OCLC Learning Portal for Library Staff
A comprehensive learning portal from OCLC offering webinars, self-paced courses, and on-demand training specifically designed for library staff at all levels.
Why for Library IT Pros:
Cost: Many offerings are free; certificates of completion available
Tip: Subscribe to their event calendar and filter for "technology" or "digital" topics to stay current with relevant training opportunities.
Professional Online Courses for Information Professionals
Online courses aimed at librarians, archivists, and other information professionals with strong focus on modern library technology and digital practices.
Why for IT-Oriented Staff:
Cost: Paid courses with varying lengths (typically 4-8 weeks)
Tip: Choose a course that aligns with a specific technology gap you're working on, such as metadata, linked data, or library systems administration.
Professional Development Courses & Workshops
Online professional development courses ranging from crash courses (2-hour sessions) to multi-week workshops covering current library trends and technologies.
Relevance:
Cost: Paid courses; group discounts available
Tip: If your library supports a team, the group rate can make professional development cost-effective for multiple staff members.
Association for Library Service to Children
Offers 4-6 week online courses and webinars covering library professional development with focus on youth services and technology.
Relevance:
Cost: Paid webinars & courses (some free options available)
Tip: If your library IT role supports youth/teen services, maker spaces, or digital literacy programs, this training is highly relevant.
Association of College and Research Libraries
Provides multi-week asynchronous online courses specifically for academic library staff, plus regular free webinars on current topics.
Relevance:
Cost: Variable (some free webinars, some paid courses)
Tip: Look for their "technology" or "digital services" tracks. Free webinars are excellent for staying current without budget constraints.
International Federation of Library Associations
Global library association offering free webinars for library and information professionals around the world, providing international perspectives on library technology.
Relevance:
Cost: Mostly free
Tip: Excellent for staying current on international best practices and library innovation. Great for benchmarking your work against global standards.
Regional Training & Certification Resources
State libraries often offer training, continuing education, and certification programs for library staff and support staff, typically at low or no cost.
Example Programs:
Relevance:
Tip: Check your own state library (Arkansas State Library) for similar programs and technology-oriented training specific to your region.
Curated Lists for Library Professionals
Curated lists and portals offering many free webinars for library professionals, with regular technology-focused topics.
What You'll Find:
Tip: Bookmark a webinar aggregator and set alerts for "technology", "digital services", "metadata", or "IT infrastructure" to catch relevant training.
Professional Development for Library Staff
Offers curriculum of free professional development programs in structured learning paths covering electronic resources, library skills, and technology topics via Zoom and recordings.
Relevance:
Cost: Free
Tip: Attend Zoom sessions live if possible to ask questions in real-time, then view recordings later for reference and review.
Broader Tech Education Platforms
While not library-specific, general IT certifications and training platforms can strengthen core technical skills essential for library IT roles.
Platforms to Consider:
Relevance:
Tip: Use general IT training alongside library-specific professional development to strengthen your technical foundation. Check if your library offers free access to LinkedIn Learning or similar platforms.