Continuing Education Archives

This training program combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications, equipping library professionals with the skills needed to adapt to the changing needs of their communities. This comprehensive program covers four key topics crucial for the modern library landscape: library advocacy, community partnerships, libraries as places of healing, and social-emotional services in libraries.
 

This introductory session includes a general overview of current trends and research about handling diversity topics particularly race, gender, ability, and family structure as library boards and staff. The conversation includes understanding our perspectives and how these may impact our communities. Presented by RAILS EDI Consultant Elisabeth "Biz" Lindsay-Ryan.l

Four distinct generations collaborate side by side, each bringing a unique set of attitudes, values, and work styles to the table. Strengthening your team requires a deep understanding of these inherent generational dynamics. Identifying what motivates each generation and how they communicate is crucial for breaking down barriers and harnessing collective strengths.

This program will discuss what is Emotional Intelligence. It will help the participant to understand how understanding the emotions of themselves and others can lead to more collaborative and productive work relationships. People managers will gain tools to help them with their own jobs and also to help their direct reports. Come be part of the discussion that employers around the globe are having with people - understanding emotions and building actions for maximum job satisfaction.

In this interactive session, learn how we partnered across departments to create a service that connects our community to printable assistive technology with the development of the Assistive Tools Kit, a collection of seven small devices that can be used by people of all ages to help with daily tasks such as writing, carrying bags, and opening small lids or bottle caps. Customers can borrow an assembled kit to learn which tools are most useful and create their own custom kit using the library’s 3D printers for a nominal cost of materials.

Chicago-based cataloging librarian Violet Fox discusses the past, present, and future of inclusive cataloging. Participants will learn about projects being done around the world to address long-standing bias in our catalogs, providing new opportunities to continue this work in their own systems. Attendees will also come away from the session with a renewed awareness of how this work can positively impact both library workers and our users.

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With the mega-funding coming for broadband improvements across the US, digital equity is suddenly a hot topic everywhere. We know that equity is at the very core of library services, but how can we apply the equity lens to digital services to include as many library patrons as possible? Please join technology consultant Carson Block and librarian and educational consultant Sarah Morris for a fun and engaging look at digital equity and an onramp to improve technology-driven library services for patrons and staff alike.

Topics:

As digital access becomes increasingly essential for participating in community life, libr

This presentation addresses the recruitment, hiring, and retention of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), focusing on what library leaders can do to address these issues in their organizations and how to implement inclusivity and belonging practices in the workplace. Participants will learn more about what negatively impacts the recruitment and retention of BIPOC employees and actions that can be taken to address those issues.

The breakout room discussions were not recorded.

A push toward gender inclusion requires a continued confrontation with what normative presumptions we possess about gender in our daily lives. Librarians can serve as advocates and allies in the work toward gender equity. This talk provides guidance on what it means to think inclusively about gender by reflecting on the ever-expanding and intersecting forms of gender identity under the umbrella of queer and trans. The talk explores how librarians can highlight and elevate queer communities to foster gender-inclusive futures.

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This training will help build a foundation for understanding equity and inclusion work by covering key vocabulary and topics. The following topics will be discussed: inclusion and its importance; accountability; bias and how it develops; racism and intersectionality; and the constructs of power. The differences between an upstander and an ally will also be covered.

Recorded live on February 23, 2022, this webinar runs approximately 60 minutes and will be accessible through December 31, 2022.

"EDI Elements: Identifying Microagressions" explores microaggressions, including the definition, examples of racial and other types of microaggressions, how microaggressions can impact librarianship, and ways to recognize and begin to respond to microaggressions.

"EDI Elements: Implicit Bias" develops a common definition of implicit bias, builds awareness of implicit bias as it plays out in everyday situations, and explores ways to disrupt our biases.

"EDI Elements: Cultural Competence" explores culture, cultural humility, and identity to increase awareness of ourselves and our interactions with colleagues and the communities we serve.