[CASL-L] October 2026 Workshops and Webinars

[Gail Hurley]

[cid:image003.png at 01DCFE43.60AB8670]

October 2026 Workshops and Webinars


The Connecticut State Library, Division of Library Development is sharing the following learning opportunities for October. Remember that these are offered for FREE to ALL Connecticut library staff! Please share with staff not signed up to the library lists or the DLD Newsletter!

Click on the training topics below or scroll through to see all the offerings:

ACCESSIBILITY
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
EBOOKS
MANAGEMENT
REFERENCE
SELF-CARE
YOUTH SERVICES

ACCESSIBILITY

TIAL: Understanding the Department of Justice's Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability [DLD Workshop] Tuesday, October 13 from 10-11 | Register for TIAL: Understanding the DOJ Nondiscrimination<https://cslib.libcal.com/event/17256366>

Join Geoff Freed of onfocusAccess for the second of four workshops on web accessibility and the Department of Justice's ruling on Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice released a new regulation aimed at improving the accessibility of digital materials produced by entities covered by Title II of the ADA. In this training session, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of this new regulation, set to take effect in some communities beginning April 24, 2026, and how it directly affects staff in Connecticut public and academic libraries. By the end of the session participants will better understand the importance of meeting their legal obligations while understanding the practical application of the rules.

TIAL: Web Accessibility Auditing Demonstration [DLD Workshop] Monday, October 26 from 10-11 | Register for TIAL: Web Accessibility Auditing<https://cslib.libcal.com/event/17256396>

Join Geoff Freed of onfocusAccess for the third of four workshops on web accessibility and the Department of Justice's ruling on Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This demonstration will give participants an opportunity to learn how digital-accessibility professionals approach the manual evaluation of websites. Using a variety of digital properties, including those from Connecticut public libraries, onfocusAccess will implement a think-aloud process to lead participants through a variety of methods to search for, evaluate and in some cases remediate accessibility obstacles. Participants will learn how to build an organized approach to testing; how to track issues; how to choose the appropriate tools for testing; and the importance of maintenance testing after remediation. Participants will also learn how to prioritize the remediation of obstacles by understanding how these obstacles impact not just users with disabilities, but how accessible design makes digital materials easier to use for everyone.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)



College Student Success with AI<https://www.library20.com/ai-sessions/college-student-success-with-ai> [Library2.0] Thursday, October 1 from 2-3 | Contact Gail.Hurley at ct.gov<mailto:Gail.Hurley at ct.gov> for the registration link.



… Higher education is now fighting about AI in public — committee reports, bold embraces, outright bans, faculty rebelling against their own deans. Every side is arguing about what institutions should do. This talk turns to the person the fight is about and says the thing no policy can say: whatever they decide, you are the only one who can make these decisions for you. It's an honest hour for college students or those who advise them on what school was actually measuring, why AI has suddenly made that arrangement visible, and what's still genuinely theirs: the thinking, the judgment, the confidence in their own minds that the game never gave anyone, including its winners. If you work with college students, love one, or are one, this is the conversation almost nobody is having.

10 Great Ways to Use AI for Brainstorming<https://www.library20.com/ai-sessions/10-great-ways-to-use-ai-for-brainstorming>  [Library 2.0] Friday, October 2 from 2-3 | Contact Gail.Hurley at ct.gov<mailto:Gail.Hurley at ct.gov> for the registration link.

Ask AI for five program ideas, and you will get the same five every library gets. That experience convinces a lot of library staff that AI brainstorming is a dead end, when the actual problem is that nobody handed them the techniques. AI turns out to be a remarkable creativity partner, but only when you know how to push it past the obvious. This workshop offers ten distinct brainstorming techniques, drawn from decades of creative practice and adapted for AI. Rather than a list of things to brainstorm about, this session teaches methods: reversing the question, forcing odd combinations, borrowing perspectives missing from your room, and adding constraints that squeeze out genuinely new thinking. Participants will watch the techniques run live and leave ready to aim them at real problems…

10 Ways to Avoid AI<https://www.library20.com/ai-sessions/10-ways-to-avoid-ai> [Library 2.0 ] Tuesday, October 6 from 2-3 | Contact Gail.Hurley at ct.gov<mailto:Gail.Hurley at ct.gov> for the registration link.

In this departure from his usual topics, Reed discusses ways to completely avoid AI in all its forms… and some may surprise you! Over the past three years, AI has become ubiquitous, particularly in the information ecosystem. Whether we go online for business, pleasure, or personal need, many websites and apps incorporate AI in ways ranging from subtle to overt. GenAI is not the only tool used, either. Predictive AI also has its impact, from shopping recommendations to website visitation recommendations to streaming recommendations. If there are “recommendations” in the module, AI probably determined them.  Although ChatGPT was released 3 years ago, “AI” has been in our digital ecosystem much longer, since the 2010s! We have no reason to accept this intrusion into our lives. AI aspects, after three years of LLMs, seem to be just part of life, unavoidable and commonplace. Even if we think we are being objective and using all the resources available to us, our brains can still insist we use an AI tool because it is the “fastest way to get things done.” This is not always true, but we go to those sites anyway!...

Get Your Leadership Team and Your Board on the Same Page About AI<https://www.library20.com/ai-sessions/your-leadership-team-and-your-board> [Library 2.0] Friday, October 9 from 2-3 | Contact Gail.Hurley at ct.gov<mailto:Gail.Hurley at ct.gov> for the registration link.

Library leaders and board members are being asked to make decisions about AI without a shared understanding of what is already happening. A vendor adds AI features to a product the library already pays for. Staff are using tools before guardrails are in place. A leader reads something concerning and brings it to the next meeting. Everyone in the room is working from a different set of assumptions about what AI is, where it is, and what it can do.

This session builds a shared starting point in one hour. Bring your leadership team, bring your board, or bring both. It is a briefing rather than a workshop, designed so that the conversation continues after it ends, in your next meeting and in the hallway conversations in between. Along the way, we will note where a question is typically a board matter, a leadership matter, or something your library will need to sort out for itself, since governance structures vary widely.

Learn AI: Activating GenAI Tools and AI Literacy Programs at Toronto Public Library  [PCI Webinars] Wednesday, October 21 from 2-3 | Register for Learn AI<https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/8517799917818/WN_uWObFmqnSEmYaKpDX5agzw>

In April 2025, Toronto Public Library launched its AI Upskilling Initiative, a large-scale project that provides Torontonians with free access to GenAI tools and AI education programs and events that support skills building, connect residents with experts, and bridge the growing AI divide.

AI Foundations For Your Library Team<https://www.library20.com/ai-sessions/ai-foundations> [Library 2.0] This webinar is now available in our Niche Academy<https://my.nicheacademy.com/ctstatelibrary> for one year. If you do not currently have an account on Niche Academy, please sign up using your library email address.



Most library staff have already used AI, or been asked about it by a patron, without anyone ever explaining what it is. Confidence with AI often runs well ahead of actual understanding. At the same time, many staff have stopped paying attention to AI altogether, even as patron questions keep coming.AI Foundations for Your Library Team is  designed to get an entire staff to a shared starting point. The content starts with the basics and is library-specific. For staff who already use AI, the sessions provide an opportunity to slow down, reflect on their habits, and strengthen their practice with new strategies for evaluating, prompting, and using AI responsibly. It doesn't assume anyone has used these tools before, and it doesn't try to talk anyone into using them. Breaking the material into four shorter sessions gives people time to absorb the ideas, discuss them with coworkers, and come back with better questions…



COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT



Build community engagement skills with new self-paced LiFT courses [WebJunction]

  *   Introduction to Community Engagement—Learn foundational concepts and practical approaches for making community engagement part of everyday library work.
  *   Community Engagement for Leaders—Explore how library leaders can support and strengthen community engagement across their organizations.



Community engagement is the work of everyone at the library. It is an ongoing practice of listening, learning, building relationships, and working alongside community members to help the library better serve everyone. Enroll in the courses and start building practical community engagement skills you can put to work right away. Click to enroll<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/learn.webjunction.org/course/index.php?categoryid=134__;!!EAPaXxOOW7smCwU!gIc4DKSKZ_LGftlSEQmZ4SAPNwXKnc7ai4TrupLRDTHeKVYu6BAxEuZ1f90kXjBL59ypnBkx0xYxRmaTLotV9ZX9rac$> in the courses or read this article<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.webjunction.org/news/webjunction/community-engagement-skills-LiFT.html__;!!EAPaXxOOW7smCwU!gIc4DKSKZ_LGftlSEQmZ4SAPNwXKnc7ai4TrupLRDTHeKVYu6BAxEuZ1f90kXjBL59ypnBkx0xYxRmaTLotVh-ipzH8$> to learn more.



How to Host a Job Fair at Your Library [WebJunction] Tuesday, October 13 from 12-1 | Register for How to Host a Job Fair<https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/host-job-fair.html>



Public libraries are uniquely positioned to support workforce development and connect job seekers with meaningful employment opportunities. This session will guide attendees through the process of planning, promoting, and executing a successful job fair at their library.



EBOOKS

eGO CT and the Palace Project - eBooks for K12 Schools [DLD Workshop] Thursday, October 15 from 12:30-1:30 | Register for eGO CT and the Palace Project<https://cslib.libcal.com/calendar/ce/eGO>

Join us for an introduction to Palace for K12s which we will begin rolling out this fall. Learn about the collection, authentication, methods, and how your school can connect to the Connecticut State Library collection.

MANAGEMENT

Tools For Teams in Turmoil: Getting Along and Getting Their Best<https://www.library20.com/safetysecurityaccess/tools-for-teams-in-turmoil> [Library 2.0] Thursday, October 15 from 2-3 | Contact Gail.Hurley at ct.gov<mailto:Gail.Hurley at ct.gov> for the registration link.

There are five themes to team success in the library workspace: Well-functioning teams have learned to tolerate each other. They don’t have to love or even like each other, but they must know how to co-exist; Managers and supervisors need to be ready to intervene and use collaboration tools when individual employees are not getting along; High-performing teams stay that way because they use Ground Rules…

Transitioning from a Peer to Supervisor or Manager [PCI Webinars] Wednesday, October 28 from 2-3 | Register for Transitioning from a Peer to Supervisor or Manager<https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/9617799927872/WN_US6fiE_rRVutL9K9_8Spww>

Going from desk mates, program buddies, and collection maintenance collaborators to a manager or supervisor can be a big shift in the workplace dynamic. Change comes difficulty to most people; however, it is the only constant we truly have. So now you must embrace the change and learn about your team to establish how to gain buy-in. How do you build trust in you as the leader? In this informative session, you will learn tips on how to get to know your team, build on their strengths, support them along with your library’s mission, and establish the balance of being a friend and a manager.

REFERENCE

Court Services and Legal Reference for Librarians [In-person DLD Workshop] Wednesday, October 21 from 10-11:30 | Register for Court Services and Legal Reference<https://cslib.libcal.com/event/16872858>

This in-person presentation at the Middletown Library Service Center will provide an overview of the services provided by the Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries and Court Service Centers.  We will review the organization of the courts and the special sessions of the Superior Court.  We will offer strategies for finding information on the Judicial Branch website, including how to find available forms, publications, and FAQs.  We will also cover where to find self-help videos, information on the Judicial Branch’s Volunteer Attorney Program, and other free legal clinics and resources.

SELF-CARE

Mental Fitness for Librarians: Tools for Emotional Resilience [PCI Webinars] Wednesday, October 14 from 2-3 | Register for Mental Fitness for Librarians<https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/1517799910297/WN_4r2TjYF3SNueItyqgbl0bA>

Library work in 2026 requires more emotional agility than ever. From navigating challenging patron interactions to managing digital overload and constant roleshifting, librarians are carrying a heavy cognitive and emotional load. This interactive workshop introduces the concept of mental fitness—the daily practices that strengthen focus, emotional regulation, and resilience. Participants will explore the science behind stress, learn practical tools for staying grounded during difficult moments, and build personalized strategies they can use on the job.

YOUTH SERVICES

Lessons Learned: Intentional Early Literacy Outreach to Hispanohablantes  [PCI Webinars] Wednesday, October 7 from 2-3 | Register for Lessons Learned<https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5217799900503/WN_R58WkRnRRmqhk0tOifQl_A>

In 2023, Arapahoe Libraries began a project to engage Spanish-speaking families in early literacy services and library resources. Learn how an outreach initiative inspired an outreach pilot program to connect with hispanohablantes. This pilot, launched in collaboration with language and mobile library services, continued through 2024 with great success. We are excited to share our newfound best practices for reducing barriers and connecting with underserved communities.
Youth Services Critical Conversations [DLD Workshop] Thursday, October 8 from 1-2 | Register for Youth Services Critical Conversations<https://cslib.libcal.com/event/17573699>

Relationship-building, professional learning cohorts, and idea sharing are integral ways for library staff to stay inspired, engaged, innovative, and intentional. To this end, the Division of Library Development will begin to hold Youth Services Critical Conversations to serve as an informal and open-ended opportunity for Youth Services folks in Connecticut to connect, talk, idea-share, and build community.

Reaching Middle Schoolers Through Outreach [DLD Workshop] Thursday, October 15 from 11-12 | Register for Reaching Middle Schoolers<https://cslib.libcal.com/event/17346622>

Outreach to teens can often be high effort with minimal results, especially when you have limited time and resources. However, strategic shifts in your outreach practices can increase your return on investment, and focusing on middle schoolers is a great way to draw more teens into your library. In this session we will explore different models of outreach to middle schools, create a flexible “menu” of outreach options, and go over tips and tricks for working with your public schools. Participants will leave with a toolbox filled with ideas to hopefully make middle school outreach manageable and sustainable.

Youth Mental Health First Aid with Hartford HealthCare [DLD Workshop] Thursday, October 22 from 8:30-4 NOTE: Registration Deadline is October 8 | Register for Youth Mental Health First Aid<https://cslib.libcal.com/event/17654949>

Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18. Mental Health First Aid covers common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges in this age group, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD); common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges; how to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis; how to connect the youth with help; expanded content on trauma, substance use, self-care and the impact of social media and bullying.

Join Our Partnership with Girls Who Code! [DLD Workshop] Friday, October 23 from 12-1 | Register for Partnership with Girls Who Code<https://cslib.libcal.com/event/17617259>

The CT State Library has partnered with Girls Who Code to bring free computer science opportunities to girls and nonbinary students across our communities and would love for your school or library to host a Club! Join the CT State Library and our Girls Who Code Community Partner Manager Michaela Burger to learn more about the program and resources available to partners (like a facilitator toolkit and meeting guides) in this deep dive demonstration.

~


For other 2026 events, please visit the Continuing Education Calendar <https://cslib.libcal.com/>



For any questions, please contact Gail Hurley at Gail.Hurley at ct.gov<mailto:Gail.Hurley at ct.gov> or
860-704-2223


CT State Library is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
© 2016 CT State Library. All rights reserved.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://mylist.net/archives/casl-l/attachments/20260929/ba0af479/attachment-0001.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image003.png
Type: image/png
Size: 154746 bytes
Desc: image003.png
URL: <https://mylist.net/archives/casl-l/attachments/20260929/ba0af479/attachment-0001.png>