There's no time like the new year for learning! Whether you've got a list of resolutions, or tackling a new project, you're sure to benefit by attending some of the webinars on this month's list. Or perhaps there are topics you'd like your trustees or volunteers to explore. Be sure to share these free learning opportunities with your staff and friends, and encourage them to take on some new skills and understanding in 2025. The list, provided by the Maine State Library, includes over 40 webinars and an online conference, covering 14 different topic areas.

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The National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH) is an opportunity for people, organizations, and communities to call for racial healing, bring people together in their shared humanity and take action together to create a more just and equitable world.

NDORH was created by W.K. Kellogg Foundation in 2017, building on the work and learnings of the Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) initiative, to support  a national and community-based process to plan for and bring about transformational and sustainable change, and to address the historic and contemporary effects of racism.

The National Day of Racial Healing is... Read more

Public libraries are meant to be safe and welcoming spaces, but sometimes difficult situations arise that can affect both staff and patrons. In the new self-paced course, “Dealing with Difficult Situations,” you’ll explore a range of scenarios, the importance of empathy, and techniques for de-escalating conflicts in the library. The course also looks at the importance of library policies and their role in empowering staff to establish and maintain appropriate boundaries with patrons.

The development of the course was informed by subject matter expert, Kate Hall, co-author of The Public Library Director’s Toolkit and the Public Library Director’s HR Toolkit and... Read more

Libraries are going all out to celebrate their furriest fans! From therapy dogs that help kids build reading confidence to cat-themed storytimes and library pet spotlights, these creative programs warming hearts and sparking inspiration.

For even more pet and animal inspiration, check out Are dogs the new library cat? and Social Library, furry friends edition. Read on for a round-up of paw-some ideas and don’t miss your chance to share your own pet-centric programs with us. 

Reading to dogs is a fun and popular way to promote reading skills. Brooklyn Public Library offers a periodic Read with a Therapy Dog... Read more