From Clarisa:

For context, in the United States there are about 2.3 million incarcerated people (Sawyer & Wagner, 2020). Of those, 95% in prisons will be released. In North Carolina we have 54 state correctional facilities and about 32,000 inmates. Every year about 18,000 people are released. Research shows that incarcerated individuals who participate in prison education programs are 43% less likely to return to prison (National Institute of Justice, 2019), and those with lower literacy rates are more likely to recidivate upon release (Dunleavy, et al., 2008).

Public libraries across North Carolina can play a key role in this work by providing access to information, technology, and community connections. Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with people across the state doing impactful work, and to support those efforts through sharing information and engagement. It’s been a year of learning.

Navigating New Beginnings: Libraries, Reentry, and Community Partnership

In October I moderated a panel discussion at the 66th Biennial NCLA Conference, Navigating New Beginnings: Libraries, Reentry, and Community Partnerships with:

• Monica Artis, Transition Services Manager in the Rehabilitation and Reentry Division of the NC Department of Adult Correction

• Barbara Kidder, reentry coordinator at Oxford House

• Angi Polito, Community Navigator Lead and Social Worker at Randolph County Public Libraries

Our conversation highlighted how libraries can support reentry efforts in both direct and indirect ways. Anything from providing access to job resources and digital literacy support to sharing information about basic needs and local services.

The panelists emphasized the importance of connecting with Local Reentry Councils and developing partnerships through collaborative events and programs. They also noted that many library resources are not always visible or intuitive to someone entering a library for the first time. One simple suggestion was creating an information station or resource hub in library branches to make services more accessible.

2026 Rehabilitation and Reentry Conference

In support of Governor Josh Stein’s proclamation of April as Second Chance Month, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction hosted 2026 Rehabilitation and Reentry Conference. This was my second year attending and once again, it was an incredibly valuable experience. The sessions highlighted innovative work across the state and created space to connect with others in this field.

This year, First Lady Anna Stein moderated a panel discussion with currently incarcerated individuals participating in work release. They shared their experiences, what they have learned, and what they are most looking forward to after release. View recordings of selected sessions on NC DAC’s YouTube channel.

My key takeaways from the conference:

• Education and digital access are foundational to successful reentry.

• Reentry success depends on addressing the realities of incarceration’s impact on mental health and decision-making.

• Cross-sector partnerships are key to improving economic mobility and long-term outcomes.

Libraries have a clear role in this ecosystem through reentry resource fairs, digital literacy training, driver’s license restoration clinics, and potential partnerships with legal aid and social work programs.

Example: How ABLS at Library of NC Supports Reentry with Braille Transcription

Libraries across the state are engaging in meaningful work to support reentry efforts. One example comes from the Library of North Carolina’s Accessible Books and Library Services (ABLS), which partners with North Carolina Department of Adult Correction in a way that supports both accessibility and workforce development.

ABLS collaborates with Correction Enterprises’ Braille Transcription programs, where incarcerated individuals are trained and certified in Braille transcription through a Library of Congress curriculum. This work not only expands access to materials for patrons with visual impairments, but also provides participants with valuable, transferable job skills.

As Katie Guthrie from ABLS explains:

“Accessible Books and Library Services (ABLS) depends on reliable and accurate Braille transcription to supplement our collection with material of local North Carolina interest… Correction Enterprises allows us the opportunity to have books transcribed into Braille and made available in additional accessible formats.”

This partnership demonstrates how library services can intersect with reentry efforts, supporting incarcerated individuals in gaining specialized skills while also expanding access to information for the broader community.

Programs like the Braille Plant at North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women and Scotland Correctional Institution provide hands-on training and certification opportunities. Completing this yearlong Library of Congress program can open pathways to employment after release, particularly in fields where specialized skills are in demand.

Ways to get started

Collaborate

In addition to creating resource hubs within the library, look for opportunities to share library resource information with allied organizations that support reentry. One example is the county-by-county directory of services maintained by the nonprofit Our Journey. Libraries wishing to be included on local resource lists can submit information to be included on the county resources.

For more information, please reach out to Justin Moore, the Director of Operations for Our Journey.

Participate in a re-entry simulation

The Library of NC and NC Department of Adult Correction will host two reentry simulations at libraries in North Carolina. These simulations offer a hands-on opportunity to better understand the barriers individuals face when reentering society and how libraries can respond.

• August 20^th : Buncombe County Libraries, East Asheville Library

• August 27^th: Neuse Regional Libraries, Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library

Who should attend: Library staff, library trustees and board, and community partners (literacy councils, local reentry councils)

Find additional simulation sessions and registration details on the NC DAC website.

Volunteer

Library staff can also support reentry work directly through the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction’s online volunteer program.

Learn more

To learn more about supporting reentry, contact Clarisa Arguello.

Weeding Popular Materials Collections with Karen Toonen

Wednesday, May 6^th from 12:30 – 1:30pm EST

Register

When it comes to books, we all like to buy! However, selecting materials is only half of the collection development process. Book hoarding does not create a useful collection. Weeding, or deselecting materials, must receive equal and continuous attention as selection to have a truly patron driven collection that serves its community.

As increasing demands tax libraries’ limited resources, every item in a physical collection must justify its shelf space; while every item, both physical and digital, vies for patrons’ time and attention. We’ll discuss practical advice for weeing popular materials collections for youth or adults across formats. Along the way, I’ll debunk some popular weeding excuses.

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• articulate to internal and external stakeholders that weeding equally as important as important to selection to collection development

• implement logical, rigorous weeding doctrines within their popular materials collections

• weed to create space for new collections, highlight materials, and increase circulation with confidence

• promote patron driven collection policies and revitalize collections

Who will Benefit from this Program:

• All staff that interact with the collection and the public

• Staff who select for the collection

• Staff who maintain the collection

Get Smart About Emotional Intelligence: Enhance Your Effectiveness with Laura Greco

Wednesday, May 6^th from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

Register

Emotional intelligence (EI) is being able to perceive, interpret, and respond to your emotions and those of others. It is crucial for working collaboratively and effectively and having difficult conversations.

People with more emotional intelligence tend to be more resilient, better decision makers, more effective leaders, better communicators, have more self-awareness and self-control, and more success in life overall.

The good news is that EI can be learned and developed. Discover how to harness the power of emotions for more effective interactions!

As a result of this program attendees will:

• define emotional intelligence and describe its 4 domains

• explain the benefits of emotional intelligence in the workplace

• describe 4 ways you can improve your EI

You’re Not a Social Worker, But…with Bryanta Spencer

Wednesday, May 13^th from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

Register

While library staff are not trained social workers, they are often placed in situations that require empathy, de-escalation, and informed referrals due to the growing complex behavioral, and social-emotional needs within their branch communities.

This webinar is designed to provide practical, realistic tools that library professionals can use within their role and scope, without expecting them to replace trained clinicians or social service providers.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Communicate with patrons using empathy while maintaining professional boundaries

• Recognize and manage personal bias, stress reactions, and emotional triggers

• Build and leverage relationships to connect patrons with appropriate community resources

Who will benefit from this program: This training is ideal for library staff, customer service representatives, frontline professionals, supervisors, and administrators who regularly interact with the public and encounter patrons experiencing mental/emotional distress, crisis, or other complex life challenges.

Cataloging for Non-Catalogers with Christopher Hill, McKenna Leckrone, and Jessica C. Williams

Wednesday, May 20^th from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

Register

Wherever you work in the library, knowledge of some basic cataloging will enhance and improve your skills in library work. This will serve as a brief introduction to cataloging for non-catalogers and will help you to understand cataloging’s purpose, its goals, and some of its terminology, especially the changes you may have been seeing with the implementation of RDA recently.

Join catalogers Christopher Hill, McKenna Leckrone and Jessica C. Williams for an hour of focus on the catalog and bibliographic records. MARC may seem intimidating, but there are rules and guidelines that help catalogers create bibliographic records that make it possible for you and patrons to find the exact material you are looking for.

As a result of this program, attendees will learn:

• The catalog from both staff and user view

• Bibliographic records

• The ins and outs of MARC

• Authority records

Who will benefit from this program:

• All staff that interacts with Patrons

• All Circulation Staff Members

• Technical Services staff not directly cataloging

Bots, Books and Bedtime Stories: Spotting AI-Generated Books in Children’s Collections with Kira Smith

Wednesday, May 27^th from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

Register

Children’s librarians are on the front lines of a rapidly shifting landscape, as generative AI enters children’s publishing and AI-generated books increasingly appear on Amazon, self-publishing platforms, and from library vendors. These titles can be difficult to identify, often mimicking traditional authorship, illustration styles, and series branding while lacking transparency about their creation. This trend raises concerns about the veracity of library collections.

This webinar will equip librarians and selectors with practical tools to critically evaluate children’s books for signs of AI generation. Participants will explore real-world examples, discuss ethical and collection development implications, and learn strategies for making informed, defensible decisions that support quality, authenticity, and trust in children’s literature collections.

As a result of this program, attendees will learn how to:

• Identify four common indicators of AI-generated children’s books in print and digital collections.

• Distinguish between acceptable AI-assisted creation and fully AI-generated content when reviewing titles for purchase or retention.

• Make informed, defensible collection decisions using professional standards.

Who will benefit from this program:

• Children’s and Youth Services Librarians

• Collection Development Librarians

• School Librarians and Media Specialists

• Library Administrators developing AI policy

  ---

Presented by Carla Gordon, Director of Provo City Library

May 5, 2026 | 11:00 AM ET

Evaluating library services can be a daunting task for administrators. This presentation outlines how one library put numbers to every program, service, and collection using statistics already available. Then, that data was used to identify areas needing changes. An efficiency audit was also required of every employee with an emphasis on discovering personal insights to where time and resources were being spent. This process was a valuable source of information when there was no money for outside consultants or an expensive impact study. Lessons learned along with steps for any library of any size to adapt the process to their particular needs will be shared.

Register

How to Create a Patron-Centered Administration

Presented by Amy Resh and Robbin Degeratu

May 12, 2026 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET

Do you want to take your library’s customer service to the next level? If so, this session is for you. We’ll share a step-by-step overview of how libraries have overhauled their customer service philosophy and elevated the patron experience from questioning and conflict to collaboration and coming to a consensus to find solutions.

We’ll dig into how we created staff-driven library service success via innovation and leadership to pursue customer service excellence. In addition to sharing our own experiences, we’ll share our best tips for gaining buy-in from trustees, staff, patrons, and even those “responsibility warriors”! At the end of the webinar, attendees will:

• Develop a customer service philosophy.

• Identify issues preventing a library from becoming patron-centered.

• Discover culture-changing questions to ask.

• Determine steps for planning and implementation.

• Learn a three-step approach to shifting the organization to a patron-centered outcome.

  Register

Intellectual Freedom in Crisis: Moral Panics, Censorship and the Cost to Library Workers

Presented by Sonya Schryer Norris

May 22, 2026 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET

This presentation examines coordinated censorship campaigns and their impact on library workers. We'll look at historical patterns of moral panics, current legislative threats, and the occupational trauma facing staff during this crisis.

Register

Managing Up: A Guide to Cultivating an Effective Relationship with Your Supervisor

Presented by Sonya Schryer Norris

May 29, 2026 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET

This session provides concrete strategies for building effective relationships with supervisors. Participants learn how to align goals with leadership priorities, communicate effectively, and disagree strategically—essential skills for navigating workplace challenges.

Register

Library Workers Day is a time to highlight and reflect on the numerous ways library staff use their skills and expertise to impact lives everyday. Today we are celebrating library workers throughout North Carolina by sharing some quick facts.

• There are over 8,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs created by libraries in North Carolina:

  • 3,432 FTE public library staff

  • 2,857 FTE academic library staff

  • 1,951 FTE school librarians

The Library of North Carolina collects annual statistical reports from state aid supported public libraries and last year, NC public library staff on average:

• answered 1,329 information requests per staff member,

• managed 18,862 check-outs of library materials per staff member,

• welcomed 6,483 community visitors per staff member,

and so much more behind the scenes making sure facilities are safe and clean, materials are available and technology is accessible. Many thanks for all the work you do!

The NC Cardinal Annual Staff Survey will go live in May. Announcements will be posted on Basecamp and via email. The survey helps us plan our service and training for the upcoming fiscal year. The more people who respond, especially front-line staff who we may not hear from as often, the more useful the results are.

Updates to the OPAC are in the works!

As we look ahead to future projects, we hope to make changes to the Public Access Catalog. To do so, we are seeking feedback from patrons. A survey, aimed at patrons, will go live in the OPAC by the end of this month. This short form should take less than 2 minutes to fill out, and will help us understand who uses the OPAC, how, and what tweaks might make their experience better. Look for a banner in the OPAC announcing the survey, and encourage your patrons to take it.

Changes to the Knowledge Books

The NC Cardinal team is continuing our ongoing efforts to improve the documentation in the Knowledge Books. We have redeveloped the Bibliographic Cataloging documentation to exist in a standalone book titled “Cataloging Bibliographic Records”. Keep an eye on the books for more changes and new content. And please share feedback!

New Libraries Joining NC Cardinal Next Year

NC Cardinal is growing! Over the course of the next year we will be welcoming several new library systems to the Nest!

• Camden County Library: joining NC Cardinal in June 2026.

• Currituck County Library: joining NC Cardinal in June 2026.

• Dare County Library: joining NC Cardinal in June 2026.

• Pasquotank County Library: joining NC Cardinal in June 2026.

• Chatham County Library: joining NC Cardinal in November 2026.

Upcoming training opportunities

April Training

Reports 101: Cataloging and Bibliographic Record Reports

This 2-hour webinar will take a close look at Bibliographic Record reports. We will cover the specific processes needed to include MARC record metadata in display fields, and some catalog related filters. While attendance at previous report webinars is not mandatory, it may be helpful to have a familiarity with the reporter. Recordings of earlier sessions in this series are available on the NC Cardinal YouTube page.

• Audience: Catalogers, Report Users

• When: Thursday, April 23rd at 2:00 PM

• Where: WebEx (a link will be sent)

Register for the Reports Webinar here

Building and Managing 650 Fields

This 1-hour webinar will take a close look at adding and editing Subject Headings in the 650 MARC fields. Jessica Efron from the Government and Heritage Library will walk participants through standards and best practices to ensure subject headings are both functional and descriptive.

• Audience: Catalogers

• When: Thursday, April 30th at 2:00 PM

• Where: WebEx (a link will be sent)

Register for the Subject Headings Webinar here

May Training

Navigating the OPAC (New Staff Series)

Take a look at the public access catalog. In this 1-hour webinar, you’ll learn to search, place holds, make lists, and manage circulation history from the patron side of Evergreen.

• Audience: New staff, Circulators, User Services staff

• When: Tuesday, May 5^th at 2 PM

• Where: WebEx (a link will be sent)

Register for the OPAC Webinar here

Creating Dashboards with your Evergreen Data

See how Rutherford County created a dashboard that centralizes reporting for their Evergreen data, online resources, programs, and manually collected data. Kenneth will demonstrate the dashboard and then walk us through how the data is captured for the dashboard.

• Audience: Anyone interested in reports and data

• When: Tuesday, March 10th at 10:00 AM

• Where: WebEx (a link will be sent)

Register for the Data Dashboards Webinar here

Connect with the Nest

If you are part of an NC Cardinal Library, but you are not on Basecamp, you can request to be added (Scroll all the way to the bottom).

If you are on Basecamp, but would like to register for additional groups, you may do so using the same form.

Trustee Resources

Library trustees, whether Advisory or Governing, form a vital leadership team, alongside the library director, who are responsible for governance, policy, strategic planning, advocacy, and community engagement. To support their roles, the Library of North Carolina provides a self-paced orientation module (about an hour), a comprehensive Trustee Manual covering duties and best practices, and downloadable resources like a hiring packet for selecting a library director.

Types of Boards

Many libraries in North Carolina have library trustee boards, but you might not be aware that there are two different types of boards, Advisory and Governing. There are tables that shows roles and responsibilities for each library stakeholder.

Self-paced training

This training contains information for new trustees and trustees looking for a refresher that discusses North Carolina public library structure and funding and how that relates with North Carolina General Statutes, trustee duties, and library advocacy. The training should take about an hour.

Trustee Manual

The Trustee Manual is a resource that can be used as an informational reference guide and also can be used as a training tool for boards. Each chapter has its own focus and can be used as a reference for specific questions, exploring areas that the board wants to focus on, and diving deeper into other resources on specific topics. It also includes templates and forms that can be adapted for boards to use if needed!

Where to Find It

Trustee Resources discussed above (and more) are published publicly on the Library of North Carolina webpage.

About Catherine

As the Federal Programs Consultant, Catherine manages our state’s Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants coordinating the development and creation of competitive grant opportunities, providing on-going technical assistance, monitoring active awards, and final reporting.

Join us in celebrating NC Library Week! A week to celebrate the role libraries and library staff play in transforming lives and strengthening North Carolina communities.

Day Themes

• April 20th, Monday - NC Accessibility Day: Highlighting the many ways libraries increase accessibility to information through services, programs and resources.

• April 21st, Tuesday - NC Library Workers Day: Showcasing the contributions library workers in NC make every day to serve their communities.

• April 22nd, Wednesday - NC Library Outreach Day: Celebrating community outreach programs and events that bring library services directly to users.

• April 23rd, Thursday - Celebrating Libraries Day: Highlighting the role libraries play in strengthening North Carolina communities.

• April 24th, Friday - Thanking Supporters Day: Thanking library users by highlighting how frequently users utilize library services and programs.

Download the Library Week logo here and follow along on social media for the latest updates celebrating NC libraries.

Next Level Interviewing Skills

Wednesday, April 1st from 2:00 to 3:00 pm EST

Register

Looking to get promoted or to take that next step in your professional life?

Take your interviewing skills to the next level in this interactive session designed to help you confidently showcase your gifts and talents as you take your career to the next level presented by Clenise Platt.

As a result of this program, attendees will learn:

• Steps to take to prepare BEFORE the interview,

• How to engage DURING the interview from the moment they step onsite or online until their final exit,

• Recovery strategies for those ‘not so perfect moments’ during the interview, and

• How to make a positive impression AFTER the interview.

This session will teach you how to not only showcase your gifts and your talents but also view the interview as an opportunity to determine if the employer is the right place for you to grow and to develop.

Clenise is the host of the Plattinum Passport Podcast available on podcast platforms across the web and at www.theplattinumgroup.com.

Book Display Basics for Every Library Worker

Wednesday, April 8^th from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

Register

Any library worker can be a hero and use book displays or online book lists to market their library’s collection, revealing the hidden gems on their shelves and introducing patrons to materials they may have missed. In addition, book displays, both in the library and online, can tie your programs, partnerships, and library services into your collection.

Join Passive Readers’ Advisory expert Lila Denning for an hour of all the ways that you can promote your library’s collection with better book displays. Book displays are a fun, creative marketing technique that any library can use. Learn how to create book displays that will draw readers in and help them to find those titles that don’t get enough attention.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Understand what are the features of a great book display and how to craft them with a focus on marketing your collection.

• Discover ways to use book displays to promote services, ongoing and special programs and events while also bringing attention to titles that have been overlooked

• Identify opportunities to fit in book displays all over your building, even in smaller libraries with limited space.

Developing Your Personal Archive

Wednesday, April 15th from 2:00 to 3:00 pm EST

Register

Personal archiving involves capturing and protecting your “living history” to ensure that your experiences remain available for the duration life – and for the benefit of future generations. Whether your history is contains in overflowing physical boxes or a sprawling digital footprint, archival principles provide a roadmap to transform these materials from a stuff to be filed pile into your organized legacy.

This webinar will teach you how to get started putting together your personal archive, allowing you to manage your memories methodically.

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Determine which items have enduring informational, evidentiary, or intrinsic significance to their personal narrative

• Organize their collection

• Identify appropriate preservation guidelines for non-digital media

• Begin to outline a digital storage strategy, including social media

HELP! I Have Too Much Empathy! How to Manage Staff When You Feel Too Much

Wednesday, April 22nd from 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET

Register

There are a lot of trainings on how to develop more empathy, but what do you do when you have too much empathy? Are you someone who can walk into a room and feel what everyone is feeling?

Do you have difficulty maintaining boundaries with staff because they feel comfortable sharing so much with you? Are difficult conversations difficult because you can feel the emotions from the other person? This ability makes it difficult to manage and lead other people.

In this session we’ll learn what it means to be an empath, how that ability can make us strong and effective leaders, and some tools, tips, and tricks to setting boundaries, taking care of yourself, and being the best leader to help your staff succeed.

Leading From the Middle

Wednesday, April 29th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET

Register

Do you have more than one boss at your library? Do you have lots of responsibility, but little authority? Are you working between multiple departments? Are you looking to improve your communication skills with your managers and your direct reports? If so, this webinar can help you communicate better and manage up, and down.

In this program, participants will learn about:

• Communication techniques for communicating with upper management and employees

• Prioritizing tasks and setting goals

• Performance evaluation strategies: How to better give and receive feedback

• Time management concerns: How to organize and prioritize your time to meet multiple (and sometimes competing) goals

Library Development Dashboards

In 2025, Library Development introduced LD Dashboards, a set of interactive data dashboards designed to help libraries explore statewide library services, trends, and participation. Created in Tableau and updated twice a year (check back for an update soon!), these dashboards present data from LD consultants, NC Cardinal staff, local libraries, and national reporting sources. I use these dashboards regularly to compare multi‑year and statewide data trends that directly inform planning and evaluation for the Continuing Education program.

There are three dashboard collections:

• LD Service Engagement: Shows participation in LD services for each fiscal year. Includes dashboards on LSTA projects, statewide subscriptions, professional development, and youth services. Data comes from the LSTA State Program Report and the Public Libraries Survey.

• NC Cardinal Consortium: Includes dashboards on consortium membership, resource sharing, member support, and budget information. Data is provided by NC Cardinal staff and local libraries.

• NC Public Library Data: Offers eight dashboards with multi‑year statewide and local library data. Users can explore state and national comparisons, individual library system and branch details, and create custom graphs for trends over time. Data is self‑reported by libraries and validated by SLNC and IMLS.

These dashboards are designed for:

• Library directors and administrators

• Library Development staff

• NC Cardinal member libraries

• Local library staff interested in data‑driven planning

• Statewide stakeholders who use library data for reporting, advocacy, or decision‑making

Where to Find It:
The LD Dashboards are published publicly on our Library Development Data Dashboard webpage.

About Lauren:

As the Continuing Education Consultant, Lauren plans for and hosts webinars and workshops for library staff statewide. She loves designing and facilitating adult learning opportunities and trying out new educational technologies.

The Hive Collaborative Learning Series is a new, quarterly virtual space for library staff to share creativity, expertise, and practical strategies that strengthen services across our communities.

Join us for our first session with discussion around bilingual/multilingual programming resources for library staff. Lightning talk topics include bilingual tools to connect art, literacy, and community and multilingual digital literacy classes. We’ll also have time for continued discussion for peer-to-peer learning!

Date: March 24, 2-3pm ET

Theme: Bilingual/Multilingual Programming

Register for the March 24 Hive

Registration is already open for future Hive Collaborative Learning Sessions:

• Technology-Supported Programming & Services on June 23, 2-3pm ET, register

• Accessible Services on September 22, 2-3pm ET, register

• Intergenerational Programming on December 15, 2-3pm ET, register

We look forward to your ideas and experiences—join us in building The Hive community!

For more questions, please contact Lauren Clossey at lauren.clossey@dncr.nc.gov

Teen Brain Development and Behavior: Insights on Building Better Connections with Teens in the Library

with April Pavis-Shroeder

Teenagers are the most under-served of all age groups, usually due to library staff’s uncertainty in providing services to a group they know (and/or remember) little about. Learn about the brain development of teenagers and how that should influence your programming and your expectations.

Basics and Benefits of STEAM (Course 1)

with Alicia Verweij

STEAM Integration explores the theories, connections, creation, & practice of integrating STEAM in students’ lives. This 4-course series focuses on how to incorporate various standards within the STEAM content areas through project-based learning frameworks to create truly authentic STEAM teaching experiences.

Empowering Creativity: Exploring Makerspaces and Engaging STEM Programming in Libraries

with Ellyssa Valenti Kroski

Learn all about the essential tools and technologies found in makerspaces and how you can host engaging STEM programming using technology such as Raspberry Pis, wearable electronics, virtual reality, and robotics whether you have a dedicated makerspace or not!

Free and Low-Cost Library Programming

with Ellyssa Valenti Kroski

Engage patrons while saving your budget by using free and low-cost resources. Jam-packed with where to get free lesson plans, printables, downloadables, online learning resources, collaborative library programs, program grants, and donation resources, this module will show participants where to find an extensive collection of resources for costless library programming, including resources for program planning, marketing, and assessment.

Beyond Books - Fostering Positive Youth Development in Your Library

with Kristen Bardes

This training empowers library professionals to utilize Positive Youth Development (PYD) by creating engaging programs and services that foster the social, emotional, and intellectual well-being of young people.

Creating Sustainable Living Library Programs

with Ellyssa Valenti Kroski

Learn just what it takes to plan, organize, and run sustainability programs for patrons in libraries, both rural and urban. Programs range from gardening topics to teaching pioneer crafts, to homesteading events, and hosting preservation programs.

About Novare

Novare Library Services partners with libraries, small businesses, cooperatives, and state agencies to deliver practical, flexible solutions in training, technology, and planning. Our team brings decades of experience to every project—helping your staff grow, your services shine, and your systems work smarter. Novare Library Services was founded in 2011. As the Latin word Novare suggests, we strive to refresh and renew services for libraries and small businesses. For those wondering, I pronounce it no-VAAR.

For more information

Access to the SLNC Academy is free for NC library staff. Need an account? Just request access to any course within the Academy using your work email. For questions or more information regarding these courses, contact Scott Frawley, Youth Services Consultant.

This program is supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-259195-OLS-25).

Weeding Popular Materials Collections with Karen Toonen

Wednesday, March 4^th from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

Register

When it comes to books, we all like to buy! However, selecting materials is only half of the collection development process. Book hoarding does not create a useful collection. Weeding, or deselecting materials, must receive equal and continuous attention as selection to have a truly patron driven collection that serves its community.

As increasing demands tax libraries’ limited resources, every item in a physical collection must justify its shelf space; while every item, both physical and digital, vies for patrons’ time and attention. We’ll discuss practical advice for weeing popular materials collections for youth or adults across formats. Along the way, I’ll debunk some popular weeding excuses.

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• articulate to internal and external stakeholders that weeding equally as important as important to selection to collection development

• implement logical, rigorous weeding doctrines within their popular materials collections

• weed to create space for new collections, highlight materials, and increase circulation with confidence

• promote patron driven collection policies and revitalize collections

Who will Benefit from this Program:

• All staff that interact with the collection and the public

• Staff who select for the collection

• Staff who maintain the collection

Managing the Afterschool Crowd at Your Library with Carey Rogers-Whitehead

Wednesday, March 11th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET

Register

The hours of 3-5pm, Monday-Friday can be a busy time for libraries. This is where libraries may get an influx of young people, and an increase in behavior incidents. But this is also a time of great potential impact, where libraries can be a safe place and reach out to teens.

In this webinar you’ll hear from a former teen services librarian whose library typically had 100-150 teens most days after school. She will share her and her and colleagues’ experiences on how to manage these chaotic (and fun!) hours.

In this webinar you’ll learn:

• Teen developmental stages and how that can affect behavior

• Tips on setting policies and guidelines

• Setting and enforcing behavior expectations that make the library a place for everyone

• Suggestions on partners and programs after school

• Communication techniques to deescalate behaviors

Best Romances of 2025 with Emilia Mudd

Wednesday, March 18th from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

Register

In 2025, publishers gave us thousands of ways to fall in love. But which romance novels made our hearts really sing? Join us for our “Best Romances of 2025” webinar, where we’ll talk about our favorite love stories that came out last year.

We’ll cover titles at all heat levels as we discuss contemporary, historical, romantasy, and more. From award winners to sleeper hits, we won’t let your dream read pass you by!

Who will benefit from this program

• All Staff that Interacts with Patrons

• All Circulation Staff Members

• Reader’s Advisory Staff

Library Signage: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly with Dr. Curtis Rogers

Wednesday, March 25th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm EST

Register

Customer service and library signage go hand in hand. How do patrons see your library’s signage and does it address appropriate customer needs?

The session will look critically at many types of library signs and review the positive and negative aspects of library signage. We will also address how to conduct a signage audit and the importance of library branding. This session also addresses customer service issues as they relate to signage. Online resources will be provided and there will be opportunities for Q&A and discussion.

As a result of this program, attendees will:

• Understand the importance of effective library signage.

• Identify common reasons why library signage might be misinterpreted or confusing.

• Explore the key components of conducting a library signage audit.

• Develop skills to rethink and rejuvenate library signs.

  ---

  Thanks for reading Library Development Newsletter, an official account of the NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. Subscribe for free to receive new posts.

Learning Labs are on-demand toolkits designed to spark meaningful group discussions on key training topics. They offer a fresh alternative to traditional professional development presentations—perfect for staff days, planning sessions, or team meetings.

This Learning Lab is built around the People Connect Institute webinar, Eliminating Personal Burnout, presented by Lauren Greco. The process is simple:

1. Participants watch the webinar independently.

2. Complete a Learning Journal.

3. Come together for a guided group discussion.

This approach promotes professional growth while gathering valuable feedback on improving library services, spaces, and culture.

What’s included in the Learning Lab?

• Printable Learning Journal

• Discussion Facilitation Guide

• Taking Stock Reflection Cards

• Table Talk Question Flashcards

• Exit Tickets

The Facilitation Guide makes it easy to lead a productive discussion—no prior facilitation experience required. Not ready for a large group? It also includes ideas for bite-sized learning that you can share via emails, newsletters, or team huddles.

Access the Learning Lab

Visit SLNC Academy and search for PCI Eliminating Personal Burnout. Resources are located below the webinar recording or go straight to the Learning Lab resources.

We’d love your feedback! If you use the Learning Lab, let us know what worked and what could be improved. Your input helps us create resources that meet your needs.

The Collection Life Cycle: Collection Management in Action

March 26, 2026, 11am-12pm

The circle of life applies to libraries too! Developing and managing collections is a continuous process, and knowing how materials flow through this cycle can help libraries keep their collections manageable and attractive for patrons. Moving from policy through weeding, participants will learn about selection, evaluation, and deselection while offering tips, tools, and trends to ensure the full life for your library’s collection.

After this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Describe the collection life cycle

• Compare tools and methods for materials selection

• Implement best practices for weeding the collection

Register

Show Me the Data: Collection Evaluation in Libraries

April 8, 2026, 11am-12pm

Maximizing patrons’ use of your library collection means knowing what they are – and are not – borrowing. Collection evaluation is key, but it is definitely not a “one and done” process. Evaluating collections means looking at popularity, diversity, gaps, people, and using the collection life cycle to know when and what staff is looking at for assessment. Participants will learn about different methods of collection evaluation and how to use these tools to create a robust and manageable collection.

After this webinar, attendees will be able to:

• Understand what collection evaluation is

• Discover and compare methods for evaluating their collections

• Implement collection evaluation in their libraries

Register

Weed’em and Reap: Keeping a Healthy Collection Through Weeding

April 28, 2026, 11am-12pm

Weeding library collections can be a sticking point for many libraries. We want to continue to add items to our collections, but without weeding, libraries will run into issues of space restraints and disuse. By understanding that a healthy collection means not only acquiring but getting rid of items, library staff will find that the entire collection life cycle is easily managed and maintained.

After this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Understand how weeding fits into the collection life cycle

• Recognize the factors that support weeding

• Develop workflows to determine what materials to weed and what to do with them

Register

North Carolina Public Library Standards

Resource overview

The North Carolina Public Library Standards offer relevant, dynamic, and flexible community-based standards in a self-assessment format to guide libraries in providing quality service based on community needs. The Standards provide libraries a common language of aspirations and a framework to guide local planning, management, and evaluation processes. The Standards are organized into five operational areas:

• Sustainable organization: long-term sustainability depends on a strong governing structure; a dedicated and well-trained staff reflective of their community; ongoing, community-based planning efforts; and written, transparent policies detailing library philosophy and methods of conducting business.

• Center of knowledge and lifelong learning: successful libraries establish themselves as a center for knowledge and lifelong learning for people of all ages, backgrounds, and needs through a unique mix of robust, community-centered collections, economic development, programs, and services.

• Community engagement: engagement efforts assist in maintaining relevant and needed services and publicizing the library’s rich offerings can further enrich the community, including as a driver of economic development.

• Innovation through collaboration: advocating for the library’s sustainability and partnering with other organizations can further engage the community and offer exciting new service possibilities.

• Facilities: Growing populations and changing expectations need to be considered when determining if facilities are appropriately sized and designed to meet community needs for services in a comfortable, safe environment.

Each operational area is composed of tiered indicators with tiers to assess the current status and create goals for growth.

Who is this resource for?

Library staff, library advocates, and governing bodies

How to access this resource

The Standards are available in several formats. Visit our website to access the Standards along with additional resources such as an overview video, “how to use” guide, and FAQ. The Standards are also available in a printable version and for library staff as a self-assessment in LibPAS (login required) that incorporates annual report data for data-related indicators.

About Amanda

Amanda is the Data Analysis and Communication Consultant, managing the annual Public Libraries Survey for North Carolina, analyzing and disseminating the survey data. Amanda also provides consulting services and staff training for data and evaluation-related projects and manages the Library Development Newsletter.

Favorite resource from my local library

Kanopy! I love that the Kanopy app allows me to stream all my favorite British TV series right to my TV or other device. I love finding interesting documentaries right next to new movies all on one app that is ad-free. I get access to Kanopy through my local library, Chatham County Public Libraries.

Presentation Topics Include:

• Connecting Libraries and their Communities with Asset Mapping

• Integrating Change: Library Projects That Last

• Book Chat and Chill Nights: Breaking the Mold of Traditional Book Clubs and Building Community Connections

• Design for Everyone! Teaching Canva in the Public Library

• From Curiosity to Competence: Promoting Generative AI Literacy in Libraries

• Late Nights at the Library for Adults

• Beyond Books: Rethinking Reconsideration Policies for Today’s Libraries
  
  ...and many more!

Visit the conference website to learn more about the speakers, sessions, and registration.

This event is hosted by the Georgia Public Library Service, Library of Virginia, South Carolina State Library, State Library of North Carolina, and the Tennessee State Library & Archives. This project is made possible with funding from the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the South Carolina State Library and the State Library of North Carolina.

Submit a proposal!

Do you have a successful program, a grant project, a great idea, or a training you’ve designed? We invite you to present in our lightning-round sessions—short, focused presentations that showcase innovative work happening in libraries of all types.

Date: March 24, 2-3pm ET

Theme: Bilingual/Multilingual Programming

Deadline to submit: February 20th

Lightning talk proposals for the March session should focus on bilingual/multilingual programming and may include adult services, youth services, outreach, partnerships, best practices, or any subject that helps library staff learn, grow, and collaborate.

Proposals are welcome from staff in public, academic, and school libraries, at all career stages. If accepted, you’ll present a 15-minute online session and receive a slide template to support your presentation.

Submit a proposal

Register to attend

Registration is already open for future Hive Collaborative Learning Sessions:

• Technology-Supported Programming & Services on June 23, 2-3pm ET, register

• Accessible Services on September 22, 2-3pm ET, register

• Intergenerational Programming on December 15, 2-3pm ET, register

We look forward to your ideas and experiences—join us in building The Hive community!

For more questions, please contact Lauren Clossey at lauren.clossey@dncr.nc.gov

Stoplights, Roundabouts, and Leadership: Navigating the Highways and Backroads of Organizational Life & Leadership

Wednesday, February 4th from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

Register

Some leaders and teams spend their days waiting at stoplights: seeking permission, direction, or perfect clarity before moving forward. Others have learned to build roundabouts instead, creating systems of shared trust and understanding that keep work flowing smoothly.

In this engaging and practical session, we’ll explore the “transportation map” of leadership using metaphors like freeways, speed bumps, dirt roads, and roundabouts to examine how organizational structures shape momentum, creativity, and collaboration. Participants will leave with concrete strategies for tearing down unnecessary stoplights and designing “well-functioning roundabouts” that empower teams to navigate safely, efficiently, and with less stress.

Attendees will learn to:

• Identify common “stoplights” that slow progress and decision-making in organizations

• Explore the principles of trust and shared understanding that make

• roundabout-style leadership work

• Discover practical tools for creating smoother workflows, clearer communication, and empowered teams

• Reflect on personal leadership habits that either create congestion or enable healthy movement

2025 Readers’ Advisory Year in Review

Wednesday, February 11^th from 2:00 – 3:00PM EST

Register

2025 has moved into our rearview, everyone is eager to jump into the fresh start of 2026, but hold up for just a bit longer. It is important, every year, to take a step back and look critically at the year that was before setting goals or service plans for the next year.

Join noted Readers’ Advisory expert, Becky Spratford as she walks you through the highlights [and lowlights] of 2026 in Adult Leisure Reading. From the biggest trends, to the authors, titles, and genres that broke through, Becky will break it all down for you, wringing out the best of 2025 to take with us as we plan our service to Adult readers for 2026.

Don’t Eat the Red Frog (Because Words Can Harm You)

Wednesday, February 18^th from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

Register

If you have ever traveled to Central or South America, you may have come across or heard about the Red Poison Dart Frog. The poison dart frogs brightly colored bodies serve as a warning to us and their predators of their toxicity.

Here in our country, we too are surrounded by poisonous Red Frogs, but they look different. Surprisingly they look a lot like you and me. You see, there are many people in our lives that are poisonous to us. They may be our family members, friends, colleagues, customers and people on social media. Their poison affects our confidence, our belief in ourself and our mental and physical well-being. Their toxicity will harm us, if we let it.

In this interactive and informative program, you’ll discover:

• 5 Red Frogs that are likely in your life today (and what to do about them)

• 2 ways to conquer those and your future Red Frogs

• The Secret That Everybody Knows, But You Don’t Remember to Use: You Have 3 Super Powers!

Picture Book Powerhouse: Top Titles of 2025

Wednesday, February 25^th from 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST

Register

Looking for inspiration for your next storytime, library, or display? Join us for an energetic tour of the best picture books published in 2025. From laugh-out-loud adventures to creative works of art, this presentation features stories that spark joy, prompt reflection, and celebrate one another’s experiences.

Whether for classrooms, storytimes, or family reading, you’ll leave ready to refresh your programs and collections with new gems that showcase the beauty of illustration and embody the heart of storytelling.

Participants will:

• Build a “go-to” list of the year’s top read-alouds and visual standouts.

• Gather ideas for using these titles in programming, curriculum, collection development, reader’s advisory, and family engagement.

• Learn simple ways to evaluate picture books.

• Discover new authors and illustrators who reflect today’s diverse world.

Looking for more learning opportunities? Find even more on-demand sessions in the SLNC Academy.

SLNC Academy.

The SLNC CE program is supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-253645-OLS-23).

The annual automated deduplication project will be taking place in early March this year. The amount of time the process itself can take varies, but it typically lasts anywhere between a few hours to a full day and is scheduled after work hours so as not to risk impacting libraries’ normal functions. This year’s deduplication will cover materials such as regular print books, large print books, and audiobooks. Materials such as videos and video games will not be affected. The automated process compares and contrasts records in the Evergreen catalog to locate any that may be duplicates and thus are candidates for merging. Matches are given an internal score which determines whether they are merged by the automated process or not. Matches with a high enough score are automatically merged by the process, while record matches with lower scores are compiled into spreadsheets for human review. These spreadsheets are shared with catalogers to review the matches and decide if any of the records should be merged or not.

Evergreen ILS Conference

The annual Evergreen International Conference will be held in Renton, Washington from April 8-11. The conference draws Evergreen users, developers, advocates, vendors, and others interested in Evergreen or open source. Members of the Cardinal team plan to be there, as well as Evergreen users from libraries all over the country. This year, there will be a special track just for new users. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. Learn more on the Conference website.

Changes to the Knowledge Books

The NC Cardinal team is continuing our ongoing efforts to improve the documentation in the Knowledge Books. We have redeveloped the Item Cataloging documentation to exist in a standalone book titled “Cataloging Items/Copies and Holdings”. Keep an eye on the books for more changes and new content. And please share feedback!

New Libraries Joining NC Cardinal Next Year

NC Cardinal is growing! Over the course of the next year we will be welcoming several new library systems to the Nest!

• Camden County Public Library will be joining NC Cardinal in June 2026.

• Currituck County Public Libraries will be joining NC Cardinal in June 2026.

• Dare County Library will be joining NC Cardinal in June 2026.

• Pasquotank County Library will be joining NC Cardinal in June 2026.

• Chatham County Public Libraries will be joining NC Cardinal in November 2026.

• Pender County Library will be joining NC Cardinal in March 2027.

Upcoming training opportunities

January Training

Reports 101: Tables, Transforms and Operators

The next installment on our series on the Evergreen reporter will take a look at the various ways to change the way the data in your reports is displayed. We will learn how to navigate the tables and link out to new data sources, to transform the data output from the raw data stored in the database, and to set different operators.

• Audience: Anyone interested in learning more about reports.

• When: Thursday, January 29th at 2:00 PM

• Where: WebEx (a link will be sent)

Register

February Training

SLAM Orientation

This 1-hour webinar will include an overview of System Login Access Manager (SLAM) duties, look at how to create, extend, and de-activate accounts, and an opportunity to ask questions. We encourage new SLAMs to attend, as well as those who may need a refresher or have advice to offer others.

• Audience: System Administrators

• When: Tuesday, February 10th at 10:00 AM

• Where: WebEx (a link will be sent)

Register

Customizing the Interface

This 1-hour webinar will cover options for Evergreen customizations, including the staff portal (splash) page, creating unique carousels, and OPAC customizations.

• Audience: Administrators

• When: Thursday, February 26th at 2:00 PM

• Where: WebEx (a link will be sent)

Register

March Training

Reports 101: Basic Circulation Reports

This 2-hour webinar will cover the process of cloning and creating circulation reports. By the end of the session, participants should be able to create a basic circulation count report.

Participation in earlier circulation training is recommended but not required. (Recordings of previous reports webinars are available on the NC Cardinal YouTube page.)

• Audience: Anyone interested in reports

• When: Tuesday, March 10th at 10:00 AM

• Where: WebEx (a link will be sent)

Register

New Staff Series: Resource Sharing

This 1-hour webinar will provide an overview of the NC Cardinal Resource Sharing program, with information on functions, policies and processes, as well as details related to the hold pull list and packing boxes.

• Audience: Resource Sharing Staff (new and established)

• When: Thursday, March 26th at 2:00 PM

• Where: WebEx (a link will be sent)

Register

Connect with the Nest

If you are part of an NC Cardinal Library, but you are not on Basecamp, you can request to be added (scroll all the way to the bottom).

If you are on Basecamp, but would like to register for additional groups, you may do so using the same form.

NC Cardinal is a program of the State Library of North Carolina, supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Federal Library Services and Technology Act.

January 20, 2026, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET

As library staff, you can feel that you wear many hats and need to do all the things, completely and well and for many small libraries – you have to! However, effective delegation will not only free up time and energy for your highest priorities, but allow all staff to become more effective in working together as a team. Delegation can create better workflows, balanced responsibilities, and create accountability and buy-in, no matter your position in the library.
The purpose of this program is to help build personal and team management skills by understanding delegation and its effective implementation in the library.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Identify the differences between delegation and work direction
2. Recognize challenges to delegation and how to overcome them
3. Create and maintain a delegation process in their library

Register

Soft Skills Can Be Hard: Interpersonal Skills in Your Library

February 24, 2026, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET

Management, teambuilding, customer service, and outreach all rely on interpersonal skills. Understanding how those skills fit into library services is essential. While many of these traits are already a part of you, they can also be coached and supported in a positive, proactive work environment. If you are currently in a position of leadership in your library, hope to advance in the future, or develop coaching skills for your team - this is for you!

By the end of this session, participants will:
1. Acknowledge common interpersonal skills that contribute to effective library workplace culture
2. Recognize the importance of soft skills in library services and your own work environment
3. Take away the beginning of a framework for an action plan for skill growth for yourself and others

Register