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.
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.
FY25 Public Library Construction Grant Review Committee Meeting
The Public Library Construction Grant committee will review the FY2024 applications.
Applicant libraries are strongly encouraged to join the meeting via Teams or by phone to respond to the committee's specific concerns or questions that may arise during their review.
Committee members will be attending virtually or by conference call.
Please register to receive the connection information in order to participate in the meeting.
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.
Broadband and ICN statewide webinar
Continuing Education
An important conversation about broadband access through the state's network using the Illinois Century Network (ICN).
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.
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 Members Matter Special Meeting: Automated Material Handling System LIVE Q&A
Delivery
You’re Invited! AMHS Live Q&A, Ribbon Cutting & Name Reveal
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 & 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.
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.
SHARE Your Cataloging Questions
LLSAP/Consortium
Join SHARE catalogers for barcoding and cataloging Q&A session.
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.
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.
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.
Let’s Rock Down to Electronic Avenue — 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 electronic resources.
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 Catalogers Training Session
LLSAP/Consortium
SHARE catalogers will be available to answer barcoding and cataloging questions.
Just Dewey it: The Basics of Dewey Decimal Classification — 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 Dewey Decimal Classification.
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.
While planning is ongoing, 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.
For more information contact Jessica Silva, RAILS Member Engagement Specialist, jessica.silva@railslibraries.org
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.
Focus on Serials Cataloging — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
two-week crash course in cataloging serials
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.
While planning is ongoing, 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.
For more information contact Jessica Silva, RAILS Member Engagement Specialist, jessica.silva@railslibraries.org
Focus on Serials Cataloging — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
two-week crash course in cataloging serials
AI and the Library World, Part 3 — 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 the ethics and legalities of AI.
SHARE Catalogers Training Session
LLSAP/Consortium
SHARE catalogers will be available to answer barcoding and cataloging questions.
Still Searching: Databases and Search Tools for Subject Headings — 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 subject headings.
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.
Still Searching: Databases and Search Tools for Subject Headings — 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 subject headings.
SHARE Your Cataloging Questions
LLSAP/Consortium
Join SHARE catalogers for barcoding and cataloging Q&A session.
So, You Want to Start a Digitization Project — 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 planning a digitization project.
SHARE Your Cataloging Questions
LLSAP/Consortium
Join SHARE catalogers for barcoding and cataloging Q&A session.
Bloodborne Pathogens Training (Ongoing / On-Demand)
Continuing Education
Bloodborne Pathogens training that meets OSHA requirements, available for all IHLS-member libraries.
Shall We Play a Game?: Cataloging Games — 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.
Focus on Deriving a Record — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
two-week crash course in deriving a bibliographic record
Do You Hear What I Hear?: Cataloging Audio-enabled Books — 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 audio-enabled books.
Subject Analysis — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
six-week crash course in subject cataloging
Break it Down Again: The Pieces of Subject Headings — 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 the different pieces of subject headings.
Focus on Cataloging CDs — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
two-week crash course in cataloging CDs
Metadata Basics: Dublin Core — 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 Dublin Core.
Cataloging Basics — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
six-week crash course in basic cataloging
Illinoise and some St. Louis Blues: Music, Musicians, and Miscellanea from Illinois and Neighboring Missouri — 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 local music.
Metadata Basics: Dublin Core — 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 Dublin Core.
Cataloging Basics — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
six-week crash course in basic cataloging
Illinoise and some St. Louis Blues: Music, Musicians, and Miscellanea from Illinois and Neighboring Missouri — 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 local music.
Illinoise and some St. Louis Blues: Music, Musicians, and Miscellanea from Illinois and Neighboring Missouri — 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 local music.