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.
Canceled - IHLS Directors Chat
System Member Networking
Join library directors and branch leaders across central and southern Illinois for this text-based chat.
Extra Credit! School Librarian Networking
System Member Networking
Monthly open forum for school library staff
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!
The Power of a Name: Examining the Importance of 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.
IHLS Directors Chat
System Member Networking
Join library directors and branch leaders across central and southern Illinois for this text-based chat.
Performance Management: Ongoing Communication and Documentation — a Library Human Resources Webinar with HR Source
Continuing Education
Regular, balanced feedback is important for managers to provide.
Mental Health First Aid
Continuing Education
IHLS is making Mental Health First Aid available to member library staff!
SHARE Catalogers Training Session
LLSAP/Consortium
SHARE catalogers will be available to answer barcoding and cataloging questions.
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.
IHLS Directors Chat
System Member Networking
Join library directors and branch leaders across central and southern Illinois for this text-based chat.
Board Meet & Greet
You're Invited: Board Meet & Greet
As part of our FY2025 Operational Plan, we’re excited to reintroduce networking events. This is the first of three planned events designed to help our Board and member library staff connect and engage around a shared topic.
Join IHLS for a ribbon cutting along with the Glen/Ed Chamber of Commerce. You will have the opportunity to tour the newly installed Automatic Materials Handling System (AMHS).
- Start Time: 3:30 p.m. – Networking
- Edwardsville AMHS Ribbon Cutting and Tour: 4:00 p.m. with the Ed/Glen Chamber of Commerce
- Light refreshments will be provided
We hope you'll join us as we kick off this new initiative to foster stronger relationships and shared learning across our organization and member libraries!
SHARE Your Cataloging Questions
LLSAP/Consortium
Join SHARE catalogers for barcoding and cataloging Q&A session.
SHARE Cataloging Work Day
LLSAP/Consortium
Drop-in opportunity to pick the brains of SHARE Cataloging staff.
IHLS Directors Chat
System Member Networking
Join library directors and branch leaders across central and southern Illinois for this text-based chat.
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!
HR Unfiltered: Ask Us Anything — a Library Human Resources Panel with IHLS and RAILS
Continuing Education
Get direct answers from the IHLS and RAILS HR team in this interactive Q&A session!
SHARE Catalogers Training Session
LLSAP/Consortium
SHARE catalogers will be available to answer barcoding and cataloging questions.
IHLS Directors Chat
System Member Networking
Join library directors and branch leaders across central and southern Illinois for this text-based chat.
SHARE Your Cataloging Questions
LLSAP/Consortium
Join SHARE catalogers for barcoding and cataloging Q&A session.
IHLS Directors Chat
System Member Networking
Join library directors and branch leaders across central and southern Illinois for this text-based chat.
IHLS Members Matter Special Meeting: Automated Material Handling System LIVE Q&A
Delivery
You’re Invited! AMHS Live Q&A, Ribbon Cutting & Name Reveal
Cataloging Basics — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
six-week crash course in basic cataloging
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.
SHARE Your Cataloging Questions
LLSAP/Consortium
Join SHARE catalogers for barcoding and cataloging Q&A session.
Directors University
APPLICATIONS OPEN! The deadline to apply is May 15. Applicants will be notified by May 24 of their selection.
The ninth annual Directors University will be held August 4-6, 2025, at the Hilton DoubleTree in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. This professional development is intended for first-time directors and directors new to Illinois from public libraries of all shapes and sizes.
What is Directors University?
Directors University (DU) is a continuing education program that provides new directors of public libraries--regardless of whether they hold a Master's in Library Science--with foundational training in public library directorship. It includes a comprehensive multi-day in-person institute and five robust virtual sessions.
The mission of the program is to provide public library directors with a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities and to provide them with the skills they need to better serve their constituents. Training topics include an overview of the types of public libraries; library systems; library policies; human resources; legal; building maintenance; basic budgeting and finance; board relationships; state grant programs; customer service; and resource sharing.
Directors University is a joint project of the Illinois Heartland Library System, Illinois Library Association, and Reaching Across Illinois Library System.
View the ILA event page for more details and the application link. Questions? Contact Kristin Pekoll, kpekoll@ila.org.
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.
Beyond Burnout: Uncovering the Root Causes and Reigniting Inspiration
Continuing Education
Go beyond mindfulness and self-care to examine the root causes of burnout at this workshop directed at youth services staff.
SHARE Catalogers Training Session
LLSAP/Consortium
SHARE catalogers will be available to answer barcoding and cataloging questions.
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.
SHARE Your Cataloging Questions
LLSAP/Consortium
Join SHARE catalogers for barcoding and cataloging Q&A session.
Focus on Cataloging DVDs — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
two-week crash course in Cataloging DVDs
SHARE Catalogers Training Session
LLSAP/Consortium
SHARE catalogers will be available to answer barcoding and cataloging questions.
Illinois School Library Workers Symposium
School Library Staff please join us for the third annual Illinois School Library Workers Symposium!
This full day of virtual library training is provided by your Illinois library agencies: the Association for 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.
Planning is still ongoing, but you can expect sessions about intellectual freedom, Illinois standards, weeding and collection management, classroom and behavior management, career paths in school librarianship, and more! You can also visit our sponsors virtually and learn more about library education programs at various colleges and universities in Illinois.
More information soon, if you'd like to learn more please feel free to contact Jessica Silva, RAILS Member Engagement Specialist, jessica.silva@railslibraries.org
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 Serials Cataloging — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
two-week crash course in cataloging serials
SHARE Your Cataloging Questions
LLSAP/Consortium
Join SHARE catalogers for barcoding and cataloging Q&A session.
SHARE Catalogers Training Session
LLSAP/Consortium
SHARE catalogers will be available to answer barcoding and cataloging questions.
SHARE Your Cataloging Questions
LLSAP/Consortium
Join SHARE catalogers for barcoding and cataloging Q&A session.
Cataloging Basics — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
six-week crash course in basic cataloging
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.
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.
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training CY2025 (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.
Library Service, Safety and Security Webinar Series with Library 2.0 (On-Demand)
Continuing Education
Access three Safety & Security webinars from Library 2.0 and Dr. Steve Albrecht.
Subject Analysis — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
six-week crash course in subject cataloging
Focus on Deriving a Record — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
two-week crash course in deriving a bibliographic record
Focus on Cataloging CDs — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
two-week crash course in cataloging CDs
Cataloging Basics — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
six-week crash course in basic cataloging