Author Archives: Holli Duggan

Continuing Education: Weekly Resources (12/16 – 12/20)

Posted on December 16, 2024 by Holli Duggan
Dark green text on a lighter green background. "Continuing Education Upcoming Webinars and Events. December 16th - 20th."

Below is a list of free training opportunities coming up this week and some recently recorded webinars! There is also a monthly list of free training resources which is compiled each month by the Maine State Library and WebJunction.

Many webinars are recorded and can be watched later.

For more information, please visit NLC: Free Webinars or WebJunction: Free Training

To submit CE hours for the NLC certification programs:

Questions about CE hours or the certification programs, please contact: Holli Duggan

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Continuing Education: Weekly Resources (12/9 – 12/13)

Posted on December 9, 2024 by Holli Duggan
Continuing Education Upcoming Webinars and Events. December 9th - 13th.

Below is a list of free training opportunities coming up this week and some recently recorded webinars! There is also a monthly list of free training resources which is compiled each month by the Maine State Library and WebJunction.

(Many webinars are recorded and can be watched later.)

For more information, please visit NLC: Free Webinars or WebJunction: Free Training

To submit CE hours for the NLC certification programs:

Questions about CE hours or the certification programs, please contact: Holli Duggan

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Basic Skills 2025 Courses & Registration Dates

Posted on December 3, 2024 by Holli Duggan
Text "Basic Skills 2025: Schedule" in a light green oval shape on top of a darker sage green oval.

The course schedule for Basic Skills 2025 is now posted!

Registration for the February Customer Service class will be open from December 22nd until January 24th. If you would like to register after that date, please contact me.

The Communication course (usually open in January) is now available to access at any time! Just register for a (free) account on our Niche Academy page and click the course link:

You can find the rest of the 2025 schedule and registration dates below:

If you have any questions at all, please contact: Holli Duggan.

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Continuing Education: Weekly Resources (12/2 – 12/6)

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Holli Duggan
Continuing Education Upcoming Webinars and Events. December 2nd - 6th.

Below is a list of free training opportunities coming up this week and some recently recorded webinars! There is also a monthly list of free training resources which is compiled each month by the Maine State Library and WebJunction.

(Many webinars are recorded and can be watched later.)

For more information, please visit NLC: Free Webinars or WebJunction: Free Training

To submit CE hours for the NLC certification programs:

Questions about CE hours or the certification programs, please contact: Holli Duggan

Posted in Education & Training | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Continuing Education: Weekly Resources

Posted on November 25, 2024 by Holli Duggan
Text reads "continuing education upcoming webinars and events for November 25th- 29th"

Below is a list of free training opportunities coming up this week and some recently recorded webinars! There is also a monthly list of free training resources which is compiled each month by the Maine State Library and WebJunction.

(Many webinars are recorded and can be watched later.)

For more information, please visit NLC: Free Webinars or WebJunction: Free Training

To submit CE hours for the NLC certification programs:

Questions about CE hours or the certification programs, please contact: Holli Duggan

Posted in Education & Training, General | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Continuing Education: Weekly Resources

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Holli Duggan
Continuing Education Upcoming Webinars and Events. November 18th - 22nd.

Below is a list of free training opportunities coming up this week! There is also a monthly list of free training resources which is compiled each month by the Maine State Library and WebJunction.

(Many webinars are recorded and can be watched later.)

For more information, please visit NLC: Free Webinars or WebJunction: Free Training

To submit CE hours for the NLC certification programs:

Questions about CE hours or the certification programs, please contact: Holli Duggan

Posted in Education & Training, General, Public Library Boards of Trustees | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Continuing Education: Weekly Resources

Posted on November 4, 2024 by Holli Duggan
Continuing Education. Upcoming Webinars and Events. November 4th - 8th.

Below is a list of free training opportunities coming up this week! There is also a monthly list of free training resources which is compiled each month by the Maine State Library and WebJunction. (Many webinars are recorded and can be watched later.)

For more information, please visit NLC: Free Webinars or WebJunction: Free Training

To submit CE hours for the NLC certification programs:

Questions about CE hours or the certification programs, please contact: Holli Duggan

Posted in Education & Training, General, Public Library Boards of Trustees | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

United for Libraries Learning Live: Building Effective Library Director & Board Relationships

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Holli Duggan

All Nebraska public libraries are members of United for Libraries through the Statewide Group Membership purchased by the Nebraska Library Commission. The Commission provides this membership to ensure that public library staff members, Friends, Trustees, and Foundations can take advantage of United for Libraries’ services to enhance fundraising, advocacy, and public awareness.

Tuesday, October 8th, 1:00 PM (CST)

Register Here

“A strong director-board relationship is essential to the success of the library. Find out how the best practices on the director and board working together on advocacy, community outreach, planning, succession, and more. Find out how to prevent and solve conflicts, and how to unite to advance the library’s mission.”

Statewide Group Members receive FREE registration for the live webinars and on-demand access for the duration of the active statewide group membership. These “Learning Live” sessions are recorded and can be accessed through the United for Libraries eLearning course.

For more information about previous sessions, please visit: Previous “Learning Live” Sessions

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Friday Reads: The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Posted on August 30, 2024 by Holli Duggan

With the last few days of heat warnings, a story about endless winter nights and frost-demons seemed like a good choice.

Told much like a fairy tale, the story centers on Vasilisa, who lives with her father, nurse, and siblings in a small village at the edge of a great frozen wilderness. The village exists somewhere between the influences of the “modern” religion and the “old” faith which honors the spirits of the house and surrounding forest, who have always offered protection. Most nights are spent around the hearth listening to stories, especially the one about the evil frost-demon lurking in the woods.

Vasilisa has always been a strong, rebellious child with dreams of adventure and no desire to marry or settle down. When her father decides it’s finally time to remarry (and hopefully find a positive role model), he brings home her new stepmother, Anna, from the city.

Fiercely devout and fighting against a terrifying curse, Anna forbids all practices related to the old spirits. A young priest follows shortly after, determined to prove himself by “saving” the village and returning to the city as a hero. As evil creatures grow closer and the village suffers, Vasilisa becomes a target due to her own strange gifts.

Defying those she loves most, she has to find the true cause and battle against the darkness to save them all.

The Winternight Trilogy:

  • 1. The Bear and the Nightingale
  • 2. The Girl in the Tower
  • 3. The Winter of the Witch

Arden, Katherine. (2017). The Bear and the Nightingale. Del Rey.

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Fern V. Heim Trustee Scholarship: Applications Extended!

Posted on August 26, 2024 by Holli Duggan

Apply for an individual scholarship to attend either the NLA 2024 Conference in Kearney on October 9th-11th or to virtually attend the ARSL 2024 Conference on September 11th-14th!

**These scholarships are open only for current Nebraska Public Library Board Members!**

The Fern V. Heim Scholarship for Trustees was established by her friend, Mary Louise Dutcher, to honor Fern’s dedication to small public libraries and their trustees. Although Fern’s library career began in special libraries (Head of the UNL Chemistry Department Library, Serials and Circulation Departments of UNL Love Library, and then Director of the Research Library at Goodrich Tire and Rubber in Akron, Ohio), her work at the Nebraska Library Commission was devoted to public libraries. Recognizing that few small library budgets could provide support for librarians, let alone their volunteer trustees, to attend professional meetings, she encouraged them to go whenever possible (at their own expense) if only for a portion of the meeting. As her legacy, it is fitting to assist those trustees through this scholarship program.

The Fern V. Heim Scholarship Award was established to provide assistance to current public library trustees with preference to members of the Nebraska Library Association Public Library and Trustee Section (PLTS) for attendance at the Nebraska Library Association Conference or the Association for Rural and Small Libraries Conference.

Applications due by Friday, September 6, 2024!

For more details and application:

Please submit all grant application forms and questions to: Holli Duggan

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Fern V. Heim Trustee Scholarship: Applications Due Friday!

Posted on August 13, 2024 by Holli Duggan

Apply for an individual $500 scholarship to attend either the NLA 2024 Conference in Kearney on October 9th-11th or to the ARSL 2024 Conference in Springfield, MA on September 11th-14th!

The Fern V. Heim Scholarship for Trustees was established by her friend, Mary Louise Dutcher, to honor Fern’s dedication to small public libraries and their trustees. Although Fern’s library career began in special libraries (Head of the UNL Chemistry Department Library, Serials and Circulation Departments of UNL Love Library, and then Director of the Research Library at Goodrich Tire and Rubber in Akron, Ohio), her work at the Nebraska Library Commission was devoted to public libraries. Recognizing that few small library budgets could provide support for librarians, let alone their volunteer trustees, to attend professional meetings, she encouraged them to go whenever possible (at their own expense) if only for a portion of the meeting. As her legacy, it is fitting to assist those trustees through this scholarship program.

The Fern V. Heim Scholarship Award was established to provide assistance to current public library trustees with preference to members of the Nebraska Library Association Public Library and Trustee Section (PLTS) for attendance at the Nebraska Library Association Conference or the Association for Rural and Small Libraries Conference.

Applications due by August 16, 2024!

For more details and application:

Please submit all grant application forms and questions to:
Holli Duggan

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United for Libraries Virtual 2024: Statewide Registration

Posted on July 18, 2024 by Holli Duggan

2024 United for Libraries Virtual: Trustees, Friends, Foundations

Tuesday July 30 – Thursday, August 1

There’s still time to register for the 2024 United for Libraries Virtual Conference! All Nebraska library directors/staff, Trustees/board members, and Friends of the Library and Foundation representatives receive FREE live registration – a value of $149 per person. 

Registration includes live attendance and on-demand access to three full days of programming, keynote featuring author Eric Klinenberg, and the virtual Gala Author Tea. Individuals may attend any/all sessions live and/or watch on-demand.

This interactive three-day virtual event will feature expert speakers on current topics facing library Trustees, Friends, Foundations, and staff who work with them.

  • Participate in live Q&A sessions with presenters
  • Enjoy exclusive access to keynote speakers and authors
  • Receive a certificate of attendance (for live participation or on-demand viewing)

Programming runs from 10:00 am CST to approximately 3:00 pm CST daily with scheduled breaks. Registrants may participate in some or all program sessions live, and/or watch recordings on-demand. (Sessions are also eligible for certification CE hours!)

Sessions include:

Tuesday, July 30th – Trustee Day

  • “Rising to the Challenge: The Trustee’s Role in the ‘Culture Wars’”
  • “Securing Tomorrow: Effective Succession Strategies for Library Boards”
  • “Valuing Your Library: Beyond Cost-Benefit Analysis”

Wednesday, July 31st – Foundations & Fundraising Day

  • “Donor Engagement: Acquiring and Inspiring Committed and Faithful Supporters”
  • “Enhancing the Story – Developing a Smaller-Scale Capital Projects Fundraising Campaign”
  • “Fundraising Tips and Tricks: Some Novel Ideas”
  • “Marketing is the Future: How to Build a More Sustainable Library Foundation Model by Integrating Marketing in the Organizational Culture, Strategy, and Practice”

Thursday, August 1st – Friends Day

  • “An Extravaganza of Literary Events for Your Library”
  • “Championing Library Freedom: How Friends Groups Can Fight Back When Our Library is Under Attack”
  • “Libraries are Better with Friends: How to Foster a Strong Group of Advocates”
  • “Smooth Sailing with Library Trustees and Staff”

Registration Options

Choose *one* of the following options below to register for the virtual conference:

  • Statewide Free Registration Form
  • Email United for Libraries
    • Email united@ala.org
    • Include your full name, email address, library, and primary library role
    • Allow one business day for registration
  • Bulk Registration
    • Library Directors may email united@ala.org
    • Include full names, email addresses, and primary library roles for each individual to register
    • Allow two business days for registration.

If you have any questions, please contact Holli Duggan.

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Free Learning Resource: Verizon Skill Forward / edX

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Holli Duggan

“The Verizon Skill Forward program is a collaboration between edX and Verizon aimed at providing career-enhancing online courses focused on high-demand skills to facilitate long-term career growth. The Skill Forward effort is part of Citizen Verizon, Verizon’s responsible business plan to prepare 500,000 individuals for in-demand jobs by 2030.”

This program offers a one-year free account to anyone in the United States (must be over 18). Accounts are free to register for and do not require any banking or credit card information.

These online self-paced courses and programs include high-demand topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Coding, Cybersecurity, Project Management, and Leadership. Spanish-language courses are also available.

For more information about the courses or to enroll:

edX / Verizon Skill Forward

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Fern V. Heim Trustee Scholarship: Applications Open!

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Holli Duggan

Apply for an individual $500 scholarship to attend either the NLA 2024 Conference in Kearney on October 9th-11th or to the ARSL 2024 Conference in Springfield, MA on September 11th-14th!

The Fern V. Heim Scholarship for Trustees was established by her friend, Mary Louise Dutcher, to honor Fern’s dedication to small public libraries and their trustees. Although Fern’s library career began in special libraries (Head of the UNL Chemistry Department Library, Serials and Circulation Departments of UNL Love Library, and then Director of the Research Library at Goodrich Tire and Rubber in Akron, Ohio), her work at the Nebraska Library Commission was devoted to public libraries. Recognizing that few small library budgets could provide support for librarians, let alone their volunteer trustees, to attend professional meetings, she encouraged them to go whenever possible (at their own expense) if only for a portion of the meeting. As her legacy, it is fitting to assist those trustees through this scholarship program.

The Fern V. Heim Scholarship Award was established to provide assistance to current public library trustees with preference to members of the Nebraska Library Association Public Library and Trustee Section (PLTS) for attendance at the Nebraska Library Association Conference or the Association for Rural and Small Libraries Conference.

Applications due by August 16, 2024!

For more details and application:

Please submit all grant application forms and questions to:
Holli Duggan

Posted in Education & Training, Grants | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

United for Libraries Virtual 2024: Statewide Registration

Posted on June 18, 2024 by Holli Duggan

2024 United for Libraries Virtual: Trustees, Friends, Foundations

Tuesday July 30 – Thursday, August 1

Congratulations! The Nebraska Library Commission has purchased statewide registration! All library directors/staff, Trustees/board members, and Friends of the Library and Foundation representatives receive FREE live registration and/or on-demand viewing – a value of $149 per person. 

Registration includes live attendance and on-demand access to three full days of programming, keynote featuring author Eric Klinenberg, and the virtual Gala Author Tea. Individuals may attend any/all sessions live and/or watch on-demand.

This interactive three-day virtual event will feature expert speakers on current topics facing library Trustees, Friends, Foundations, and staff who work with them.

  • Participate in live Q&A sessions with presenters
  • Enjoy exclusive access to keynote speakers and authors
  • Receive a certificate of attendance (for live participation or on-demand viewing)

Programming runs from 10:00 am CST to approximately 3:00 pm CST daily with scheduled breaks. Registrants may participate in some or all program sessions live, and/or watch recordings on-demand.

Sessions include:

Tuesday, July 30th – Trustee Day

  • “Rising to the Challenge: The Trustee’s Role in the ‘Culture Wars'”
  • “Securing Tomorrow: Effective Succession Strategies for Library Boards”
  • “Valuing Your Library: Beyond Cost-Benefit Analysis”

Wednesday, July 31st – Foundations & Fundraising Day

  • “Donor Engagement: Acquiring and Inspiring Committed and Faithful Supporters”
  • “Enhancing the Story – Developing a Smaller-Scale Capital Projects Fundraising Campaign”
  • “Fundraising Tips and Tricks: Some Novel Ideas”
  • “Marketing is the Future: How to Build a More Sustainable Library Foundation Model by Integrating Marketing in the Organizational Culture, Strategy, and Practice”

Thursday, August 1st – Friends Day

  • “An Extravaganza of Literary Events for Your Library”
  • “Championing Library Freedom: How Friends Groups Can Fight Back When Our Library is Under Attack”
  • “Libraries are Better with Friends: How to Foster a Strong Group of Advocates”
  • “Smooth Sailing with Library Trustees and Staff”

Registration Options

Choose *one* of the following options below to register for the virtual conference:

  • ALA eLearning Website
  • Statewide Free Registration Form
  • Email United for Libraries
    • Email united@ala.org
    • Include your full name, email address, library, and primary library role
    • Allow one business day for registration
  • Bulk Registration
    • Library Directors may email united@ala.org
    • Include full names, email addresses, and primary library roles for each individual to register
    • Allow two business days for registration.

If you have any questions, please contact Holli Duggan.

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Friday Reads: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

Posted on May 3, 2024 by Holli Duggan

“After a certain age, you can pretty much do whatever takes your fancy. No one tells you off, except for your doctors and your children.”

Cooper’s Chase is a lovely upscale retirement village in Kent. Elizabeth (spy), Joyce (nurse), Ibrahim (psychiatrist), and Ron (union boss) meet every Thursday to discuss cold/unsolved murders – taken from their friend Penny’s old case files.

Told through Joyce’s journal entries, the club finds renewed purpose as two “new” murders basically fall on their doorstep. These septuagenarian detectives must use their past experiences and connection to (unofficially) help PC Donna discover the truth – this is her first murder investigation after all. Who is the killer and how are these murders connected to Cooper’s Chase?

A cozy mystery – the story focuses on our quirky cast of characters, their relationships and life lessons without being too gory or violent with the murders. The writing is warm-hearted and humorous with plenty of suspense, twists, and gossip.

Series:

  • The Thursday Murder Club #1
  • The Man Who Died Twice #2
  • The Bullet That Missed #3
  • The Last Devil to Die #4

Osman, R. The Thursday Murder Club. Penguin. 2020.

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Continuing Education & Training Grants: Applications Open!

Posted on April 18, 2024 by Holli Duggan

Continuing Education & Training grants help assist Nebraska libraries to improve the library services provided to their communities through continuing education and training for their library personnel and supporters. Successful applications will show how the continuing education and/or training proposed will support the library’s mission. 

For this second round of CE Grants, we are accepting applications in three different areas: taking an online course, attending an out-of-state professional conference, and other larger continuing education projects for library staff or library board members. These courses/events/projects must be after July 1st.

Continuing Education and Training Grants 2024

Details and Applications

Applications and support forms are due May 10, 2024.

For more details about this and other NLC grants, the NCompass Live archived session “NLC Grants for 2024” is also available.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Holli Duggan

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United for Libraries Learning Live: A Practical Guide to Evaluating Your Library Director

Posted on April 1, 2024 by Holli Duggan

All Nebraska public libraries are members of United for Libraries through the Statewide Group Membership purchased by the Nebraska Library Commission. The Commission provides this membership to ensure that public library staff members, Friends, Trustees, and Foundations can take advantage of United for Libraries’ services to enhance fundraising, advocacy, and public awareness.

A Practical Guide to Evaluating Your Library Director

Tuesday, April 9th, 1:00 PM (CST)

“Part of a Trustee’s responsibility is to evaluate the library director, yet many organizations do not have an annual review procedure in place. During this Learning Live, library Trustees will acquire the tools needed to conduct an annual evaluation. This session is designed with the understanding that many Trustees do not have HR experience. We’ll offer practical strategies and tools to effectively assess the performance of library directors, with insight from a variety of library stakeholders. Trustees will gain the knowledge and confidence they need to conduct meaningful evaluations of their library directors. Especially when things are going well!”

Statewide Group Members receive FREE registration for the live webinars and on-demand access for the duration of the active statewide group membership. These “Learning Live” sessions are recorded and can be accessed through the United for Libraries eLearning course.

For more information about previous sessions, please visit: Previous “Learning Live” Sessions

Posted in Education & Training, Public Library Boards of Trustees | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

United for Libraries Learning Live: Media and Crisis Communications for Trustees & Friends

Posted on March 6, 2024 by Holli Duggan

All Nebraska public libraries are members of United for Libraries through the Statewide Group Membership purchased by the Nebraska Library Commission. The Commission provides this membership to ensure that public library staff members, Friends, Trustees, and Foundations can take advantage of United for Libraries’ services to enhance fundraising, advocacy, and public awareness.

United for Libraries Learning Live: Media and Crisis Communications for Trustees & Friends

Tuesday, March 12, 1:00 PM (CST)

“Is your library’s Board of Trustees and/or Friends of the Library group prepared for a crisis? How can you support your library’s communications policies and procedures? This session, presented by longtime senior communications and marketing executive Kathleen McEvoy, will go over how to develop a solid communication plan, what to know about working with the media, tips on communicating the library’s value, how to respond to inquiries about book bans/censorship, and more. This program will offer tips for board members and Friends, as well as those who work with them.”

Registration and Details

Statewide Group Members receive FREE registration for the live webinars and on-demand access for the duration of the active statewide group membership. These “Learning Live” sessions are recorded and can be accessed through the United for Libraries eLearning course.

For more information about previous sessions, please visit: Previous “Learning Live” Sessions

Posted in Education & Training, Public Library Boards of Trustees | Tagged , | Leave a comment

United for Libraries Learning Live: Ask the Experts: Boards of Trustees, Friends Groups, and Foundations

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Holli Duggan

All Nebraska public libraries are members of United for Libraries through the Statewide Group Membership purchased by the Nebraska Library Commission. The Commission provides this membership to ensure that public library staff members, Friends, Trustees, and Foundations can take advantage of United for Libraries’ services to enhance fundraising, advocacy, and public awareness.

United for Libraries Learning Live: Ask the Experts: Boards of Trustees, Friends Groups, and Foundations

Tues., Feb. 13, 1:00 PM (CST)

“A panel of experts will address common issues that arise among library Boards, Friends groups, and Foundations, and how to solve them. Featured panelists will be Brenda Langstraat Bui, President & CEO, Chicago Public Library Foundation; Nicolle Davies, Colorado State Librarian, and Dr. Andrew Smith, Associate Professor, School of Library and Information Management at Emporia State University in Kansas, and past chair of the Emporia Public Library. Each panelist will present an in-depth scenario and provide tips and best practices. During a “lightning round” session, speakers will field questions from attendees.”

Registration and Details

Statewide Group Members receive FREE registration for the live webinars and on-demand access for the duration of the active statewide group membership. These “Learning Live” sessions are recorded and can be accessed through the United for Libraries eLearning course.

For more information, please visit: Previous “Learning Live” Sessions

Posted in Education & Training, Public Library Boards of Trustees | Tagged | Leave a comment