Youth Services Training Opportunities, News, and Resources

 

Live Webinars, Trainings, and Roundtables

Upcoming Webinars & Roundtables

Every Child Ready to Read workshops

Talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing!  Parents who do these five things (while sprinkling in early math & science skills) can set their children up for success in school.  This workshop will introduce attendees to the Every Child Ready to Read program and will discuss ways to encourage reading and school readiness during storytime.  Join us for this interactive workshop that will provide you with concrete examples for using ECRR in your library. 
All workshops run 9:30am-12:30pm LOCAL TIME (Eastern unless otherwise noted)
Thursday, April 15 – Allen County Public Library (Northeast)
Friday, April 25 – Fort Branch Library (Southwest) – Central Time
Thursday, May 1 – Pendleton Community Public Library (East)
Tuesday, August 26 – Jasper County Public Library–DeMotte (Northwest) – Central Time
Thursday, September 18 – Shelby County Public Library (Central Southeast)
Friday, September 26 – Bremen Public Library (North)
Thursday, October 16 – Brazil Public Library (West)
Thursday, October 30 – Scott County Public Library (Southeast)
Thursday, November 6 – Kokomo Howard County Public Library (Central North)
Register for the above trainings via ISL’s Events Calendar.
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What’s Up Wednesday – 2025 State of the Child with Indiana Youth Institute webinar

Wednesday, March 26, 2025 ~ 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM ET
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. 1 hr / 1 LEU

Register here and a Zoom link will be sent to you.
Can’t attend live?  Request the recording here.

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Thematic Programming for Multicultural Celebrations webinar

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 ~ 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
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. We will cover many examples of themes and features that celebrate diversity, identity, empathy, and inclusivity. Join us for a robust listing of programming examples for year round: from food to art, from storytimes to STEM, and more.   1 hr / 1 LEU

Register here and a Zoom link will be sent to you.
Can’t attend live?  Request the recording here.
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All Things Summer Reading

Color Our World: Summer Reading 2025 in-person workshops

In-person workshops have concluded for 2025.  Please see the webinar recording, below, as an alternative.

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Gather VIRTUALLY with your colleagues from across the state to kick-off preparations for Summer 2025!  This webinar is 1 hr/1 LEU and will consist of a presentation about the 2025 Color Our World “art” theme, including suggested resources for planning and other general information.

Recording now available!  View it here.

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RECORDINGS NOW AVAILABLE for the 2024 CSLP Summer Symposium!

Session included:

  • Keynote: You Belong in Libraries with Mychal Threets
  • From Planning to Palette to Posting: Summer Reading
  • A Rainbow of Opportunities for Creative Programming
  • Coloring Our World Green: Sustainability and Summer Reading Programs

All session recordings and support materials can be located here:  https://www.cslpreads.org/summer-symposium/

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Adventure Begins at Your Library – Summer Reading 2024

I hope your Summer 2024 was great!
Read recaps from libraries who wanted to share how their summer went here!

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Recorded & Self-Paced Opportunities

Note:  For all recorded webinars, you will need to have someone at your library in HR or administration create a certificate for you since they can verify you attended. Find the policy here.  Exception—Moodle courses should generate certificates automatically upon completion of the course.

General

Public Libraries & the Science of Reading– recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Science of Reading Implementation: Indiana’s Priorities for Early Literacy (from IDOE)- recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

CSLP 2024: Adventure Begins at Your Library – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Getting Started with Girls Who Code – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Nature Play Days at our Local Libraries – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Getting READy to Build Better School Partnerships – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Building an Autism-Friendly Environment – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Grants for Public Libraries – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Dyslexia and the Public Library – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Beyond Books: Serving the Whole Patron – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Media Mentorship for Youth – 2-part recorded webinar – access via link – Part 1: 2hr/2LEU & Part 2: 2hr/2LEU

Philosophy & Children’s Literature – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

TALK: Text & Learn for Kindergarten – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Launching TALK in Your Community – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

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INSPIRE

INSPIRE for Youth Services (2023) – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Get INSPIRED: Top INSPIRE Databases for Assisting Students – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

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Youth Programming

Free & Low Cost Programming for Youth – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Early Literacy Summer Programming with the Firefly Book Award – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Storytime Basics – recorded webinar – access via link – 1.25 hr – 1 LEU

Reimagining School Readiness – 2-part recorded webinar – access via link – Part 1: 2hr/2LEU & Part 2: 1.25hr/1LEU

Material and Program Challenges in the Public Library – recorded webinar – access via link – 1.25 hr – 1 LEU

Implementing the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Where Do We Go From Here? Reaching Young Patrons Post-Pandemic – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

How Do I Count This? Updated Guidelines for Programming Stats – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Dungeons & Dragons & Beyond: How to Run a Library RPG Program – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 TLEU

Be the Hero! Tween and Teen Live Action Roleplaying (LARPing) Games – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

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 TeachingBooks webinars

TeachingBooks/Book Connections is one of many databases provided free to all Indiana residents via INSPIRE.in.gov. 

Using TeachingBooks at the Public Library – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Supplementing Science of Reading from the Library & TeachingBooks – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Navigating Book Selections with Book Resumes on TeachingBooks – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

2024 Add TeachingBooks to Your Summer Reading Plan – recorded webinar – access via link – 45 min – 1 LEU

Get Ready to Recommend: Using Book Connections for Reader’s Advisory – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Collection Development, Analysis, and Promotion with Book Connections – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

 

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Teen Services

Teen Tips (DIY 2021 session) – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Impacting Lives One Teen at a Time: What Directors Should Know – recorded webinar – access via link – 40 min – 1 LEU

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Access for All focused webinars

Port in the Storm: How you can support LGBTQ+ youth – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Come As You Are: Getting Started with EDI Committees in Your Library – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

From Diversity to Inclusion: How to Audit Your Collection and Why – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

Developing Welcoming Spaces for LGBTQ+ – recorded webinar – access via link – 1 hr – 1 LEU

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ISL Resource Websites
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Self-Paced Courses

Youth Services Basics – self-paced course – create free account/login to access

This course is designed as an introduction to library services for public library staff working with youth. Whether you are already working in a library or just starting out in a new youth services position, this content will help you consider why library services focusing specifically on youth are important, how to collect appropriate materials, the types of services and programs you can provide to your patrons, and the importance of outreach services.

 

Intro to Every Child Ready to Read – self-paced course – create free account/login to access

This course serves as an introduction to the six skills and five practices of Every Child Ready to Read, and offers some suggestions on using them in storytime.  It discusses reaching parents with this information and gives participants a chance to plan their “messaging” to parents. 2 hr – 2 LEUs  Additional Every Child Ready to Read resources

 

Readers’ Advisory 101 for All Ages – self-paced course – create free account/login to access

This course introduces the best practices for readers’ advisory for any age, with tips for adapting readers’ advisory for youth.  Great for new-to-libraries staff or those who would like a refresher.  2 hr – 2 LEUs

 

Media Literacy & Youth Services – self-paced course – create free account/login to access

This course utilizes a virtual workshop, recorded in Fall 2022 and brought to you by the Indiana State Library and the Maryland State Library Agency in partnership with New America, to review media literacy basics when it comes to advising young patrons and their families, and discusses how librarians can act as media mentors.  3 hr – 3 LEUs

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Non-ISL Training Opportunities

These trainings have been approved for LEUs.

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ALA/Public Library Association’s On-Demand Webinars website – This website contains webinars on a variety of youth services topics.  While some require a fee, many are free.

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Webjunction’s Supercharged Storytimes course – This self-paced course provides training in how to intentionally apply research-based practices to boost early literacy in young children attending library storytime.

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“A Teen Walks into the Library” course from the Colorado State Library, in conjunction with Arapahoe Libraries (CO).  This is a great entry-level self-paced training about working with teens in the library setting.  This course utilizes videos that provide real-world examples of situations you may encounter, and how to handle them.  It’s great for those new to working with teens—and all library staff who may encounter them.

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The Safe Zone Project – From the website:  “The Safe Zone Project (SZP) is a free online resource providing curricula, activities, and other resources for educators facilitating Safe Zone trainings (sexuality, gender, and LGBTQ+ education sessions), and learners who are hoping to explore these concepts on their own. Co-created by Meg Bolger and Sam Killermann in 2013, the SZP has become the go-to resource for anyone looking to add some Safe Zone to their life.” You can take a training yourself or organize a group at your library.  It is recommended that someone in or otherwise familiar with the LGBTQ+ community take part in leading any in-person group trainings.

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Book and Program Challenge Resources

Get Ready, Stay Ready: A Community Action Toolkit – a collection of resources curated by a group of librarians and parents

Preparing for Program Challenges at Your Public Library webinar from Programming Librarian – practical tips on preparing for challenges of books and programs in the library

Banned Books & Censorship virtual mini-conference from Library 2.0  – short sessions on a wide variety of banned book and censorship topics

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CSLP’s Patron Access Committee webinar series

Library Services for Customers With Accessibility Adaptations
Online Training Session recorded on December 10, 2020 10am Central

Play, Diversity and Inclusion
Online Training Session recorded on November 10, 2021 2pm Central

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2021 Southeast Collaborative Conference – view the YouTube channel with all of the conference webinar recordings here.

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Interactive Movie webinar & List of Interactive Movie Experience Scripts curated by Sarah Pearson, Minerva PL, OH – 1 hr / 1 LEU

Presented by: Sarah Pearson-Minerva PL, OH / Caitlyn Clark – Oak Bluffs PL, MA / Patricia VanArsdale – Hussey-Mayfield Memorial PL, IN / Mary Harrington and Deborah Dwyer – Phoenix PL, AZ

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Professional Tools

ALSC: Professional Tools for Librarians Serving Youth – A collection of resources organized by topic, from access and advocacy to summer reading and technology.

YALSA:  Professional Tools for Librarians Serving Teens – A collection of resources organized by topic, from teen development to engagement and beyond.

Indiana Youth Institute: IYI is a non-profit organization with a mission to “improve the lives of all Indiana children by strengthening and connecting the people, organizations, and communities focused on kids and youth.”

 

Children in Trauma Bibliography – The bibliography was created by Dr. Megan McCaffrey, assistant professor in the Division of Education at Governors State University. Categorized by theme, the bibliography includes books that address traumas such as domestic abuse and bullying; general grief and loss; illness, anxiety, and depression; pandemics; poverty; and more.

CDC’s Developmental Milestones website

1000 Books Before Kindergarten –  1000 Books Before Kindergarten is a national program.  This link takes you to some helpful resources provided by the program if you’re interested in starting a program at your library!

StoryWalk– StoryWalk was started by the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Vermont and the name is a registered service mark—you can use it but should give the creator credit.  Read more about it, along with other helpful info on starting your own walk, on this FAQ sheet created by the original library.

View ISL’s StoryWalk Resource Page here.

Summer Food

Summer Food Service Program – Indiana summer food program information portal.

Feeding Your Community: Summer Meals at Libraries – Webinar from CSLP and USDA. Public librarians share how they built partnerships and creatively implemented the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), with a panel of librarians from across the country. Learn the basics of SFSP and ideas for how to participate.

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