Upcoming Webinars

Join Niche Academy’s Margaret Helthaler for a look at how to build an effective training system without trying to do everything at once. Margaret will show how to start with one audience, one priority, and a clear outcome—then turn that plan into a manageable training program. You’ll get a step-by-step framework you can use right away, along with short demos that show how Niche Academy helps you find ready-made tutorials, create or organize training content, assign training, review learner progress, and use data to decide what to improve next. 

Difficult conversations are inevitable, but that doesn't mean we should avoid them. Whether you avoid difficult conversations to keep the peace, freeze up when trying to negotiate with others, or feel bad when you’re responsible for giving bad news, the anxiety and fear you feel are more common than you think. And while there is no shortage of workshops and webinars that talk about communication skills, true confidence in hard conversations comes from both mastering ourselves as well as mastering the art of facilitating the conversation. Join Chris Wong to learn skills to go into conversations feeling prepared, as well as proven communication techniques to create an environment of collaboration, rather than fighting.

Hannah Cyrus will cover how to frame generative AI to patrons in ways that are aligned with library values, including tips for reference interactions, passive programs, direct instruction, and teaching classes. From quickly explaining to low-digital-literacy patrons how this technology works and why it is not a reliable information source, to finding opportunities to correct misunderstandings among enthusiasts, to providing directions for how to turn the darn things off, attendees will come away with strategies for pushing back against a technology rife with labor, environmental, and social concerns that library workers can take a stand against.

Join Niche Academy CEO, Jeromy Wilson, for a look at how to move from written policies to training that helps staff and volunteers know what to do when real situations arise. Jeromy will show how to identify the decisions, actions, and behaviors a policy is meant to influence, then build training around them. He’ll walk through a policy-based example in Niche Academy, showing how to use tutorials, scenarios, knowledge checks, and supporting resources to connect policies to everyday responsibilities. so you have  clear steps you can use right away. 

Are you feeling the strain of serving patrons with complex needs? Is your library seeing increased behavioral problems or mental health concerns? In this webinar, Beth Wahler provides an overview of best practices for how libraries can support both high-needs patrons and simultaneously support their staff. Participants will be able to articulate the unique needs of your library patrons, discuss helpful programs, collaborations, and services for supporting high-needs patrons, anticipate potential barriers to change, and determine best next steps for your own library.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how people search for information, apply for jobs, complete coursework, and make life decisions. Library and information professionals are asked questions like "How does this work?", “Is this safe to use?", and "Can I trust it?" In this webinar, Brady Lund discusses a practical approach to promoting AI literacy, with an eye towards equipping each patron with answers to these questions and more. Learn to explain how generative AI tools work, how to evaluate and explain AI privacy, bias, and transparency,  prompts and activity ideas for workshops and policies and guardrails to protect staff and patrons.

Your donors want to give. The real question is: are your appeals inspiring them to act? In this webinar, nonprofit consultant Sarah B. Lange walks you through the art and psychology of donor-centered fundraising appeals that actually generate revenue. From direct mail to email campaigns, learn how to craft compelling messages that connect emotionally, motivate donors, and increase giving. This session blends strategy, storytelling, persuasive writing, donor psychology, and real-world fundraising techniques into a step-by-step framework nonprofits can immediately apply to year-end campaigns, annual funds, and donor communications.

Join Lu Bangura for this webinar for library professionals who want to make stronger connections between their programming and their organization’s strategic priorities. Lu will provide a practical approach for using the strategic plan as more than a guiding document and turning it into a useful tool for programming decisions. Participants will explore how programming can become one of the clearest ways a library puts its strategic plan into action. Whether your library is implementing a new strategic plan or trying to strengthen the connection between an existing plan and day-to-day programming, you'll leave with practical tools you can use with your team to make more intentional programming decisions.

Explore what effective supervision looks like in today’s mission-driven workplace. Join Kari Anderson to learn how supervisors can build relationships, strengthen performance, and create teams where people and the mission thrive. Supervision in libraries and nonprofit organizations is about far more than assigning tasks, approving schedules, and tracking deadlines. In this practical and candid webinar, Kari will explore what effective supervision looks like in today’s mission-driven workplace. Participants will examine how to set expectations, provide feedback, address concerns, and create accountability without losing empathy.