Stepping into Management: The Basics

Wednesday, September 2^nd from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

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Stepping into management can feel like a promotion and a pressure test all at the same time. This webinar is designed to help you think about or navigate the transition with clarity and confidence. We will explore how to shift from doing the work to collaborating with and leading others, while building credibility along the way. Led by Tiffany Duck, an experienced public library manager, trainer, and consultant. This session will offer practical guidance to help you step into leadership with confidence.

As a result of this program, attendees will learn about: 

• Practical tips and strategies for new managers 

• Essential actions to set yourself up for success 

• Resources to enhance your professional toolkit 

Back to Basics with Public Speaking

September 9^th, 2026 at from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

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For this workshop, we will explore public speaking anxiety and consider transferable strategies to reduce our apprehension. Through this workshop you will learn how to prepare for your next speaking engagement and reduce your speaking anxiety as well as how to harness public speaking anxiety while presenting.

As a result of this program, attendees will:

1. Understand your audience to develop responsible ways of thinking and speaking.

2. Manage apprehension about communicating in public contexts.

3. Develop effective public speaking skills.

Project Management Essentials for Libraries

September 16, 2026 from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

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Do your project plans unravel after the first team meeting? Are your project outcomes often delayed or differ dramatically from expectations? Library professionals can apply project management best practices to improve a wide variety of projects, processes, and collaborative initiatives. Attendees will be introduced to the basic principles of project management and presented with essential strategies to help them plan and deliver more successful projects.

As a result of this program, attendees will:

• Identify the activities project management, and common areas of project planning;

• Develop a project plan incorporating scope, schedule, communications, quality, and deliverables.

• Apply techniques for engaging stakeholders and improving project outcomes.

Microsoft Excel: Back to the Basics

Wednesday, September 23^rd from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

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Stop guessing and start clicking with confidence! This one-hour webinar is designed for anyone who wants to stop feeling overwhelmed by Excel.

We’ll teach you some shortcut tricks to streamline work, focus on basic formulas, analyze your data and more.

As a result of this program, attendees will:

• Perform basic data entry, formatting, and simple calculations using formulas and functions

• Learn how to create lists, sort, and analyze data

• Create and customize charts and graphs to visually represent your data

Who will Benefit from this Program: All library staff looking to improve their Excel skills

Collection Development Basics

Wednesday, September 30th from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

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Are you new to the library world or selecting materials and suddenly responsible for a collection? Join this session for a basic introduction to collection development focused on popular materials collections. Beginning with the core principles of collection development, the session will move through how to follow or establish a collection development policy and how to discover materials.

Selection criteria for print materials will be addressed, including key tips for using professional reviews. The session will also briefly cover how these criteria change for audiovisual and digital materials. While different vendors will be mentioned, the tips and strategies shared will be primarily vendor agnostic. Participants will leave with links for further exploration and continued learning.

As a result of this program, attendees will:

• Articulate the life cycle of materials in a popular materials collection

• Identify necessary aspects within user driven collection development polices

• List useful criteria in selecting fiction and nonfiction materials for different aged audiences across formats

• Identify keywords within professional reviews to assist with selection decisions

Recordings of all sessions will be made available in the Library of NC Academy.

Seasonal Reading Programs from Accessible Books and Library Services

Resource overview:

The Library of North Carolina Accessible Books and Library Services (ABLS) offers two Seasonal Reading Programs that provide patrons with visual disabilities the opportunity to participate in fun and inclusive reading challenges. The Summer Reading Program begins June 1st and runs through August 31st and the Winter Reading Program begins December 1st and runs through February 28th.

The programs consist of four reading categories :

• Digital and Downloadable Books Adults

• Digital and Downloadable Books Youth (20 and younger)

• Physical Books Adults

• Physical Books Youth (20 and younger)

Program participants provide library staff with ratings and reviews for the books read and receive points towards prizes provided by the Friends of NC Accessible Books and Library Services. Participants can earn 1 point for rating the books and write an original book review of at least 50 words to earn 8 additional points to add to their overall Seasonal Reading score. Participants can use the online form to rate and review their reading picks or download a form to mail or scan in. Participants may also request to have a pack of 10 Rate and Review forms mailed to them by calling 984-236-1118.

Who is this resource for?

The Seasonal Reading Programs are available to youth and adult library patrons of Library of North Carolina’s Accessible Books and Library Service.

Library staff across North Carolina are encouraged to promote the Library of North Carolina’s Accessible Books and Library Services (ABLS) to community members who may benefit from ABLS. ABLS is a free, convenient library service for North Carolinians who are unable to read standard print due to low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual, or reading disability. Patrons receive titles by downloading them and/or having the materials mailed directly to and from their residence at no cost. To learn more about ABLS and determine eligibility for services, visit the Blind and Print Disabled section of the Library of North Carolina website.

How to access the Seasonal Reading Programs:

Patrons interested in participating in the programs, first need to register as an ABLS patron and then can sign-up for the reading challenges online. The Summer Reading Program begins June 1st and runs through August 31st. Winter Reading begins December 1st and runs through February 28th.

Learn more

For more information about the Seasonal Reading Programs or ABLS services, chat with an ABLS staff member online, call (888) 388-2460 or email NCABLS@dncr.nc.gov.

Managing Change Fatigue

Wednesday, August 5th from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

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Change fatigue is the exhaustion, resistance, and apathy toward fast-paced, complex changes in the workplace. Change will always be present but change fatigue doesn’t have to be!

While often easy to identify, change fatigue can be deadly to an organization if not addressed and managed well. Leadership should acknowledge the potential for change fatigue and have a plan for managing it. Employees should be alert to potential change fatigue situations, their personal symptoms of it, and have a strategy for handling it.

Discover the symptoms of change fatigue, why it happens, and ways to manage it from the leadership and individual employee’s perspectives.

As a result of this program attendees will:

• identify 6 symptoms of change fatigue

• describe 5 ways management can prevent or manage change fatigue

• explain 3 ways the individual employee can prevent or lessen change fatigue

Horror Readers’ Advisory: How to Help Your Scariest Patrons

Wednesday, August 12th from 2:00 – 3:00 pm EST

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A recent poll of thousands of library workers identified Horror as one of the Top 5 genres they were “most scared of,” and yet, the genre is basking in a popularity among our patrons that hasn’t been seen in decades. We cannot ignore it any longer. It’s time to stop worrying that your Horror readers are monsters, and start remembering they only like to read about them. The library world’s Horror expert, Becky Spratford, is here to help you conquer your own fears and walk you through today’s horror landscape.

In this webinar she will explain how to talk to fans, break down the appeal of horror, identify what resources will serve you best, and most importantly, give you dozens of authors and titles to start suggesting with confidence, immediately! Get up to speed on this current Horror Renaissance without terrorizing yourself in the process. Let’s have some fun, talk about books, help patrons, and learn about the scariest genre together.

Creating Community with Speed Friending at Your Library

August 19, 2026 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm EST

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We all recognize the patrons who come in to the library looking for conversation. But what about those quietly scrolling, hoping for connection and unsure how to take that first step? In an era often called an “epidemic of loneliness,” libraries have a powerful opportunity to spark genuine community connection.

Speed Friending offers a simple, low-cost, and engaging way to bring people together. With a welcoming space and thoughtfully crafted conversation starters, your library can help turn strangers into neighbors, and neighbors into friends.

Let’s explore how to design and facilitate a Speed Friending program that encourages meaningful interaction, reduces social isolation, and builds lasting community connections. This session will provide practical tools, adaptable ideas, and real-world insights to help you confidently launch a program that fits your library’s size, audience, and resources.

As a result of this program, attendees will:

• Identify groups in their community most impacted by social isolation and loneliness

• Develop effective conversation starters to spark engaging and comfortable interaction

• Learn how to plan, scale, and replicate a Speed Friending program tailored to their library

Podcasts, Fandoms and Booktok, Oh My! Patrons and Non-Traditional Media

Wednesday, August 26th from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

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With the ever-changing media landscape, it can be hard to keep up with the trends and topics that are capturing patrons’ attention outside the library. On the creative side: What resources can we provide for our podcasters, fanfiction writers and streamers? On the user side: are we prepared to provide readers’ advisory for customers engaged with online media?

This webinar will give a brief overview of some of these non-traditional forms of media and connect them to the work of public libraries both as a resource for creatives and as a hub for media literacy and advisory.

Who will benefit from this program

• Staff that Interacts with Patrons

• Circulation Staff Members

• Reader’s Advisory Staff

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

The NC Cardinal Annual Staff Survey ran from May 26^th until June 15^th. We received 463 responses from across almost every library in the NC Cardinal Consortium. We are currently reading your feedback closely and working on responses. Our analysis will be shared at the NC Cardinal Annual meeting in August, and our responses to your feedback will be posted in the Knowledge Book as soon as possible. We are looking for solutions to issues raised, submitting bugs and wish list items, and planning training based on everything you shared with us. Thank you for your thoughtful responses!

Annual Meeting

NC Cardinal will be hosting our annual report meeting on August 27^th. This year’s annual report will be delivered virtually. Keep an eye on Basecamp and your email inbox for further details.

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 Holds documentation to exist in a standalone book titled “Holds Management in Evergreen”. Keep an eye on the books for more changes and new content. And please share feedback!

Preparing to Upgrade

As we prepare for our next planned upgrade to Evergreen 3.17 in November of 2026, we will integrate new features and functions in out Next server for testing. Look out for announcements about this process. Your help testing the upgrade in late summer and early fall will ensure we find and address bugs before we go live.

Welcome to the Nest!

NC Cardinal recently completed the migration of four new county library systems. Please welcome them and keep an eye out as they begin resource sharing in the next few weeks.

• Camden County Library

• Currituck County Library

• Dare County Library

• Pasquotank County Library

Upcoming migrations

The following libraries will be joining NC Cardinal next year:

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

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

Upcoming training opportunities

Acquisitions 101: Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting

This 1-hour webinar will take a look at the acquisitions workflow. We will cover the basic workflow (whether you use EDI or not). We’ll also take a look at common issues and discuss how to handle delayed and cancelled line items, how to move money between funds, how to troubleshoot invoices, and any other questions you have. If you’re new to Acquisitions, this is a chance to learn the basics and get your questions answered. If you’re a seasoned pro, this is a chance to dive into some of the issues that have come up since the last two upgrades.

Audience: Staff who already work with the Acquisitions functions in Evergreen, or who work in libraries using the Acquisitions function and want to learn more

When: Tuesday, August 11 at 10 AM

Where: WebEx

Register for Acquisitions 101: Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting here.

Tracking Transits

This 1-hour webinar will cover information about managing in transit items in Evergreen. Topics covered will include the admin Transit List, the process of cancelling transits, and useful transit reports. We will also discuss workflows for managing items that are considered to be lingering in transit, and troubleshooting.

Audience: Resource Sharing Staff, Administrators

When: Thursday, August 20, 2 PM

Where: WebEx

Register for Tracking Transits here.

In-Person Training Opportunity

Come join members of the NC Cardinal team to learn more about reports, cataloging, and more. Network with colleagues from other libraries in the consortium, and ask us all your burning questions! Take a look at the draft agenda here.

When: Wednesday September 16^th 10 AM – 3 PM

Where: Western Carteret Library (Part of the Carteret County Public Library)

Register to attend the In-Person Training Event 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.

Doing Less With Less: The Case for Scaling Services to Your Budget Webinar

August 11 at 1 PM ET

Library staff have a hard time saying no to their communities, and the thought of ending programs or services can be terrifying when usage stats rule. In this session, Mandy Walters will detail the merits of doing an excellent job with the funds allocated but no more and, in turn, making the case to the community that more funds equals more services. Scaling back can also be a morale builder for staff, decreasing burnout and turnover.

Attendees will leave with the communication tools necessary to justify doing less to their Boards, communities, and other stakeholders and to advocate regarding what they could do with more resources.

Register

Read the full press release and explore project awards on our website.

These grant awards are made possible by funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the Library of North Carolina, a division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-260837-OLS-26).

Looking for Clues: Readers’ Advisory for Mystery Lovers

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

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Join Readers’ Advisory expert Lila Denning for an hour of how you can develop your readers advisory skills to help readers looking for mysteries. You will learn what is a mystery and how it is different than other kinds of crime fiction. She will show how to help your patrons find their next great read by focusing on what appeals most to them including subgenre, theme, and other appeal factors.

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

• Understand the basic features of a mystery as well as the major sub-genres, appeals, and themes

• Identify resources for finding mysteries in a variety of sub-genres

• Discover the major literary awards for mysteries as well as how they can help in your Readers Advisory efforts

• Learn titles and authors to get you started in your own investigation into the world of mystery fiction

It’s About Time: Supporting Neurodivergent Employees with Time Management in the Workplace

Wednesday, July 15th from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

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The term “neurodiversity” refers to the infinite variation in brain functioning that leads to differences in thinking, attention, memory, and communication. Some neurodivergent individuals have differences in executive functioning skills like time management, and as a result, need different support and accommodations in the workplace. In this presentation, learn about time management from a neurodivergent lens.

Whether you are neurodivergent or you are a supervisor to someone who is, this webinar will provide concrete strategies to support time management in the workplace.

As a result of this program, attendees will:

• Learn why neurodivergent individuals, such as people with Autism and ADHD, have differences in time management skills

• Understand key concepts, such as tachyosychia, time blindness, and executive functioning

• Gain 6-8 concrete strategies to support and make accommodations for neurodivergent individuals with time management in the workplace

• Learn about 3-5 tools that neurodivergent individuals can use in the workplace to support effective time management

How to Teach Tech to Adults Who Swear They’re “Bad at Technology”

Wednesday, July 22nd at 2:00pm

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Many adults approach technology classes convinced they’re “just bad at tech,” making confidence, not skill, the biggest barrier to learning. This hands-on session shares simple teaching strategies, supportive language, and practical demonstrations library staff can use immediately to reduce tech anxiety and build trust. Attendees will leave with concrete tools for helping hesitant learners gain confidence, feel successful, and keep coming back for help.

As a result of this program, attendees will:

• Apply simple, proven teaching strategies to reduce tech anxiety and build confidence in hesitant adult learners

• Use supportive, approachable language that fosters trust and encourages continued engagement

• Implement practical, hands-on techniques that help learners experience quick wins and feel successful immediately

Getting on the Same Page: Communication Strategies to Build Team Cohesion, Collaboration, and Trust

Wednesday, July 29th at 2:00pm

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Team cohesion doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built through intentional communication. In this program, participants learn practical tools and approaches to reduce communication breakdowns, strengthen trust, and create more open, effective collaboration in their day-to-day work.

As a result of this program, attendees will:

• Explore benefits of formal, informal, and open communication at work

• Reflect on practical communication strategies for building team cohesion and trust

• Build confidence for having difficult conversations

• accessibility and affordability of digital devices and the internet,

• digital skills needed for safe internet usage,

• digital skills needed for workforce development,

• digital skills needed for economic development,

• and digital skills needed for utilizing Artificial Intelligence

to help inform state plans to meet the digital needs of all North Carolinians. Please share the survey widely with your communities!

The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, and is available in 10 languages. Responses are automatically captured as participants work through the survey and respondents may choose not to answer any or all questions and may stop at any time. No data will be released or used that can identify participants.

Take the survey

Paper copies of the survey can also be requested via peer-team-fi@ncsu.edu. For more information or questions about this survey, please contact: digitalopportunity@nc.gov

This survey is part of a partnership with NC State University’s William & Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation.

Want to brush up on your Spanish skills and practice phrases that are useful in a library environment? Join our interactive, self-paced virtual course, Basic Spanish for Library Staff, available through Niche Academy. A free Niche Academy account is needed to access this course.

Participants will:

• Learn basic library vocabulary and common scripts in Spanish

• Explore cultural competency concepts

• Discover outreach, and programming ideas for Spanish-speaking communities

• Build confidence in using Spanish in the library regardless of skill level

This course was created through a partnership between the South Carolina State Library, the Library of North Carolina, and REFORMA de las Carolinas, a chapter of REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking.

Join a learning circle

In fall 2026, we will host a Learning Circle for course participants to practice their skills, connect with peers, and continue building confidence in using Spanish in library settings.

Interested in joining the first cohort? Complete our interest form.

Learning circle interest form

This project is made possible in part by a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Creating a welcoming environment for teens: 7 must-haves to include in your teen space

Wednesday June 3^rd from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

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Creating a teen space that is welcoming and relevant takes care, intentionality, and a budget doesn’t hurt. In this practical and idea-packed webinar, participants will explore essential items every teen space could have to support connection, creativity, learning, and belonging. This session will highlight teen-centered elements that encourage teens to gather and see the library as their space.

As a result of this program, attendees will learn about:

• Practical items to include in teen spaces

• Actionable items to support youth and teens at the library

• Environmental ways to engage young people and give them a sense of belonging

Who should attend:

• Staff who interact with youth & teens at the library

Managing Stress & Anxiety at Work - Practical Strategies for Library Employees

Wednesday June 10th from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

Register

Stress shows up in every workplace, even in libraries. Busy service desks, challenging interactions, shifting priorities, and constant multitasking can take a toll. This session gives you the tools to stay steady, focused, and well-supported throughout the year.

Join a workplace wellness trainer for a 60-minute, skills-focused session designed to help you understand stress, manage anxious moments, and build habits that support long-term resilience.

Stress isn’t a weakness it’s a signal. Learn how to respond to it with clarity and confidence.

In this session, you will learn to:

• Understand what stress and anxiety are

• Recognize early signs of overwhelm

• Use simple techniques to stay calm during difficult moments

• Build sustainable habits that support emotional well-being

• Communicate more effectively under pressure

Who should attend:

• All staff who interact with patrons

• Supervisors and managers

Organize Your Time for Better Task Management

Wednesday, June 17^th from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

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Librarians and library workers often wear many hats, and the tasks and projects we juggle can be overwhelming. The fast pace of a service desk might cause distractions; a complex policy plan may seem too broad to break down.

In this webinar, we will discuss the many tools and strategies available to help you with this necessary skill. Presenter Cari Dubiel will also share tips and tricks for improving your time management.

In this informative program, participants will:

• Discuss different frameworks for time organization and management.

• Discuss physical and online tools to use and create an individualized approach to time management.

• Provide examples of best practices in time management for the different roles of library staff.

The Intentional One-on-One Conversation

Wednesday June 24^th from 2:00 – 3:00pm EST

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What if one-on-one meetings stopped feeling like another thing you’re supposed to do and started feeling like authentic leadership? In this 60-minute session, Michelle Ornat shares practical insights to help supervisors hold one-on-one conversations with greater clarity, presence, and ease.

The session explores why one-on-ones so often miss the mark or don’t happen at all, and how small mindset shifts and light preparation can transform these meetings into meaningful leadership moments.

Relevant for supervisors at any stage, you will be introduced to three core purposes of intentional one-on-one conversations: connection, direction, and cultivation. Understanding these purposes helps supervisors build rapport through dialogue, provide clear direction, and support employee development.

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

• Hold one-on-one meetings with clarity by identifying whether the primary purpose is connection, direction, or cultivation

• Prepare their mindset based on what is most needed in each conversation

• Use simple techniques to make one-on-ones more focused and effective

Who should attend:

• Supervisors and Managers

• Those preparing for or stepping into leadership roles

• Anyone seeking to improve communication, create impact, and contribute more effectively within their team and organization

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Conference scholarships cover the following expenses

For applicants requesting in-person attendance

Grant agreements between the Library of North Carolina and the awardees’ library system will cover hotel, airfare, and travel costs not to exceed $1,500 based upon receipts submitted after the conference. Registration costs do not count towards the award amount.

• Conference registration: The Library of North Carolina will pay conference registration for scholarship recipients directly to ARSL and provide a conference registration code for awardees. Registration costs do not count towards the award amount.

• Travel expenses: flight, baggage fees, rental car, and public transportation

• Hotel expenses for up to 4 nights with check-in on September 16 and check-out on September 20.

All other expenses such as meals and other incidentals are the responsibility of the staff person and/or library system. Please note that no purchases are allowed until all paperwork has been signed, returned and approved by the Library of North Carolina for each awardee. Purchases prior to approval may be denied reimbursement. This scholarship is reimbursable through the awarded library system.

For applicants requesting virtual-only attendance

• Virtual Conference registration: The Library of North Carolina will pay conference registration for scholarship recipients directly to ARSL and provide a conference registration code for awardees.

How to apply

Application

To apply, complete the online application including a brief essay describing how attendance at this conference will benefit your library and community.

Should the number of applicants surpass available funding, the following factors will be used to guide awarding decisions:

• application and essay quality

• applicants who are presenting at the conference

• number of applicants from the same library

• receipt of a scholarship in the prior year

Timeline

The application is available online now.

• Application deadline: Friday, July 10, at 5:00 pm ET.

• Award decision: All applicants will be notified of their application’s status by Friday, July 24.

Apply now

Questions?

For questions or more information contact Federal Programs Consultant Catherine Prince or Continuing Education Consultant, Lauren Clossey.

*These scholarships are not counted toward the Continuing Education Scholarships offered by the Library of North Carolina.

The Library of North Carolina encourages libraries in North Carolina to celebrate National Voter Registration Day scheduled September 15, 2026.  NVRD is a nonpartisan civic holiday seeking to create broad awareness of voter registration opportunities and voter resources.  The best part of celebrating NVRD is that no celebration is too small. The goal is to celebrate in a way that works best for your library and community.

There are many ways you can plan for and celebrate the holiday including:

• Sharing NVRD social media posts

• Providing voter information on your website

• Creating voter informational displays or handouts

• Making your library a resource for patrons to confirm their voter registration status and polling place

If you are planning to host a voter registration drive, resources are available through the Library of North Carolina NVRD toolkit and directly from NVRD.  You can register to become an NVRD partner to receive posters and stickers. We also encourage you to find local partners to help you celebrate the event, such as county election boards, Friends of Library, or League of Women Voters. You can even combine this event with National Library Card Sign-Up Month.  How your library chooses to celebrate is up to you!

NVRD Communication Resources

For more information or questions, contact Lynda Reynolds at or Lauren Clossey.

Book Groups and Reading Programs

Library of North Carolina’s Accessible Books and Library Services (ABLS) is a free, convenient library service for North Carolinians who are unable to read standard print due to low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual, or reading disability. The library is located in Raleigh, but mails materials throughout the state. ABLS is a state agency operated by the Library of North Carolina as a part of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. It is also a part of the network of regional libraries operated by the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS).

To support these audiences of readers, ABLS hosts a variety of book groups and reading programs.

• Book Groups: Interested readers are invited to join the in-person VIP (Visually Impaired Program) Book Club on the second Friday of each month or the Phone-It-In Book Club, held by phone on the third Thursday of each month. Email the Library at ncabls@ncdcr.gov to learn more or register to participate.

• Seasonal Reading Program: From June 1st until August 31st (Summer Reading) and December 1st until February 28th (Winter Reading), patrons who sign up to participate in the program will have their books read added to an overall Seasonal Reading score. Registration is open online for Seasonal Reading during May 15th - July 15th (Summer Reading) and November 15th - January 15th (Winter Reading).

• ABLS Writing Contest: Unleash your creativity with the annual Writing Contest, held every Fall. Patrons are invited to submit original stories, poems, or essays for a chance to earn prizes, be recognized, and have their stories made available on BARD. The contest will be divided into four separate age groups: ages 8 and younger, ages 9 to 12, ages 13 to 17, and 18 and older. More information about rules and submission guidelines are found on the ABLS contest webpage.

• Reader’s Corner: ABLS provides numerous resources to support readers’ needs, including Talking Books Topics, Braille Book Review, best seller lists, and patron engagement events.

The book groups and reading programs are only some of the many services provided by ABLS. We invite you to learn more about Accessible Books and Library Services, or contact us for additional assistance:

Hours: Mon.- Fri. 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

Chat with a Reader Advisor: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, except for state holidays

• Phone (voice): 984-236-1100 (Raleigh area residents)

• Phone Toll-free: 1-888-388-2460 (Nationwide)

• Phone (Branch Head): 984-236-1100

• Fax: 984-236-1199

• Email: NCABLS@dncr.nc.gov

About Scott:

As Youth Services Consultant at the Library of North Carolina, Scott Frawley provides consulting services focused on Youth Services and intergenerational and multigenerational programming; community outreach; summer learning and CSLP; and providing feedback on grant proposals, including LSTA grants, related to Youth Services.

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

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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.