Browse and Register for Upcoming Events
Illinois Heartland Library System has several regular and special events, including weekly text-based directors' chats, monthly continuing education webinars, bi-monthly members meetings, mini-webinars and multi-week cataloging courses through the Cataloging Maintenance Center, training for SHARE consortium members, and more. Browse the page and use the filters below to find opportunities that fit your library's needs.
SWATS Meeting (SouthWest Advocates for Teen Services)
System Member Networking
Southwest Advocates for Teen Services is a group where library staff can meet to share program ideas and issues with other teen-focused staff.
IHLS Directors Chat
System Member Networking
Join library directors and branch leaders across central and southern Illinois for this text-based chat.
Directors University Core
APPLICATION IS CLOSED.
Directors University Core will be August 10-13, 2026 in Bloomington, IL.
For full details and the application link, visit the Directors University Core webpage. Applications are due by May 8, 2026 and attendees will be notified of acceptance by May 23, 2026.
Email Kristin Pekoll, kpekoll@ila.org, with any questions.
Leap Basic Circulation Training — A SHARE Circulation Class
LLSAP/Consortium
A Leap basic circulation class for SHARE members
SHARE Catalogers Training Session
LLSAP/Consortium
SHARE-library catalogers discuss problems, share ideas, and learn about changes to cataloging practices.
IHLS Directors Chat
System Member Networking
Join library directors and branch leaders across central and southern Illinois for this text-based chat.
In the Right Order: The Sequence of Series Authority Records — an Online with the CMC webinar
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
Online with the CMC is a free monthly cataloging webinar; this month, we're discussing authority records.
Leap Basic Circulation Training — A SHARE Circulation Class
LLSAP/Consortium
A Leap basic circulation class for SHARE members
IHLS Members Matter & Third Thursday CE
Continuing Education, System Member Networking
Join IHLS members and staff for a continuing education program and membership forum in these monthly events.
Leap Basic Circulation Training — A SHARE Circulation Class
LLSAP/Consortium
A Leap basic circulation class for SHARE members
SHARE Your Cataloging Questions
LLSAP/Consortium
Join SHARE catalogers for barcoding and cataloging Q&A session.
Extra Credit! Back-to-School System Update
Monthly continuing education and networking for school library staff
Join Leah Gregory, IHLS Director of Membership & Outreach, for a monthly virtual session consisting of a 30-minute continuing education session, followed by a 30-minute networking and system update session, where we discuss all things related to school libraries. Learn something new, connect with your colleagues, share ideas, seek answers, or just talk to peers who understand what a day in the life of a school librarian is like.
Our topic for this session will be 26/27 School Year System Updates! Come find out everything you need to know to get the year off to a good start.
Registration Information
Available to: All library staff from IHLS-member libraries, from library aides to certified school librarians
Session Capacity: 100 seats
Cost: Free
Deadline: Registration requested by 15 minutes prior to the start of the event. Forgot to register? Join us anyway.
Accessing the Session
This session will be recorded and available on the Illinois Heartland Library System's Continuing Education page for asynchronous viewing.
Join the Meeting:
via computer or mobile device:
https://illinoisheartland.zoom.us/j/89814785220?pwd=1AauE2IHQ88aU44ZbTKuhaZ0BfOq4w.1
IHLS Directors Chat
System Member Networking
Join library directors and branch leaders across central and southern Illinois for this text-based chat.
iLEAD Trustee Learning Portal Statewide Workshop
Continuing Education, iLEAD Trustee Training
Learn how the iLEAD Trustee Learning Portal can help public library board members shine in their roles!
Navigating the School District Library Grant Application
Unsure about how to go about applying for the School District Library Grant from the Illinois State Library? Join Leah Gregory, Director of Membership and Outreach at Illinois Heartland Library System, and Jessica Silva, Member Engagement Specialist at Reaching Across Illinois Library System, as they lay out the basics of this grant opportunity!
SHARE Catalogers Training Session
LLSAP/Consortium
SHARE-library catalogers discuss problems, share ideas, and learn about changes to cataloging practices.
Press Start: Cataloging Games with RDA — an Online with the CMC webinar
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
Online with the CMC is a free monthly cataloging webinar; this month, we're discussing cataloging games with RDA.
Illinois School Library Workers Symposium
School Library Staff please join us for the fourth annual Illinois School Library Workers Symposium!
This full day of virtual library training is provided by your Illinois library agencies: the Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE), Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS), Illinois Library Association (ILA), and Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS), and is provided at no cost to you or your district. Up to 3.5 hours of PDH are available, and you will also have plenty of time to network with other school library staff and talk about topics that may be on your mind.
For more information contact Jessica Silva, RAILS Member Engagement Specialist, jessica.silva@railslibraries.org
RAILS Accessibility Statement
We strive to make events accessible to all. If you have a specific accessibility request or need accommodations, please contact us at access@railslibraries.org at least two weeks before the event.
IHLS Members Matter & Third Thursday CE
Continuing Education, System Member Networking
Join IHLS members and staff for a continuing education program and membership forum in these monthly events.
Focus on Deriving a Record— a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
two-week crash course in deriving a record
SHARE Your Cataloging Questions
LLSAP/Consortium
Join SHARE catalogers for barcoding and cataloging Q&A session.
Extra Credit! Interlibrary Loan for Schools
Monthly continuing education and networking for school library staff
Join Leah Gregory, IHLS Director of Membership & Outreach, for a monthly virtual session consisting of a 30-minute continuing education session, followed by a 30-minute networking and system update session, where we discuss all things related to school libraries. Learn something new, connect with your colleagues, share ideas, seek answers, or just talk to peers who understand what a day in the life of a school librarian is like.
Our topic for this session will be interlibrary loan for school libraries. Learn about your options for resource sharing. We will be joined by Barb Miller, Consortial Services Supervisor from Reaching Across Illinois Library System.
Available to: All library staff from IHLS-member libraries, from library aides to certified school librarians
Session Capacity: 100 seats
Cost: Free
Deadline: Registration requested by 15 minutes prior to the start of the event. Forgot to register? Join us anyway.
Accessing the Session
This session will be recorded and available on the Illinois Heartland Library System's Continuing Education page for asynchronous viewing.
Join the Meeting:
via computer or mobile device:
https://illinoisheartland.zoom.us/j/89814785220?pwd=1AauE2IHQ88aU44ZbTKuhaZ0BfOq4w.1
iLEAD Trustee Learning Portal Statewide Workshop
Continuing Education, iLEAD Trustee Training
Learn how the iLEAD Trustee Learning Portal can help public library board members shine in their roles!
Medium Pubs Meeting
System Member Networking
Staff of medium-sized public libraries gather to network and discuss what is going on in mid-size libraries.
Book Repair Workshop
Continuing Education
From ripped pages to broken spines, you can repair popular titles with just a few supplies!
SHARE Catalogers Training Session
LLSAP/Consortium
SHARE-library catalogers discuss problems, share ideas, and learn about changes to cataloging practices.
Do You Catch My Drift?: Cataloging "Drift" in Your ILS — an Online with the CMC webinar
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
Online with the CMC is a free monthly cataloging webinar; this month, we're discussing cataloging drift.
Extra Credit! IHLS Board Service and Board Elections
Monthly continuing education and networking for school library staff
Join Leah Gregory, IHLS Director of Membership & Outreach, for a monthly virtual session consisting of a 30-minute continuing education session, followed by a 30-minute networking and system update session, where we discuss all things related to school libraries. Learn something new, connect with your colleagues, share ideas, seek answers, or just talk to peers who understand what a day in the life of a school librarian is like.
Our topic for this session will be Board Service and Board Elections! Come learn all the reasons why you should serve on the IHLS board of directors - or at least vote in the election. We will be joined by Mike Treece, Director of Curriculum Technology Integration, Student Information Systems, and Reporting at Dupo CUSD 196 and Illinois Heartland Library System Board Member.
Registration Information
Available to: All library staff from IHLS-member libraries, from library aides to certified school librarians
Session Capacity: 100 seats
Cost: Free
Deadline: Registration requested by 15 minutes prior to the start of the event. Forgot to register? Join us anyway.
Accessing the Session
This session will be recorded and available on the Illinois Heartland Library System's Continuing Education page for asynchronous viewing.
Join the Meeting:
via computer or mobile device:
https://illinoisheartland.zoom.us/j/89814785220?pwd=1AauE2IHQ88aU44ZbTKuhaZ0BfOq4w.1
SHARE Your Cataloging Questions
LLSAP/Consortium
Join SHARE catalogers for barcoding and cataloging Q&A session.
IHLS Annual Meeting & Celebration
System Member Networking
Please join together to celebrate with board members, fellow member libraries, and IHLS staff at the Annual Meeting & Celebration, followed by the IHLS Board meeting for those who would like to attend.
- 3:00 p.m. - Networking, light refreshments and speakers the IHLS Edwardsville Hub (6725 Goshen Rd., Edwardsville, Illinois 62025
- 5:00 p.m. - IHLS Board meeting - please register for board meeting on the board meeting event listing
Speakers: Greg McCormick, Director of the Illinois State library and more to be announced
Focus on World Language Cataloging — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
two-week crash course in cataloging world languages
Cataloging Basics — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
six-week crash course in cataloging basics
SHARE Catalogers Training Session
LLSAP/Consortium
SHARE-library catalogers discuss problems, share ideas, and learn about changes to cataloging practices.
MARC-ing My Territory: Adventures in Cataloging — an Online with the CMC webinar
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
Online with the CMC is a free monthly cataloging webinar; this month, we're discussing cataloging using MARC fields.
Extra Credit! Weeding Your School Library Collection
Monthly continuing education and networking for school library staff
Join Leah Gregory, IHLS Director of Membership & Outreach, for a monthly virtual session consisting of a 30-minute continuing education session, followed by a 30-minute networking and system update session, where we discuss all things related to school libraries. Learn something new, connect with your colleagues, share ideas, seek answers, or just talk to peers who understand what a day in the life of a school librarian is like.
Our topic for this session will be Weeding Your School Library! Weed 'em and weep! Janette Derucki, Data Analyst from Reaching Across Illinois Library System, will join us to bring a data perspective to the discussion.
Registration Information
Available to: All library staff from IHLS-member libraries, from library aides to certified school librarians
Session Capacity: 100 seats
Cost: Free
Deadline: Registration requested by 15 minutes prior to the start of the event. Forgot to register? Join us anyway.
Accessing the Session
This session will be recorded and available on the Illinois Heartland Library System's Continuing Education page for asynchronous viewing.
Join the Meeting:
via computer or mobile device:
https://illinoisheartland.zoom.us/j/89814785220?pwd=1AauE2IHQ88aU44ZbTKuhaZ0BfOq4w.1
iLEAD Trustee Learning Portal Statewide Workshop
Continuing Education, iLEAD Trustee Training
Learn how the iLEAD Trustee Learning Portal can help public library board members shine in their roles!
SHARE Your Cataloging Questions
LLSAP/Consortium
Join SHARE catalogers for barcoding and cataloging Q&A session.
SHARE Your Cataloging Questions
LLSAP/Consortium
Join SHARE catalogers for barcoding and cataloging Q&A session.
What’s It All About?: The Use of Genres and LCSH Subdivisions — an Online with the CMC webinar
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
Online with the CMC is a free monthly cataloging webinar; this month, we're discussing genre terms and LCSH subdivisions.
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training CY2026 (Ongoing / On-Demand)
Continuing Education
Sexual harassment training that meets Illinois requirements, available for all IHLS-member libraries.
Bloodborne Pathogens Training (Ongoing / On-Demand)
Continuing Education
Bloodborne Pathogens training that meets OSHA requirements, available for all IHLS-member libraries.
Focus on Serials Cataloging — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
two-week crash course in serials cataloging
AI and the Library World, Part IV — an Online with the CMC webinar
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
Online with the CMC is a free monthly cataloging webinar; this month, we're discussing artificial intelligence (AI) and the library world.
Extra Credit! Illinois School Library Standards
Monthly continuing education and networking for school library staff
Join Leah Gregory, IHLS Director of Membership & Outreach, for a monthly virtual session consisting of a 30-minute continuing education session, followed by a 30-minute networking and system update session, where we discuss all things related to school libraries. Learn something new, connect with your colleagues, share ideas, seek answers, or just talk to peers who understand what a day in the life of a school librarian is like.
Our topic for this session will be Illinois School Library Standards - ISAIL and Linking for Learning.
Registration Information
Available to: All library staff from IHLS-member libraries, from library aides to certified school librarians
Session Capacity: 100 seats
Cost: Free
Deadline: Registration requested by 15 minutes prior to the start of the event. Forgot to register? Join us anyway.
Accessing the Session
This session will be recorded and available on the Illinois Heartland Library System's Continuing Education page for asynchronous viewing.
Join the Meeting:
via computer or mobile device:
https://illinoisheartland.zoom.us/j/89814785220?pwd=1AauE2IHQ88aU44ZbTKuhaZ0BfOq4w.1
iLEAD Trustee Learning Portal Statewide Workshop
Continuing Education, iLEAD Trustee Training
Learn how the iLEAD Trustee Learning Portal can help public library board members shine in their roles!
Metadata Basics: MODS — an Online with the CMC webinar
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
Online with the CMC is a free monthly cataloging webinar; this month, we're discussing Metadata Object Description Schema (MODS).
Cataloging Basics — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
six-week crash course in cataloging basics
Focus on DDC — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
two-week crash course in cataloging with the Dewey Decimal Classification system
Illinois Youth Services Institute (IYSI) - SAVE THE DATE!
SAVE THE DATE!
The Illinois Youth Services Institute (IYSI) returns in March 2027! Keep an eye on the ILA event webpage and the ILA Alert for updates.
- May 2026 - More information on the website
- August 2026 - Call for Proposals
- January 2027 - Registration Opens
IYSI is developed by the Illinois Library Association with collaboration by Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS), Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS), and LACONI Youth Services.
iLEAD Trustee Learning Portal Statewide Workshop
Continuing Education, iLEAD Trustee Training
Learn how the iLEAD Trustee Learning Portal can help public library board members shine in their roles!
Focus on LCC — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
two-week crash course in cataloging with the Library of Congress Classification (LCC) system
Focus on NLM — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
two-week crash course in cataloging with the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classification
iLEAD Trustee Learning Portal Statewide Workshop
Continuing Education, iLEAD Trustee Training
Learn how the iLEAD Trustee Learning Portal can help public library board members shine in their roles!