ISL’s Online Training Series – 2025
The Indiana State Library presents webinars and training sessions free each month for individuals who are employed by Indiana libraries, as well as Indiana library board members. Experience these sessions from the comfort of your own library. No driving required! Registration information can be found on our Calendar and more sessions are added throughout the year.
Archived trainings are open access and can be found on our Archived Trainings page within 30 days of the training being broadcast. Everyone who registers for the webinars will be sent a link to the recording afterwards.
Out of state library workers are welcome to attend our live webinars, however, please note that Indiana residents will receive first priority. The Indiana State Library reserves the right to cancel the registration of an out of state attendee if the maximum number of registrants for a webinar is reached.
Are you interested i n presenting a webinar for the Indiana State Library? Please fill out the Webinar Proposal form to submit your idea.
2025 Webinars
Join us for 50 minute sessions addressing a variety of library topics. Each session will be moderated by an Indiana State Library staff member and will feature a variety of library related content. Click on the event for more information. Find past trainings on our Archived Trainings page.
What’s Up Wednesday – Empowering Libraries to Support Caregivers: Essential Resources and Strategies
Caregivers often face overwhelming physical, emotional, and mental challenges while balancing caregiving with their own well-being. In this session, librarians will learn how to support caregivers by connecting them with trusted health resources from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other key organizations. Participants will explore effective strategies for making libraries welcoming, resource-rich spaces for caregivers and gain practical tools to help prevent caregiver burnout within the community. Join us to strengthen your library’s role as a supportive hub for caregivers, fostering resilience and connection.
Date: 01/08/25 Time: 10:00 AM EST Format: Zoom Webinar
Presenter: Bobbi L. Newman, MLIS, MA, Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist, Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) Region 6, Wellness Ambassador, Senior Librarian, The University of Iowa Libraries]
What’s Up Wednesday – Libraries in the Age of AI: Bridging Technology and Society
Technology evolves at an exponential pace—a concept that can be challenging to grasp. Modern public libraries play a vital role in helping patrons navigate and adapt to these rapid societal changes. We provide access to digital literacy tools, cutting-edge technology, and resources for cultural adaptation and inclusion.
As artificial intelligence continues to advance, the coming decade could bring transformations comparable to those witnessed over the past century. To prepare, it is crucial to understand the various types of AI models and their applications. Equally important is a shift in our perspective: from focusing solely on local issues and linear projections to embracing a global outlook that acknowledges exponential growth. Such growth will transcend national borders and impact humanity on a universal scale.
MIT Predicts society will fall by 2040, futurist Ray Kurzweil predicts we will be living in abundance. Either way, I think we are in for a wild ride.
Date: 01/29/25 Time: 10:00 AM EST Format: Zoom Webinar
Presenters: Michael Acsbok & Nicaris Daniels-Porter
Oftentimes, we fall into the habit of writing on autopilot. We use the same language, acronyms, jargon, and naming conventions in all of our pieces without first considering who we are trying to reach with each message. This webinar will cover how to shift the focus of your marketing back to your target audience to ensure you’re communicating more effectively. Every brand also has its own voice and personality–even your library! We’ll discuss how to identify that voice as well as tips for applying it to your writing and marketing materials.
Date: 02/12/25 Time: 10:00 AM EST Format: Zoom We nar
Presenter: Trente Arens, Marketing Manager at Naperville Public Library
Indiana Disability Resource FINDER
Indiana Disability Resource FINDER, administered by the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC), is a FREE 24/7 online state-wide disability-related database designed to connect individuals to providers, resources, and events across Indiana. We will explore program features and demonstrate how to use FINDER to help individuals with disabilities and family members connect with services and resources in Indiana.
Date: 02/25/25 Time: 10:00 AM EST Format: Zoom
Presenters: Peggy Holtz and Joel F. Fosha, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
What’s Up Wednesday – Bookmarking Success: Partnering with the School Care Team to Enhance Library ImpactHear success stories of how the School Care Team has helped libraries in Indiana strengthen their impact on youth, provide community support, and support library staff well-being. Attendees will learn about programs and training offered through these partnerships and how to bring them to their own libraries. Leave with research-based practical tools to foster personal and community well-being.
Date: 02/26/25 Time: 10:00 a.m. EST Format: Zoom
Presenter: Rebekah Enzler, Program Specialist, School Care Team
What’s up Wednesday – Indiana Library Federation and Advocacy
ILF Advocacy Committee co-chairs, Vanessa Martin and Julie Wendorf will talk about the importance of advocacy and will give updates for the coming 2025 legislative session.
Date: 03/12/25 Time: 10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. EST Format: Zoom webinar
Presenters: ILF Advocacy Committee co-chairs – Vanessa Martin / Director at Greensburg Decatur County Public Library and Julie Wendorf / Director at Crown Point Community Library
What’s Up Wednesday – 2025 State of the Child with Indiana Youth Institute
To improve the lives of all Indiana children, Indiana Youth Institute provides access to reliable data and resources to empower, educate, and equip those who impact youth. Join us for a dive into the recently released 2025 Indiana KIDS COUNT® Data Book during this State of the Child presentation! Learn and engage with the best and most recent information on child well-being, to inform leaders, policymakers, youth workers, and advocates, like you, with go-to sources for critical data to create positive change for youth in your community.
Date: 03/26/25 Time: 10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. EST Format: Zoom webinar
Presenters: Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) Data Team
What’s Up Wednesday – The Indiana Collection at the Indiana State Library
The Indiana Collection at the Indiana State Library offers a wealth of published material about our great state. Among the most widely used are local daily newspapers, maps, local histories, and state agency documents, including historical laws. Our collection includes historical runs of many titles, essential for researching the past and preparing for the future.
In this webinar, you’ll be introduced to fascinating items within the collection, receive tips for exploring the resources, discover where to find online materials, and learn how you can help us grow this unique collection.
Date: 04/09/25 Time: 10:00 A.M. EST Format: Zoom webinar
Presenter: Monique Howell, Indiana Division Supervisor / Indiana State Library
What’s Up Wednesday – Start Your Community’s Journey to Information Literacy
In 2024 the Institute of Museum and Library Services launched a new website to resources to teach about the different types of literacy there are including information literacy, digital literacy, financial literacy, health literacy, and science literacy. The website includes programming resources to help develop skills in using and understanding information in a quickly changing world. In addition, the website includes training resources specifically for professionals, funding opportunities to promote information literacy, ready-made lesson plans, evaluation tools and more. Please join us for a look at what can be accomplished using the materials available on the website.
Date: 04/30/25 Time: 10:00 AM EST Format: Zoom Webinar
Presenter: Kara Cleveland, Professional Development Office Supervisor / Indiana State Library
What’s Up Wednesday – Small Adjustments for Big Change
Hear about the programs that have influenced one library’s community, including diversifying collections, creating spaces for different age groups, implementing food security programs, getting outside of library walls, implementing 24-hour book pickup, and offering take-home crafts, all on a small budget in a small building. You’ll look at how some of the programs were planned and work together as a team to share successful programs and identify other ways to make big changes with small adjustments.
Date: 05/15/25 Time: 10:00 AM EST Format: Zoom Webinar
Presenter: Brenda Hornsby Heindl / Director/Librarian, Liberty Public Library (Liberty, North Carolina)
What’s Up Wednesday – Invisible Faces
This webinar will cover the definition of human trafficking and its forms, the risks, the language, unacknowledged victims, identification and myths.
Date: 06/11/25 Time: 10:00 AM EST Format: Zoom Webinar
Presenter: Bridgette Spann-Edwards
What’s Up Wednesday – Trauma Informed Care for Grieving Families
Objectives of this webinar are to learn how grief affects children at different developmental stages. The Do’s and Don’ts of trauma informed responses. And how to best support grieving youth and families.
Date: 06/25/25 Time: 10:00 AM EST Format: Zoom Webinar
Presenter: Lindsy Diener-Locke, LSW / Ryan’s Place (Goshen, Indiana)
What’s Up Wednesday – Presenting the Autism Center
Registration link to follow.
Learn about the Autism Center at the new Fort Benjamin Branch of the Indianapolis Public Library.
Date: 07/09/25 Time: 10:00 AM EST Format: Zoom Webinar
Presenter: Shelby Peak, Indianapolis Public Library.
What’s Up Wednesday – Adult Programming Made Easy, Part 2
Registration link to follow.
Need more adult programming ideas? I’ve got you! I have gathered 12 more programming ideas, complete with instructions, for your library to use. These programs are adaptable to any budget.
Date: 08/13/25 Time: 10:00 AM EST Format: Zoom Webinar
Presenter: Lacey Klemm, Northwest regional coordinator at the Indiana State Library.