All posts by Paula Newcom

Powered by Sunshine: How Solar Projects Benefit Libraries and their Communities – 1 LEU

image  of solar panelWith energy prices constantly on the rise, it can be difficult to plan for the financial stability of the library.  How can you make headway without cutting staff or essential collections and services?  Let the sun help!  Going solar is an environmentally sustainable way for your library to stabilize energy expenses and benefit cash flow.  Join Stori Snyder from the Brown County Public Library and Lynn Hobbs from the Pendleton Community Public Library as they walk you through their solar projects.  Learn how to secure funding and design a project that can put a significant dent in your energy costs, or maybe even get rid of them entirely.

Date Recorded: 3/8/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters:  Stori Snyder / Brown County Public Library and Lynn Hobbs / Pendleton Public Library

 

Grants for Public Libraries – 1 LEU

While every library is unique, they all seem to share one thing in common: they could use more money! Grants might be the just thing to help buy technology for STEM programming or get a new service initiative off the ground. But applying for grants can be overwhelming – and that’s assuming you can even find one for which you qualify. This webinar aims to give you tools to make the grant process a bit more navigable. We’ll discuss the places to search, as well as provide tips for putting your best foot forward when it comes time to submit your proposal.

Date Recorded: 9/12/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Angela Fox, LSTA and Public Library Consultant / Indiana State Library

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Dyslexia and the Public Library – 1 LEU

image of person with jumbled letters on a book page

The public library can be a scary place for people with dyslexia. Join us for a quick overview of the science of reading and dyslexia and how to apply best practices to create a welcoming place for all brains, including people with dyslexia. We will explore ways public libraries can serve as a dyslexia resource center for children and parents and help promote awareness in local communities. Presented by Shaiya Badgley, a literacy guru, and Josiah Colombo-Espinosa, senior dyslexia specialist, from the Indiana Department of Education Literacy Center.

Date Recorded: 8/29/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Shaiya Badgley, a literacy guru and Josiah Colombo-Espinosa, senior dyslexia specialist /Indiana Department of Education Literacy Center

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Using Table Top Role-Playing Games to teach, from pre-K to adult learning – 1 LEU

image for logo for table top role playing games ttrpg kidsTabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) are an immersive tool to help students engage with and experience curriculum material in an enjoyable way while also practicing key social emotional and problem-solving skills.  Join Steph Campbell, an engineering professor, a TTRPG writer, and owner/writer for TTRPGkids as they share their experiences from both pre-K and college level applied TTRPG experience.

Presenter Steph Campbell is the owner and writer for TTRPGkids.com.  As well as the co-founder of Tattered Bear.  And is an Adjunct Professor of Engineering, Lawrence Technological University

 

Date Recorded: 7/19/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Steph Campbell, Owner and writer / TRPGkids.com

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Bendable & St. Joe County Public Library – 1 LEU

image of letter BLibraries give their communities access to amazing online resources with enormous potential to improve lives and build skills, but these databases and digital courses are a challenge to promote and often underutilized. The St. Joe County Public Library has had success with Bendable, a life long learning platform that pairs online learning with in person connections. Community engagement and outreach are at the heart of our strategy, and we work directly with community members, organizations, and businesses to curate learning opportunities. These strategies focus on workforce development and partner networks. This webinar will provide an introduction to Bendable and also explore strategies for learning-centered engagement and outreach that can be implemented by any library.

Presenter Jennifer Henecke began working at the St. Joe County Public Library in 2018 in the Communications Department. She received her Master of Library Science in 2021 and currently serves as the Library’s Chief Engagement Officer. She loves working at the Library because it is the place where everyone truly belongs and you can find people from all backgrounds sharing the same space. She also loves fixing up historic homes and will drive hundreds of miles for good vegan food.

 

Date Recorded: 6/28/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Jennifer Henecke, Chief Engagement Officer / St. Joe County Public Library

 

How Do I Count This in 2022? – 1 LEU

image of jumbled numbersThe programming section on the Indiana Public Library Annual Report has always been a bit tricky to navigate – even before recent years saw the addition of virtual programming to the mix. In this webinar, we’ll focus on how to determine if something is considered a program, what statistics to track, and how to break them down for the report. We’ll also address common questions related to programming section and preview the (relatively minor) changes coming in the 2022 report.

Date Recorded: 11/30/2022

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Anglea Fox, Public  Library Services and LSTA Consultant / Indiana State Library

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Make it! Tips on Starting or Expanding your Library’s Makerspace – 1 LEU

image of white gears on blue backgroundMore and more libraries are incorporating Makerspaces as part of the available resources for the public. With a focus on lifelong learning, creativity, and innovation, makerspaces can offer people an opportunity to explore new hobbies, interests, and job skills by providing tools and resources that they may otherwise not have access to. Is your library looking to begin or expand a makerspace? Not sure where to start or how to take the next step? In this presentation we will share an overview of the La Porte County Public Library Exchange, a makerspace located in La Porte, Indiana; what the Exchange offers; and lessons learned along the way that may be helpful to consider when starting or expanding your library’s makerspace.

Participants will:

  • Learn about the history of the LPCPL Exchange and how it grew over time
  • Goals of the space, logistics, and what we offer to the public
  • Lessons learned along the way and considerations for your own makerspace

Date Recorded: 4/26/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Elizabeth Adams, Community Learning Librarian and Pam Okosun, Community Learning Manager / La Porte County Public Library

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Present Like a Pro: Tips and Tricks for a Great Presentation – 1 LEU

woman on computer screen wavingDid your boss ask you to do a presentation for your library staff day? Have you been tasked with giving a presentation about the library reading program to the local Rotary Club? Does the through of speaking in front of an audience frighten you to your core? Do you have no idea what to do? Help is here! In this presentation you will learn about the basics of presenting with some tips, tricks and best practices.

Date Recorded: 2/8/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter:  Paula Newcom / Indiana State Library

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Port in the Storm: How you can support LGBTQ youth – 1 LEU

rainbow and raindropsOur LGBTQIA+ youth are increasingly under attack and subjected to constant bullying. Participants will learn how to easily identify themselves as an ally: a port in the storm. Participants will also receive resources and advice on how to navigate the troubled waters with these formative young people. Questions were submitted in advance for this webinar and the presenter guided participants through best practices for a variety of scenarios.

Presenter: Jayne Walters (she/her) is a Board Member and the Director of Education for Indy Pride, co-founder of the LGBTQ+ Services Committee for IndyPL, and the first openly transgender manager in the history of Indianapolis Public Library. Having worked in libraries for over 14 years, her writing has been featured in Children & Libraries, Library Journal, and is a contributing author in the book Trans and Gender Diverse Voices in Libraries. She has spoken on LGBTQ+ issues for libraries, companies, and on the news, (2022). Her passions include LGBTQIA+ representation in juvenile literature; making sure libraries are accessible and equitable for the community and making them a safe and welcoming environment for both patrons and staff.

Date Recorded: 5/18/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter:  Jayne Walters

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Beyond Books: Serving the Whole Patron – 1 LEU

image of multicolored tactile toysThe staff of the North Manchester Public Library strive to meet the needs of their community in a variety of innovative ways. Unique programs and resources strengthen community relationships, center the library as an integral part of community life, and undergird literacy. In this webinar, Sarah Morbitzer, Children’s Department head, will share the ways NMPL is working to promote food security, physical activity, sensory integration, accessibility, and curiosity in learning.

Presenter Sarah Morbitzer began her career in the library world as a 10 year old volunteer. As a high school student she was hired as a clerk and promoted to Children’s programmer in her late teens. She later served as a Children’s Department Assistant and is now the Children’s Department Head at the North Manchester Public Library. Big ideas get her excited and one of her greatest joys is implementing new ideas at the library to blow patrons’ minds and get them excited about coming to their library!

Date Recorded: 5/10/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter:  Sarah Morbitzer / North Manchester Public Library

Resource: Beyond Books Serving the Whole Patron resources