LearnRT Webinars
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Six Thinking Hats Demonstration and Activity
Register for Six Thinking Hats Demonstration and Activity.
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 1 pm Eastern
Presented by Dorothy Stoltz
The Six Thinking Hats demonstration/activity session will illustrate looking at things in different ways while using a deliberate process for drawing out one’s thinking abilities. Participants will explore a subject in parallel, rather than argue who is right or wrong. Six Thinking Hats focuses on not telling you what to think but showing you how to think for yourself, both creatively and inclusively.
Background on Dr. Edward de Bono (1933 – 2021) inventor of the Six Thinking Hats:
Dr. de Bono dedicated his life to teaching thinking as a skill and designed thinking tools to apply in the practical world. Born in Malta where Dr. de Bono received his initial education achieving a degree in medicine. Then as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford he gained a degree in psychology and physiology and a D.Phil. in medicine. He held faculty appointments at the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, England and Harvard. Dr. de Bono wrote over 60 books, with translations into 43 languages, and made three BBC television series. His ideas have been sought by governments, not for profit organizations and many of the leading corporations in the world, such as IBM, Boeing, GM, Kraft, Nestle, Du Pont, and many others.
About the Presenter
Dorothy Stoltz is a professional librarian, author, trainer, and consultant. She is author of six books for ALA Editions: Inspired Thinking (2020), Transform and Thrive (2018), Inspired Collaboration (2016), The Power of Play (2015), Tender Topics (2013), and Every Child Ready for School (2013) – and for Waldo Publishers: Activate Peer Learning in Your Library and Community (2023). https://waldopublishers.com/books-%26-resources Dorothy retired from Carroll County (MD) Public Library in 2021 as director for community engagement. She has trained adults for over 30 years and offers mentoring, consulting, and training services on creativity, advocacy, collaboration, peer learning and other topics for libraries and other organizations, through Stoltz Creative Consulting. https://waldopublishers.com/consulting She is serving on the boards of ALA LearnRT and DVA and More (Drug and Violence Awareness). Dorothy is owner of Waldo Publishers, LLC (WaldoPublishers.com) which presents books inspired by the philosophy of Ralph Waldo Emerson to “activate from within.”
Crafting a Memorable Staff Development Day
Register for Crafting a Memorable Staff Development Day.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 1 pm Eastern
Presented by Rita Baguio Christensen and Carol Ross
Design a meaningful library Staff Development Day to celebrate growth, learning, and community building. This webinar will guide you through creating an engaging and inclusive full-day experience that balances professional development with meaningful staff recognition. Drawing from evidence-based practices in adult learning and event management, we'll explore essential planning frameworks, strategies for managing multiple learning tracks, and methods for integrating recognition moments that enhance rather than interrupt the learning flow. This webinar is ideal for library administrators, training coordinators, managers, and librarians who want to elevate staff development initiatives. Topics covered include strategic event planning, curriculum development, employee recognition, and fostering meaningful connections through structured activities. You'll leave with actionable templates, timeline frameworks, and creative ideas to make your next Staff Development Day educational and memorable. Whether you're revamping an existing program or planning your first staff development event, this webinar will provide you with practical tools for success.
About the Presenters
Rita Baguio Christensen is the Administrative Director of Equity & Organizational Development at the Salt Lake City Public Library, with 22 years of experience managing innovative library services and program development in public and academic libraries. Christensen served on the American Library Association (Randolph) Caldecott Award Selection Committee (2022-2024), the Children’s Literature Association of Utah Picture Book Committee (2018-2023), and is a Utah Library Association Past President (2021-2022). Armed with a Master of Library and Information Sciences degree and currently pursuing an Executive Master of Public Administration at the BYU Marriott School of Business, Christensen's diverse skill set spans strategic leadership, equity initiatives, program management, staff development, and financial governance. With a strong background in public speaking and advocacy, she excels in cross-functional collaboration, data analysis, and creative problem-solving. Christensen's capabilities extend to instructional design, project management, and technology integration, complementing her foundational knowledge in library sciences and information management.
Carol Ross serves as Employee Experience Manager at the Salt Lake City Public Library, where she transforms workplace culture through innovative design and strategic leadership. With over 25 years of experience in creative direction and brand strategy, Carol manages employee onboarding programs, internal events, and organizational communications. Previously serving as the Library's Creative Director from 2019 to 2024, she spearheaded external campaigns and the beloved annual Summer Reading Challenge branding. Her portfolio spans from directing environmental graphic design projects and building creative teams to her earlier decade as Art Director at Salt Lake Community College, where she elevated the institution's visual identity through initiatives including the iconic 12-foot SLCC letter installations across campuses, the award-winning SLCC Magazine, and major events like Commencement and the annual President's Art Show. Carol's blend of creative vision and people-focused leadership brings enthusiasm to every project, making her an invaluable voice on workplace innovation and employee engagement strategies.
Recorded and Available to LearnRT Members
Technical Services Training Top Ten
Watch the recording in the LearnRT Members-Only Resources.
Presented by Marlee Givens
In today’s technical services organization, staff development plays a pivotal role in enhancing service delivery. Librarians, as lifelong learners, recognize how a strong learning culture can lead to organizational success. This interactive session explores a variety approaches to integrating formal and informal training into daily workflows, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, strengthening participant buy-in and peer collaboration, and increasing job satisfaction. Come hear a top ten and leave with a plus-one idea for your own workplace.
About the Presenter
Marlee Dorn Givens is the Instruction Manager for Academic Engagement and subject librarian for Education, Literature, Media and Communication, Modern Languages, and Psychology. Marlee's responsibilities include developing, implementing, and managing instructional programs, ensuring consistency in instructional practices, monitoring the effectiveness of instruction services, and making data-driven recommendations for improvements in collaboration with the Head of Academic Engagement. She also provides guidance and support to Georgia Tech’s international and distance learning programs in partnership with her Academic Engagement subject specialist librarians.
Collaborative Querying: Generating In-House AI Professional Development for Library Staff
Watch the recording in the LearnRT Members-Only Resources.
Presented by Jessica Dai, Charissa Powell, and Meg Grotti, University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Whether in preparation for negotiating with vendors or integrating AI literacy in the curriculum, developing an organizational culture of continuous learning around artificial intelligence (AI) is crucial. With three semesters of experience leading an organization-wide AI-focused professional development program, presenters will share insights, lessons learned, and best practices for developing a sustainable strategy focused on increasing staff familiarity and self-efficacy. Presenters will discuss the need for and process of implementing an iterative staff development plan that meets diverse employee and departmental needs. The strategy aimed to be inclusive of critical perspectives, providing space for critique and pushback on the ethical, environmental, and human impacts of generative AI in higher education.
This programming leveraged a variety of strategies: lunch and learns, AI tool play sessions, and discussions to foster a collaborative learning environment that aimed to meet staff where they are. This initiative prioritized identifying and sharing internal expertise from across the organization, allowing librarians to share their own niche areas of expertise with peer colleagues. Example topics covered include data ethics, user perspectives, and AI in the classroom.
