Free, Fee-based, and Wiki Online Learning Opportunities
This list is provided for information only; the State Library of North Carolina does not endorse these programs. Do you know of other online offerings to include on this list? Please send them to Jeffrey Hamilton (jeffrey.hamilton@ncdcr.gov).
Free Online Opportunities | Back to top
ABLE Courses and SABLE Courses
A program developed to help library staff members who have no formal education in library science to acquire the basic knowledge and skills needed to operate or work in a library. While these courses, which include collection development, technical services, public services, youth services, and interlibrary loan, are part of a larger CE program in Idaho, anyone may access the online tutorials.
Collection Development Training
Practical training in performing collection development activities in public libraries. Each activity is presented as a separate section with links to helpful Internet sites, lists of books and articles for further reading, and definitions of key terms.
An interactive tutorial presenting an introduction to issues concerning copyright ownership and use of information. The tutorial, by the University of Maryland, includes illustrative scenarios and resources for further information and study.
Copyright Tutorial and Professionalism Tutorial
Online tutorials that cover copyright basics and how they affect libraries and librarianship as a profession. While part of a larger training program for Texas librarians, anyone may access the useful tutorials.
A variety of online learning options for Dialog users. Dialog offers self-paced tutorials, one-on-one training, free practice, and more.
The Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County created this guided but self-directed project to encourage staff to learn about new technologies that are reshaping the context of information on the Internet today. While only PLCMC staff are eligible for the incentives, library staff everywhere are welcome to participate.
The Library of Congress: for Librarians and Archivists
A wide range of topics and formats of interest to librarians and archivists. Options include 26 Webcasts, MARC tutorials, and information sheets on preservation.
A number of Webcast series offered by the University of Missouri. Tune in to live broadcasts, or listen to archived programs.
National Library of Medicine Distance Education Program Resources
Brief tutorials on various medical library resources such as PubMed and MedlinePLUS. Some include videos and handouts.
Ohio Library Council Online Learning
Tutorials on library marketing, reference, and general library practices for new employees. While the tutorials include some Ohio-specific content, they are general enough for use anywhere.
Online Programming for All Libraries (OPAL)
An international collaborative effort by libraries of all types to provide interactive, Web-based programs and training for library users and library staff members. Some of the programs are local in nature, but many have wide appeal. Many past programs are archived.
An ongoing forum for professional development in the library community. The organization provides free, online access to industry-leading speakers and events through Webinars, both live and archived. The Web site also provides a newsletter and other timely resources.
SLA Past Conference Presentations
Online presentations and conference handouts from previous SLA conferences. Archived presentations are available to members.
TechSoup for Libraries gathers stories from public libraries on how they support public computers and publish their tips and techniques in Cookbooks and articles, available for FREE on the project web site. Free webinars on technology topics for libraries are listed at the site as well
OCLC provides a variety of training-related materials for the products and services they offer
Offered by the Washington State Library, this self-paced tutorial was inspired by 'choose your own adventure' books (although options for a group learning experience are also offered).
An online community for library staff nationwide, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and associated with OCLC. Discussions, pathfinders, articles, and other resources are provided. Self-paced online courses are available for free to North Carolina's public and academic library staff (you must affiliate your WebJunction account with North Carolina).
Fee-based Online Opportunities | Back to top
A number of live Webcasts and multiweek online seminars. Topics include blogging, information literacy, and assessing student outcomes.
ALA Events and Conferences: Distance Learning
Several Web-based courses offered in conjunction with the Reference and User Services Association. Topics include readers' advisory, the reference interview, and business reference.
Amigos Library Services Continuing Education
A large selection of self-paced and instructor-led online courses. Options include everything from government documents on the Internet to metadata for digitized resources to preservation.
A number of online courses, live presentations, and tutorials from the Bibliographic Center for Research (BCR). Current topics include authority control, Web site design, and Web based business resources.
For SLA members. SLA offers a range of online courses and live, interactive Web presentations.
Several online courses from PLA. The courses feature simulations, interactive exercises, threaded discussions, and live chats with other learners and the instructor.
Web-based continuing education for librarians and other information professionals. Courses include virtual reference, web design, and health/medical reference.
Lifelong Education @ Desktop (LE@D)
A series of online continuing education tutorials offered by the University of North Texas School of Library and Information Sciences. A variety of topics including grant writing, library privacy, and reaching teens, are available.
A variety of live online classes. The State Library offers a number of these classes each season for free, so check our continuing education schedule first!
Simmons College Graduate School of LIS Online Workshops
Online workshops on a variety of topics. Outlines are provided for each course.
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of LIS Continuing Education
A variety of online courses of different lengths. Topics include youth services, graphic novels, reference, and administration.
Wiki-based Opportunities | Back to top
This wiki provides a pathfinder to the resources at the ALA website, gathers ALA responses to your questions, and enables the library community to share new resources for getting our jobs done.
Post a link to your library's blog, and see other library blogs.
Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library Wiki
PLA/ALSC provides this wiki for those that have used Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library materials, ideas or training to share your successes, challenges, and materials you have developed.
Kids! @ your library Best Practices Wiki
ALSC's wiki offers a space for children's librarians to share ideas about the Kids! @ your library campaign.
Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki
This wiki was created to be a one-stop-shop for great ideas and information for all types of librarians. There are many topics and all library staff members are encouraged to share ideas, experiences, and resources.
LISWiki was established to give the library community a chance to explore the usefulness of Wikis and acts as a niche encyclopedia covering library-related issues.
Pearl's wiki is a "community for book lovers" and includes author interviews, book reviews, book and author blogs, ideas for book clubs, a page for libraries, and more.
This wiki offers teacher-librarians a place to exchange ideas, lessons, units, handouts, rubrics, presentations, images, and teaching tips.
The University of British Columbia provides this wiki for health/ medical librarians to share their expertise with one another.
