Online Courses

alsc online course logoThe Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is pleased to offer a variety of quality online education courses every winter, spring, summer and fall.  All courses will run between four and six weeks and will be taught in an online learning community using Moodle. Many courses are offered asynchronously, meaning you won't need to log on at a specific time to participate in the class. Students who complete the course receive a certificate of completion for their records. 

ALSC online courses are housed in the ALA eLearning Site, which was launched in November 2021. On this new, centralized eLearning Site, students can browse the catalog of ALA content by subject, format, or even division; access their personalized dashboard of all eCourse, webinar, and on-demand content; and more! Please visit the eLearning Site FAQ page for more information. ALSC appreciates the patience of its members and other interested eLearning participants as we, along with all of ALA, work to fine-tune this system and transition all our content over to the new site.

The new ALA eLearning Site includes new, standardized pricing and discounts for all ALA eLearning events. ALA members receive a 10% discount on all eLearning purchases in the site; ALSC members receive a 25% discount for eCourses.

Upcoming Course

Tools and Techniques for Promoting Early Literacy in BIPOC Communities
March 4, 2024 - April 14, 2024
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities are historically overlooked and underserved in the planning and implementation of education programming. In this course, Social Services Librarian Dee Brown will provide library staff with the knowledge and tools to promote early literacy development in these communities in a welcoming, inclusive and culturally sensitive context. 

Participants will explore culturally responsive strategies, diverse children's literature, and community engagement practices to foster a love of reading and empower young learners from BIPOC backgrounds. Strategies for engaging families, caregivers, and the broaders community to support early literacy will also be covered. By the end of the course, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of effective early literacy instruction tailored to the needs and experiences of BIPOC children. 
Instructor: Dee Brown

American Sign Language with Children in Storytime or in the Classroom: A Practical Guide
April 1, 2024 - May 12, 2024
American Sign Language is most commonly used in storytimes for babies, but the applications can go much further. In this 6-week eCourse, programming expert and signing storyteller Kathy MacMillan explores the benefits of signing with all children. In addition to learning basic American Sign Language (ASL) vocabulary appropriate for use with children in library and classroom settings, you will also learn techniques to share stories, songs, and other activities that incorporate ASL. The course will use readings, multimedia resources, online discussion boards, and customized video assignments to provide you with the tools to share ASL in an effective and respectful way in your programs. This course provides you with a linguistic and cultural context to help make your programming more accessible.
Instructor: Kathy MacMillan

Using Picture Books to Discuss Social Justice and Equity
April 1, 2024 - April 28, 2024
Picture books are a common tool in early literacy development and the lives of young learners. They are pieces of art as well as literature—they are multidimensional, sophisticated, beautiful, and accessible ways to springboard important, relevant, and timely conversations around social justice topics. In this course, we will consider practical ways we can use picture books to launch discussions around social justice and equity. Participants will learn how they can select picture books critically for their students and learn cross-curricular strategies enacting intentional and ongoing social justice work.
Instructor: Rabia Khokhar

Intellectual Freedom and Ethics: Maintaining Your Values in a Challenging Era 
May 6, 2024 - Jun 2, 2024
It’s no secret that in recent years libraries have faced an unprecedented number of challenges over materials, displays, programs, or even daily activities. As a result, many libraries and library staff may face heightened burdens, pressure, and discomfort when it comes to doing our work. Whether responding to a single phone call from a concerned community member about an event or responding to an organized protest, these increasing challenges are raising the potential for high stress and communication strains with patrons, coworkers, and stakeholders.

Our professional values are being put to the test. This course offers practical guidance on how to address these challenges while continuing to do our work with integrity and purpose. Through case analysis, readings, and discussion, this course will emphasize practical strategies to build capacity and resilience in the context of increasing challenges. Participants will have an opportunity to consider how to use professional ethics to identify and assess their community contexts, build comfort, and find professional support in responses to challenges.
Instructor: Dr. E Hogan

At Home Learners and the Public Library
May 6, 2024 - Jun 9, 2024
The public library is traditionally the home educator's biggest resource. It is essential to foster valuable relationships with all members of the community and that libraries and librarians are responsive to the growing number of parent educators and homeschooled youth. In this five-week online course, you will learn how to identify and connect with homeschool families; explore the various methods of homeschooling; discover your state's legalities around homeschooling; understanding the importance of the library to the home educated; and develop a program plan specifically for homeschooled youth in your community. 
Instructor: Christina Caputo

Previous Courses 2023-2024

Outreach Services for Underserved Children 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these self-directed courses or real time?  What is the time commitment involved?
Almost all courses are offered asynchronously (self-directed); exceptions are explicitly noted in the course description. A course may hold several synchronous chat sessions throughout the course; however, chat sessions are scheduled and announced at the start of the course. However, even in asynchronous courses, participants will be expected to log in to the online course and interact several times a week. This can include reading online, working on assignments, reading and responding to the discussion boards. Participants will be given weekly deadlines, but will be able to work at times that are most convenient to the student. 

Do you offer college credit or CEUs for these courses?
ALSC is not currently certified to offer CEU credits for courses; however, all students who complete their coursework will receive a Certificate of Completion to take to their local or state accrediting body and apply for CEU credits.

Requirements vary by state and school district regarding certification and continuing education credits.  The decision to grant CEU credits remains entirely up to your state or school district.  If you are in need of credits, check with your state and/or school district before enrolling to determine eligibility.  Some states will review your certificate of completion and course syllabus to determine eligibility.  A PDF copy of the syllabus can be provided to you upon request.

Refund and Transfer Policy

Refunds may be requested for facilitated eCourses until the date the course starts. Refunds may be requested for live webinars until the webinar starts. To request a refund, please email ALA Membership and Registration Services.

If you are registered but unable to take a course you may transfer your registration to another student if that student falls under the same registration category.  For instance, an ALSC member may transfer their registration to another ALSC member free of charge. If you would like to transfer your registration to someone in a different category, the difference between prices must be paid at the time of transfer.  All requests for registration transfers must be made in writing no later than seven days before the start of the course. Please address all requests, including the reason for the transfer and both parties' membership numbers, to Sarah Polen, ALSC Program Officer for Continuing Education, and ALA Membership and Registration Services. Transfers may not be made once a course has started.

Questions?

Contact Sarah Polen, ALSC Program Officer, Continuing Education and Conferences, via email or 1-800-545-2433 ext.4026