Your voice matters: Take the solo library worker survey

The Association for Rural & Small Library’s national research project on solo librarians is nearly complete — and the final piece is hearing from you. If you work in a public library in a solo or solo-ish capacity, we invite you to take our 20-minute survey on barriers to professional development, leadership, and community connection. 

Every response helps build a stronger, more supported future for solo library workers nationwide. Plus, all participants will be entered to win a $100 gift card from Libro.fm, South Carolina Chic, or Bookshop.org.

Take the survey

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Beyond the branch: Lessons from taking library outreach to underserved communities

Arapahoe Libraries in Colorado share their experience providing outreach services to Hispanohablantes, (a group or community whose first language is Spanish or Castilian Spanish) who may never have used a library in the US or their home country. Their responsive and persistent efforts yielded new library patrons! Read on for their tips on effective outreach efforts. 

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Every arrow in the quiver: Toledo Lucas County Public Library’s engagement strategy hits the mark

WebJunction recently sat down with Terri Carroll, Director of Communications and Design at Toledo Lucas County Public Library, to talk about the strategies her team uses to drive engagement. We were impressed with their 20,000 new library card signups in 2025, but Terri says that’s just one piece of the puzzle.

Here are some of the biggest takeaways from our conversation: 

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Free May webinars for library staff

It's a great time to put a learning opportunity on your calendar, and you'll have plenty of choices this month. Whether you're looking to pick up some programming ideas, sharpen your technology skills, or gather tips on curating a digital collection, there's something here to support your growth. The list, provided by the Maine State Library, includes a variety of webinar topics.

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Bring the American Conversation Project to your community

This summer, public libraries across the country are invited to join the American Conversation Project (ACP) — a national initiative bringing communities together to share stories and strengthen civic bonds ahead of America's 250th anniversary. Sign up by May 29. 

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Building a vibrant online community: Social media tips to engage and inspire

Whether you love social media or have a more complicated relationship with it, it can be a powerful tool to connect with your community and tell the library’s story. It can even be fun! This article offers practical tips for using social media to promote your library, engage your community, stay creative—and maybe even find some joy along the way.

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Bring the American Conversation Project to your community

This summer, public libraries across the country are invited to join the American Conversation Project (ACP) — a national initiative bringing communities together to share stories and strengthen civic bonds ahead of America's 250th anniversary. Sign up by May 29. 

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Finding your voice: Public speaking tips for library staff

Effective written communication is a great tool in every library staffer’s tool belt. Often called business writing, professional communication includes emails to the director, letters to patrons, press releases, and policy recommendations. The second article in our library communications series provides tips and strategies for planning effective, compelling written communication for your intended audience. 

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Strengthen cataloging skills with new LiFT course series

WebJunction is excited to announce the publication of three new LiFT (Library Foundational Training) courses to complete the new Library Catalog series.

These courses are part of the LiFT program of free, on-demand courses created to give staff and volunteers practical skills, build confidence, and strengthen foundational library knowledge. These four courses cover the basics of library catalogs and cataloging that all library staff should know. They are a great starting point for anyone seeking to learn more about this topic. 

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Strengthen cataloging skills with new LiFT course series

WebJunction is excited to announce the publication of three new LiFT (Library Foundational Training) courses to complete the new Library Catalog series.

These courses are part of the LiFT program of free, on-demand courses created to give staff and volunteers practical skills, build confidence, and strengthen foundational library knowledge. These four courses cover the basics of library catalogs and cataloging that all library staff should know. They are a great starting point for anyone seeking to learn more about this topic. 

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Considering AI in your collection policy: A practical framework for libraries

AI is shaking up publishing, and staff at Salt Lake County Library shared their proactive approach in a recent WebJunction Webinar. The main takeaway: libraries cannot ignore AI-generated content. Instead, they must engage with it intentionally.

By grounding decisions in mission, developing collection policies based on that mission, prioritizing transparency and quality, and remaining flexible as technology evolves, libraries can continue to provide trusted access to information while adapting to a rapidly changing publishing landscape.

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Say it loud, say it clear: Writing for everyday library communication

Effective written communication is a great tool in every library staffer’s tool belt. Often called business writing, professional communication includes emails to the director, letters to patrons, press releases, and policy recommendations. The second article in our library communications series provides tips and strategies for planning effective, compelling written communication for your intended audience. 

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Research-based Information and Media Literacy Resource Hub Launched

Empowering Informed Communities (EIC), a project of the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public (CIP), has released an updated website with research-based media and information literacy resources and tools for public libraries. EIC publishes implementation-ready, patron-facing programs and provides professional development events and materials for library staff. The project partners with OCLC’s WebJunction, experts in public library professional development. WebJunction is helping to refine the project’s resources and produce professional development webinars based on CIP research.

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Introduction to the Library Catalog: New course from LiFT

Introduction to the Library Catalog, the newest course in the LiFT (Library Foundational Training) program, kicks off the four-course Library Catalog Series coming in the next few months. This course walks the learner through what a library catalog is, its purpose, and how it is essential to providing core library services, such as reliable access to collections.

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Understanding WCAG: Making digital spaces welcoming for everyone

Libraries work hard to make sure everyone in their community can find and use the resources they need. That commitment extends to the digital world, too, but figuring out where to start with web accessibility can feel overwhelming. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), can help clarify what accessible digital content in your library looks like. These guidelines build on previous standards and reflect the needs of users with a wide range of disabilities, including cognitive, motor, and visual differences.

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WebJunction wrap-up: Your 2025 library learning priorities

As the New Year gets underway, many of us are looking back on what we did and where we want to go next. At WebJunction, that reflection has a practical purpose: helping us plan for what comes next. We looked at what learning content you engaged with most—what topics seemed most urgent, where we saw the highest enrollment, and which webinars sparked the most interest. Together, this tells us what’s top of mind for you across the library field and help guide how we shape learning opportunities in the year ahead.

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Building reference skills with LiFT: The reference interview

The Reference Interview, the newest course in the Library Foundational Training (LiFT) program, introduces learners to the reference interview, a service that library staff can provide to connect with users and meet their information needs. This on-demand course prepares learners to confidently approach reference work with clarity, empathy, and practical strategies they can use right away.

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Clear, confident communication for your library

In our world of information overload, it can be difficult to cut through the noise and effectively connect with library users and stakeholders on important messaging. Whether you're promoting a new program or event, providing statements of library value to board members or voters, connecting with potential partners about a new community initiative, or answering a patron's email, these six tips can help set you up for success to communicate clearly and effectively to all the audiences that your library reaches.

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Little Tea Library creates a café-like atmosphere

Do you have an old card catalog gathering dust in a storage closet? The Bay St. Louis Library in the Hancock County Library System in Mississippi put its old card catalog to good use by turning it into a tea library. This creative approach to repurposing outdated furniture into a new community space helps connect people, reaffirm the library’s place as a community hub, and establish a comfy, inviting café. 

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Quick wins to boost engagement with passive programming

Passive programming can be a win on so many levels—cost, staff time, return on investment, a multi-generational grand slam. The very passive nature of it means it is defined by how patrons engage with it. Passive programming invites opinions, creativity, and humor while creating community.  Read on for ideas you can try right away.

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