United for Libraries Webinars

United for Libraries now offers affordable recorded webinars/webcasts that you can access 24/7 from the comfort of your own home, work, or the library. All you need is a computer with speakers or headset, Internet connection, and a Web browser. United for Libraries personal and group members receive significant discounts on the registration cost.

FREE Webinar from Mango Languages – Receive a FREE Mini-Course for Participating

Mango Languages will present a free informational webinar on Thursday, May 16, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. Everyone who participates will receive access to a free mini-course following the webinar. Mango is currently offering $200 off the price of a first-year subscription for United for Libraries members and Friends groups, so there's no better time to learn about how fruitful a subscription can be!  In this free webinar, you’ll learn how Mango can benefit your school/community, the Mango methodology, see Mango in action with a course demo, and get an exclusive sneak peek of "Mango Premiere," the first and only language learning resource to teach through the medium of film! Register online.

Library Advocacy at the State Level: 12 Steps to Success Webinar

United for Libraries will present the free webinar “Library Advocacy at the State Level: 12 Steps to Success” from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, April 30. Participants will learn the basics of government/legislative advocacy and understand the 12 steps necessary to be an effective advocate for library issues when meeting with key decision-makers. Additionally, a case study in successful advocacy for library related funding will be presented. The webinar is geared toward trustees, friends, foundation members, and staff members. The webinar will feature Jeff Smith, director of public affairs for Humanim and president of the Foundation for Baltimore County (Md.) Public Library (BCPL). He is also a member of the Baltimore County Board of Library Trustees and the Board of Directors of Citizens for Maryland Libraries. This webinar is co-sponsored by ALA’s Office for Library Advocacy. This webinar will be presented with Internet audio only. You will need a computer with speakers or headphones as well as Internet access. Register online. Space is limited to 100 participants, however, a recording of the webinar will be made available free to United for Libraries members after April 30.

How to Dedicate a Literary Landmark in Your Community Webinar

United for Libraries will present the free webinar “How to Dedicate a Literary Landmark in Your Community” from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, April 25. Join Rocco Staino, director of the Empire State Center for the Book, and Karen Neurohr, who has facilitated the dedication of several Literary Landmarks in Oklahoma, to learn about the program. Find out how to select sites in your community, what to plan for and how to get the community and media involved. Register online for this free webinar; registration is limited to 100. This webinar will be presented with Internet audio only. You will need a computer with speakers or headphones as well as Internet access. Those who cannot attend the webinar live can access a recording of the webinar after April 25.

Working Effectively with Your Library Trustees Webinar

Led by United for Libraries Executive Director Sally Gardner Reed, learn tips and strategies for working effectively with your Trustees. Topics include orientation for new Trustees, understanding roles, meetings, emergencies, and effective communication. Presented live on April 9, 2013, the recording is now avaialble FREE to United for Libraries Board of Trustees group members and personal members in the Trustee section. Members can login to access the link and additional resources.

Baby Boomer Volunteers for Libraries and Friends

The baby boomers are retiring! And...they are volunteering in large numbers in communities across the country. If libraries and Friends groups aren’t successful in recruiting this special group, some other community agency will be. This three-part series of webcasts is designed to inform library Friends, Trustees, and staff about this new generation of baby boomer volunteers — how they are different from volunteers in the past, what they want from service opportunities, and how libraries and Friends can attract them. Courses include:

  • Meet Today's New Volunteers
  • Friends and Baby Boomers - Getting New Active Members for Your Group
  • Library Volunteers - Bringing in Skilled and Committed Baby Boomers

Learn more, register, or access courses now! NOTE: Online registration is only available for the single-seat (member or non-member) option. To register for the multi-seat, single library site option, please see the registration form (PDF, 267 kb).

Trustee Academy

Trustee Academy logoThe United for Libraries Trustee Academy is a series of online courses to help Trustees become exceptionally proficient in their roles on behalf of their libraries. The five online courses are taught by a professional in the field and are priced both a la carte so individual attendees can pick and choose what courses are important to them, and as a full curriculum that reflects discounted pricing per course. In addition, a board of Trustees can sign up for further discounts. Courses include:

  • Trustee Basics, Part I
  • Trustees Basics, Part II
  • Working Effectively with the Library Director
  • The Library's Budget
  • Advocating for Your Library

Learn more, register, or access courses now!

Questions or Assistance

If you have any questions about the courses or registration please call the United for Libraries office at (800) 545-2433, ext. 2161 between 9:30 and 5:00 EST or e-mail united@ala.org. E-mails are also monitored evenings and weekends to ensure a quick response.