Continuing Education Archives

In this Canva Pro training webinar you'll learn how to customize your brand kit and create custom templates to save time and keep your designs on-brand—plus see it in action with a case study from Oak Park Public Library's poster display process. You'll learn how to set up documents like a pro, choose the right file formats, and get tips on finding and editing images without running into copyright issues. And because libraries are for everyone, special attention is given to accessible design.

Your library facility is your largest physical asset, and you'll likely spend a significant amount of your budget keeping it maintained. This presentation will walk you the basics of getting to know your facility, the importance of keeping it clean and maintained, and additional tips and information including doing a renovation, remodel or new build, and having a capital improvement plan.

Join us for a practical, follow-along session that introduces some key fundamentals of digital accessibility and demonstrates select techniques for creating more accessible documents.

Participants will work directly with a provided Word document as we walk through hands-on remediation examples and commonly used tools. This session is not an exhaustive training on document accessibility, but rather a focused look at core concepts and workflows you can build on.

When new trustees and directors start their roles at the library, some confusion about responsibilities can arise. Clarifying boundaries and roles helps strengthen relationships and the organization as a whole. Chatham Area Public Library Vice-President Christine Westerlund and Library Director Amy Byers discuss how each position is essential and how success depends on understanding their respective roles.

Dr. Leanne Furby, Project Manager and Course Developer, gives an overview of the statewide iLEAD Trustee Training Portal. This free resource is designed to give Illinois public library trustees a solid foundation of learning and best practices on which to build their library knowledge.

Explore the often-overlooked role of body size in EDIA work and discover how fat liberation promotes inclusivity for all bodies. This session examines the roots of anti-fatness in Anglo-American society, its connection to accessibility, and strategies for creating welcoming libraries. Based on research from the forthcoming Library Quarterly article, "One size fits none," this presentation offers practical insights for all library workers.

Adam Simon, Partner at Ancel Glink, covers key aspects of the budget and levy process, focusing on the statutes that govern them, the interplay between law and politics, and the procedural steps involved. Topics include the tax cap, differences between home rule and non-home rule jurisdictions, the role of Tax Increment Financing (TIFs), and the Personal Property Replacement Tax (PPRT).

Kate Hall and Kathy Parker, authors of The Public Library Director's Toolkit, teach you how to navigate leadership transitions with a clear succession plan so your library’s “takeoffs and landings” go smoothly. Learn what directors and trustees must have in place before a director departs, how to onboard a new leader successfully, and strategies for ensuring a seamless transition, complete with a flight plan, onboarding checklist, and sample succession plan.

Kathy Parker of Kathy Parker Consulting introduces the basics of insurance, including health, liability, unemployment, and workers' compensation coverage. You'll learn what each type of insurance is, why it matters, and how it protects you in different situations.

Amanda Standerfer of Fast Forward Consulting outlines a four-phase strategic planning process that guides libraries from initiating the effort to implementing and evaluating a clear plan.

Amanda McKay, Director of the Effingham Public Library, guides you through the essential steps of emergency preparedness, covering what to do before, during, and after an emergency. Learn how to create a plan, stay safe in the moment, and recover effectively once the danger has passed.

RAILS Executive Director Monica Harris and IHLS Executive Director Leslie Bednar outline the benefits of library system membership and how you can take advantage of everything the systems offer.

Discover how to assess and improve your school library collection to meet the needs of faculty, parents, students, and the community. Learn the basics of creating a diverse, trend-aware collection, making it accessible and engaging, and managing your budget for new materials. You'll leave with practical strategies to ensure your collection is effective and well-used.

In this webinar, learn steps you can take to meet legal requirements and develop a library culture that prioritizes accessibility. Katie Myers, ADA Coordinator at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, will share their ongoing efforts, discuss lessons learned, and provide practical advice that can help you get started identifying regional Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and community resources that provide partnership, collaboration and training.

Even if a library has been focusing on making its website more accessible, PDF files that patrons download are often overlooked. PDF documents are not inherently accessible and require specific effort to make them accessible. In this session, learn concrete actions you can take to make your library’s PDF content accessible.