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Category Archives: Education & Training
NCompass Live: E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2026
E-rate is a federal program that provides discounts to schools and public libraries on the cost of their Internet Access and Connections to make these services more affordable. This includes Broadband, Fiber, and Wi-Fi Internet access as well as Internal Connections, such as wiring, routers, switches, and other network equipment.
This session will be a general overview of the E-rate program. Full in-depth E-rate workshops will be held later in the year. It will be useful to libraries who have never applied for E-rate, libraries who are new to E-rate, and current E-rate libraries who just want a short refresher on what E-rate is all about.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The dates and rules in this session will be specific to E-rate Funding Year 2026.
Presenter: Christa Porter, Nebraska’s State E-rate Coordinator for Public Libraries, Nebraska Library Commission.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- Sept. 10 – NLC Grants for 2026
- Sept. 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech
- Oct. 1 – Letters About Literature 2025
- Oct. 22 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA!
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.
Continuing Education: Weekly Resources (8/25 – 8/29)
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 WebJunction: Free Training
- NCompass Live
- NLC Basic Skills
- Programming and Outreach – Registration Open
- The Community and the Library – Registration Open
- Nebraska Meetings & Events
- Online Conferences
- United for Libraries Virtual Conference – Recordings Available!
- Boards
- Aug. 26: Tech Buy-In Starts Here: A CEO’s Guide to Board Engagement (TechSoup)
- Careers (Staff)
- Aug. 26: How to Put a Career Plan in Place (GovLoop)
- Aug. 27: SKILLS – Share Knowledge, Ideas, Learning, and Library Solutions! (virtual)
- Fundraising
- Aug. 25: Top Tips to Supercharge Your Next Fundraising Appeal (Productive Fundraising)
- Management
- Aug. 25: Engaging an Unengaged Team (GovLoop)
- Readers’ Advisory
- Aug. 26: Comics to the Core: Graphic Novels & Manga Essentials (Booklist)
- Reference
- Aug. 28: Introduction to the United States Reports Collection on GovInfo (FDLP)
- Technology
- Aug. 26: Empowering Research with GenAI and Agentic AI: From Synthesis and Understanding to Insights and Innovation (ACRL/Choice360)
- Aug. 27: Pretty Sweet Tech – Upcoming Changes to Nebraska Libraries on the Web Service (NLC)
- Aug. 27: What’s Up Wednesday: AI-Powered Research and Data Analysis (Indiana State Library)
- Aug. 28: Unlocking Insights for Impact: Navigating Google Analytics 4 (TechSoup)
To submit CE hours for the NLC certification programs:
Questions about CE hours or the certification programs, please contact: Holli Duggan
NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech: Upcoming Changes to Nebraska Libraries on the Web Service
Special monthly episodes of NCompass Live! Join the NLC’s Technology Innovation Librarian, Amanda Sweet, as she guides us through the world of library-related Pretty Sweet Tech.
Due to software and budgetary issues, the Nebraska Library Commission can no longer offer free WordPress web hosting. We apologize for any inconvenience. This service has been around for a long time and it’s unfortunate that we were not able to maintain the service.
To make the transition easier for libraries, we are offering free basic website hosting through the NLC, and reduced rate web hosting through LibChalk. The current service will be supported through September 30, 2026 to give you time to budget and decide on next steps.
Attend this session to learn more details about how the free hosting works, and explore hosting options through LibChalk.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- Sept. 3 – E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2026
- Sept. 10 – NLC Grants for 2026
- Sept. 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.
Posted in Education & Training, Library Management, Pretty Sweet Tech, Technology
Tagged NCompLive, prettysweettech
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Upcoming Free Webinars from FDLP Academy
The Federal Depository Library Program regularly hosts free webinars on topics relating to U.S. government information resources through it’s FDLP Academy, a collaborative effort with the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO), Federal Depository Libraries, and other Federal agencies. You can view upcoming programming on their event calendar, or browse past training content in the FDLP Academy Training Repository.
Here are some upcoming webinars that may be of interest to Nebraska librarians:
Introduction to the United State Reports Collection on GovInfo.
Thursday, August 28, 2025, 1:00 pm CST – 2:00 pm CST (rescheduled from July 29). Presented by Suzanne Ebanues, Supervisory Management Analyst, Library Services & Content Management, U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO), and Amanda Dunn, Program Planner, Agency Strategic Programs & GovInfo, GPO.
Description: “Join GPO for a collection overview and demo of the United States Reports collection on GovInfo. The collection contains the cases of the Supreme Court of the United States, published officially in the United States Reports. This collection includes volumes 2 (1790) through 501 (1991). Hear about the content of the collection, the available metadata, and the digitization. Learn more about the various search options for the United States Reports as well as how to browse this important content.”
Register here: https://secure.icohere.com/registration/register.cfm?reg=11441&evt=20250729-wn-intro-united-states-reports-collection&t=1755794786359
The United State Reports were recently made available online, and include hundreds of volumes (2-501) and more than 28, 430 individual Supreme Court cases dating as far back as the late 18th century. You can read more about this collection here: https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/usreports. For volumes 502 and up (1991-present), visit the Supreme Court’s site: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/USReports.aspx.
Accessible Content from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled.
Thursday, September 4, 2025, 1:00 pm CST – 2:00 pm CST. Presented by Alice O’Reilly, Chief Collections Division, National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress.
Description: “Learn how to extend your librarian superpowers with one simple act! Get strategies for serving your print disabled patrons by leveraging the National Library Service and its network of cooperating libraries. Did you know there is a free accessible library service available to every print disabled resident in the United States? There is! This program will tell you how to connect print disabled people to one of the largest recreational reading collections in the United States, filled with fully accessible audio and braille content, exceptional reader advisory services, and all the apps and devices to access this content with ease.”
Register here: https://secure.icohere.com/registration/register.cfm?reg=11541&evt=2025-09-04-Accessible-Content-NLS
Do you have print-disabled individuals in your community? Refer them to the Nebraska Talking Book & Braille Service, our local NLS network library, providing access to audio books and magazines through the mail or digital download, as well as Braille materials, all free of charge to eligible individuals and institutions.
Inspire Learning with the Library of Congress!
Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 1:00 pm CST – 2:00 pm CST. Presented by Lee Ann Potter and Michael Apfeldorf, Professional Learning and Outreach Initiatives Office, Library of Congress.
Description: “Primary sources in a variety of media—including manuscripts, photographs, maps, architectural drawings, sound recordings, and motion picture film—can be powerful teaching tools. The Library of Congress supports K-16 teachers with primary source-inspired programs, classroom materials, fellowships, and grants. This session will introduce a sampling of these opportunities and allow time for Q&A, as well as participant input about their favorite Library resources for educators.”
Register here: https://secure.icohere.com/registration/register.cfm?reg=11551&evt=2025-09-24-Learning-Library-Congress&t=1755795129950
Getting Started with Primary Sources is the Library of Congress’s teacher-focused program designed to help educators teach the use of primary sources in their classrooms, with access to primary source sets, lesson plans, and presentations. Check out their blog for more ideas and resources: https://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/
All FDLP Academy webinars are free of charge, and are recorded for viewing and sharing in the FDLP Academy Training Repository. Webinars are presented using WebEx; see download instructions for installing the WebEx extension to your browser of choice here: https://login.icohere.com/help/help_1/webEx/guide_WebEx_pop.htm
NCompass Live: Banding Together: Lessons from the MPLA Leadership Institute
At the MPLA Leadership Institute you can engage in hands-on projects and collaborate with peers from across the MPLA region, all while building a strong foundation for your future leadership in the library community.
Join Anne Price, Children’s Librarian at North Platte (NE) Public Library, for a discussion about the Mountain Plains Library Association and her takeaways as a participant at the most recent biennial Leadership Institute.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- Aug. 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Upcoming Changes to Nebraska Libraries on the Web Service
- Sept. 3 – E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2026
- Sept. 10 – NLC Grants for 2026
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.
NCompass Live: Ditching 1000 Books: A New Initiative
Read for 20 is an innovative new reading program designed by the Ritter Public Library in Vermilion, Ohio, to push back against the intimidation factor of 1000 Books Before Kindergarten. Launched June 2024 and targeted at children birth-18, this yearlong reading program is designed to parallel the Science of Reading initiative in Ohio and gamify the experience for children and their grownups. Session attendees will learn how to implement this program including adapting the structure, incentive ideas, and where to find deals. Join this revolutionary new movement!
Presenter: Aimee Adams, Youth Services Manager, Ritter Public Library, Vermilion, OH.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- Aug. 20 – Banding Together: Lessons from the MPLA Leadership Institute
- Aug. 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Upcoming Changes to Nebraska Libraries on the Web Service
- Sept. 3 – E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2026
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.
United for Libraries 2025 – Recordings Available!
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 access to all recorded sessions for the United for Libraries 2025 Virtual Conference.
The recordings, slides, and handouts (if applicable) are now available in the 2025 United for Libraries Virtual – Full Conference on the ALA eLearning website. All sessions are eligible for CE credits for both librarians and board members!
- Statewide Access – Nebraska
- Click “Register” first, if you don’t have an account.
- Click “Access” to login to ALA eLearning.
- Once you’re logged in, on the left-hand side menu, click on “Nebraska Statewide Training for Trustees, Friends, and Foundations”
- Scroll down slightly until you see “FREE Registration for 2025 United for Libraries Virtual: Trustees, Friends, and Foundations” and click on the link to access the course (screenshot below).
- Once you’re in the conference/course, you should be able to see the sessions for each day, as well as tabs for the different events and resources, such as the Author Talks, Author Tea, and Book Buzzes.
If you have any questions, trouble logging in and/or accessing the course, or need further assistance please reach out to United for Libraries at united@ala.org or call (312) 280-2161.
If you have any questions, please contact Holli Duggan.
NCompass Live: National Book Festival Near You
Every year, the Library of Congress hosts the National Book Festival in Washington D.C.. The Nebraska Center for the Book selects one children’s book and one adult book by Nebraska authors to represent the state at the festival, as part of the ‘Great Reads from Great Places’ programming. This year they have selected Ted Kooser: More Than a Local Wonder by Carla Ketner and illustrated by Paula Wallace, and The Long March Home by Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee.
This year Nebraskans will have the opportunity to join in the fun with programming during the month of July and August. The Festival Near You is a statewide initiative celebrating the 2025 National Book Festival by bringing Nebraska’s ‘Great Reads from Great Places’ children’s book to communities, and offers Nebraskans a chance to engage with literature close to home.
Presenters: Tessa Timperley, Communications Coordinator, Nebraska Library Commission and Carla Ketner, Author of Ted Kooser: More Than a Local Wonder.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- Aug. 13 – Ditching 1000 Books: A New Initiative
- Aug. 20 – Banding Together: Lessons from the MPLA Leadership Institute
- Aug. 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Upcoming Changes to Nebraska Libraries on the Web Service
- Sept. 3 – E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2026
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.
Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Nebraska Center for the Book
Tagged NCompLive
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Fern V. Heim Trustee Scholarship: Due Friday, August 1st!
Apply for an individual $500 scholarship to attend either the NLA 2025 Conference in York on October 22nd-24th or to the ARSL 2025 Conference in Albuquerque, NM on September 17th-20th!
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.
**This scholarship is open only to current Nebraska Public Library Board Members!**
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 to the Nebraska Library Association Conference or the Association for Rural and Small Libraries Conference.
Applications due by August 1, 2025!
For more details and application:
- Fern V. Heim Library Trustee Scholarship
- Grant Application
- NLA Conference Website
- ARSL Conference Website (in-person or virtual conference)
Please submit all grant application forms and questions to:
Holli Duggan
Posted in Education & Training, Grants, Public Library Boards of Trustees
Tagged ARSL, Board Members, CEgrants, conference, Fern Heim Scholarship, Grant, NLA, Trustees
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NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech: Introducing AI with Purpose and Practicality
Special monthly episodes of NCompass Live! Join the NLC’s Technology Innovation Librarian, Amanda Sweet, as she guides us through the world of library-related ‘Pretty Sweet Tech’.
AI is everywhere, but the applications are not always relevant to the local community. Sure, AI is used in autocorrect, camera lens focus, and all these places, but how can this help the local community? What are the tangible careers people can pursue related to AI, and why should people care? Sweet will demonstrate her statewide database of practical AI and emerging tech applications, with examples of how to leverage this database in library programming, from localized maker activities to community conversations, and customizable career exploration resources.
You don’t have to create anything from scratch. This session will reveal a treasure trove of activities, templates, and tech gadget guides designed to introduce all facets of AI and related technology like the internet of things and robotics. Learn how to customize these existing resources with local examples to introduce AI with purpose in your community.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- Aug. 6 – National Book Festival Near You
- Aug. 13 – Ditching 1000 Books: A New Initiative
- Aug. 20 – Banding Together: Lessons from the MPLA Leadership Institute
- Aug. 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Upcoming Changes to Nebraska Libraries on the Web Service
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.
Posted in Education & Training, Pretty Sweet Tech, Technology
Tagged NCompLive, prettysweettech
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Continuing Education: Weekly Resources (7/21 – 7/25)
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 WebJunction: Free Training
- NCompass Live
- NLC Basic Skills
- July 28: Library Policy
- August 18: Collection Management – Registration Open
- Nebraska Meetings & Events
- Online Conferences
- Advocacy
- Assessment / Planning
- Boards
- Careers (Staff)
- Children & Teens
- Collection Development
- Development & Managing Change
- Legal
- Management
- Readers’ Advisory
- Reference
To submit CE hours for the NLC certification programs:
Questions about CE hours or the certification programs, please contact: Holli Duggan
NCompass Live: Creating and Implementing Library Policies
Policies are a very important piece of how a library is run, but they can be daunting to create or revise for some. In this session, we’ll discuss how to craft policies that fit within your library’s mission statement and goals, are easier to review and revise on a regular basis, and hopefully can be implemented correctly.
Presenter: Scott Childers, Executive Director, Southeast Library System, Lincoln, NE; Christa Porter, Library Development Director, Nebraska Library Commission.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- July 30 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Introducing AI with Purpose and Practicality
- Aug. 6 – National Book Festival Near You
- Aug. 13 – Ditching 1000 Books: A New Initiative
- Aug. 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.
Fern V. Heim Trustee Scholarship: Still Time to Apply!
Apply for an individual $500 scholarship to attend either the NLA 2025 Conference in York on October 22nd-24th or to the ARSL 2025 Conference in Albuquerque, NM on September 17th-20th!
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.
**This scholarship is open only to current Nebraska Public Library Board Members!**
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 to the Nebraska Library Association Conference or the Association for Rural and Small Libraries Conference.
Applications due by August 1, 2025!
For more details and application:
- Fern V. Heim Library Trustee Scholarship
- Grant Application
- NLA Conference Website
- ARSL Conference Website
Please submit all grant application forms and questions to:
Holli Duggan
Posted in Education & Training, Grants, Public Library Boards of Trustees
Tagged ARSL, Board Members, CEgrants, conference, Fern Heim Scholarship, Grant, NLA, Trustees
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United for Libraries Virtual 2025: Statewide Registration
2025 United for Libraries Virtual: Trustees, Friends, Foundations
Tuesday, July 29th – Thursday, July 31st
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 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, expert speakers, microlearning sessions, and the “Virtual Gala Author Tea.” 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 29th – Trustee Day
- Get Familiar with Freedom of Information Laws
- Meetings That Matter: Driving Results, Not Just Discussions
- Public Official Basics for Trustees: Introduction to Public Administration and Public Finance
- Top 10 Things Library Board Members Should Know – But Often Don’t
- Why Is It Always a Battle?: Concerns of Public Library Trustees in the United States
- Keynote – Austin Channing Brown
- Wednesday, July 30th – Foundation/Fundraising Day
- Library Storytelling: How to Find Memorable Library Stories to Use for Marketing and Promotion
- Let Your Impact Ring! Sharing Your Library’s Successes so Funders Will Listen
- Overcoming the Barriers to Library Fundraising Success
- Strengthening Library and Foundation Relationships: The Role of the Memorandum of Understanding and Relationship Committee
- Virtual Gala Author Tea
- Thursday, July 31st – Friends Day
- Friends for Everyone: Inclusivity and Accessibility Best Practices
- Get Strategic: Creating a Strategic Plan for Your Friends Group
- Gnomes Need Homes: A Different Type of Silent Auction!
- Lessons from a New Board President
- Library Funding 101: Understanding How Things Get Paid
Special Events:
- Keynote – Tuesday, July 29th (3:30 pm CST)
- “Austin Channing Brown is an author and speaker providing inspired leadership on racial justice in America. She is the New York Times bestselling author of I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness, a Reese’s Book Club pick. Her work has been featured by outlets such as On Being, Chicago Tribune, and WNYC. Her new book, Full of Myself, releases in August 2025.”
- Virtual Gala Author Tea – Wednesday, July 30th (3:30 pm CST)
- Join United for Libraries for our 2025 Virtual Gala Author Tea. Bring your beverage of choice and enjoy authors talking about their writing experience and latest books. Moderated by Donna Seaman, Editor of Adult Books, Booklist.
- Invite your library staff and patrons! More details coming soon.
Registration Options – Choose one of the options below to register:
- Statewide Free Registration Form
- Allow one business day for registration.
- ALA eLearning Website via the Nebraska Statewide Access Course
- Must be enrolled in the Nebraska access course to register. You will be prompted to login, if not already logged in.
- Email United for Libraries
- Email united@ala.org
- Include your full name, email address, library, and primary role on behalf of your library.
- Allow one business day for registration.
- Bulk Registration
- Library directors may email united@ala.org
- Include full name, email address, and primary role on behalf of the library for each individual to register.
- Allow two business days to register.
- For registration questions, contact United for Libraries staff by email at united@ala.org or by phone at (312) 280-2161.
If you have any questions, please contact Holli Duggan.
CCC Library Information Services Classes for Fall 2025
Central Community College classes for the Library Information Services program for Fall 2025 will be starting soon!
Enrollment is open as of April 14, 2025 for classes beginning August 18, 2025. The Library & Information Services Certificate is a 15-credit hour program. All credits can be applied to a Central Community College associate degree.
See details of classes and registration information at https://www.cccneb.edu/lis
Internet Librarian Connect 2025 Conference (Oct. 28-30)
The Nebraska Library Commission is pleased to offer a discount to all librarians in Nebraska who sign up for a Virtual Pass to attend the Internet Librarian Connect 2025 Conference.
This leading virtual conference on library technology allows librarians and information managers from all over the world an equal opportunity to be a part of an exciting conference in a time-efficient and cost-effective manner. Along with the flexibility of participating from anywhere, Internet Librarian Connect offers attendees the benefits of no travel costs, diverse content with the convenience of on-demand access, and global networking opportunities.
The Virtual Pass discounted rate is $199 (regularly $299). The Virtual Pass includes access to all keynotes and main conference sessions, networking, and the virtual exhibit hall. It also includes access to archived session recordings for viewing through December 31, 2025. (Does not include access to workshops unless purchased separately.)
This year the conference is being held virtually, from October 28-30, 2025. Detailed information about the conference can be found on the virtual event website now!
Full program details will be added to the Event Agenda in late July.
To receive the discount:
- Go to the Internet Librarian Connect 2025 registration link:
https://site.pheedloop.com/event/ILC25/register#category - Click on the Single Registration option.
- Complete the registration form, entering and applying the discount code 25NLC when prompted at checkout. Your discounted pricing should appear at this point.
Note: Your code will only work in the Single Registration option. The code isn’t needed when using the Team Registration.
Registration Questions:
Joan Weiss, Conference Registrar
jweiss@infotoday.com
General Inquiries:
virtual@itiworkspace.com
Before registering, please be aware that sharing virtual access is not allowed. Each registration allows access for one person only.
Posted in Education & Training, Technology
Tagged conference, Internet Librarian Connect
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NCompass Live: Printing, Scanning, and Faxing at the Library
Printing has become a “hot app” for libraries. Many people don’t have printers at home or got burned by the expense and unreliability of “affordable” inkjet printers. When they need to print, scan, and/or fax something, they will likely go to their library to do it. Andrew “Sherm” Sherman, NLC Library Technology Support Specialist, will provide recommendations on the best makes and models of printers to purchase and the best practices for providing printing, scanning, and faxing to your patrons.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- July 23 – Creating and Implementing Library Policies
- July 30 – Pretty Sweet Tech
- Aug. 6 – National Book Festival Near You
- Aug. 13 – Ditching 1000 Books: A New Initiative
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.
NCompass Live: Creative Aging Outreach Opportunities for Libraries
Join us to learn about the Creative Aging Arts Program (CAAP), a program of the Nebraska Arts Council (NAC). Thanks to special funding for CAAP in libraries, grants are available for artist-led workshops during fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026). These grants support sequential, interactive workshops that are led by NAC Roster teaching artists who’ve completed training to engage older adults.
Join NAC Program Specialist Anne Alston and NAC Program Coordinator Joshua Brown, as well as the Louisville Library Director, Michelle Daniels, who will share her experience with CAAP at her library. During this webinar, you will:
- Hear about how CAAP can help libraries address community outreach goals.
- Learn how CAAP addresses issues of loneliness and isolation among older adults.
- Find out about the steps involved with applying for a grant, hiring an artist, and hosting a series of artist-led workshops for older adults.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- July 9 – Printing, Scanning, and Faxing at the Library
- July 30 – Pretty Sweet Tech
- Aug. 13 – Ditching 1000 Books: A New Initiative
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.
CE Grants: Applications Open for ARSL & MPLA Conferences!
Apply now for a $500 grant to attend the ARSL 2025 Annual Conference or the
MPLA-ND-SD 2025 Tri-Conference!
Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 9th, 2025
The purpose of these grants is to assist Nebraska libraries in improving the library services provided to their communities through continuing education and training for their library personnel and supporters. Successful applications will show how attending this conference will support the library’s mission.
- ARSL (Association for Rural and Small Libraries) Annual Conference
- Albuquerque, NM (or virtual option)
- September, 17th – 20th
- Early-bird registration closes July 15th
- Advance registration closes September 2nd
- MPLA – ND – SD (Mountain Plains Library Association / North Dakota & South Dakota Library Associations) Tri-Conference
- Grand Forks, ND
- October 1st – 3rd
- Registration Closes September 15th
Eligible costs include:
- Registration
- Travel
- Meals
- Lodging
- Preconference fees (but does not include networking or social events)
The applicant must be either 1) employed in an accredited Nebraska public library or a state-run institutional library at the time of application and for the duration of the conference, or 2) a current board member of an accredited Nebraska public library at the time of application and for the duration of the conference.
For more information on the application process and application forms, please see:
***Library Board Members: The Fern V. Heim Library Trustee Scholarship is still open for applications until August 1st! ***
If you have any questions, please contact Holli Duggan.
Continuing Education: Weekly Resources (6/23 – 6/27)
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 WebJunction: Free Training
- NCompass Live
- NLC Basic Skills
- Nebraska Meetings & Events
- June 26: SKILLS – Virtual
- June 27: CASTL – Virtual
- Online Conferences
- Boards
- Digital Resources
- Fundraising
- School Libraries
- Technology
To submit CE hours for the NLC certification programs:
Questions about CE hours or the certification programs, please contact: Holli Duggan
