)
• Feb. 8, 1 p.m.
  All Aboard: How to Use GrantStation’s Tools (Techsoup)
• Feb. 13, 1 p.m.
  Grantseeking Solo: Securing Awards with Limited Staff (Techsoup)
• Feb. 15, 1 p.m.
  Introduction to Corporate Giving (Candid.Learning)
• Feb. 20, 1 p.m.
  Introduction to Individual Giving (Candid.Learning)
• Feb. 27, 10 a.m.
  Fundraise Smarter, Not Harder - How to Identify High Value Fundraising Tasks (Nonprofit Learning Lab)
• Feb. 27, 1 p.m.
  Introduction to Fundraising Planning (Candid.Learning)
• Feb. 29, 1 p.m.
  Introduction to Finding Grants (Candid.Learning)

Leadership and Communication 

• Feb. 1, 1 p.m.
  Strategic Planning The Beginning: Creating a Process that Produces Results (Bloomerang)
• Feb. 6, 11 a.m.
  Driving Innovation Through Inclusive STEM Education (Education Week)
• Feb. 7, 1 p.m.
  Oral Language Development: The Missing Link to Supporting Students with Dyslexia  (Education Week)
• Feb. 7, 1 p.m.
  ACRL Presents Webinar: Cultural Proficiencies for Racial Equity Framework (ACRL)
• Feb. 7, 1 p.m.
  Building Belonging, The Key to Creating Connection with your DEI Efforts (Niche Academy)
• Feb 12, 10 a.m.
  Nurturing Resilience: Fostering Healing and Inclusion Through Trauma-Informed Care and DEI (Nonprofit Learning Lab)
• Feb. 13, 1 p.m.
  Event Preparedness: Active Shooters and Hostile Activity at Your Venues (Lyrasis)
• Feb. 15, 1 p.m.
  MacKids School & Library Spring 2024 Preview Event (Booklist)
• Feb. 20, 10 a.m.
  Bridging Generational Communication Gaps in the Nonprofit Workplace (Nonprofit Learning Lab)
• Feb. 21, 10 a.m.
  Using Creativity to Grow & Develop  (Nebraska Library Commission)
• Feb. 21, 11:30 a.m.
  Integrating Research, Publishing, and Presenting Into Your Career (NNLM)
• Feb. 21, 1 p.m.
  How to Apply DEIA to Your Programs, Policies and Tech (Govloop)
• Feb. 22, 10 a.m.
  Connecting with Your Audience: Effective Communication Strategies for Understanding and Engaging Your Target Market (Nonprofit Learning Lab)
• Feb. 22, 1 p.m.
  Think, Try, Fix, Share: Inclusive Engineering with Young Children Using Universal Design (Early Childhood Investigations)
• Feb. 26, 3 p.m.
  How to Manage an Inclusive Team (Govloop)
• Feb. 27, 10 a.m.
  Fundraise Smarter, Not Harder - How to Identify High Value Fundraising Tasks (Nonprofit Learning Lab)
• Feb. 28, 10 a.m.
  NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech (Nebraska Library Commission)
• Feb. 28, 1 p.m.
  Building Critical Thinking Across the Disciplines (Niche Academy)
• Feb. 29, 12 p.m.
  Working with Facilities to Create a Fuller Picture of Your Collection Environment (Connecting To Collections Care)
• Feb. 29, 2 p.m.
  Collaboration and Communication in Your School and District (Follett Community)
• Multiple Dates & Times
  Marketing for Beginners: Creating a Social Media Campaign (Canva)

Technology 

• Feb. 7, 10 a.m.  
  Generative AI in Health Sciences Libraries: What to Do Now (NNLM)
• Feb. 7, 10 a.m.
  NCompass Live: WiFi In the Library (Nebraska Library Commission)
• Feb. 7, 1 p.m.
  What You Need to Know About the Threat Landscape (Govloop)
• Feb. 7, 2 p.m.
  Low Vision Tools to Support Independence (PACER Center)
• Feb. 8, 11 a.m.  
  Practical Applications of AI in Libraries (Wyoming State Library)
• Feb. 12, 1 p.m.
  AI Prompt Engineering for Responsible Digital Citizens (edWeb.net)
• Feb. 12, 3 p.m.
  Online Forms – The Good, the Bad, the Ugly (Govloop)
• Feb. 13, 1 p.m.
  Beyond Outlook and OneDrive (Tech Impact)
• Feb. 13, 1 p.m.
  Artificial Intelligence & Healthcare - An Overview for the Curious (NNLM)
• Feb. 21, 2 p.m.
  Level Up Your Library with AI: Practical Uses for Library Staff and Patrons (PCI Webinars)
• Feb. 27, 1 p.m.
  Ask the Experts: Focus on AI Prompt Engineering (Techsoup)
• Feb. 28, 10 a.m.
  NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech (Nebraska Library Commission)
• Feb. 29, 1 p.m.
  Empowering Nonprofits: An Introduction to Machine Learning Applications (Tech Impact)

Wellness 

• Feb. 5 through Feb. 16 (Asynchronous course)
  Wellness in the Library Workplace (NNLM)
• Feb. 7, 3 p.m.
  Health Literacy of People Living with Mental Health or Substance Use Disorders (NNLM)
• Feb. 21, 3:30 p.m.
  A New Year – How to Set Your Career Priorities (Govloop)

Upcoming Conferences 

Grab your tickets! These conferences are coming up in the next few months. 

• Feb. 8, 2024 – IHLS Member Day (Virtual)
• April 3-5, 2024 – Public Library Association Conference  (Columbus, Ohio)
• April 19, 2024 – Reaching Forward South (Collinsville, Ill.)

Other Events by IHLS

Illinois Heartland Library System has an expanding variety of learning opportunities, too. View them all on our Events page.

Have suggestions, ideas, or questions about Continuing Education? Contact our Continuing Education Coordinator at 618.474.9948. 

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