We've scoured the web for some of the most useful library learning opportunities, most of them free and all of them curated for the librarians of Illinois.

Here's where you can expand your skills in September 2025...

All learning is online unless noted otherwise.

Library Issues & Book News 

• Sept. 3, 1 p.m.
  Controlled Digital Lending: Risks and Rewards (Georgia Library Association)
• Sept. 9, 1 p.m.
  Must-Add Middle Grade (Booklist)
• Sept. 11, 10 a.m.
  Middle Grade Must-Reads: New Books and How to Find Them with Peters (Follett)
• Sept. 15, 2:30 p.m.
  A Pura Belpré Picture Book Celebration! (Booklist)
• Sept. 24, 1 p.m.
  Inspire Learning with the Library of Congress! (Federal Depository Library Program)
• Sept. 24, 1 p.m.
  Open Educational Resources (OER) in Higher Education: A Fresh Look at the Basics (Niche Academy)

Cataloging

• Sept. 3, 3 p.m.
  Destiny Library Manager: Barcodes, Book Processing, and Vendors, OH MY! (Follett) 

  Not Eligible for SHARE Cataloging CE Hours

• Sept. 9, 9 a.m.
  AskQC: WorldCat records revealed: The secret lives of validation and controlling  (OCLC)
• Sept. 9, 1 p.m.
  OCLC Connexion Client 3: Record editing and processing  (OCLC)
• Sept. 16, 2 p.m.
  Linked data for public libraries: An introduction (WebJunction)
• Sept. 18, 3 p.m.
  AskQC: WorldCat records revealed: The secret lives of validation and controlling (OCLC)
• Sept. 23, 1 p.m.
  OCLC Connexion Client 4: Save files and batch processing  (OCLC)

Grants & Fundraising

• Sept. 3, 2 p.m.
  Digital Fundraising Strategies and Tactics for Success (Firespring)
• Sept. 4, 1 p.m.
  Introduction to Fundraising Planning (Candid.)
• Sept. 4, 1 p.m.
  No More Waiting: How to Fundraise Faster, Braver, and Smarter (Bloomerang)
• Sept. 4, 1 p.m.
  Put Your Power on the Page: Showcasing Strengths to Win Grants (Techsoup)
• Sept. 10, 1 p.m.
  Unleash the Full Potential of GrantStation’s New Capabilities  (Techsoup)
• Sept. 11, 1 p.m.
  Introduction to Measuring Your Impact (Candid.)
• Sept. 16, 2 p.m.
  Cut Costs and Get Creative with Nonprofit Appeals (Firespring)
• Sept. 17, 1 p.m.
  Using Grant-Funded Projects to Attract New Partners and Funders (PLA)
• Sept. 25, 1 p.m.
  Introduction to Finding Grants (Candid.)

Leadership and Communication 

• Sept. 3, 1 p.m.  
  Use Who You Have: Building a Library Training Program with Your Existing Staff (Niche Academy)
• Sept. 4, noon
  Measuring What Matters: Keys to Advancing Your Ethical Culture (HRCI)
• Sept 4., 3 p.m.
  How a Little Empathy Can Improve CX (Govloop)
• Sept. 5, noon
  Disability Compliance Today: Top 10 Employer Best Practices (HRCI)
• Sept. 10, 1 p.m.
  Agility in the Fog (Niche Academy)
• Sept. 10, 11 a.m.
  Disaster Planning. Realities of Response and Recovery (NNLM)
• Sept. 11, 1 p.m.
  Strengthening Our Foundation: Disaster Preparedness, Community Resilience, and the Future of Libraries (NNLM)
• Sept. 12, 1 p.m.
  Informal Weather Education Outreach (NNLM)
• Sept. 15, 1 p.m.
  Leveraging Library Data to Advocate Value (aserl)
• Sept. 17, 10 a.m.
  Research Impact & Intelligence Services: Providing Expertise (Choice 360)
• Sept. 17, 1 p.m.
  Increasing Pathways to Career Development Through Inclusive and Accessible Processes (Candid.)
• Sept. 17, 1 p.m.
  Trials and Tribulations: Introducing the New Jersey State Library's Efforts to Digitize Historic Court Documents (Federal Depository Library Program)
• Sept. 18, noon
  It’s All About Culture: Strategic Plan Implementation and Addressing Power, Fear, and Trust (Fast Forward Libraries)
• Sept. 18, 1 p.m.
  Ask Me Anything: All about Nonprofit Boards (Candid.)
• Sept. 19, noon
  Preparing Your Library for Weather Emergencies (NNLM)
• Sept 23, 1 p.m.
  Providing a S.H.I.E.L.D. When Disaster Strikes: Librarians and Healthcare Providers Collaborate (NNLM)
• Sept. 23, 2 p.m.
  Unraveling Legacy Toxicity: Navigating Dysfunctional Environments in Leadership (Colorado State Library)
• Sept. 24, 11 a.m.  
  Oral Language: The Hidden Barrier to Reading Success (edWeb.net)
• Sept. 25, noon
  Communicating Across the Gap: Strategies for Disaster Preparedness and Public Trust (NNLM)
• Sept. 25, 1 p.m.  
  Evolving Staff Roles, Policies, and Practices: Results from PLA's 2024 Annual Survey (PLA)
• Sept. 29, 10 a.m.
  Lead with Empathy: Connecting Equity and Emotional Safety in the Workplace (Nonprofit Learning Lab)
• Sept. 29, 3 p.m.
  Tips for Effective 1:1 Meetings (Govloop)
• Sept. 30, 1 p.m.
  How to Manage Yourself (Govloop)
• Sept. 30, 2 p.m.
  Meaningful library gatherings: Bringing purpose to every meeting and event (WebJunction)​​​​​​

Technology 

• Sept. 2, noon
  Strengthen Your Nonprofit’s Social Media Presence: Best Practices (Techsoup)
• Sept. 3, 10 a.m.
  E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2026 (Nebraska Library Commission)
• Sept. 3, 1 p.m.
  Budgeting for Nonprofit Success Using QuickBooks (Techsoup)
• Sept. 4, multiple sessions
  Setting up Canva for your school system (Canva)
• Sept. 8, 10 a.m.
  Getting Ahead of the Curve: How to Develop a Practical AI Policy for Your Nonprofit (Nonprofit Learning Lab)
• Sept. 8, 1 p.m.
  Comparing the Tools: A Panel on Library Publishing Platforms (aserl)
• Sept. 10, 1 p.m.
  How Far AI Has Come and Where It’s Headed (Govloop)
• Sept. 11, 11 a.m.  
  Cultural Memory Lab Showcase: Permanent, Censorship-Resistant, Community-Controlled Archives (Techsoup)
• Sept. 16, 1 p.m.
  AI in Higher Education: Reimagining, Experimenting, & Learning (aserl)
• Sept. 18, multiple sessions
  Setting up Canva for your school system (Canva)
• Sept. 23, 10 a.m.
  Why Aren't My Google Ad Grants Ads Working?! Fixes, Tips, and Insights (Nonprofit Learning Lab)
• Sept. 23, noon
  Elevate Your Visibility: Instagram, AI, and the Future of SEO (Techsoup)
• Sept. 24, 10 a.m.
  Pretty Sweet Tech (Nebraska Library Commission)
• Sept. 24, noon
  GenAI in Higher Ed: Adoption and Literacy Education Approaches & Challenges (Choice 360)

Want more learning opportunities? Visit the Training Calendar from the Maine State Library.

Upcoming Conferences 

Grab your tickets! These conferences are coming up in the next few months. 

• Oct. 5–7, 2025, in Champaign, Ill.
  AISLE Annual Conference 2025

• Oct. 14–16, 2025, in Rosemont, Ill.
  ILA Annual Conference 2025

• Nov. 11–13, 2025, Online, & Nov. 14, 2025, in Champaign, Ill.
  Health Science Librarians of Illinois 2025 Annual Conference

• Nov. 12–13, 2025, in St. Louis, Mo.
  Library Marketing Communications Conference 2025

• Feb. 19, 2026, Online
  IHLS Member Day 2026

Other Events by IHLS

Illinois Heartland Library System has an expanding variety of learning opportunities, too. View them all on our Events page.

Have suggestions, ideas, or questions about Continuing Education? Contact our Continuing Education Coordinator at 618.474.9948. 

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