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June 2026 Workshops and Webinars
The Connecticut State Library Division of Library Development is sharing the following learning opportunities for June. We hope you’ll
join us for one or more!
Click on the June training topics below:
ACCESSIBILITY
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
CT LAWS FOR LIBRARIES
DATA
MENTAL HEALTH
READERS ADVISORY
REFERENCE
STEM
SUPERVISORS
TEENS
TIME MANAGEMENT / EFFICIENCY
WELLNESS
SPOTLIGHT ON…NICHE ACADEMY!
ACCESSIBILITY
TIAL: Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Beginner)
with Kathy MacMillan [DLD Workshop] Next session Monday, June 1 from 1-2 | Note: Recordings of this series will be made available in the
CT State Library Niche Academy.
Learn how to improve your service to deaf patrons in this interactive six-part series. We'll cover basic information about American Sign Language and Deaf Culture, as well as specific
vocabulary for the library setting. Each session will build on those before it to reinforce your knowledge and expand your ability to communicate with members of the Deaf community, and you’ll get plenty of interactive signing practice!
Register for Session 5 of Live ASL Practice
Monday, June 1 from 1-2
Register for Session 6 of Live ASL Practice
Monday, June 8 from 1-2
AI and Accessibility
[Library 2.0] Friday, June 5 from 2-3 | Contact Gail.Hurley@ct.gov
for registration information.
What should librarians know about AI and accessibility? This webinar goes beyond accommodation to explore how AI tools can support agency and inclusion for people with disabilities.
See real examples across vision, hearing, cognitive, and physical access — from smart glasses and auto-captioning to AI chatbots. Leave with practical strategies for your library or campus.
Designing Accessible Slide Decks
[Niche Academy Webinar]
Wednesday, June 17 from 2-3 |
Register for Designing Accessible Slide Decks
Join Melissa Wong to take a deep dive into creating accessible slide decks. Participants will learn to use layout and reading order to create a slide deck that is compatible with
screen readers and then learn to select and implement (or remediate) a slide design that supports visual and cognitive accessibility.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
AI for Archiving
[Library 2.0] Tuesday, June 2 from 2-3:30 | Contact Gail.Hurley@ct.gov
for registration information.
Archives and special collections face unprecedented challenges and opportunities as artificial intelligence transforms how we preserve, process, and provide access to historical
materials. This workshop addresses the practical realities archivists and special collections librarians encounter when integrating AI tools into their workflows—from appraisal and accessioning to metadata creation and public engagement… The workshop emphasizes
objective-centered practices that archivists can implement immediately in their institutions. Participants will learn how to use AI tools to generate preliminary finding aids, create descriptive metadata, analyze collection strengths for appraisal decisions,
and develop interpretive materials for exhibits and digital collections…
AI and Accessibility
[Library 2.0] Friday, June 5 from 2-3 | Contact Gail.Hurley@ct.gov
for registration information.
What should librarians know about AI and accessibility? This webinar goes beyond accommodation to explore how AI tools can support agency and inclusion for people with disabilities.
See real examples across vision, hearing, cognitive, and physical access — from smart glasses and auto-captioning to AI chatbots. Leave with practical strategies for your library or campus.
Vibe Coding for Beginners
[Library 2.0] Friday,
June 12 from 2-3:15 | Contact Gail.Hurley@ct.gov
for registration information.
This session is designed for information professionals who want to create dynamic digital experiences—without needing a coding background. Learn how to turn library statistics
and information literacy content into beautiful, accessible interactives. We’ll demonstrate how these can be created using natural-language prompts in a few beginner-friendly “vibe-coding” tools. We’ll walk through how these tools work, what they’re good at
(and not so good at), and how to iterate from a rough draft to something you can actually use.
10 Great Ways to Use
AI for Library Outreach [Library 2.0] Tuesday, June 16 from 2-3:30 | Contact
Gail.Hurley@ct.gov
for registration information.
Library outreach requires creativity, consistency, and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences—yet librarians often face constraints of time, budget, and
staffing that make sustained outreach efforts challenging. This workshop introduces ten practical applications of artificial intelligence tools that can enhance library outreach without replacing the human expertise and community knowledge that make library
programs successful…
CT LAWS FOR LIBRARIES
Information Session on the Newest Laws to be Aware of to Better Serve the Public
[Secretary of the State] Wednesday June 17 from 10:30-11:30 and Monday, June 29 from 1-2
Please join the Secretary of the State for a virtual Information Session on the Newest Laws to be Aware of to Better Serve the Public.
Register for
the June 17 Information Session on Newest Laws
Register for
the June 29 Information Session on Newest Laws
DATA
How to Swim in a Sea of Data: Data Literacy for Libraries and Nonprofit Organizations
[Niche Academy Webinar]
Wednesday, June 3 from 2-3 | Register
for How to Swim in a Sea of Data
In this webinar, Karen Drill and Linda Hofschire share how data literacy supports everyday tasks at libraries and nonprofits, such as evaluating programs, understanding community
needs, telling compelling stories, and strengthening proposals for funding.
MENTAL HEALTH
Supporting Community Mental Health in Libraries [NNLM Webinar] Thursday, June 4 from 1-2 |
Register for Supporting Community Mental
Health in Libraries
https://www.nnlm.gov/training/class/supporting-community-mental-health-libraries
Featuring St. David’s Foundation and RAND, this webinar provides insight from the partners of the Libraries for Health initiative that launched in Central Texas in 2022.
The Libraries for Health pilot was created to respond to rural communities' need for adequate mental health resources and mental health care provider shortages. As libraries continue to play a critical role as a community hub for health, delivery of mental
health for conditions such as depression and anxiety is reimagined.
The Power of Respect Framework
[Library 2.0] Thursday, June 11 from 2-3 | Contact Gail.Hurley@ct.gov
for registration information.
Libraries are public spaces where staff regularly interact with people experiencing stress, frustration, emotional crisis, mental health challenges, social isolation, and the effects
of trauma. These interactions can quickly become tense, especially during policy enforcement or emotionally charged situations. At the same time, repeated exposure to difficult interactions can increase stress, frustration, and burnout among library staff.
This webinar presents how The Power of Respect Framework™ helps library staff apply trauma-informed principles in practical, everyday interactions with patrons…
READERS ADVISORY
Beyond the Dewey: Nonfiction Readers' Advisory for library staff
[WebJunction] Thursday, June 11 from 3-4 |
Register for Beyond the Dewey
This webinar introduces practical nonfiction reader’s advisory skills, including how to conduct a effective readers' advisory interview. Ideal for staff who want to feel more confident
helping readers cross the fiction–nonfiction divide.
REFERENCE
How PubMed Works: Introduction [NNLM]
Wednesday, June 10 from 2-3:30 |
Register for How PubMed Works
If you’re new to PubMed or just want a refresher, this 90-minute webinar is designed for you.
Court Services and Legal Reference for Librarians [DLD Workshop] Tuesday, June 16 from 10-11:30 in-person at
the Middletown Library Service Center | Register for Court Services and Legal Reference
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…
STEM
Region 7 Presents: Citizen Science At The Library For Homeschool Students
[NNLM Webinar] Tuesday, June 2 from 12-1 |
Register for Citizen Science
at the Library
In this one-hour panel presentation hear from partners who received Citizen Science Kits from NNLM Region 7 to learn how their libraries have used the kits to support science education
and programming with a focus on homeschoolers.
Science Across America – A new opportunity for libraries - Cohort 2 Kickoff webinar Thursday, June 11 at 4
| Information
and Registration for Science Across America
As America celebrates its 250-year anniversary, JJMI Tangled Bank Studios and STAR Net have launched a new campaign to help libraries highlight the history of scientific achievement
in our country, and the local connection to science in our communities.. Science Across America, the newest campaign from Spark of Science @ My Library invites libraries to showcase local scientific advances and scientists, engage your communities with focused
Community Dialogues, and host educational and inspirational activities that shine a light on the past, present and future of science in our lives. The deadline to register to be part of Cohort 2 is July 1st. Register and join in on the June 11th
kickoff webinar.
SUPERVISORS
The Intentional One-on-One Conversation
[PCI Webinars] Wednesday, June 24 from 2-3 |
Register for the Intentional One-on-One
Conversation
What if one-on-one meetings stopped feeling like another thing you’re supposed to do and started feeling like authentic leadership? In this 60-minute session, the presenter shares
practical insights to help supervisors hold one-on-one conversations with greater clarity, presence, and ease. Relevant for supervisors at any stage, you will be introduced to three core purposes of intentional one-on-one conversations: connection, direction,
and cultivation. Understanding these purposes helps supervisors build rapport through dialogue, provide clear direction, and support employee development.
TEENS
Creating a welcoming environment for teens: 7 must-haves to include in your teen space
[PCI Webinars]
Wednesday June 3, from 2-3 |
Register for Creating a Welcoming Environment
for Teens
Creating a teen space that is welcoming and relevant takes care, intentionality, and a budget doesn’t hurt. In this practical and idea-packed webinar, participants will explore essential
items every teen space could have to support connection, creativity, learning, and belonging. This session will highlight teen-centered elements that encourage teens to gather and see the library as their space.
TIME MANAGEMENT / EFFICIENCY
Organize Your Time for Better Task Management
[PCI Webinars]
Wednesday, June 17 from 2-3 | Register
for Organize Your Time
Librarians and library workers often wear many hats, and the tasks and projects we juggle can be overwhelming. The fast pace of a service desk might cause distractions; a complex
policy plan may seem too broad to break down. In this webinar, we will discuss the many tools and strategies available to help you with this necessary skill.
Efficiency by Design: Stories of Process Management in Libraries and Archives
[Niche Academy] Wednesday, June 24 from 2-3 |
Register
for Efficiency by Design
Efficiency isn’t just about numbers and charts. It’s also about people and their stories. Join Joy M. Perrin for a one-hour webinar that brings process management concepts to life
through real-world stories from libraries and archives. Each story highlights challenges, solutions, and outcomes that illustrate the practical steps any library or archive can take to streamline workflows, improve services, and reduce frustration…
WELLNESS
Managing Stress & Anxiety at Work - Practical Strategies for Library Employees
[PCI Webinars]
Wednesday, June 10 from 2-3 | Register
for Managing Stress & Anxiety at Work
Stress shows up in every workplace, even in libraries. Busy service desks, challenging interactions, shifting priorities, and constant multitasking can take a toll. This session
gives you the tools to stay steady, focused, and well-supported throughout the year.
SPOTLIGHT ON…NICHE ACADEMY!
All library staff in Connecticut have access to approximately
1000 self-paced tutorials and webinar recordings on a variety of topic areas through a DLD subscription to Niche Academy. A sample of new ones added this month are: Planning and Managing a Budget, Niche Academy Webinar – Practical Project Management,
Cybersecurity Policy Basics, and recordings from the May AI webinars from Library 2.0.
To access, go to the
State Library’s Niche Academy
and create a free account using your library email address. Then just use keyword searching to find a topic of interest or browse topic categories to the right side of the screen. For questions about Niche Academy, contact
Gail.Hurley@ct.gov .
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For other 2026 events, please visit the
Continuing Education Calendar
For any questions, please contact Gail Hurley at
Gail.Hurley@ct.gov
or
860-704-2223
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