
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:
- Learn more about the TALK program
- Direct link for libraries to sign up for TALK or to ask questions
- Email link to directly ask questions
- TALK Introductory webinar

Children’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.
In 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.
The 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!
The 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.
Are 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.*
Get 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.”