Archived Webinars 

The Indiana State Library has captured our best webinars for you to access anytime. To earn credit for a archived webinar hosted by the Indiana State Library. Please have your library director or supervisor create a certificate that meets the requirement found on the LEU Policies page. The Indiana State Library does not issue certificates for archived webinars.


Admin/Management | Cataloging | Collection Management
| Facilities/Security | GenealogyIntellectual Freedom | Leadership | Marketing | Populations | Programming | Reference/Research | Staff Development | Trends | Youth Services 


Evergreen Indiana Training


Admin/Management

EBSCOadmin is the administrative tool to manage customizations for searching EBSCOhost, Discovery and other Read more...
Do you ever feel like you give your team the same feedback over and Read more...
A healthy and effective workplace often stems from strong leadership. For supervisors, it’s important Read more...
Moving into a new leadership role can be overwhelming and intimidating. This presentation will Read more...
Kim Hagerty, Director of Digitization and Micrographics Services at the Indiana Archives and Records Read more...
Few things are as important as setting clear expectations for employees, and providing them Read more...
Many disruptive patron behaviors can be managed using appropriate and equally applied policies and Read more...
All libraries face catalysts for change, and rather than being afraid of change, with Read more...
After meeting as part of the first cohort in the American Library Association’s Libraries Read more...
Are you wondering what to consider in forming your library’s policy on COVID-19 vaccinations? Read more...
  Michelle Merritt, Trainer, Allen County Public Library, presents insights for managers and supervisors Read more...
This session will distill Dungeons & Dragons down to its key concepts and show Read more...
Learn the essentials of EBSCO usage statistics and reports in this 45 minute session. Read more...
Get an inside view of how and why a public library transitioned from an Read more...
Community inquiry is inquiry, questioning, and exploring of, for, and by communities. A library Read more...
Join Lynn Hobbs, director of Pendleton Community Public Library, as she offers advice, tips Read more...
The ALA observed an increase in First Amendment audits this year. What are they Read more...
While every library is unique, they all seem to share one thing in common: Read more...
Join Angela Fox, ISL Public Library Services Consultant, at this webinar to learn what Read more...
This webinar will show you the state and Federal resources used by the Northwest Read more...
ILF Advocacy Committee co-chairs, Vanessa Martin and Julie Wendorf will talk about the importance Read more...
  Is your library close to the Indiana border and you would like to Read more...
Sexual harassment is prohibited under state and federal law. You are entitled to a Read more...
Many libraries encourage staff to participate in opportunities for the library to engage in Read more...
As public libraries continue to strive towards deeper connections with their community, effective and Read more...
Employees motivated to deliver top notch service are key to a library’s success. But Read more...
This session will focus on an overview of recognizing what causes conflict in the Read more...
Learn from Kristin McClellan, Partner with Ice Miller, Sarah MacNeill, Director of Wells County Read more...
This webinar presents privacy as a library value, privacy as a legal concept, and Read more...
Have you secretly been planning your retirement? Is there a date circled on a Read more...
Is your desk a disaster?  Your office a dumping ground?  You know you need Read more...
As the November elections draw near, candidates and other campaigners are likely to want Read more...
Jennifer Clifton, Library Development Office Supervisor from the Indiana State Library, will give an Read more...
This self-paced course from the Indiana Department of Child Services focuses on how to Read more...
Is retirement in your near future? Or is it years away? Either way, it’s Read more...
As part of the regular routine in public libraries, we plan/attend staff meetings. As Read more...
Your library has a mission to effectively serve the community, This cannot be achieved Read more...
Onboarding and off boarding are the bookends of the employee experience.  What are they, why Read more...
Most librarians choose their careers based on the fact that they like to do Read more...
Library board, director and staff need to be attentive to the library policies that Read more...
Good policies are an essential part of library operations.  They help to create and enforce Read more...
Cataloging
Have you ever been curious of how library resources are cataloged or why records Read more...
Do you want to understand what current cataloging instructions say about recording titles and Read more...
Collection Management
In this webinar, Bethany Fiechter, Rare Books and Manuscripts Supervisor at the Indiana State Read more...
The Indiana State Library holds collections that are significant and important to both the Read more...
Almost all libraries have materials for users with print disabilities, such as large print Read more...
The Wells County Public Library has survived 2 years without Dewey and no regrets! Read more...
Kymberlee Powe, Children and YA Consultant for the Connecticut State Library Division of Library Read more...
Diversity has been a major issue in pop culture lately. The demand to include Read more...
Jim Corridan, commissioner for Indiana Archives and Records Administration, presents on records retention and Read more...
We'll investigate good places to network and ways to curate all the great resources Read more...
In this panel, four librarians will share their experience with a variety of challenges. Read more...
NetGalley is a free website for librarians to request and download digital review copies Read more...
Tips and tricks for obtaining materials to fill up your library shelves without draining Read more...
LibraryReads is the monthly nationwide library staff picks list for adult fiction and non-fiction. Read more...
Facilities/Security
Across our country, millions of students attend school safely every day. We have prepared Read more...
Working patrons sometimes struggle with getting to the library before we close. By implementing Read more...
This webinar will focus on bed bugs as library pests – what to watch Read more...
Are you a new library director? Do you find yourself with suddenly more responsibilities Read more...
ISL staff will cover Indiana gun laws and how they impact libraries. We will Read more...
The landscape of IT and working from home has changed significantly. This has increased Read more...
The webinar will briefly outline the opiate, HIV and HCV epidemics across the country. Read more...
This webinar is an overview of 5 different pests that can potentially invade the Read more...
Privacy is a vital civil right. Learn to protect your and your community's privacy Read more...
With the recent influx of cybersecurity threats and attacks, it is imperative individuals understand Read more...
Rebuilding and serving after catastrophic events at the Eckhart Public Library in 2017.   Read more...
Genealogy
This presentation is a sampling of the best, free websites for genealogy.  Attendees will become Read more...
Birth and death information forms the core of genealogical research. But finding that information Read more...
Researching family histories can be fun, exciting, and provide a rewarding experience, but where Read more...
Indiana State Library Genealogy Librarian, Alice Winslow, talks to kids about how to create Read more...
Learn about Immigration and Naturalization resources at the Indiana State Library and other venues. Read more...
These are the very best of times for genealogists and the librarians who serve Read more...
Learn new technologies that can assist you in your family history research. Date Recorded: Read more...
In this program, we will explore how to use newspapers more effectively to research Read more...
This webinar, created by Stephanie Asberry, the supervisor of the Genealogy Division at the Read more...
Intellectual Freedom
 As the pressure to remove and censor books from our libraries increases, librarians have Read more...
  Join us as Chris Lafave of the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library and Professor Read more...
New to the profession? Or want a refresher on library responsibilities regarding censorship and Read more...
  Our society is full of turmoil, confusion, and protests. Libraries and library professionals Read more...
Material challenges are at an all-time high and public libraries are facing pressure from Read more...
Are you stressed about the attacks on librarians and library values happening across the Read more...
Leadership
Many librarians fall into management and supervision almost accidentally. Doing great work in your Read more...
Listen to Trina Evans, 2017 Difference is You Award winner as well as a Read more...
What skills do you need to be a leader in your organization? Based on Read more...
Many times we want and talk about ‘leadership’, but we’re actually talking about management Read more...
Leadership training has traditionally been reserved for those in formal management and administrator positions, Read more...
There are many types of leadership styles: laissez-faire, transactional, transformational, autocratic, etc. This webinar Read more...
Join Julius Jefferson, ALA President, in a conversation about advocating for libraries from the Read more...
Women in Leadership: What the Science Says and How to Move Forward in the Read more...
Marketing
Are you in charge of creating content for your library's social media accounts? Do Read more...
  Do you want to spruce up your library’s graphic design? Learning and understanding Read more...
Want to create dynamic promotional materials with less stress and less time? Canva, an Read more...
Don't have the funds to purchase a license for Adobe Creative Cloud? Don't despair. Read more...
A picture says a thousand words, but when paired with data, it can say Read more...
  Libraries are busy places. From programming to services, we want people to know Read more...
Every library collects statistics throughout the year, but are you doing more with them Read more...
Could your library’s signage do with a makeover?  This session will look critically at many Read more...
Originally designed for support staff, this presentation is important for managers to hear, as Read more...
Videos are a great way to showcase your library and increase your marketing efforts. Read more...
Find out how to make a simple library webpage. Devon Henderson, Communications Specialist at Read more...
Populations
Objectives of this webinar are to learn how grief affects children at different developmental Read more...
Learn about one library's experience creating programs that have grown into engaging experiences where Read more...
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committees are a great first step towards strategically ensuring Read more...
Over the last decade many areas in the state of Indiana have paid increasing Read more...
Financial fraud and exploitation results in the loss of billions of dollars every year.  Read more...
Creating welcoming spaces for members of the LGBTQ+ community is easier than you might Read more...
An introduction to how to assist patrons in the application of digital resources. Emma Read more...
An introduction to how to assist patrons in the application of digital resources. Emma Read more...
Building on the ideas presented in the Digital Inclusion 101 webinar, this webinar will Read more...
Caregivers often face overwhelming physical, emotional, and mental challenges while balancing caregiving with their Read more...
How do you serve people in your community who are unable get in to Read more...
Learn how the Nappanee Public Library is meeting a need in their community by Read more...
Learn how libraries can partner with local and state funding sources to bring evidence-based Read more...
Learn how to connect with some of your most marginalized patrons. Patrons experiencing homelessness Read more...
A partnership between the San Francisco Public Library and the local Department of Public Read more...
2-1-1 is a free and confidential service that helps Hoosiers across Indiana find the Read more...
Indiana Educational Scholarship Accounts – How INESA helps hundreds of Hoosier families fund a Read more...
Loren McClain, Mental Health First Aid instructor, from Muncie Public Library in Muncie, IN Read more...
In this webinar, you will learn about the talking book library. Who they are, Read more...
Seniors are highly motivated to learn to use devices, but have few opportunities to Read more...
The Fort Ben Branch of the Indianapolis Public Library was given the opportunity to Read more...
This session covers the employment services that WorkOne provides.  From Career Counseling to Job Read more...
Programming
GenCon is the largest tabletop-game convention in North America that occurs annually in Indianapolis, Read more...
Programming for adults doesn’t have to be complicated.  They say that imitation is the Read more...
Need more adult programming ideas? Lacey Klemm has got you! She has gathered 12 Read more...
Description: Join the Indiana Center for the Book and the Rhode Island Center for Read more...
Secure big numbers of tweens or teens with a real-life video game where they Read more...
You may be familiar with Little Free Library. Those cute boxes that look like Read more...
By 2030, one out of every five people living in Indiana will be a Read more...
In late summer of 2016, Skokie (IL) Public Library created a Civic Lab--a mobile, Read more...
The Heroic Adventure Kids Club (Or HAK Club, for short) is an RPG club Read more...
Stephanie Haines, from the Indiana Arts Commission, talks about the Lifelong Arts Indiana a Read more...
Are you tired of reading the same books for your book clubs? Are you Read more...
Please join Amy, Heidi and Kate as they share lessons learned about virtual programming Read more...
“Resilience,” while an over-used term, is a very important scientific concept. Far from being Read more...
While the world is full of apps, shiny game consoles & massive online games, Read more...
The Indiana Center for the Book at the Indiana State Library and the Arkansas Read more...
The programming section on the Indiana Public Library Annual Report has always been a Read more...
Meghan Alexander, Yoga Librarian at the Hagerstown Public Library, explains the benefits of mind, Read more...
Embracing the old saying "the more you know, the more you grow'' holds true Read more...
What can you do in your library to increase physical activity in your community? Read more...
This presentation explores games developed by libraries to support information literacy and internal training. Read more...
Teen patrons in every community live lives that are more and more hectic with Read more...
In 2024 the Institute of Museum and Library Services launched a new website to Read more...
We're compelled, as librarians, to try and answer to all of our communities’ needs. Read more...
This session will highlight support staff who did innovative programs during the pandemic.  They Read more...
This webinar will explore opportunities for libraries related to the world of TED - Read more...
The National Book Festival is sponsored by the Library of Congress annually. This year, Read more...
Looking to book an author at your library? Put your library’s best professional foot Read more...
The Center for Black Literature & Culture (CBLC) IndyPL is a 3rd place for Read more...
The League of Women Voters of Indiana will introduce you to The Citizens’ Handbook Read more...
Often our best resources are those in the very communities we serve.  Whether you’re Read more...
Reference/Research
Get to know the new look and feel of EBSCO’s interfaces; INSPIRE search, Explora, Read more...
Engage and inspire readers with TeachingBooks resources that can be used both with patrons Read more...
Join us for a 45-minute conversation about the theories and thoughts about building a Read more...
As we all know, some of the only constants in life are change and Read more...
  Learn how to use the various business databases available in INSPIRE to access Read more...
INSPIRE is Indiana’s Virtual Online Library.  INSPIRE is a collection of online academic databases and Read more...
The Creating Informed Learners in the Classroom project, made possible in part by the Read more...
When digitizing materials from your library, preservation is just as important as access. In this presentation Read more...
When digitizing materials from your library, preservation is just as important as access. In Read more...
UPDATE - Gale resources are no longer available through INSPIRE (Testing and Education Resource Read more...
Learn about the new EBSCO eBook collections for school and public libraries. There will Read more...
Focused on school librarians, this webinar is an introduction to the Indiana State Library’s Read more...
INSPIRE is Indiana’s Virtual Online Library.  INSPIRE is a collection of online academic databases Read more...
Join EBSCO trainer, Lisa Jones, for an overview on the new features in EBSCO Read more...
INSPIRE is Indiana’s Virtual Online Library. INSPIRE is a collection of online academic databases Read more...
In this webinar we will be exploring the various database options within INSPIRE for Read more...
Join me for this discussion about the seven reference centers within INSPIRE (Biography, History, Read more...
Hoosier State Chronicles, Indiana’s statewide historical digital newspaper program, and Indiana Memory, a digital Read more...
This presentation will address how IARA’s resources can help and be utilized by your Read more...
Indiana Disability Resource FINDER, administered by the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC), Read more...
What is Indiana Legal Help: Using technology, Indiana Legal Help seeks to improve access Read more...
Millions of articles, hundreds of government websites, and countless catalog records are all available Read more...
Learning Analytics and the Academic Library: What are the Intellectual Freedom and Informational Privacy Read more...
This webinar will help you answer legal research questions from patrons and will also Read more...
Join us to talk about information literacy and lifelong learning in public, academic, and Read more...
Learn how Google’s G Suite web-based software can bring simplicity, flexibility, and collaboration to Read more...
Find out about the marketing tools available to promote INSPIRE in your library. We Read more...
Part 2 of this webinar will introduce participants to federal and state judicial dockets.  Read more...
Did you know the Indiana State Library can provide you with FREE refurbished computers? Read more...
In 2024 the Institute of Museum and Library Services launched a new website to Read more...
 The Indiana Collection at the Indiana State Library offers a wealth of published material Read more...
The hour session will be an overview of what the State Library has been Read more...
This webinar will show participants how to use the freely available information on the Read more...
Lisa Jones, EBSCO Trainer, will present the databases that you can use to help Read more...
Article VII of the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights states that “Libraries Read more...
Paula Newcom demonstrates how to sign up for an Access Indiana account and merge Read more...
  Using INSPIRE can be somewhat overwhelming when you first start to use it. Read more...
INSPIRE is Indiana’s Virtual Online Library. INSPIRE is a collection of online academic databases Read more...
Attendees will learn what Wix.com has to offer as a free, drag-and-drop website building Read more...
In this session, learn how to use Wix.com to create a free, drag-and-drop website.  We will Read more...
Staff Development
We don’t have large budgets. We don’t have large staffs. We might have to Read more...
You always wanted the “luxury” of working at home.  But all of a sudden, Read more...
  Athens (Georgia) Regional Library is one of the first public libraries to refocus Read more...
This presentation addresses customer service training by growing and nurturing empathy and empowering staff Read more...
Discover ways to maximize the impact of staff training to fit the ever-changing needs Read more...
Hear success stories of how the School Care Team has helped libraries in Indiana Read more...
This webinar presents a comprehensive overview of the Indiana public librarian certification process, including Read more...
Websites and apps often rely on “intuitive design” so that users can navigate them Read more...
Join Samantha Minnis and Matt Smith for an in-depth look at the oddly prevalent Read more...
Effective staff development doesn't have to involve expensive conferences, big-name presenters, or elaborate training Read more...
For years now employers have identified ‘soft skills’ as one of the largest deficiencies Read more...
A recent Pew study found that health is the number two most searched topic Read more...
Do you ever feel stressed? Most individuals will answer “yes” to this question. With Read more...
Staff Day can be an incredible time of training, development, and unity for your Read more...
Our panel will discuss the “not-so-fun but “oh-so-real” issues of troubleshooting relationships with a Read more...
In July 2021, the Indiana State Library (ISL) launched a new librarian certification portal: Read more...
No LEUs Offered for this webinar. Library conferences are great until you realize that Read more...
  Are you curious about academic librarianship? Are you a public librarian who is Read more...
What is Microaggression?  Do you know when it's happening to you?   This webinar includes Read more...
Mindfulness and self-care are well-intentioned buzz terms, but, how often do we really have Read more...
This is a tongue-in-cheek webinar about workplace etiquette.   The concepts covered are common sense, Read more...
Professionalism doesn’t always mean what position you hold at a library. It can also Read more...
Join librarian, book review blogger, and bookstagrammer Laura Jones as she shares her favorite Read more...
This session covers real incidents that happened in libraries and good ways to respond Read more...
In 2024 the Institute of Museum and Library Services launched a new website to Read more...
An overview of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the Temporary Waiver and Read more...
Explore available opportunities for continuing education, peruse useful sites for keeping up with technology, Read more...
Test yourself!  Use the provided checklists to determine your technology proficiency.  Be your own trainer and Read more...
Playing board games can be a wonderful way to pass your time, but they Read more...
This session will focus on how the seven tenets of mindful practice can help Read more...
Trends
Explore how AI enhances library services, including automated cataloging, AI-driven search tools, and personalized Read more...
Learn how AI tools assist with data analysis, research automation, and text summarization. Demonstrate Read more...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of social workers will grow Read more...
Libraries give their communities access to amazing online resources with enormous potential to improve Read more...
This session will include a demonstration of Canva, the web-based graphic design and publishing Read more...
Join the Kendallville Public Library staff as they share how STEAM has worked its Read more...
Libraries aren’t just hubs for learning and knowledge sharing, but places where imagination, curiosity Read more...
Telescopes, digital converters, board games, coding toys, and more! Cary Memorial Library (MA) debuted Read more...
  What makes fake news fake? As a society, we have been bombarded with Read more...
In this webinar, you'll learn more about the trend toward the suspension of fines in public Read more...
Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) – Dungeons & Dragons being the most popular example - Read more...
Board games are fun for children of all ages, but they are also promising Read more...
It’s a daunting tasks for librarians to consider how best to welcome visually impaired Read more...
This webinar is an overview of the in.gov websites. Information covered is how to Read more...
Concerned about climate change? Help your library “go green” by leveraging the super power Read more...
More and more libraries are incorporating Makerspaces as part of the available resources for Read more...
Under the staircase, an old study room, an accessible storage closet … anywhere can Read more...
  Keeping up with our busy work and personal lives can be a challenge! Read more...
Want to create an additional avenue for early childhood learning at a currently unused Read more...
With energy prices constantly on the rise, it can be difficult to plan for Read more...
Did your boss ask you to do a presentation for your library staff day? Read more...
 How One Library Evolved to Fit the Technology Needs of Their Community...In 2015 the Read more...
Hear about the programs that have influenced one library’s community, including diversifying collections, creating Read more...
Dr. Curtis Rogers, Communications Director for the South Carolina State Library, will share his Read more...
Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr … how many social media accounts does one library Read more...
A Library of Things expands the role of libraries in the sharing economy. Learn Read more...
Find out how The Bridge Makerspace evolved at the Noble County Public Library.   Read more...
Please join us on a behind the scenes & public area tour of the Read more...
Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) are an immersive tool to help students engage with and Read more...
This presentation will give an overview of the maintenance and management of the UNT Read more...
Youth Services
Build excitement about summer reading! Join us for a look at summer reading lists Read more...
Girls Who Code wants to give you the tools and resources you need to Read more...
Receive insights, reports, and confidence around the titles you choose for displays, storytimes, and Read more...
To improve the lives of all Indiana children, Indiana Youth Institute provides access to Read more...
Engage and inspire readers with TeachingBooks resources that can be used both with patrons Read more...
Get started planning your 2023 Summer Library Program with this VIRTUAL Collaborative Summer Library Read more...
The staff of the North Manchester Public Library strive to meet the needs of Read more...
Rebecca Parker and Stuart Cotton will discuss their Digital Climbers STEAM learning program, and Read more...
Talk! Sing! Read! Write! Play, especially with blocks! Play is an integral component of Read more...
Hear from two librarians experienced in the NASA @ My Library program about how Read more...
As one of the few public places where peace and quiet can often be Read more...
Dive deep into diversifying your collection with TeachingBooks resources. Join us to learn how Read more...
Get started planning your 2022 Summer Library Program by this VIRTUAL Collaborative Summer Library Read more...
Get started planning your 2024 Summer Library Program by this VIRTUAL Collaborative Summer Library Read more...
Kick-off summer reading 2025 with this presentation about the Collaborative Summer Library Program's Color Read more...
Join us for a presentation about the 2026 Unearth a Story "dinosaur" theme, including Read more...
Join this session to become versed with the Diverse Books Toolkit from our INSPIRE, Read more...
Youth need more than traditional literacies to succeed in life – they also need Read more...
Role playing games (RPGs) such as Dungeons & Dragons are becoming increasingly popular both Read more...
The public library can be a scary place for people with dyslexia. Join us Read more...
Do you need summer program ideas for your youngest patrons? Look no further than Read more...
Join us as members of the Indiana Astronomical Society provide an introduction to practical Read more...
Learn about free and low cost programming for youth in this webinar, led by Read more...
Join Beth Yates, Children's Consultant at the Indiana State Library, as she highlights several Read more...
Book Connections tools can assist library staff in providing easy and thorough Reader’s Advisory Read more...
Strong school-library partnerships are vital for students in our communities. In 2022, the St. Read more...
This webinar covers some well-known and possibly not so well-known government websites for kids Read more...
Looking to fund your next great library idea? There might be a grant for Read more...
When teens walk into the library, does your staff view them as a problem Read more...
The Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award brings together young children and great picture books, Read more...
Join Beth Yates, Children's Consultant at the Indiana State Library, as she gives an Read more...
Join TeachingBooks staff as they explore time-saving teaching tools for teachers, including video and Read more...
Get started with TALK: Text and Learn for Kindergarten. Discover how to quickly navigate Read more...
Join us to learn about STEM and “making” in libraries featuring the Make Do Read more...
This virtual, one-day training brought together Indiana and Maryland youth services staff to learn Read more...
Join Indiana Children and Nature Network (ICAN) to explore nature play possibilities at your Read more...
The Indiana Young Readers Center is proud to announce new kits coming in 2025 Read more...
Join Abby Johnson from the Floyd County Library to learn about how to do Read more...
Join WFYI to learn about PBS Kids resources! We will share where to find Read more...
Children’s literature is full of philosophical questions and ideas, reflecting an awareness of children’s Read more...
Let's explore fun ways to make our spaces engaging, interactive, and thought provoking! Play Read more...
Our LGBTQIA+ youth are increasingly under attack and subjected to constant bullying. Participants will Read more...
As Indiana public schools adopt state-mandated curriculums aligned with the Science of Reading (SoR), Read more...
LGBTQIA+ literature is not just for Pride Month! Librarians from the Indianapolis Public Library Read more...
Jayne Walters of the Indianapolis Public Library presents a collection of broad and inclusive Read more...
In this webinar, Katie Lehman of the Muncie Public Library's Ready Readers program will Read more...
The Reimagining School Readiness Toolkit is a suite of research-backed resources created for library Read more...
Getting public library cards into the hands of all students can be a challenge. Read more...
Hancock County Public Library Children’s Librarian Bambi Pea acts as a liaison between HCPL Read more...
Join Deb Gaff, youth services librarian at the Bartholomew County Public Library—and former teacher—as Read more...
Join us a Robyn Young, Avon High School Librarian and ILF Past-President 2017, shares Read more...
Participants will gain a foundational understanding of the Science of Reading and the theoretical Read more...
Join us as staff from About Special Kids offers tips and suggestions for interacting Read more...
  From inception to completion, two librarians share their experiences with an IMLS Sparks Read more...
Are you new to doing storytime? Join Beth Yates, ISL Children's Consultant, as she Read more...
Learn how to discover exceptional texts to support and supplement science of reading instruction. Read more...
In addition to the families that already homeschool in your community, others are considering Read more...
We all know that there are outdated and racist classics on our shelves. These Read more...
Learn about TALK: Text and Learn for Kindergarten, a text messaging program based on Read more...
Join trainers from TeachingBooks/Book Connections to learn more about the customizable tools available on Read more...
Why do teens behave the way they do?  Why should we welcome them when Read more...
  The Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award is terrific, not only because it introduces Read more...
Looking to integrate more authentic children’s programming for Juneteenth, Hispanic Heritage Month, AAPI, and Read more...
The Indiana State Library offers book club kits, storytime kits, Lego and Duplo kits, Read more...
Are you looking to spice up your library programs? Does the thought of cooking Read more...
Are you worried about getting children and teens back into the library post-COVID? You Read more...
You were a hard-working youth librarian.  Now, you’re a youth services manager moving at Read more...

Back to Top


 

image of Teaching books logo open bookBuild excitement about summer reading! Join us for a look at summer reading lists and programming ideas. Inspire independent reading with TeachingBooks resources that let the books and their authors speak for themselves. TeachingBooks is provided to all Indiana schools, public libraries, universities and residents through INSPIRE, a service of the Indiana State Library.

Date Recorded: 2/1/2024

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: TeachingBooks staff

 

girls who code logo Girls Who Code wants to give you the tools and resources you need to develop inclusive computer science programming – no coding experience required. Join us to learn about our free Clubs program for 3rd-12th grade coders. We’ll introduce you to our three essential components for quality programming: (1) activities that teach coding and social-emotional development, (2) a culture of bravery where participants join a supportive community of peers and role models in tech, and (3) real-world application of coding for positive impact. Leave with step-by-step guidance for bringing new STEM initiatives to young people in your community!

Presenter:  Kibret Yebetit is a Senior Manager of Community Partnerships & Outreach at Girls Who Code. She works with educators, libraries, and nonprofits to bring free computer science education to their students.

Date Recorded: 5/9/2024

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Kibret Yebetit / Senior Manager of Community Partnerships & Outreach at Girls Who Code

Resources:

 

teaching books logoReceive insights, reports, and confidence around the titles you choose for displays, storytimes, and even faceout displays. Book resumes provide you with the book’s bona fides: awards, reviews, genres, reading levels, and more. Collection analysis reports give you insights into diversity, recency, fiction/non-fiction, and more – while also helping you identify titles for possible augmentation. Both tools provide immediate documentation and consistent information about the titles in your library. The goal of this session is to return to your library equipped with support and increasing confidence in your collections.

Date Recorded: 4/11/2024

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: TeachingBooks staff

 

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 Recorded: 3/26/2025

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Indiana Youth Institute staff

Resources:

Engage and inspire readers with TeachingBooks resources that can be used both with patrons and behind the scenes. In this webinar, we will highlight ways to implement resources in your youth services library programming as well as new tools to complement your work. Learn about the Collection Analysis and other toolkits, ready-to-use resources for your book clubs and story times, homework help features, and more.

Date Recorded: 2/19/2025

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: TeachingBooks staff

all together now

Get started planning your 2023 Summer Library Program with this VIRTUAL Collaborative Summer Library Program training! Join Beth Yates of the Indiana State Library for this training where you will be introduced to and receive updates about and resources for the 2023 CSLP Summer Reading Program “All Together Now.”

NOTE: If you attend an in-person All Together Now training in Indiana, there is no need to watch this webinar; content is duplicated.

Date Recorded: 1/4/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter:  Beth Yates, Children’s Consultant / Indiana State Library

Resources:

 

 

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

 

Rebimage think outside the boxecca Parker and Stuart Cotton will discuss their Digital Climbers STEAM learning program, and how they gave up on traditional STEAM programming in favor of a multi-layered, sustainable system of STEAM challenges and projects for children. Attendees will learn about the benefits of unscheduled, personalized learning programs for kids, how the program has evolved and improved over time, and how your library can benefit from programming like this.

Date Recorded: 9/1/2017

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Rebecca Parker and Stuart Cotton / Muncie Public Library



image of children's blocks spelling the word play
Talk! Sing! Read! Write! Play, especially with blocks! Play is an integral component of the development of young children, which is increasingly reflected in libraries through their design and programming.  During this webinar you will learn why block play is so powerful, how staff at Allen County Public Library tackled the challenge of adding more play–specifically block play–to their program offerings, and how to adapt their initiative for libraries big and small.

Date Recorded: 3/21/18

Resources:

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Pamela Martin-Díaz and Marra Honeywell, Allen County Public Library


Hear from two librarians experienced in the NASA @ My Library program about how they have used the kit materials in their libraries to bring STEM programming to the masses and connect their libraries with the research and science of NASA.  Ryan Curto, Bedford Public Library, and Allison McLean, Elkhart Public Library, share ideas for programs they have done using the original NASA@MyLibrary kits.

Date Recorded: 4/12/19

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Ryan Curto, Bedford Public Library and Allison McLean, Elkhart Public Library


image of rainbow and autismAs one of the few public places where peace and quiet can often be found, libraries have long served autistic children and adults well. Still, popular group activities held at libraries can be an issue for autistic children who can easily become overwhelmed by the noise and activity of peers. Librarians and staff can become overwhelmed as well, when responses to sensory or social inaccessibility lead to what some people call “behaviors.” In this presentation, we will discuss brain differences in autism and how these create unique sensory profiles which in turn determine responses to the environment. You will learn about the sensory and social needs of autistic people and how to create an environment that promotes calmness and security, as well as how to prevent or respond to meltdowns. The presentation also includes book recommendations for all ages.

Presenter Bev Harp is Project Director for Innovative Supports for Autistic Workers (ISAW), a project of the Human Development Institute (HDI) and is self-advocate faculty for LEND at the University of Kentucky. Bev is an autistic self-advocate who has presented at national conferences for APSE, AHEAD, TASH, and many other organizations. She holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Kentucky.

Date Recorded: 11/9/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter:  Bev Harp, Project Director / Innovative Supports for Autistic Workers (ISAW)

Resources:

 

Dive deep into diversifying your collection with TeachingBooks resources. Join us to learn how to use our Diverse Books Toolkit to analyze the cultural representation in your existing collections, how to identify great books to fill gaps, and how to use TeachingBooks resources to promote those books and facilitate conversation with your library staff and patrons.

Date Recorded: 8/7/2025

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters:  Crystal Ballard, TeachingBooks

CSLP 2022 oceans of possibilities logo with person in kayakGet started planning your 2022 Summer Library Program by this VIRTUAL Collaborative Summer Library Program training!  Join Beth Yates of the Indiana State Library for this training where you will be introduced to and receive updates about the 2022 CSLP Summer Reading Program “Oceans of Possibilities.”

Date Recorded: 12/9/21

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Beth Yates / Indiana State Library

Resources: 

 

image adventure begins at your library logoGet started planning your 2024 Summer Library Program by this VIRTUAL Collaborative Summer Library Program training! Join Beth Yates of the Indiana State Library for this training where you will receive updates about and resources for the 2024 CSLP Summer Reading Program “Adventure Begins at Your Library.”

Date Recorded: 1/9/2024

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Beth Yates, Chidren’s Consultant / Indiana State Library

Resources:

 

Kick-off summer reading 2025 with this presentation about the Collaborative Summer Library Program’s Color Our World “art” theme, including suggested resources for planning and other general information.

Date Recorded: 1/7/2025

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Beth Yates, Children’s Consultant at Indiana State Library

Resources:
Resources for Summer Program Planning
Summer Program Ideas for Current Year

 

Teaching Books for Public Library Staff Serving Youth logo

Join this session to become versed with the Diverse Books Toolkit from our INSPIRE, state-funded TeachingBooks service.  You’ll discover new ways to…

    • Identify exceptional diverse books for your community
    • Analyze your collection for diversity and inclusion
        • Facilitate book clubs and story times that videos and recordings with featured authors and illustrators.

Prior to and during the session, freely explore this resource at https://teachingbooks.net/DiverseBooks

Date Recorded: 9/17/21

Format:  Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Nick Glass and Alyssa Yokota-Byron, TeachingBooks.net and BookConnections.org

 


image of two teenage girls laying on grass
Youth need more than traditional literacies to succeed in life – they also need emotional intelligence. Learn how you can build Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into any teen program and help your teens develop their self-management, social awareness, and relationship skills. You’ll leave this session with great resources and concrete ideas for incorporating SEL at your library. Presenter: Brin Chenille Bugo, Calgary Public Library

Date Recorded: 4/26/18

Resources:

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter:   Brin Chenille Bugo / Calgary Public Library


dungeons and dragons diceRole playing games (RPGs) such as Dungeons & Dragons are becoming increasingly popular both at home and in libraries. Librarians across the country are embracing RPGs and the skills that they teach during play.  How can you get started? What do you need to get started?  Do you have to play in person? Can you play online? Is it hard? We’ll be answering these basic questions and more as well as show you how The Learning Curve @ Central Library runs our virtual Dungeons and Dragons game utilizing Discord and Roll20.net. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have a bit of experience, you can run your own games!

Date Recorded: 2/25/2021

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters:  Kirsten Weaver, Teen Programming Specialist and Christopher Brozo, Activity Guide and Austin Senior, Activity Guide / Indianapolis Public Library

Resources:


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

Resources:

 

firefly award logo Indiana early literacy talking singing reading writing playingDo you need summer program ideas for your youngest patrons? Look no further than the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award! This Indiana book award comes complete with an entire manual packed with ideas and resources for ages 0-5. This webinar will dive into the manual, discuss voting methods, and more about this great picture book award voted on by Indiana children ages 0-5.

Suzanne Walker is the Indiana Young Readers Center Librarian at the Indiana State Library. Suzanne received her Master of Library Science from Indiana University. She is currently the Indiana Young Readers Center Librarian and Director of the Indiana Center for the Book, an affiliate of the Library of Congress. She coordinates Indiana’s Letters About Literature competition annually. Suzanne judged the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards in 2013 and 2014 and the Indiana Poetry Out Loud competition in 2017. Most recently she was a judge for the 2020 Indiana Authors Awards and the 2021 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award. She has presented numerous times at Indiana Library Federation’s District conferences, annual conferences, and youth conferences and is proud to have been interviewed about Indiana authors by NPR.

Shel Curry, children’s author, has always dreamed of being an author and in November 2021, The Bedtime Story Race was published. When Shel was a little girl, getting her first library card was a defining moment in her literacy journey. She has been involved with the Firefly Award Committee for two years. The Gary, Indiana native is a graduate of Indiana State University, a mom of four and when she’s not reading with her kids, she works full time in corporate communications.

Date Recorded: 4/25/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Suzanne Walker, Indiana Young Readers Center, Indiana State Library and Shel Curry, children’s author, member of Firefly Award Committee

Resources:

 


image of night sky with person in silhouette
Join us as members of the Indiana Astronomical Society provide an introduction to practical observing that can be used at libraries for their own astronomy-themed programs.  This session will explore the basics of navigating the night sky, cover common types of celestial objects, and provide guidance for finding and identifying popular targets in the summer night sky.  Whether you are planning a “Universe of Stories” star-gazing program this summer or just want to brush up on your knowledge of our galaxy, this webinar will provide the information you need!

Date Recorded: 3/6/19

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Ben Jansen, Vice-President – Indiana Astronomical Society / Laura Keller, Secretary & Librarian – Indiana Astronomical Society / Fred Keller, Board Member – Indiana Astronomical Society / Mike Birch, Board Member – Indiana Astronomical Society

Resources from webinar:


image of three happy children two boys and one girlLearn about free and low cost programming for youth in this webinar, led by a library programmer! We will talk about things you can do on the fly and programs you can plan for next to nothing out of your library budget. We will cover all ages from birth to 18.

Date Recorded: 2/29/2024

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Bambi Pea / Indianapolis Public Library

Resources:

 

Join Beth Yates, Children’s Consultant at the Indiana State Library, as she highlights several INSPIRE databases that will be useful for those who serve students and who assist with homework assignments.

Date Recorded: 9/8/21

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Beth Yates / Indiana State Library

Resources:

 

Book Connections tools can assist library staff in providing easy and thorough Reader’s Advisory for children and teens, as well as helping empower readers to independently discover a new favorite title. Learn about Discover Like Books, searching and filtering, and resources to preview titles, and come away ready to recommend a book to any reader. TeachingBooks and Book Connections are provided to all Indiana schools, public libraries, universities and residents through INSPIRE, a service of the Indiana State Library.

Date Recorded: 3/30/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Book Connections/TeachingBooks Staff

 

SB Ready logo two children reading on and beside the words SB ReadyStrong school-library partnerships are vital for students in our communities. In 2022, the St. Joe County Public Library designed the SB READy program, which provided 16 schools, 57 classes, and more than 950 Kindergarteners with library cards, field trips and outreach storytimes. In this session, learn how to build comprehensive school partnership plans, pitch ideas to school and library administrators, gain teacher and library staff buy-in, and make the magic happen!

Emily Lovell is the Early Literacy Librarian at the St. Joe County Public Library. With a background in Elementary Education, she has worked with children in school and library settings over the past five years. She holds an MLIS from Wayne State University and a BS in Elementary Education from Central Michigan University. She is passionate about providing young patrons and their caregivers with programs, resources, and services that foster a love of reading from an early age.

Date Recorded: 1/25/2024

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Emily Lovell, Early Literacy Librarian / Saint Joseph County Public Library

Resources:

 

Logo for Ben's GuideThis webinar covers some well-known and possibly not so well-known government websites for kids and young adults. Media specialists, children’s librarians, and parents will be able to use this information to share with patrons, kids, and young adults to help them navigate safe websites with useful information, resources, and games. This session introduces federal government Internet sources and how they can be applied to every area of life from consumer safety, education, money management, and more.

Date Recorded:  12/03/20

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter:  Brent Abercrombie, Federal Documents Coordinator, Indiana State Library


image of hand with $100 billLooking to fund your next great library idea? There might be a grant for that! Navigating the world of grants can be daunting for even the most seasoned professional, and many people aren’t even sure where to start. This webinar will provide a brief overview on how to search for funding, as well as recommendations for tackling those applications

Date Recorded: 10/16/19

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter:  Angela Fox, Indiana State Library

Resources from webinar:


teen girl reading book in a chairWhen teens walk into the library, does your staff view them as a problem or an opportunity? Libraries are positioned to have a huge impact on teen lives with just a little intentionality. This session will introduce directors (and anyone else interested) to the developmental needs of teens and the ways in which libraries can support teens in their communities by utilizing Connected Learning—yes, even during the pandemic! We’ll discuss what this looks like in the library setting and how to encourage staff to look at teens and teen programs in a different way.

Date Recorded: 12/22/2020

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Beth Yates, Indiana State Library / Christy Franzman, Hamilton East Public Library

Resources:


Firefly award logo talking singing reading writing playing indiana early literacyThe Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award brings together young children and great picture books, but it can’t be done without public libraries. Learn about the award and how one Indiana library implements the program each year. Updates to the program and an overview of the annual program guide will also be covered.

Speaker, Amy Caswell has worn hats in the library world since 2012. She earned her MLS degree from IUPUI in 2015, and since has focused exclusively working in Youth Services. She currently is a Children’s Librarian at the Downtown Library of Monroe County Public Library where she enjoys hosting a weekly Preschool Storytime, among other programs. She loves the controlled chaos of working with children. Amy is currently going through the Project READY training, which she highly recommends to any and all library folks.

Date Recorded: 5/9/22

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter:  Amy Caswell, Children’s Librarian / Monroe County Public Library

 

image of teacher and kids looking at laptopJoin Beth Yates, Children’s Consultant at the Indiana State Library, as she gives an overview of INSPIRE databases that could be useful to those who work with youth. INSPIRE is Indiana’s Lifelong Learning Library for Hoosiers. Its collection of online academic databases and other information resources can be accessed for free by Indiana residents.

Date Recorded: 10/25/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter:  Beth Yates, Children’s Consultant / Indiana State Library

Resources:

 

Join TeachingBooks staff as they explore time-saving teaching tools for teachers, including video and audio recordings with authors, lessons, book trailers, vocabulary lists, and more. Discover ways to deepen connections to books with online materials to engage readers, support families, and facilitate collaboration. 45min / 1 LEU

Date Recorded: 10/23/2025

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Crystal Ballard, TeachingBooks

Talk logo with a little fish

Get started with TALK: Text and Learn for Kindergarten. Discover how to quickly navigate online toolkits to find promotional materials and partnering tips to help you reach parents you might not see at the library with school readiness activities they can do at home. Learn how to use the MCLS TALK portal to send text messages to caregivers and let them know about upcoming library events.

This webinar is geared towards Indiana public libraries who are interested in or are planning to join the Indiana TALK pilot group. 1 hour/1LEU


An introductory webinar about TALK took place November 3, 2022 – here is the recording link (1 hour/1 LEU).

Date Recorded: 1/18/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Jodi Krahnke, Head of Youth Services – Ypsilanti District Library, MI

Resources:

 


image of make do share logo
Join us to learn about STEM and “making” in libraries featuring the Make Do Share curriculum that has been tried and tested in a rural library system in Washington State. Make Do Share was made by libraries for libraries and includes helpful tips to build your confidence while supporting 21st century learners. We will explore ways to incorporate STEM skills into existing programs and how to become a non-expert leader in your community’s STEM learning ecology.

Date Recorded: 9/6/18

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Megan Burton / Kitsap Regional Library

Resources from Webinar


This virtual, one-day training brought together Indiana and Maryland youth services staff to learn about the use of digital media in libraries and the role library staff can play as media mentors to youth and caregivers.

Part 1 explores technology/media trends and basic concepts surrounding media mentorship. 2 hrs / 2 LEUs

Part 2 explores practical applications and peer learning, helping library staff to incorporate media mentorship principles into their library programs, collections, and services. 2 hrs / 2 LEUs

Date Recorded: 10/27/2022

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters:  This training is facilitated by a team of library and media professionals, including Lisa Guernsey of New America; Dorothy Stoltz, consultant/retired librarian from Carroll County Public Library (MD); Conni Strittmatter, Youth & Family Engagement Manager, Baltimore County Public Library; and Amy Koester from Skokie Public Library (IL), in addition to facilitation by Beth Yates, Children’s Consultant, Indiana State Library, and Carrie Sanders, Youth Services Coordinator, Maryland State Library Agency. Additionally, several library professionals from around the country are special guests, sharing their particular expertise and knowledge in the application of media mentorship work in libraries and youth services.

Resources:

  • All slides and a resource sheet can be found in this Google Folder

Part 1 = 2 hours / 2 LEUs

 

Part 2 = 2 hours / 2 LEUs

 

ICAN logo tree shaped as a heartJoin Indiana Children and Nature Network (ICAN) to explore nature play possibilities at your library! Learn what ICAN Nature Play Days are, who can host one (YOUR LIBRARY!), how to organize and plan a nature play day, nature play activity and book ideas, tips on connecting with partners and sponsors, and practical experiences from nature play day hosts. ICAN Nature Play Days are June 1st-9th in 2024.

Presenter: Dr. Carla Gull volunteers as the state coordinator of Indiana Children and Nature Network and is on her local library board. She is the coordinator of and associate professor in the master of arts in environmental education at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College. She is coauthor of the book, Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms, and hosts the podcast, Loose Parts Nature Play.

Date Recorded: 3/13/2024

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Dr. Carla Gull / State Coordinator of Indiana Children and Nature Network & Professor at Goshen College

Resources:

 

The Indiana Young Readers Center is proud to announce new kits coming in 2025 for check-out to Indiana’s teachers and librarians. Indiana Escape Rooms (in a box!) focus on Indiana history, build on primary resources from the Library of Congress, and were developed with the help of a Teaching with Primary Sources grant. Join this one hour webinar to learn all about the kits and the TPS Grant.

Date Recorded: 10/9/2024

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Suzanne Walker, Indiana State Library

Resources:
New Escape Room Kits from ISL slides (pdf)
Library of Congress: Teaching with Primary Sources
Teaching with Primary Sources Midwest Region
Breakout EDU

Abby JohnsonJoin Abby Johnson from the Floyd County Library to learn about how to do more with the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award. We will discuss why Firefly outreach is important, how to set up circulating book kits for daycares and preschools, incorporating the Firefly Award into existing outreach and lots more! This webinar was recorded on 2/11/2020.

Date Recorded: 2/11/20

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter:  Abby Johnson / Floyd County Library


Join WFYI to learn about PBS Kids resources! We will share where to find them, how to use them and introduce collections that are specifically designed for libraries! 1 hr / 1 LEU

Date Recorded: 8/21/2025

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters:  Laura Makin, WFYI & Jessica Neeb-Smith, Indianapolis Public Library

Resources:

father and child with book teddy bear reading in natureChildren’s literature is full of philosophical questions and ideas, reflecting an awareness of children’s propensities to think about life’s big questions. This webinar will explore ways to inspire exploration with children about their big questions through children’s books. We will examine several examples of philosophically-suggestive works, and will engage as a group in a philosophical inquiry based on a picture book. You will come away with ideas and resources for involving children in philosophical questioning and discovery through literature.

Date Recorded: 10/25/22

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Jana Mohr Lone, Executive Director of Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization (PLATO) and Affiliate Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Washington

Resources:

 

 

Let’s explore fun ways to make our spaces engaging, interactive, and thought provoking! Play is crucial for early literacy development, but how do we get our community to engage with these carefully curated activities and spaces? You will leave this session newly inspired with fresh ideas for scavenger hunts, StoryWalks, self-directed programming, and designing safe spaces for our smallest patrons.

Date Recorded: 11/19/2025

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Kelsey Fickinger and Emily Leitch, Peabody Public Library

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

Resources:

 

As Indiana public schools adopt state-mandated curriculums aligned with the Science of Reading (SoR), what can public libraries do to support parents and teachers? What resources might they be looking for? In this session, we’ll talk about the ways libraries already support SoR through Every Child Ready to Read, and then share the adjustments we’ve made to our collections to complement the Fundations curriculum adopted by Carmel Clay Schools in 2021.

Date Recorded: 11/14/2024

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Jennifer Humphrey, Carmel Clay Public Library

Resources:
Libraries and SoR slides – presentation slides
SoR Indiana Resources – resource document

LGBTQIA+ Reader's Advisory for Preschool and Youth logoLGBTQIA+ literature is not just for Pride Month! Librarians from the Indianapolis Public Library will share their top LGBTQIA+ literature picks for youth. They will introduce titles across multiple genres and age groups that can be easily incorporated into every day displays and reader’s advisory. Books from every aspect of the rainbow for parents and youth ages 12 and younger to read together or on their own will be shared.

Date Recorded: 10/29/20

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Jayne Walters / West Indianapolis Branch Manager and Maggie Ward / Outreach Services Manager – Indianapolis Public Library.

Resources:


LGBTQIA+ Reader's Advisory for Teens logoJayne Walters of the Indianapolis Public Library presents a collection of broad and inclusive LGBTQIA+ titles for teen and tween readers. Books representing many identities and orientations are presented with an eye to presenting a fuller picture of the queer experience– and most importantly, toward the inclusion of multiple voices on each topic

Date Recorded: 10/27/20

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Jayne Walters / West Indianapolis Branch Manager

Resources:


Raising ready readers muncie public library racoon open bookIn this webinar, Katie Lehman of the Muncie Public Library’s Ready Readers program will explore a variety of methods used by the program to engage children in reading in creative and fun ways. Participants will learn different ways that these approaches can be incorporated into their own library’s programming.

Katie Lehman is the founding leader of the Muncie Public Library’s Ready Readers program, a free one-on-one literacy training and reading tutoring service for children ages 1-12. She has spent the last 10 years working with children in various settings including preschools, after school programs, and libraries.

Date Recorded: 9/13/22

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter:  Katie Lehman / Muncie Public Library

Resources:

 

 

 

reimagining school readinessThe Reimagining School Readiness Toolkit is a suite of research-backed resources created for library staff to help families prepare children ages 0 to 8 for success in school and in life. Through an interactive presentation with hands-on activities, this training will introduce library staff to the research, practical implications, and resources offered in the toolkit, which is available in its entirety for free online. Participants will understand key findings from current cognitive and developmental psychology research, reflect on the implications of those findings for their daily work, and gain practical ready-to-implement ideas for activities, as well as resources for staff training and for parents/caregivers. You will benefit from this workshop if you work with children ages 0 to 8 and their families and would like to learn more about how to offer research-backed programming in your library!

Date Recorded: 9/16/22 and 9/17/2022

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Beth Yates / ISL Children’s Consultant and Suzanne Walker / Indiana Young Reader’s Center Librarian and Director of the Indiana Center for the Book

Resources:

Part 1 = 2 hours / 2 LEUs

 

Part 2 = 1.25 hours / 1 LEU

 


image showing text the smartest card get it use it at your libraryGetting public library cards into the hands of all students can be a challenge.  Find out how two libraries worked with their local schools to do just that during this webinar.  First the Jasper County Public Library will share how they began providing Digital Access Cards to their middle and high schools, then Hamilton East Public Library will detail how they began allowing students to use their student ID as their library card number.  Both libraries have significantly increased students’ access to their collections by working directly with school librarians and administrators.

Date Recorded: 12/5/17

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Patty Stringfellow, Rebecca Amalong/ Jasper County Public Library  and Julie Walstra / Kankakee Valley High School and Lori Holewinski, Molly Mrozowski, Anna Sayres / Hamilton East Public Library and Terri Zabonick / Fall Creek Intermediate School



Hancock County Public Library Children’s Librarian Bambi Pea acts as a liaison between HCPL and the district’s schools.  In this webinar, she’ll share successful ideas for school collaborations and visits, offer advice on how to initiate and maintain relationships with teachers and administrators, and provide insight into making it work from a public library’s perspective.

Date Recorded: 10/24/17

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Bambi  Pea / Hancock County Public Library Children’s Librarian



image of girl with pictures of apps
Join Deb Gaff, youth services librarian at the Bartholomew County Public Library—and former teacher—as she discusses the STEAM programs she does for students both in school and at BCPL.  First she shares valuable strategies for establishing a relationship with schools and explains how BCPL got started with these initiatives.  Then she highlights her programs, including Coder Dojo, working with robots, a Nick & Tesla book club, and more.

Date Recorded: 4/3/18

Resources:

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter:   Deb Gaff / Bartholomew County Public Library



toy school bus and books
Join us a Robyn Young, Avon High School Librarian and ILF Past-President 2017, shares the scoop on what school librarians do as well as the challenges they face.  She’ll offer suggestions for public librarians approaching school media specialists with partnership ideas, discuss the types of partnerships that schools are most receptive to, and share information about successful public library partnerships in which she has participated.

Date Recorded: 9/28/17

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Robin Young / Avon High School  Librarian and ILF Past-President 2017


Participants will gain a foundational understanding of the Science of Reading and the theoretical models aligned with the Science of Reading. Presented by Shaiya Badgley and Paulina Jarrett, literacy specialists from the Indiana Department of Education Literacy Center.

Date Recorded: 9/18/2024

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Paulina Jarrett, Literacy Specialist, IDOE & Shaiya Badgley, Literacy Specialist, IDOE

Resources: IDOE SoR Presentation slides


child's hand and crayons
Join us as staff from About Special Kids offers tips and suggestions for interacting with patrons who have special needs.  About Special Kids is Indiana’s Parent to Parent organization that works throughout the state to give support, answer questions and provide information and resources to families of children with special needs.

Date Recorded: 9/26/17

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Jane Scott (Deputy Director) and Lisa Kutschera (Parent Liaison) / About Special Kids


 

Logo for Early Literacy ProgramFrom inception to completion, two librarians share their experiences with an IMLS Sparks grant. Shawnee Branch of Allen County Public Library received $23,421 to encourage positive interactions between adults and their young children and promote early learning. From story walks to yard signs and outreach to adults in parks, thrift stores and the farmers’ market, library staff spread the word. Did anyone get the message? Watch and find out!

“This project is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.”

Date Recorded: 11/17/16

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Pamela Martn-Diaz, Shawnee Branch Manager and Early Literacy Coordinator and Heather Grady, Shawnee Branch Assistant Manager and Children’s Librarian at the Allen County Public Library


young woman reading a story to four childrenAre you new to doing storytime? Join Beth Yates, ISL Children’s Consultant, as she walks you through the whys and hows of storytime for birth through preschool-aged children. What should you consider? How do you select books? Where can you find ideas? The content of this webinar is focused on new storytime providers. *Please note that the audience discussion at the end was not recorded.*

Date Recorded: 4/19/22

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Beth Yates, Children’s Consultant / Indiana State Library

Resources:

 

Learn how to discover exceptional texts to support and supplement science of reading instruction. While underscoring phonics, phonological awareness, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension, Indiana residents can now use the Indiana State Library INSPIRE-licensed TeachingBooks to identify popular picture books by more than a dozen phonics and phonetical awareness classifications (vowel and consonant sounds, alliteration, rhyming, and more). Additionally, you’ll have worksheets for each book to extend reading instruction in the library, home, or classroom.

Date Recorded: 8/21/2024

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Kym Davick and Mary Ellen Graf, TeachingBooks

mother and daughter in front of laptopIn addition to the families that already homeschool in your community, others are considering this path to stay home and educate their children in response to COVID-19 as a health precaution or in anticipation of guidelines provided by local school districts. Libraries are able to support parents and caregivers with learning at home as they face challenges new to them.

Date Recorded: 9/3/20

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Suzanne Walker / Indiana State Library and Shelby Peak / Indianapolis Public Library

Resources:


Linsdey Patrick-Wright and Klem-Mair Cajigas

We all know that there are outdated and racist classics on our shelves. These books reflect a homogenous past, yet they still thrive in an ostensibly multicultural present. How do we hold fast to intellectual freedom while solidifying our commitment to diversity and inclusiveness?
Nashville Public Library spent a year asking that question and the resulting work can be replicated by other libraries seeking to apply an anti-racist lens to their collections. Join us as Klem-Marí Cajigas and Lindsey Patrick-Wright offer insight and suggestions for us to re-evaluate our own collections. This webinar was previously presented as a session at both TLA’s 2019 Annual Conference and at the 2020 PLA Conference, and for the Tennessee State Library & Archives.
Presenters:

Klem-Marí Cajigas is the Family Literacy Coordinator for Bringing Books to Life!, Nashville Public Library’s award-winning early literacy outreach program. She has been with Nashville Public Library since 2012, after more than a decade of academic training in Religious Studies and Ministry, including doctoral work at Vanderbilt University.

Lindsey Patrick-Wright was formerly the Youth Services and Continuing Education Coordinator for TSLA. She has been at Nashville Public Library for 9 years now, first managing the Children’s Department and is currently managing the Southeast Branch.

Date Recorded: 8/25/20

Format: Archived YouTube Video


talk logo yellow fish with the word talk

Learn about TALK: Text and Learn for Kindergarten, a text messaging program based on Every Child Ready to Read that empowers parents and caregivers to prepare their little ones for school success by sending easy, fun activity suggestions they can do at home.

In partnership with the Indiana State Library and Midwest Collaborative for Library Services, with funding from an IMLS National Leadership grant, TALK is now available in Indiana. Originally developed and tested by libraries in Washtenaw County, Michigan with IMLS/LSTA funds distributed through the Library of Michigan, TALK is currently being used by many public libraries in Michigan to reach parents they might not see at library storytimes. Learn details about the service, the toolkits, and how you can use text messaging to help improve school readiness in your community.

Date Recorded: 11/2/22

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Jodi Krahnke, Head of Youth Services and Angie Martin-Schwarze, TALK Program Assistant / Ypsilanti District Library (Michigan)

Resources:

 

 

Teaching Books Book Connections logoJoin trainers from TeachingBooks/Book Connections to learn more about the customizable tools available on Book Connections that support your collection development and patron engagement. Discover features to help analyze and generate reports that provide data insights into the genre, cultural, and curricular classifications represented in your collections. Book Connections, a children’s and young adult literacy resource, is licensed by INSPIRE, a Service of the Indiana State Library for all Indiana residents.

Date Recorded: 4/12/2021

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Alyssa Yokota-Bryon, M.Ed., Implementation & Training Specialist and Kym Davick, Director of Implementation & Educational Support / TeachingBooks/Book Connections


Why do teens behave the way they do?  Why should we welcome them when they are loud and messy?  What’s the best way to interact with them?  Teen librarians are not the only staff members that deal with teens so it’s good for all staff members to have these tips in their toolbox.  We’ll share some teen development basics and highlight some tips for smooth teen interactions at this session.

Date Recorded: 9/17/21

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Beth Yates, Children’s Consultant / Indiana State Library

Resources: 

 

 

The Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award is terrific, not only because it introduces parents and children ages 0-5 to high quality picture books perfect for the youngest among us, but also because it can easily be applied to early literacy standards like those developed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. NAEYC is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. Join NAEYC member and Indianapolis Wayne Township preschool evaluation teacher, Jeanne Baldwin, to learn more about NAEYC’s early literacy standards, including information about duel language learners. We will also discuss how the Firefly books and programs can support the NAEYC standards. Suzanne Walker, Firefly Chair and Indiana Young Readers Center Librarian will facilitate a discussion throughout the event. 1hr / 1 LEU.

About Jeanne: Jeanne Baldwin works at Wayne Township Preschool in Indianapolis. She has degrees in Early Childhood and Special Education. She has worked in early childhood settings for 25 years, including public and private schools, Head Start, First Steps, and childcare ministries, working directly with young children and providing education and training for teachers and caregivers. Jeanne works as a member of the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award committee. She is a member of the Central Indiana First Steps planning council, the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Council for Exceptional Children, and is currently reviewing proposals for the Division of Early Childhood’s national conference.

About Suzanne: Suzanne Walker received her Masters of Library Science from Indiana University. She is currently the Indiana Young Readers Center Librarian and Director of the Indiana Center for the Book, an affiliate of the Library of Congress. She coordinates Indiana’s Letters About Literature competition annually. Suzanne judged the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards in 2013 and 2014 and the Indiana Poetry Out Loud competition in 2017. Most recently she was a judge for the 2020 Indiana Authors Awards and the 2021 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award. She has presented numerous times at Indiana Library Federation’s District conferences, annual conferences, and youth conferences.

Date Recorded: 6/8/21

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Jeanne Baldwin / Wayne Township Preschool in Indianapolis and Suzanne Walker / Indiana State Library, Indiana Young Readers Center and Director of the Indiana Center for the Book

Resources:

 

Looking to integrate more authentic children’s programming for Juneteenth, Hispanic Heritage Month, AAPI, and more? Learn about how a thematic programming formula can help your library plan and facilitate children’s programs for cultural recognition and heritage months. Join us for a robust listing of programming examples for year round: from food to art, from storytimes to STEM, and more.

Date Recorded: 4/8/2025

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Justine Carlotta, MLIS, is the Children’s Department Manager of Westchester Public Library

Resources:  Thematic Programming for Multicultural Celebrations slides

The Indiana State Library offers book club kits, storytime kits, Lego and Duplo kits, Escape Room kits, and NASA Science kits. Join us to learn how to use the new kit checkout system with live demonstrations.

Date Recorded: 3/25/2025

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Suzanne Walker, Director – Indiana Center for the Book and  Indiana Young Reader Center Librarian Librarian, Kara Cleveland, Professional Development Office Supervisor, Indiana State Library

image of young girl cookingAre you looking to spice up your library programs? Does the thought of cooking classes make you blanch? This session focuses on cooking programs for preschoolers through teens. We will introduce the basics of adding cooking programs to your list of library activities, sharing resources, recipes, techniques, and tips for success. Let us make cooking a whisk you’ll be willing to take!

Date Recorded: 11/27/2024

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Erika Wagner, Programming and Outreach Librarian and Cindy Baumeister, Branch Supervisor / Crown Point Community Library

Resources:

 

Are you worried about getting children and teens back into the library post-COVID? You aren’t alone! A community-based approach will help you expand your reach to patrons new and old, so in this webinar we’ll talk about Community Asset Mapping, a strategy that will help you discover and develop new partnerships.

Date Recorded: 10/19/21

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Beth Yates, Children’s Consultant / Indiana State Library and Christy Franzman, Teen Coordinator / Hamilton East Public Library

Resources: 

 

image of person with superman capeYou were a hard-working youth librarian.  Now, you’re a youth services manager moving at the speed of light.  Experienced or just starting out, everyone needs a support network.  Join us for this Q&A-based webinar, where three current youth services managers (and one children’s consultant/ex-manager) share their tips & tricks about time management, coping with staffing dynamics, and handling change.

Date Recorded: 4/24/19

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Beth Yates / Indiana State Library and Alyssa Morgan / Morgan County Public Library and Casey O’Leary / Mooresville Public Library and Cathy Riley / Hancock County Public Library

Resources from webinar: