Professional Development
Please check with your supervisor in advance for authorization if you plan to use work time to complete or participate in any training. Policies, available opportunities, and budgets for paid time for continuing education vary across the region.
Minnesota Libraries Learning Network
The Minnesota Libraries Learning Network coordinates training for Minnesota library workers and their supporters, addressing essential skills and knowledge relevant to current library operations and services.
Introduction to Library Values - This course delves into the foundational documents and core values of librarianship, emphasizing the principles of intellectual freedom, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Participants will explore the Library Bill of Rights, the Code of Ethics, and other essential documents that guide the profession. Through interactive exercises and multimedia resources, learners will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of protecting intellectual freedom, fostering equity, and promoting diversity in library services. The course also addresses practical strategies for advocating for these values within library communities.
Minnesota Libraries: Structure and Funding - This course provides an introduction to the Minnesota library ecosystem, including how library systems and statewide agencies work together. Students will explore the roles and functions of various library entities within the state, gaining insight into the diverse range of resources, services, and opportunities available to public, school, academic, government, and special libraries and library professionals in Minnesota. This content was put together by members of the Minnesota Libraries Learning Network, and is open to anyone who is interested in libraries and how they work.
Skills Building
Library Marketing 101 - This one-hour webinar will introduce learners to library marketing terminology and concepts. Mark Aaron Polger will introduce beginners to creating a marketing plan, conducting research on your users' needs and wants, and making data-driven marketing decisions. You will need to register for a free account with Niche Academy.
Budgeting for Libraries - Managing a library’s budget can be one of the most stressful parts of an administrator’s role. In this self-paced tutorial, we’ll walk through a year of your budget and provide information to help you better understand your income and track your expenses. Learn ways to make financial reporting a breeze, and build budgets—and relationships—with your community stakeholders and the patrons you serve. This 4-part tutorial will help you understand the basics of building and tracking a budget, focus on budget tracking and balancing, collect data for better reporting, and build budgets to best support your community’s needs. The course is self-paced and available as soon as you register. The course fee is $100 and is eligible for a TdS professional development scholarship.
Community Centered Planning - Whether you’re creating a new library program, revising the services offered at your library, reinventing staff organizational structure, or writing your library’s strategic plan, you benefit from a concise data-driven plan that explains your vision. This practical series of three tutorials allows you to move at your own pace through the planning process with an emphasis on qualitative data, quantitative data, and the elements of a one-page plan. You will have access to the tutorials for one year after registration. The course is self-paced and available as soon as you register. The course fee is $200 and is eligible for a TdS professional development scholarship.