Essentials of Library Science: A Crash Course for Library Staff with Regina Burgess
2025-02-01 00:00 - 23:59, 2025-03-01 00:00 - 23:59, 2025-04-01 00:00 - 23:59, 2025-05-01 00:00 - 23:59, 2025-06-01 00:00 - 23:59, 2025-07-01 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Chicago)
This self-paced course explores libraries as dynamic community centers and covers key areas, including intellectual freedom and access to information; understanding different library types and staff roles; using classification systems such as the Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress; how technology reshapes library functions; and strategies for effective collection management and community programs. This course is perfect for enhancing your skills and understanding of modern librarianship.

You will need a Niche Academy account to access this course; if you don’t have a Niche Academy account, you can create one at my.nicheacademy.com/plan-staff. Due to licensing agreements, this course is available to PLAN-member library staff only. If your library is not a member of PLAN, please contact your multitype library cooperative for access to self-paced courses.

PLAN Jam 2025
2025-02-03 09:00 - 15:00 | Wakulla County Public Library, 4330 Crawfordville Hwy, Crawfordville, Florida, 32327
9 AM to 3 PM CT (10 AM to 4 PM ET) – Location is in the Eastern time zone

A workshop to empower your community through effective disaster planning — with, by, and for Panhandle libraries!

Join us for an insightful workshop designed to empower public library professionals in enhancing their disaster preparedness and community engagement strategies in gray skies and blue. This interactive session, featuring emergency operations officials, library leaders, and researchers, will focus on revising public library disaster plans, creating actionable frameworks for libraries to serve as community resiliency hubs, mastering the essentials of local government collaboration, and leveraging GIS technology to effectively map vulnerable communities.

Participants will learn to critically assess and update their existing disaster plans, ensuring that they are not only comprehensive but also adaptable to the unique needs of their communities. This workshop will also explore the concept of libraries as resiliency hubs. Attendees will explore innovative strategies to transform their libraries into spaces that provide support and resources during crises, fostering a sense of safety and preparedness within the community. Collaboration with local government entities is essential for effective emergency response. This session will cover best practices for building and maintaining partnerships with local agencies, ensuring that libraries can play a pivotal role in community recovery efforts.

Finally, participants will gain hands-on experience using GIS tools to identify and analyze underserved citizens in their service areas. By mapping these communities, libraries can better tailor their services and outreach efforts to address specific needs during emergencies. This workshop promises to equip librarians with the knowledge and skills needed to elevate their roles as community leaders in disaster response and resilience. Join us in fostering stronger, more resilient communities through the power of public libraries! Bring your library disaster plan and questions!

Continental breakfast and lunch provided for all registrants at no charge.

Registration deadline: January 27, 2025

Knowledge Hub: Artificial Intelligence
2025-02-05 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-03-05 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-02 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-05-07 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-04 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-09 10:00 - 11:00
Join us for our monthly AI discussions—whether you’re an AI novice or a daily user, everyone is welcome!

We meet on the first Wednesday of each month. Register once and attend any or all of the sessions.

These informal discussions start with a brief demo of an AI tool, followed by an open conversation where you can share your experiences, learn about AI in libraries, and catch up on the latest AI news.

No prior AI experience is required, and all Florida library staff are welcome to attend.

Knowledge Hub: Microsoft 365
2025-02-06 10:00 - 11:00
Are you a library staff member who wants to stay ahead of the curve with the latest features and integrations of Microsoft 365? Then this is the group for you!

Stay Updated: Get the latest news on Microsoft 365 updates and features.

Collaborate: Share your experiences and learn from fellow library professionals.

Innovate: Discover new ways to integrate Microsoft 365 into your library’s workflow.

Support: Find solutions to common challenges.

When? The first Thursday* of each month at 10 AM CT (11 AM ET). Register once and attend any or all of the sessions. (We’ll meet the second Thursday for January and July.)

Dementia: How to Work with People with Dementia and Alzheimer’s
2025-02-13 13:00 - 14:00

Strategize to Energize: Inside the Essential Libraries Initiative with Kaycee Shiley
2025-02-26 14:00 - 15:00
Ready to take your library to the next level? Join us for a webinar that reveals the secrets behind the LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library’s successful strategic planning journey. Learn how to turn big ideas into actionable goals, inspire community connections, and build a roadmap for lasting impact. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refreshing your current plan, this session will spark your creativity and give you practical tools to transform your library’s future. Don’t miss this opportunity to reimagine what’s possible!

Knowledge Hub: Microsoft 365
2025-03-06 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-03 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-05-01 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-05 10:00 - 11:00
Are you a library staff member who wants to stay ahead of the curve with the latest features and integrations of Microsoft 365? Then this is the group for you!

Stay Updated: Get the latest news on Microsoft 365 updates and features.

Collaborate: Share your experiences and learn from fellow library professionals.

Innovate: Discover new ways to integrate Microsoft 365 into your library’s workflow.

Support: Find solutions to common challenges.

When? The first Thursday* of each month at 10 AM CT (11 AM ET). Register once and attend any or all of the sessions.

Handling Problem Interactions with Law Enforcement: A Conversation with Sheriff Ron Hain & Ryan Dowd
2025-03-20 13:00 - 14:00
Topics covered:

Practical advice on how to handle challenging interactions with law enforcement.

How to handle an individual officer who behaves unprofessionally.

Tips on building a relationship with your police department.

Ron Hain has served in law enforcement for more than 28 years and has served as the Sheriff of Kane County, Illinois since 2018. Ron has worked in varying capacities, including narcotics officer, canine handler, SWAT Team Leader, and Sheriff’s Office Criminal Interdiction Team. Since becoming Sheriff, Ron has implemented a myriad of jail reform programs that have reduced recidivism (habitual relapse into crime) from 45% to 18% and reduced the opioid overdose deaths of the formerly incarcerated by 89%.

Download Flyer

Please note that our license limits this training to PLAN-member library staff and volunteers.

Workshop: The Efficient Librarian with Doug Crane
2025-03-25 12:30 - 15:30 | LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library, 200 W Park Ave, Tallahassee, FL, 32301, United States
Join Doug Crane at the LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library for his workshop The Efficient Librarian on March 25th at 1:30 PM ET.

The world of work seems to be moving faster and faster every day. Is it possible to keep up with the rapid pace and still be stress free? Yes, it is! This workshop will present productive strategies for workplace success based in part on an internationally recognized productivity system.

Learn powerful methods for managing commitments, information, and communication that are the gold standard for personal and organizational efficiency. Discover concrete solutions for transforming uncertainty into an integrated system of stress-free productivity.

Participants will learn:The three sources of knowledge work stress.How to get things out of your head and into a trusted system.How to organize their actions in an easy four folder format.The ways to recognize their priorities both in the short and long terms.

Doug Crane began his career with the Palm Beach County Library System as a children’s librarian in 1998. He was appointed Library Director in 2014 and has spoken at national conferences on topics such as office productivity and leadership for over a decade. Doug is the author of the articles, “May I Ask You a Question? Lessons Learned from Interviewing Public Library Leaders,” “Efficient Librarianship – A New Path for the Profession,” and “Go For It! Advice From Library Directors.” For his public speaking skills, he recently received the Distinguished Toastmaster designation from Toastmasters International. Doug shares his musings at www.efficientlibrarian.com. In his spare time, he admires his collection of Doctor Who sonic screwdrivers, and relaxes at home with his wife, daughter, dog, and cat.

Registration deadline: March 24 @ noon

Panhandle Academic Libraries Conference
2025-04-04 10:00 - 15:00
Leading the Way: Innovating and Inspiring in Academic Libraries

Visit our conference LibGuide!

Join us for the annual Panhandle Academic Libraries Conference at Pensacola State College. It’s a free conference, specifically for academic library staff!

Keynote

Staying Grounded in a Wired World with Nancy S. Kirkpatrick, Dean of University Libraries at Florida International University: In an age where digital tools dominate and connections are often just a click away, how do we stay truly grounded? This talk explores the art of meaningful communication inspired by Conversations Worth Having, the enduring value of analog practices in a hyper-digital world, and practical strategies to maintain personal well-being. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on fostering deeper connections, navigating the complexities of digital networks with balance, and finding resilience amidst rapid change. With a touch of humor and inspiration, this session invites you to rediscover the power of presence, both online and off.

View Agenda

We appreciate our conference sponsors, EBSCO, Gale Cengage, and Wolters Kluwer.

Breakout Sessions

Countdown to Compliance: Navigating the New ADA Web and Mobile Accessibility Rules in Academic Libraries: Join esteemed library professionals Amber Arroyo and Rebel Cummings-Sauls as they delve into the new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulation concerning web and mobile accessibility. Their presentation will provide insight to how the regulation will impact all institutions, including departments like the academic library, along with tips to ensuring that institutions remain compliant while enhancing the user experience for all patrons. Together, they will explore the legal implications, share best practices, and provide actionable strategies for library professionals to implement these changes effectively. This session is essential for anyone involved in library management, web services, digital services, and accessibility initiatives, or those aiming to create an inclusive environment for all library users.

Dopamine Design in Pedagogy with Sarah Addison — Many students struggle to thoroughly consume all of the information necessary for their success. Large blocks of text are just one roadblock to students accustomed to taking in huge amounts of information in just seconds on social media platforms. An instructor or librarian can significantly increase student engagement with digital information by utilizing the basic tenets of the cognitive theory of multimedia learning, ADHD font studies, and elements of the theory of dopamine dressing. Join Sarah and hear about the impetus behind her ongoing research project and see real life examples of dopamine-driven digital information delivery in information literacy courses and libguides.

I Won’t Take Much of Your Time: Leveraging the Attention Economy in How and What You Teach with Thomas Jonte — It’s a major victory when you finally book time with a faculty member to present to their class or get a student to set up a research appointment. The hard part is over. But inevitably, there are students and even faculty who seem distracted or “miss the point” in what you are trying to teach. Every teacher has felt this discouragement at some point and has asked “was it worth it?” In less than the time allotted to the session, we’ll explore strategies for what we cover during library instruction and how to truly get the attention of students with the tools we already have and create.

Adventures in Transcribing Handwritten Documents with Chris Levesque — During Library Week 2025, the UWF University Libraries will host a participatory transcription event of letters and ship’s logs that are part of its Digital Archives. While the National Archives’ Citizen Archivist model is well-established, this project will use the From the Page platform supplemented with Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) to engage students, faculty, and the larger UWF community. Providing transcripts of historical documents written in cursive is an example of universal design that allows their use by broader audiences who either cannot read cursive or who use screen readers. The use of collaborative transcription platforms reduces the time it takes staff to create transcripts by crowdsourcing transcription. This talk will discuss selection of materials, logistics, training, recruiting volunteers, and implementation of the project.

Library Rebellion: Disrupting the Norm to Engage Students with Sarah Schreck — Flip the script and change preconceived notions of what a library is to enhance student outreach while cultivating relationships to entice continued engagement. Discover innovative strategies to transform your academic library into a dynamic, student-centric hub. Explore disruptive tactics to break the mold, capture the imagination and participation of contemporary college students. Let’s ignite a library revolution!

AI-Generated Works and Copyright: What Academic Librarians Need to Know with Regina Burgess — Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney are exploding in popularity—but do their outputs really belong to anyone? Under U.S. law, only humans can be authors, which means AI-generated works raise challenging questions about copyright, fair use, and institutional policy. In this session, you’ll get the latest scoop on the legal status of AI-assisted creations—straight from recent court rulings and official Copyright Office guidance. You’ll leave with practical tips for navigating these uncharted waters, as well as strategies to safeguard your library—and its patrons—amid rapid AI innovation. Please note this session is informational only and is not intended as legal advice. Resources

This conference is free and includes a continental breakfast (from 9 AM to 9:50 AM CT) and a buffet lunch.

View Agenda

Pre-Conference Tour

You are also welcome to join us on this special pre-conference tour the afternoon before the conference — take advantage of this rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the National Naval Aviation Museum from 2 to 4 PM.

To most people, the National Naval Aviation Museum on board Naval Air Station Pensacola is a collection of some of the most historic aircraft in the world. While that is certainly true, another important element of the 114-year history of Naval Aviation resides behind the scenes. Museum Curator Dina Linn will reveal some of the unique treasures that have been donated to the museum since its founding in 1963, and the specialized research that goes into finding the true story about them. Borrowing from actor Kevin Bacon, Museum Archivist Jared Galloway will present “Six Degrees of Naval Aviation,” using archival document and photographs to link figures in popular culture to naval service. There will also be time available for attendees to browse the collection themselves.

PALC Committee:

Melissa Davis, Pensacola State College, Co-Chair

Maria Goodspeed, Pensacola State College, Co-Chair

Sarah Addison, Pensacola State College

Jules Bailey, Florida State University

Regina Burgess, Panhandle Library Access Network

Melissa Gonzalez, University of West Florida

Michael Lane, Pensacola State College

Shamara McCray, Florida State University

Eden Nitcher, Pensacola State College

Dominique O’Shea, Pensacola State College

Sarah Schreck, Florida State University

Jennifer Trawick, Pensacola State College

Registration

Pensacola State College

Edward M. Chadbourne Library1000 College Blvd Building 20, Pensacola, Florida 32504(850) 484-1000Directions via Google MapsPensacola State College Campus Map

We appreciate our sponsors!

Pensacola Hotels List | Map

Body Odor: How to Address Body Odor Without Awkwardness with Ryan Dowd
2025-04-17 13:00 - 14:00
Topics covered:

When to have the “body odor” conversation

Two tools that make the conversation easier

Lawsuits around body odor and libraries (what the courts say!)

Download Flyer

Please note that our license limits this training to PLAN-member library staff and volunteers.

Webinar: Beyond the Pizza Party: A Panel Discussion on how to Maintain Staff Morale
2025-05-08 13:00 - 14:00
Join Ryan Dowd and guests as they discuss these topics:

How to communicate during crises without causing panic, from navigating politics, layoffs, funding cuts, etc.

Why recognition and connection matter more than pizza for staff morale (and how to do that)

The importance of being authentic and transparent as a leader (and what that looks like)

Flyer – Share with your colleagues!

About the Guests:

Brittany Larson has experience working in leadership roles for both academic and public libraries. Brittany currently works as the Muskego Public Library Director in southeastern Wisconsin, supervising a staff of 20 team members, managing a 40,000 sq foot building, and an operating budget of $1.5 million dollars.

Rick Guzman is the Executive Director of The Neighbor Project, a housing and community development organization. In 2020, The Neighbor Project co-launched Illinois’ first-ever “Financial Empowerment Center” with the City of Aurora—and in 2024 was one of just 20 organizations in Illinois to receive a $2 million innovation-award as part of Mackenzie Scott’s foundation’s first-ever open call for applications. Guzman has worked on housing & community development issues in the Illinois Governor’s Office and as Deputy Chief of Staff to two previous Mayors of Aurora.

Lynda Schuler has devoted her 30-year career to leading the formation of solution-focused programming intended to mitigate and end homelessness for those in the suburban Cook County, Illinois. Serving as CEO of Housing Forward, Lynda’s leadership has enabled the agency’s growth from a $450,000 a-year emergency shelter provider to a $22M agency offering services that prevent, respond to, and stabilize through supportive housing, over 2,500 men, women and families who are experiencing a housing crisis each year.

Please note that our license limits this training to PLAN-member library staff and volunteers.

Legislative Advocacy: An Interview with a Representative of Congress on What Actually Works with Ryan Dowd
2025-06-12 13:00 - 14:00
Printable flyer

TOPICS COVERED:

What if your representative is from the “wrong” party?

What are the most effective forms of advocacy?

Do letters count the same as emails? What about phone calls? What about marches?

Teenagers Part 1: How to Manage Problematic Behavior with Ryan Dowd
2025-07-10 13:00 - 14:00
Printable flyer

TOPICS COVERED:

Why teens test boundaries (and what you should do about it)

How “respect” works with teenagers

Two things you should NEVER do when dealing with teens

Promoting Your Library in the Community with Linda Bruno
2025-07-15 14:00 - 15:00
You know what a valuable resource your library is – but do the members of your community know? When we are immersed in the library environment ourselves, it’s easy to forget that there are many in our community who really don’t know what we have to offer. So it’s our job to tell them!

“Promoting Our Libraries in the Community” will prepare you to do just that. In this 60-minute session, we’ll brainstorm ways to get the attention of not only our patrons, but also members of our community who may wonder just what goes on at their local libraries.

We’ll discuss avenues for promotion – How can we get the message out? Where should we go to talk about our library? What should we talk about? There is no one who knows better why your library is such an important part of the community – and a passionate employee can promote your library like no one else!

But wait! Does this mean I have to be a public speaker?? Not at all! All you have to do is talk about where you work and I know you already love to do that.

Join us for this session and learn how to help others discover one of your community’s greatest treasures…your library!

Linda Bruno has been developing and conducting training workshops for libraries for more than fifteen years. Her favorite thing to do is to help people become their best selves! That’s why she offers workshops on topics ranging from Leadership Skills to Emotional Intelligence – and lots of areas in between.

Auditing Your Library's Website: Benchmarking What You've Got with Laura Solomon
2025-07-16 14:00 - 15:00
Is your library’s website up to par? Determining the effectiveness of your website shouldn’t rely on guesswork. This webinar dives into the heart of website auditing, providing you with a clear, objective approach to evaluate your current site. Learn how to benchmark your website against modern standards for content, images, navigation, usability, and more. By applying these standards, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of what works and what doesn’t. A website audit offers a robust foundation, ensuring you’re well-prepared before embarking on a redesign, whether it’s a minor update or a complete overhaul. Join front-end web developer, Laura Solomon, for an insightful one-hour session packed with data-driven principles and practical tools to enhance your library’s online presence.

Laura Solomon, MCIW, MLS, is the Library Services Manager at the Ohio Public Library Information Network and a W3C-certified front-end web developer. With over two decades of experience in web development and design, Laura has honed her expertise in both public libraries and as an independent consultant, specializing in Drupal development and in website accessibility.

Recognized as a 2010 Library Journal Mover & Shaker, she has authored books on social media and content marketing tailored for libraries, as well as about library website design. She has dedicated many course hours to learning how to make websites accessible, ensuring that digital spaces are inclusive for all users.

Laura is a frequently-requested speaker for public library organizations, sharing her passion for bringing the fun of technology to audiences and equipping libraries with the tools to better serve their virtual customers.

Turning Patrons into Cheerleaders with Linda Bruno
2025-07-22 14:00 - 15:30
Customer service – we hear about it every day, if not every hour! Sadly, what many call “service” in today’s world is simply the minimum attention required to get the transaction over with.

We all know that with budget cuts and the ever-present “doing more with less,” there is still a need to make sure our patrons are being served – and being served well. Indeed, if our patrons are unhappy, there’s a strong likelihood that we may experience even more budget cuts. It’s hard to convince those who hold the purse strings that they should let loose of those strings if the people we are supposed to serve think we don’t care!

Your library is a wonderful place – people learn, you help patrons find information they need, you provide so many resources for people – all good reasons to cheer. And when our patrons are our biggest cheerleaders, it becomes obvious why we exist – and why we should continue to do so!

Let’s use this time to brainstorm ideas on how to turn our patrons into our biggest cheerleaders!

Linda Bruno has been developing and conducting training workshops for libraries for more than fifteen years. Her favorite thing to do is to help people become their best selves! That’s why she offers workshops on topics ranging from Leadership Skills to Emotional Intelligence – and lots of areas in between.
