Continuing Education Archives

Imagine a world where parents of struggling readers go to the library and librarians recommend resources that help all children learn to read. Perhaps caregivers take a child to a library and learn that—using games, activities, and the right resources, such as decodable books—their child can start to read basic words. Reading issues are common, and no one is spared. The statistics on struggling readers tell a dramatic story: Sixty-four percent of fourth-graders are not proficient in reading.

Learn the best practices of Zoom storytimes, including basic Zoom management, and gather new ideas for how to make your storytimes come alive over the screen. Whether you're just getting started with Zoom storytime, or you're a pro, there is something here for everyone.

This webinar was recorded live on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, and runs just under one hour.

As Future Ready School Librarians, it has never been more important for us to show what we can do and how we can shine! In this session, Shannon will share lots of ways we can lead and support our districts throughout the school year, and through our journey with remote and continuous learning.

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Thousands of books come out each year but so many have small or no marketing budgets that make it difficult for a lot of titles to get noticed. How do you find out which of these titles are right for your library, and how do you get them into the hands of your teen patrons? Learn from four experienced teen librarians who care about giving the right book to the right reader. The panelists will also share some great under-the-radar titles that your teens need to know about.

This webinar was recorded on June 11, 2020, and runs approximately 70 minutes.

Staying cooped up at home has led to creative thinking throughout the library world. Youth departments in public libraries are leading the way with live and prerecorded e-storytimes for patrons. E-resources are being shared via social media and email. Now that your library has these services situated, what next? Gather some fresh ideas about virtual services and programming BEYOND e-storytimes and rhyme videos. Attend to your patrons social-emotional needs by responding in a trauma-focused way through Lincolnwood Public Library's intentional programming and messaging.

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Feel like you want a firmer grasp on the books being published for kids today? Then join this fun, upbeat look back at 2019. Evanston Public Library Collection Development Manager Betsy Bird uses her location's 101 Great Books for Kids list to highlight the titles you definitely shouldn't miss. Attendees will receive a firm grasp on some of the best books written for children, as well as a broader sense of trends in publishing and what to look for in the future.

This webinar was recorded live on March 3, 2020, and runs approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

Join Evanston Public Library's Collection Development Manager Betsy Bird as she guides you through her library's annual 101 Great Books for Kids list for 2018. From fairy tales and folktales to comics and picture book biographies, there's something for every kid between the ages of 2-12 on this list. Betsy talks up some of the keener selections, highlighting both known favorites and the hidden gems that might come in handy for your average children's librarian. Finally, Betsy discusses creating this list and how you can make one for your own library system. Come for the books.

Historically, children's and young adult Collection Development has been heavily reliant on reviewed materials. To order books for your library, all you had to do was receive carts of newly reviewed titles from your distributor, select them, and that was it. But as it turns out, the easy way is not the best way. Join Betsy Bird as she explains why Collection Development today is an active affair, and why making your children's and young adult collections diverse means visiting book fairs and street vendors, reaching out to local contacts, hunting down obscure book awards, and more.

Join two leaders in the field to learn about models of service, programming and technologies that create a welcoming library environment for young patrons with disabilities. Learn about dynamic programs being offered at public libraries around the Chicagoland area that can be replicated at your library.

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