On May 9 at Seward Memorial Library, Southeast Library System and the NLA’s Public Library and Trustee Section are joining to hold the SELS Training Extravaganza/PLTS Eastern Spring Meeting.

This is a day of learning designed for all library staff, as well as board members. The cost is $25.

You can REGISTER HERE until April 30.

For a complete agenda for the day, see the following:

9:30 – 10:00 Registration and Refreshments

10:00 – 10:10 Announcements and Introductory Remarks (Scott Childers & Monica Tidyman)

10:10 – 11:00 Opening Session with Jessica Chamberlain: Communicating Your Library’s Value and Getting your Board “On Board” to Help!

How do you let your community know how valuable your library is? Come hear some ideas for communicating your value and how to encourage your library board to be involved in your efforts. There will be time for Q&A as well as for sharing your own examples of what has worked well in your community.

11:10 – 12:00 Breakouts

With GROW Nebraska. Boost Your Library’s Presence: Marketing Tips, Tools, and Tactics to Engage Your Community

In this session, discover powerful tools and strategies to increase your library’s visibility and engage your community effectively. Learn how to optimize your Google Business Profile, master social media best practices, leverage AI tools like ChatGPT, and harness the power of word-of-mouth marketing. Walk away with actionable tips and tricks to elevate your library’s marketing efforts.

With Denise Harders: “Cricut Design Space” Tips & Tricks

All the Cricut cutting machines can do amazing things because of the free app Cricut Design Space. It is pretty easy and user-friendly, but I have tips & tricks that will help you make things faster, easier, and more. fun!

12:10 Lunch

Chicken Salad on a Croissant, Apple Slaw, and salt and vinegar chips.

1:00 Breakouts

With Kelly Kenny: Return of the Canvaholic

Hi, my name is Kelly Kenny, and I am still a Canvaholic. Truly. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s website, “-aholic” means one who likes (something) to excess. There are chocoholics, workaholics, shopaholics, bookaholics—the list goes on. While all of those still describe me, Canvaholic remains the best fit. I still use Canva daily—whether it’s for worksheets, flyers, research organizers, library signage, posters, or even birthday party invitations for my now five-year-old. Canva’s had my back for years, and it just keeps getting better. In this session, I’ll share exciting updates to Canva, explore how Canva and AI are changing the game, and introduce new tips and tricks to level up your designs. Whether you’re a longtime Canva fan or just getting started, come geek out with me on all things Canva! 

With Tammi Thiem: Reader’s Advisory

Helping to match the reader with the book is a rewarding part of being a librarian.
Librarians know that they cannot possibly read every single book in the library, but there
are tricks to identifying the perfect suggestions for patrons. Join this discussion to
explore tools and techniques to help with the process.

2:00 Closing Session with Tom Rolfes: The Role of a Nebraska Library Commissioner

In this session Commissioner Tom Rolfes will be providing information about the role of the commissioners. After that, there will be a time for discussion.

2:50 – 3:00 Wrap up and Completion of Evaluations

Part of being a librarian is sharing and borrowing ideas. At this point in the year, some of you have basically completed all your summer reading plans. Others, whether because you are new, don’t have much planning time, or are simply still looking for ideas, have a bit of preparation left. Whatever category you fall into – or somewhere in between – we invite you to participate!

April 4, 10 – 11:30

via Zoom

REGISTER HERE!

Join us on March 14 with Amanda Sweet to learn how to give your library’s WordPress website a fresh look! Also, find out about updates to WordPress, explore Amanda’s new Elementor templates, newly added plugins, as well as some items to consider in the design of your website. This workshop is for those who have already worked with WordPress and want to find out how to use it more effectively.

Place: Crete Public Library

Time: Friday, March 14, 9:30 – 12:30

REGISTER HERE!

Please note that space is limited. Therefore, preference will be given to those responsible for websites of libraries within Southeast Library System. You may be placed on a waitlist. We will notify you if you are on the waitlist.

Also, when filling out the registration, you will be asked if you prefer to bring a laptop or have a laptop provided for you.

Southeast Library System invites you to attend our free summer reading workshop at the Walt Branch Library of Lincoln City Libraries
December 13.

REGISTER HERE for this free workshop!

A few details:

Registration and Refreshments begin at 9:40

Sessions go from 10 am to 3:15 with a break for lunch. (There are many restaurant choices!)

We have a lineup of sessions designed to help you prepare for a memorable summer!

• Enhancing Summer Programming at Your Library with Nebraska Artists. One way to incorporate artists into your programming this summer is to work with the Nebraska Arts Council. This session will give you a brief overview of a NAC grant program designed to help you host a Nebraska artist at your library. In addition, you will hear a few short presentations by individual teaching artists to explain what they do at library programs—different in each case!
• 4-H Reading Connections – Tying in with “Color Our World”. This isn’t just any set of reading program resources—it’s packed with STEM activities, interactive storytelling, and hands-on learning designed to ignite young minds.
• Some of the Best Books to “Color Our World”. We will hear about a wide variety of books for the upcoming summer. These brief book recommendations cover titles suitable for readers ranging from preschool to high school, offering potential new additions to your library’s collection.
• Crafting Engaging Summer Storytimes. Discover the art of creating unforgettable summer storytime experiences that captivate and inspire young audiences. We will explore some of the essential elements of sharing engaging stories and creating interactive programs. Learn effective techniques to incorporate music, movement, creative use of props, and interactive activities.

Join us for the SELS Training Extravaganza at Seward Memorial Library! The 10:00 keynote is by the incredibly dynamic speaker Dr. Ferial Pearson. She will be adressing the topic of Building a Multicultural Library. Both library staff and board members are welcome. The cost is only $25, which includes refreshments and a catered lunch! Register here!

The agenda for day is as follows:

9:30-9:50
Registration and Refreshments

9:50-10:00
Housekeeping and Introductions

10:00-11:00
Keynote: Building a Multicultural Library
Learn how to identify and select authentic and powerful multicultural literature for children
and youth in order to build a balanced and diverse collection of picture books and novels.

11:10-12:00
Talking Book and Braille Service: Continuously Evolving
An informational session about Nebraska’s library for the blind and visually impaired. This
presentation will cover who qualifies, how to sign up for the service and how you can help,
and improvements and changes to the program.

or

AI Tools for Librarians with Todd Schlechte
Here are a few tools you might consider playing around with to see whether they could be
useful in your personal and work life.

12:05-12:50
Lunch
Lunch will include Roast Beef, Twice-baked potatoes, Salad, Green Beans, and a roll.
You can choose a vegetarian or gluten-free option on the registration form

1:00-1:50
Choosing Multicultural Books with Dr. Ferial Pearson
Participants will engage in activities to help them choose appropriate, authentic, and current
multicultural literature for children and youth that will fill in gaps that exist in their libraries.

or

Get Your Library Tech Ready for 2025 with Andrew Sherman
Come to this session for information about money for tech equipment and fast internet, the
new WIFI standard and how the NLC can assist you with adapting, getting ready for the
end of support to Windows 10, and more.

2:00-2:50
The Thing About Teens… with Mari Vasquez Trying to connect and understand teenagers can be difficult and overwhelming at times. So how do you attract teens to the library and keep them engaged? This presentation will offer tips on how to connect with teens, build relationships, along with programming ideas to keep them coming back. Maybe they’ll even bring their friends!

or

Think Outside the Box: Transformative Training with Breakout Challenges with Tammi Thiem You have all likely heard of breakout boxes. Join me to learn and discuss creative ways this tool can help make learning fun. These can be used for children and for adults, and the possibilities are endless. I will share what ideas I have explored, and it will be exciting to hear of any suggestions others have to offer!

3:00 Closing Announcements

This activity is supported with funding from the State of Nebraska and from the Institute
of Museum and Library Services under the provision of the Library Services and Technology
Act as administered by the Nebraska Library Commission.

On Wednesday, March 27, at 11 am we invite you to join us virtually as we explore the capabilities of the database NoveList Plus with Susan Knisely.

This readers’ advisory database is available through NebraskAccess. Find out how it can help you identify book, author, and series read-alikes; familiarize yourself with diverse genres; and mix and match story elements (appeal terms, themes, and genres) to find just the right book for your patron. At the end of this session attendees should feel more confident in their ability to answer the patron question What should I read next?

REGISTER HERE and we will send you a Zoom link the day before the workshop. Worth 1 CE.

SELS is offering this special Zoom workshop on Tuesday, February 13, at 11 am. The description is below, and you can register here!

The pandemic is over and yet, mental health issues continue to plague our lives, increasing numbers of people deal with crippling anxiety, and many employees report feeling “angry, stressed, and disengaged” (Wall Street Journal, 2023). While thought leaders in corporate America are engaging in prolific discussions about “healthier work cultures”, it is much harder to find commentary geared towards those of us in service professions.  How do we, in libraries, work towards happiness, wholeness, and fulfillment as we constantly pour out and over others?  How do we foster work cultures that enable such things for our teams?

This presentation will offer a working definition of “occupational wellness” without dismissing accountability and excellence. It will also include strategies that can help nurture a work culture in which everyone is empowered to thrive.  How do we dedicate our lives in service to others AND protect our personal wellbeing?  Let’s start the discussion. 

Fuhrmans, V. and Ellis, L. (November 27, 2023). Why is everyone so unhappy at work right now? The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/workers-morale-pay-benefits-remote-52c4ab10