Core Webinar: Creating CE Opportunities Without a CE Department

*Cross posted to multiple lists*

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Core Webinar: Creating CE Opportunities Without a CE Department

Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2026

All webinars are one hour in length and begin at 11 am Pacific, noon
Mountain, 1 pm Central, and 2 pm Eastern time.



Description:

Not every library has a Continuing Education (CE) department—but every
library needs confident, capable staff. This session offers practical,
scalable strategies for building a sustainable staff development program,
even without dedicated CE personnel or big budgets. Designed for managers,
administrators, and anyone passionate about staff growth, this session will
focus on how to create an inclusive, goal-driven learning culture from the
ground up.

We’ll explore real-world examples of how libraries have empowered staff
using free and low-cost tools, internal expertise, and creative
partnerships. Learn how to appoint a CE liaison, set achievable training
goals, conduct needs assessments, and mix learning formats—from webinars
and peer-led workshops to reading groups and lunch-and-learns. We’ll also
cover how to make CE accessible for part-time staff and inclusive of
diverse voices and learning styles.

Attendees will leave with sample templates, resource lists, and a clear
framework for developing a CE plan tailored to their team’s
needs—regardless of size, staffing, or budget. Whether you’re starting from
scratch or looking to strengthen an existing approach, this session will
provide inspiration and actionable tools to help you build staff
confidence, support retention, and cultivate a library culture that values
continuous learning.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of the webinar, attendees will:

   -

   Identify at least three low-cost or no-cost strategies to support staff
   training without a dedicated CE department.
   -

   Create a basic Continuing Education (CE) plan tailored to your library’s
   staffing, budget, and training needs.
   -

   Apply inclusive training practices by selecting diverse formats,
   accessible delivery methods, and representative content creators.


Who should attend?

Library managers, administrators, and supervisors responsible for staff
development, particularly those working in libraries without a dedicated
Continuing Education (CE) department or a large training budget.

Presenters:

Margae Schmidt (she/her) has worked in the library field for over 20+
years. In the past several years at RAILS, she has led professional
development and educational initiatives serving more than 1,200 library
organizations across Illinois. Her work includes developing programs from
concept through implementation, collaborating with staff, presenters,
vendors, consultants, and partner organizations, managing logistics and
budgets, and evaluating program outcomes. Earlier in her career, she worked
directly with children and families in public libraries, including leading
Project Next Generation, where she supported hands-on learning experiences
focused on technology, creativity, and literacy. She currently serves as
Secretary of the LACONI Governing Board and President of its Technology
Section, where she contributes to collaborative leadership and initiatives
that support the library community.

Diana Rusch (she/her) has nearly 20 years of experience in public and
academic libraries and has been with the RAILS Consulting and Continuing
and Education Department since 2019. She works to provide resources and
training to help librarians thrive both personally and professionally. As
an academic reference and instruction librarian, she helps students
navigate digital literacy, identify mis- and disinformation through
individual and classroom sessions. A first-generation college graduate, she
is passionate about supporting other first-generation college students.
Diana worked in PR in higher education, and as a freelance copywriter and
editor before embarking on a career in librarianship.

*****************

Registration fees for webinar:  Core Member- $57.85; ALA Member- $81.10;
Non Member- $89; Student- $44.50

For additional information and access to registration links, please go to
the following website:

https://elearning.ala.org/local/catalog/view/product.php?productid=1665

Core webinars are recorded and registrants receive a link to the recording
shortly following the live event.

For questions about registration, contact ALA Registration by calling
1-800-545-2433 and press 5 or email registration_at_ala.org.

For all other questions or comments related to Core webinars, please
contact Core CE staff at corece_at_ala.org.

*Posted on behalf of the Core Continuing Education Committee.*

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