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 – 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)
The Fort Ben Branch of the Indianapolis Public Library was given the opportunity to become a Certified Autism Center through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) in 2023 when the branch first opened. Branch Manager, Shelby Peak, and Children’s Librarian, Sarah Tadsen, both disability advocates in their community, will share Fort Ben’s story of pursuing accreditation and the impact this process has had on the branch staff, the local community, and the entire IndyPL system.
Date: 07/09/25 Time: 10:00 AM EST Format: Zoom Webinar
Presenters: Shelby Peak / Branch Manager and Sarah Tadsen / Children’s Librarian both from the Fort Branch of the Indianapolis Public Library.
What’s Up Wednesday – A Conversation about Curating Digital Collections
Join us for a 45-minute conversation about the theories and thoughts about building a digital collection. We will explore questions about what and what not to digitize, the importance of provenance, copyright issues, and how to determine whether it adds value to the vast number of collections out there in the digital universe. We will also look at and evaluate examples of well-curated collections versus a lot of “space junk” filing a void, all from the Indiana State Library’s Digital Collections and Hosted Collections. (Please note: this program will not focus on fund-raising nor the actual building of a digital collection.)
Date: 07/23/25 Time: 10:00 AM EST Format: Zoom Webinar
Presenters: Chris Marshall, Digital Collections Coordinator, Indiana Division, Indiana State Library and Justin Clark, Historian 2, Indiana Historical Board
What’s Up Wednesday – AI in Libraries: Transforming Information Access
Explore how AI enhances library services, including automated cataloging, AI-driven search tools, and personalized recommendations. Discuss ethical considerations and best practices for implementation.
Date: 07/30/25 Time: 10:00 AM EST Format: Zoom Webinar
Presenter: Dr. Treg Hopkins is the Co-Founder of Connectable, an Indiana-based nonprofit committed to enhancing adult education programs across more than 20 states through advanced data systems and artificial intelligence. As a Certified Quantitative Methodologist, his research focuses on neurodiversity, aging, and the role of technology in these areas. Hopkins has extensive leadership experience, serving on multiple boards and advising nonprofits and government entities on strategic planning. His expertise in library innovation includes serving on a long-term library planning board and previously delivering a keynote address at the Indiana Library Federation’s FOIL conference.
What’s Up Wednesday – Adult Programming Made Easy, Part 2
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.
What’s Up Wednesday – AI Powered Research and Data Analysis
Learn how AI tools assist with data analysis, research automation, and text summarization. Demonstrate AI applications like ChatGPT, semantic search engines, and data visualization tools to streamline workflows.
Date: 08/27/25 Time: 10:00 AM EST Format: Zoom Webinar
Presenter: Dr. Treg Hopkins is the Co-Founder of Connectable, an Indiana-based nonprofit committed to enhancing adult education programs across more than 20 states through advanced data systems and artificial intelligence. As a Certified Quantitative Methodologist, his research focuses on neurodiversity, aging, and the role of technology in these areas. Hopkins has extensive leadership experience, serving on multiple boards and advising nonprofits and government entities on strategic planning. His expertise in library innovation includes serving on a long-term library planning board and previously delivering a keynote address at the Indiana Library Federation’s FOIL conference.
What’s Up Wednesday – AI for Librarians: Saving Time and Boosting Efficiency
Discover how AI can automate repetitive tasks, improve workflow efficiency, and enhance library services. Explore tools for automated metadata tagging, chatbots for patron assistance, and AI-driven content curation to free up time for high-value tasks.
Date: 09/10/25 Time: 10:00 AM EST Format: Zoom Webinar
Presenter: Dr. Treg Hopkins is the Co-Founder of Connectable, an Indiana-based nonprofit committed to enhancing adult education programs across more than 20 states through advanced data systems and artificial intelligence. As a Certified Quantitative Methodologist, his research focuses on neurodiversity, aging, and the role of technology in these areas. Hopkins has extensive leadership experience, serving on multiple boards and advising nonprofits and government entities on strategic planning. His expertise in library innovation includes serving on a long-term library planning board and previously delivering a keynote address at the Indiana Library Federation’s FOIL conference.
What’s Up Wednesday: AI Literacy for Librarians: Understanding and Teaching AI
Equip library staff with foundational AI knowledge to support patrons. Cover AI fundamentals, common misconceptions, and practical applications, enabling librarians to educate and guide users effectively.
Date: 10/08/25 Time: 10:00 AM EST Format: Zoom Webinar
Presenter: Dr. Treg Hopkins is the Co-Founder of Connectable, an Indiana-based nonprofit committed to enhancing adult education programs across more than 20 states through advanced data systems and artificial intelligence. As a Certified Quantitative Methodologist, his research focuses on neurodiversity, aging, and the role of technology in these areas. Hopkins has extensive leadership experience, serving on multiple boards and advising nonprofits and government entities on strategic planning. His expertise in library innovation includes serving on a long-term library planning board and previously delivering a keynote address at the Indiana Library Federation’s FOIL conference.
What’s Up Wednesday – Escape Room Programming for All Ages
Are you yearning to try an escape room program at your library but are not sure how to get started? If so, this webinar is for you! Learn what an escape room program is (and isn’t) and gain valuable tips on how to write your own. Suzanne Walker wrote six Escape Experiences for the Indiana State Library and she’s excited to share resources on how you can do it too! Escape rooms are great because they can be tailored to any theme and almost any age group, even adults. From a simple experience to a more complex program, we’ve got you covered.
Date: 10/29/25 Time: 10:00 A.M. EST Format: Zoom webinar
Presenter: Suzanne Walker, Indiana Young Reader’s Center Librarian and Director, Indiana Center for the Book, Indiana State Library
Snapshots of the Past: Indiana’s State Historical Marker Program
The Indiana Historical Bureau has worked with communities and organizations on the installation of state historical markers dating back to the 1940s. These markers serve as tangible reminders of the state’s past and help return stories to the physical landscape. In this program, learn about the process and criteria for obtaining a state historical marker, why markers matter, and their continued relevance in today’s digital age, using examples from the collection of over 750 state markers that currently exist. This program will also examine how research for state markers is used for other IHB programs.
Presenter: Casey Pfeiffer, Historical Marker Program Director, Indiana Historical Bureau Division, Indiana State Library
Date: 11/05/25 Time: 10:00 A.M. EST Format: Zoom webinar