Events

Library support staff make up a critical portion of the library workforce, yet they often have limited access to affordable, relevant professional development opportunities. While credentialed librarians benefit from established educational pathways and dedicated development funding, paraprofessional staff frequently face barriers related to cost, travel, and lack of targeted programming. 

This webinar tells the story of the Southern Library Support Staff (SLSS) Conference, a professional development initiative created at Vanderbilt University Libraries to address these gaps. Founded in 2019 by longtime library employee Machelle Keen, the conference began as an internal training opportunity and quickly expanded into a regional event serving library support staff across Tennessee and beyond. Today, SLSS is a multi-day conference featuring keynote speakers, workshops, panels, and practical sessions focused on leadership, career development, workplace skills, and innovation in libraries. 

Presenters Machelle Keen and Honora Eskridge will share lessons learned from building and sustaining the conference, including strategies for gaining institutional support, designing affordable programming, creating meaningful learning experiences, and expanding access through scholarship funding. The session will also discuss the impact of a recent $120,000 Laura Bush IMLS grant that supported scholarships for conference attendees.  

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Hosted by ASERL
 

Do you have questions about the Illinois Support for the Creation of Open Educational Resources grant (SCOERs), the OER funding from the Secretary of State/Illinois State Library, or the CARLI Member OER Initiative? Do you need guidance creating your OER or ancillary materials?  

If so please feel free to join us with all your OER related questions. Registration is not required.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://illinois.zoom.us/j/84245967645?pwd=VkVQeGRQQVIvdXA2dWg4Umx4UU5rQT09

Meeting ID: 842 4596 7645
Password: 271282

State and local government entities across the United States are hard at work to meet upcoming deadlines for new Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Title II regulations on web content and mobile apps. But what about private entities, such as non-profits and private higher education institutions? In this session, we will look at existing requirements under Title III of the ADA and how they can apply to a private entity’s digital content. We will also clarify the relationship between Title II and III entities when it comes to the new regulations and when third-party content might be subject to the new rule. Attendees should leave with a better understanding of how the ADA applies to Title II and III entities, as well as some best practices for digital compliance.

Presented by Kelley Frake (She/Her/Hers), Program Coordinator, Great Lakes ADA Center.

Register to attend.

Hosted by PALNI

This session is part of the Microsoft 365 for SEFLIN Libraries Series, an 8-week professional development program for SEFLIN librarians, educators, and library staff. Designed to enhance productivity and service delivery, each 60-minute session combines direct instruction with hands-on practice.

Week 6: Excel for Intermediates:

• Focus: Data analysis and visualization for library reporting.
• Tables: Converting ranges into Tables.
• Sorting and Filtering: Using multi-level sorting and advanced filtering.
• Visualization: Creating charts and sparklines.
• Logic and Formatting: Conditional Formatting and Data Validation.
• Practice (15 mins): Convert a list of books into a Table and highlight overdue dates.

About the Microsoft 365 for SEFLIN Libraries Series

The Microsoft 365 for SEFLIN Libraries Series is an 8-week professional development program designed specifically for library staff looking to build confidence and efficiency with the Microsoft applications they use every day. Each 60-minute session combines practical instruction with hands-on activities focused on real-world library workflows.

Whether you're creating presentations, managing email, analyzing data, or producing professional documents, you'll leave each session with skills you can immediately apply in your work.

Skills Developed Across the Series:

• Creating effective presentations with PowerPoint
• Managing email and calendars in Outlook
• Creating Slides: Choosing between blank presentations and templates or themes to establish a professional look.
• Organizing and analyzing data in Excel
• Creating polished documents in Word
• Improving workplace productivity and collaboration

You are welcome to register for one, several, or all eight sessions—each workshop stands on its own, and no prior attendance is required.

Presenter:

Jonathan Gordon is an educator, author, instructional designer, and professional development trainer specializing in digital design, creative technology, artificial intelligence, and workforce readiness. With a career spanning classroom teaching, curriculum development, and international training, he has helped thousands of students and educators develop practical skills in Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, web design, digital marketing, and emerging technologies.

As the author of Learn Adobe InDesign CC, Jonathan has long been recognized for his expertise in design and publishing workflows. He has taught courses in graphic design, web development, business applications, communication skills, and digital literacy, while creating certification-aligned curriculum and project-based learning experiences.

Jonathan has delivered workshops and training sessions throughout the United States and internationally, helping educators integrate technology in meaningful ways while preparing students for college, careers, and industry certifications.

A self-described "font snob" and lifelong learner, Jonathan is passionate about making complex technology accessible, engaging, and relevant through hands-on learning and real-world applications.

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Hosted by SEFLIN