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 2025...
All learning is online unless noted otherwise.
Library Issues & Book News
- Feb. 4, 1 p.m.
Keeping Up with Books: 2024 Year in Review (NoveList) - Feb. 5, noon
AL Live: Adapting, Transforming, and Maximizing Your Community College Library (ALA & Gale) - Feb. 5, 1 p.m.
Beyond the Bachelor's Degree: Supporting First-Generation Students Through Graduate School and Beyond (Carterette Series Webinars) - Feb. 5, 1 p.m.
Building Community Partnerships and Inclusive Opportunities: ALA's 2023 Peggy Barber Tribute Grant Winners (Programming Librarian) - Feb. 6, 10 a.m.
ALMA Book Buzz (Harper Collins) - Feb. 6, 2 p.m.
Empowering Teens: Enhancing Information Literacy Through Games and Interactive Programming (WebJunction) - Feb. 10, 1 p.m.
Getting Started with Citizen Science Kits at Your Library (NNLM) - Feb. 10, 1 p.m.
The Research Data Services Landscape: How Do You Start and Where Does Your Library Fit In? (NNLM) - Feb. 11, 1 p.m.
Books that are Buzzing for Spring (Library Journal) - Feb. 11, 1 p.m.
The Homeland Security Digital Library: Keeping at the Forefront (Federal Depository Library Program) - Feb. 11, 1 p.m.
Inclusive Shelves: Titles to Help Curate Your Collection (Booklist) - Feb. 12, 2 p.m.
Where do we go from here? Tools for Finding and Sharing Data (NNLM) - Feb. 14, 1 p.m.
In the Mood to Swoon? (Booklist) - Feb. 19, 1 p.m.
Edi and Neal's Book Club - February 2025 Discussion: Narratives of (Dis)Enfranchisement: Reckoning with the History of Libraries and the Black and African American Experience (ALA) - Feb. 19, 1 p.m.
Enhancing Earth and Space Science Research with the Science Explorer (Federal Depository Library Program) - Feb. 20, 1 p.m.
Bridging the Gap Between Scholarship and Public Interest (Choice) - Feb. 24, noon
From Insight to Action: Using Public Library Data for Decision-Making, Strategic Planning, and Advocacy (RIPL) - Feb. 25, noon
Talking Teen Services: Working with Teen Volunteers Panel (Colorado State Library) - Feb. 25, noon
Info2Go! Moving a Library? Tips, Tricks, and Lessons Learned (Idaho Commission for Libraries) - Feb. 25, 1 p.m.
Transformative Agreements: Insights and Experiences from Academic Libraries (Choice) - Feb 26, 2 p.m.
Turn Strategy into Action with Theory of Change (WebJunction) - Feb. 27, 1 p.m.
Graphic Novels for Adults and Young Adults (Booklist) - Feb. 28, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Library Makerspaces Research Showcase (University of Illinois)
Cataloging
Coming soon!
Grants & Fundraising
- Feb. 4, 2 p.m.
Cut Costs and Get Creative with Nonprofit Appeals (Firespring) - Feb. 6, 1 p.m.
The Best & Worst of Nonprofit Newsletters (Bloomerang) - Feb. 6, 1 p.m.
Introduction to Fundraising Planning (Candid. Learning) - Feb. 11, noon
Grantseeking Strategies for Small Teams: Achieving Success with Limited Resources (Techsoup) - Feb. 11, 1 p.m.
Introduction to Measuring Your Impact (Candid. Learning) - Feb. 13, 1 p.m.
How to Apply for NNLM (Network of the National Library of Medicine) Funding (NNLM) - Feb. 18, 1 p.m.
Creating a Full-Funnel Fundraising Strategy (Techsoup) - Feb. 19, noon
hUnlocking the Full Potential of the Google Ad Grant: Advanced Strategies for Nonprofit Campaign Success (Techsoup) - Feb. 20, 1 p.m.
Introduction to Proposal Writing (Candid. Learning) - Feb. 20, 1 p.m.
The Next Step in Grants: Effective Post-Award Management (Govloop)
Leadership and Communication
- Feb. 3, 1 p.m.
Map Your PLA Journey (PLA Members Only) (PLA) - Feb. 4, 4 p.m.
Evaluating News Media Bias: A Nuanced Approach to a Vital Topic (edWeb.net) - Feb. 6, noon
Siloed No More: Creating a Library System Map to Show Interconnectedness (Fast Forward Libraries) - Feb. 10, 10 a.m.
Unlocking the Power of Visual Storytelling for Impactful Communication (Nonprofit Learning Lab) - Feb. 12, noon
Maryland State Library Cultures Conference: Building your Network (Maryland State Library Agency) - Feb. 13, 2 p.m.
Cultivating Empathy, Trust, and Optimism: Strategies for Motivating Demotivated Library Teamsfor-motivating-demotivated-library-teams (Colorado State Library) - Feb. 18, 5 p.m.
Design Thinking in the Library: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once (Colorado State Library) - Feb. 19, 10 a.m.
Strategic Financial Planning: Turning Your Board Goals and Budget into an Action Plan (Nonprofit Learning Lab) - Feb. 20, 9 a.m.
Upping Your Game with Canva: Unlock Creativity for Your Library (Follett) - Feb. 24, 3 p.m.
Active Listening: What It Is & How to Do It (Govloop)
Technology
- Feb. 5, 1 p.m.
Simplifying E-Rate Funding for Mobile Hotspots and Library Bookmobile Wi-Fi (Niche Academy) - Feb. 12, 10 a.m.
An Ethical Reflection Aid for Implementing AI in Libraries and Archives (NNLM) - Feb. 13, 1 p.m.
Efficiency Through Innovation: Skills, Tools, and More to Make AI a Reality (Govloop) - Feb. 19, 1 p.m.
Brief, but Descriptive: Writing Effective Alt Text (Niche Academy) - Feb. 20, noon
Celebrate National Library Lovers Month with TechSoup! (Techsoup) - Feb. 26, 2 p.m.
Boost your Nonprofit’s Cybersecurity: 10 Expert Tips for Safeguarding Your Organization (Firespring)
Wellness
- Feb. 12, 1 p.m.
Tools for Overcoming Rejection and Social Exclusion at Work (Niche Academy) - Feb. 18, 1 p.m.
Strategies for Success for Neurodiverse Librarians (Colorado State Library) - Feb. 20, 2 p.m.
Promoting Adult Resilience: Building Your Bounce (edWeb.net)
Additional Resources
For more free training events, visit these additional calendars:
Looking for more? Check out the webinar calendar by the Maine State Library.
Upcoming Conferences
Grab your tickets! These conferences are coming up in the next few months.
- Feb. 12, 2025
IHLS Member Day (Illinois Heartland Library System; Virtual) - Feb. 25-27, 2025
North American Virtual Reference Online Conference - Feb. 27-28, 2025
Illinois Youth Services Institute: Find a New Narrative - April 4, 2025
Reaching Forward South Conference
Other Events by IHLS
Illinois Heartland Library System has an expanding variety of learning opportunities, too. View them all on our Events page.
All upcoming continuing education events by IHLS and its divisions; many are for IHLS members, some are open to system members statewide
For SHARE members
Free cataloging training opportunities available to system-member libraries statewide
Have suggestions, ideas, or questions about Continuing Education? Contact our Continuing Education Coordinator at 618.474.9948.
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