2025-26 Continuing Education

This course introduces the basics of interpersonal relations, communication, and teamwork. Emphasis is on providing excellence in customer service and effective communication in real life library situations. The course will consist of 9 weekly webinars with homework assignments, readings, a team project, and a final exam on week 10. This meets the requirements for LSSCP certification and is a core course.

Trainer: Michele Jones and Brittany Whitfield, Library Development

Cost: $200.00 per participant for Louisiana public library staff | $300.00 for others

This course will focus on supervision and management themes, including personnel employment laws, staff development planning, policies and procedures, short and long-range planning, managing interpersonal relationships, staff evaluation, basic marketing concepts, budgeting, and team building. There will be assignments and opportunities for interaction. This course may be taken in conjunction with LSSC or as a standalone.

Trainer: Kelly LaRocca, Associate State Librarian, and Giovanni Tairov, Deputy State Librarian

Cost: $200.00 per participant for Louisiana public library staff | $300.00 for others

Improve your aim in targeting the needs of your library’s patrons. This session offers step-by-step guidance to help you conduct a good reference interview.

Trainer: Reference Department

Cost: $15.00 per participant

Dates/Times: Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Join Ryan Patrick of Counting Opinions as he breaks down how to create and manage reports using Louisiana Library's new data collection software.

Have you ever wondered why a routine interaction suddenly becomes tense or emotionally charged? This webinar explores how stress, emotions, and mental health can influence behavior and communication in library settings. Through practical examples and interactive reflection, participants will gain tools to respond with confidence, reduce conflict, and foster positive patron experiences.

Trainer:, Aaron Anderson, Licensed Master Social Worker

Cost: $15.00 per participant

Dates/Times: Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Want to help your patrons discover their family history but not sure where to begin? Join us for an introductory webinar on Ancestry Library Edition, one of the most powerful genealogy research tools available through libraries. This beginner-friendly session will provide an overview of the platform's features and demonstrate how to search historical records, census data, military records, immigration documents, and more. Participants will learn basic search strategies, tips for evaluating records, and techniques for building a family history research plan. Whether you're just beginning your genealogy journey or looking to become more familiar with Ancestry Library Edition, this webinar will equip you with the skills and confidence needed to start exploring your family's past.

Trainer: Samuel Ayers, Louisiana Collection

Cost: $15.00 per participant

Date/Time: Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Join fellow library staff for an informal roundtable focused on children’s services. Held in September, this is a space to share ideas, ask questions, and talk through challenge. Whether you're new to the field or have years of experience, all are welcome to join the conversation.

Trainer: Addyson Smith, Library Development

Cost: Free of charge

Dates/Times: Thursday, September 24, 2026, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

This course introduces the basics of library technology. General technology concepts will be explained in relation to their use and applicability to the library field. The course will consist of 10 weekly webinars with homework assignments, readings, a project, and a final exam. This fulfills a required competency for the LSSC program, although anyone can take the course. All activities will be online. It is required that the students have basic computer skills including the ability to use email, search the Web, save a file, open a file, attach a file, use MS Word, and search a library catalog.

Trainer: Riley Bordelon, Information Technology and Brittany Whitfield, Library Development

Maximum class size: 15

Cost: $200.00 per participant for Louisiana public library staff | $300.00 for others

Difficult interactions can arise in any library setting. This webinar equips frontline library staff with practical strategies to recognize early signs of escalation, communicate effectively during challenging situations, and maintain professional boundaries. Participants will gain tools to reduce conflict, promote safety, and respond with confidence in public service environments.

Trainer:, Aaron Anderson, Licensed Master Social Worker

Cost: $15.00 per participant

Dates/Times: Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Does it feel like A.I. is popping up everywhere you look and you need a little help navigating? In this session, participants will review terminology, basic function, and possible problems in the use of generative AI.

Trainer: Reference Department

Cost: $15.00 per participant

Dates/Times: Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Ready to help your patrons discover their family history using one of the world's largest free genealogy resources? Join us for an introductory webinar on FamilySearch, a powerful platform that provides access to billions of historical records from around the globe. This beginner-friendly session will introduce participants to the website's key features, including searching historical records, building a family tree, accessing digitized collections, and utilizing research tools and resources. Attendees will learn effective search techniques, best practices for documenting family connections, and strategies for overcoming common genealogy research challenges.

Trainer: Samuel Ayers, Louisiana Collection

Cost: $15.00 per participant

Date/Time: Thursday, October 1, 2026, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

This is a day-long conference for administrators to explore solutions to problems in Louisiana's public library management. Conference will feature guest speakers and a roundtable to discuss emergent issues and changes in the library landscape.