If you're looking to save time and automate time-consuming processes, Python can help! Python is a programming language that can help make your life easier by automating workflows and metadata management processes. This course will cover how to get started with Python, how to use the basics of the language to write simple scripts, and how to use the the PyMARC library of code to automate library-specific tasks.

* This course is eligible for micro-credentialing (optional) - What is micro-credentialing?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is estimated to affect 1 in 44 children in the U.S. and to be present across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Librarians will benefit from learning about modifications that can enhance the library experience for individuals on the autism spectrum. This workshop will provide librarians across settings with a greater understanding of ASD as well as strategies for communicating more effectively with such patrons.

The National Alliance of Mental Illness estimates that one in five children, teens, and adults suffer from a mental illness. With libraries functioning as a hub of the communities they support, library professionals must be prepared to serve patrons struggling with mental health needs.

Library of Congress Classification (LC), a classification system used by many academic and special libraries, can be perplexing even to seasoned cataloging staff. This course will provide an overview of the structure of the Library of Congress Classification system and offer helpful resources for developing comfort and expertise with the system.

Do you deal with library data or metadata? Perhaps in your library catalog records, digital repository metadata, or even spreadsheets? As the amount of data we deal with grows, so do the errors and inconsistencies in that data, resulting in the manual correction of these issues becoming even more time consuming. To help you with your data clean-up needs, this course will review OpenRefine, the software which allows users to quickly view, identify inconsistencies in, and enhance a variety of data.

Does a book on houseplants go into gardening (635.9), botany (581.6), or interior decorating (747)? Librarians responsible for cataloging and classifying often encounter and similar dilemmas when processing new materials. Whether new to cataloging or just in need of a refresher, this review of Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) basics will help catalogers feel more comfortable using the classification scheme.

Do you want to do more with your MARC records? Are you looking for an easy way to add or delete fields, split a batch of records into several groups, or extract particular fields to create a report? This course will walk you through how to do all of these tasks and more, starting with the basics of how to download and install the free MarcEdit software.

* This course is eligible for micro-credentialing (optional) - What is micro-credentialing?

Special metadata projects often require specialized vocabularies beyond the Library of Congress Subject Headings. Many libraries are now supplementing their MARC records with terms from other thesauri. This course covers taxonomy design and development of controlled vocabularies. Topics include types of controlled vocabularies, taxonomy planning, and design, structure and relationships in a taxonomy, and taxonomy management and maintenance.

In an era of rapid technological advancements and evolving user expectations, libraries face the ongoing challenge of staying relevant and engaged with their communities. Design thinking, a human-centered approach to problem-solving, offers a powerful framework for librarians and staff to foster innovation and create exceptional user experiences. After reviewing the concept and theory behind design thinking, take a deep dive into each step of the process through discussions and exercises.

Effective communication is often what sets great leaders apart. Through listening, questioning, and refining, managers can assertively provide direction and effective feedback to staff. Learn about the importance of non-verbal communication, active listening techniques, how to influence others, and having difficult conversations with your staff.