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 – 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: 05/14/25 Time: 10:00 AM EST Format: Zoom Webinar
Presenter: Brenda Hornsby Heindl / Director/Librarian, Liberty Public Library (Liberty, North Carolina)
What’s Up Wednesday – Video Game Collections in Libraries,
In parts one and two of our “Video Game Collections in Libraries” webinar series, we first outlined effective pathways for video game selection and acquisition, and followed that up by showcasing how to “librarianize” your acquired games via processing, cataloging, and displaying best practices. So – you’ve got games on shelves, and they’re checking out; done! Mission accomplished? … Not so fast!! There are additional steps needed to maintain that collection and keep it healthy, with further opportunities to implement “value-added” services that will support your video game collection. Finally, it’s important that we collectively ask: what will our video game collections look like in 5 to 10 years, where most games will likely be “all digital”? How can a librarian prepare for that inevitable shift?
In part #3 of our “Video Game Collections in Libraries” webinar (the final part!), we will dig into suggested protocols for weeding and repairing discs, recommendations for “wraparound” services like video game programs, circulating game consoles, and helping your patrons acquire necessary video game patches/updates – along with a deep (but brief) exploration into important questions like “What will libraries do when video games transition to all digital?”, “what impact would all-digital video games have on offering library game collections?”, and, most importantly, “who is working on what in this space right now?” – to set our libraries up for success in the future!
Date: 05/28/25 Time: 11:00 AM EST Format: Zoom Webinar
Presenter: Chris Baker (Public Library Consultant / Games & Learning Consultant, Library Services Team of the Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction; chris.baker@dpi.wi.gov), Jenna Gilles (Youth Services Associate, Chippewa Falls Public Library; jgillesturner@mycfpl.org), and Jamie Hein (Library Director, Clintonville Public Library; jhein@clintonvillelibrary.org)
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: 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