Leadership & Management

In 2017, the Public Library Association (PLA) launched a new initiative, Fostering Creative Community Connections, with Public Libraries and the Short Story Dispenser. With funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, PLA worked with the French company Short Édition to bring their Short Story Dispenser and digital content creation platform to a pilot group of select U.S. public libraries. The aim of the project was to strengthen a culture of literacy and reading, while increasing public awareness and use of library programs and services.

Friends groups and Foundations are more critical than ever in providing support for libraries. Learn about the roles and responsibilities of each of these fundraising organizations including best practices for each and their distinct activities. This on-demand webinar addresses how to build strong relationships between the two organizations and covers topics such as building strong boards, the different fundraising activities for Friends and Foundations, the role of advocacy, and the importance of maintaining good communications with your library director. — PREVIEW AVAILABLE

We often hear about "skilled volunteerism" but what does it mean and how can it help to build capacity in your library? How do you plan for and recruit skilled volunteers? What changes might you need to make to your traditional volunteer services to be successful with skilled volunteers? During this webinar, participants will hear from libraries who have been participating in the "Get Involved: Powered by Your Library" volunteerism initiative. Learn about their successes and how to plan your next move. — PREVIEW AVAILABLE

This webinar series focuses on transitioning libraries from MARC encoding to BIBFRAME. It covers both theoretical and practical issues surrounding the conversion process, with an eye towards developing a complete transition strategy.

e-Forum: A 2-day moderated email discussion.
Dates: September 29 and 30, 2020
Offered by Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures, ALA's newest division starting September 1, 2020 (previously offered by the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services)
Focus: In this Core e-Forum, moderators Carolyn Coulter and Carson Block will pose discussion questions designed to turn your reactive experiences into strategic ideas after COVID runs its course.
Cost: Free

e-Forum: A 2-day moderated email discussion.
Dates: September 29 and 30, 2020
Offered by Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures, ALA's newest division starting September 1, 2020 (previously offered by the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services)
Focus: In this Core e-Forum, moderators Jennifer Bowen and Anne Cooper Moore will pose discussion questions. Cost: Free

Online Course: A basic level, 6-week asynchronous course offered several times a year.
Offered by Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures
Focus: The Fundamentals of Management course is designed for new managers to build the skill set they need to successfully lead their department or organization, as well as support existing managers looking to improve their skills.
Features: Instructor guided. 24/7 access to course material. Weekly live online chat discussions.
Cost: $196.71 Core members; $224.10 ALA members; $249 nonmembers.

With the new reality of tighter budgets and strained finances, libraries are stepping up to find new (and more) ways to effectively expand their sources of revenue. For many, it’s hard to know where to start. This PLA on-demand webinar is designed to offer an introduction to the best practices in fundraising for libraries and library organizations.

This Core e-forum builds on research conducted by the moderators to share/determine how libraries manage their technology, considering a dozen types of IT services. Day 1 will cover IT organization and management and Day 2 will cover assessment of IT and current and future challenges for IT.

RDA Steering Committee Chair Kathy Glennan will discuss the ways that regional and local cataloging agencies can implement their guidance into the Toolkit, providing catalogers with the practical information they need.