Available courses
Number of topics: 3
May 7, 2026 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM (MLS Northampton Office) - includes a one-hour break for lunch
Description
This interactive workshop prepares library staff to lead engaging musical Storytimes for infants through early elementary age. With peers, participants explore vocal technique, songs, movement activities, and musical play while making connections to early literacy and childhood development. Each person will leave with a plan for bringing a musical Storytime into their work.
This workshop is intended for library staff who work with children ages 0-5.
What to expect
How will I be participating?
During this in-person workshop, expect frequent, active participation for maximum impact! Collaborate with peers through the use of breakout groups and hands-on activities. Please bring your laptops - they will be needed for the final activity.
Please note, sessions will not be recorded.
After completing this workshop, learners will be able to:
- Identify connections between music, early literacy, and childhood development.
- Demonstrate the use of a musical voice to engage children during Storytime activities.
- Select strategies for encouraging caregiver participation across diverse program settings.
- Practice and evaluate musical Storytime techniques through peer exchange.
- Adapt a story into an interactive activity appropriate for a specific age group.
Location
This workshop will be held IN PERSON at the MLS office in Northampton, located at 241-243 King Street, Suite 250 Northampton, MA 01060. Parking is free and plentiful.
Please see the MLS Northampton Building Guide for directions and other helpful information
Guidelines for conduct
Please refer to the Learning Hub's Community Guidelines for Conduct as you engage with this workshop. Additional policies and information can be found in the site wide footer.
Accessibility
The Massachusetts Library System (MLS) strives to create inclusive and accessible events. To request a reasonable accommodation to attend this event, please contact Sarah Donnelly (Event & Project Manager) at sdonnelly@masslibsystem.org or 508-357-2121 ext. 301. All reasonable accommodation requests should be made no fewer than two (2) weeks before the event, although we will attempt to fulfill reasonable requests made after that time.
For information about accessibility across the MLS Learning Hub, please see the Accessibility Statement located in the sitewide footer.
How do I get a certificate?
To receive a certificate of completion by email, participants must:
- Attend the live session in full
- Actively participate in all workshop activities, including discussions and breakout groups
- Complete the post-workshop evaluation
Why participation matters
This workshop is designed to be interactive and collaborative. Active participation strengthens the experience for everyone and supports deeper learning. If you prefer self-paced learning, MLS offers self-paced courses and live and recorded webinars that do not require live participation.
For more information (links will open in a new browser window):
Learning Hub Self-Paced Learning
MLS provides access to our members for a variety of webinars from ALA, PCI Webinars, and LibraryWorks Webinar and more!
If registration for this workshop is full, please contact learninghub@masslibsystem.org to be put on a waitlist.
✋ Need help?
For questions about this workshop, contact Hillary Washburn at learninghub@masslibsystem.org.
Number of topics: 3
May 6, 2026 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM (MLS Marlborough Office) - includes a one-hour break for lunch
Description
This interactive workshop prepares library staff to lead engaging musical Storytimes for infants through early elementary age. With peers, participants explore vocal technique, songs, movement activities, and musical play while making connections to early literacy and childhood development. Each person will leave with a plan for bringing a musical Storytime into their work.
This workshop is intended for library staff who work with children ages 0-5.
What to expect
How will I be participating?
During this in-person workshop, expect frequent, active participation for maximum impact! Collaborate with peers through the use of breakout groups and hands-on activities. Please bring your laptops - they will be needed for the final activity.
Please note, sessions will not be recorded.
After completing this workshop, learners will be able to:
- Identify connections between music, early literacy, and childhood development.
- Demonstrate the use of a musical voice to engage children during Storytime activities.
- Select strategies for encouraging caregiver participation across diverse program settings.
- Practice and evaluate musical Storytime techniques through peer exchange.
- Adapt a story into an interactive activity appropriate for a specific age group.
Location
This workshop will be held IN PERSON at the MLS office in Marlborough, located at 33 Boston Post Road West, Suite 400 (Fourth Floor), Marlborough, MA 01752. Parking is free and plentiful.
Please see the MLS Marlborough Building Guide for directions and other helpful information
Guidelines for conduct
Please refer to the Learning Hub's Community Guidelines for Conduct as you engage with this workshop. Additional policies and information can be found in the site wide footer.
Accessibility
The Massachusetts Library System (MLS) strives to create inclusive and accessible events. To request a reasonable accommodation to attend this event, please contact Sarah Donnelly (Event & Project Manager) at sdonnelly@masslibsystem.org or 508-357-2121 ext. 301. All reasonable accommodation requests should be made no fewer than two (2) weeks before the event, although we will attempt to fulfill reasonable requests made after that time.
For information about accessibility across the MLS Learning Hub, please see the Accessibility Statement located in the sitewide footer.
How do I get a certificate?
To receive a certificate of completion by email, participants must:
- Attend the live session in full
- Actively participate in all workshop activities, including discussions and breakout groups
- Complete the post-workshop evaluation
Why participation matters
This workshop is designed to be interactive and collaborative. Active participation strengthens the experience for everyone and supports deeper learning. If you prefer self-paced learning, MLS offers self-paced courses and live and recorded webinars that do not require live participation.
For more information (links will open in a new browser window):
Learning Hub Self-Paced Learning
MLS provides access to our members for a variety of webinars from ALA, PCI Webinars, and LibraryWorks Webinar and more!
If registration for this workshop is full, please contact learninghub@masslibsystem.org to be put on a waitlist.
✋ Need help?
For questions about this workshop, contact Hillary Washburn at learninghub@masslibsystem.org.
Number of topics: 7
A six-month, cohort-based book club and discussion series led by Cathy Hakala-Ausperk, author of Build a Great Team: One Year to Success (book provided). Participants read two chapters per month and engage in facilitated asynchronous discussion and live, discussion-driven sessions focused on practical application. Emphasis is placed on peer learning; sharing challenges, testing ideas, and building strategies that translate directly to library team leadership and supervision.
Please note, sessions will not be recorded.
As a result of participating in this book club, learners will be able to:
- Apply practical strategies to build, strengthen, and lead their team.
- Navigate team leadership challenges through peer reflection and shared problem-solving.
- Build a network of peers for ongoing support and learning.
Guidelines for conduct
Please refer to the Learning Hub's Community Guidelines for Conduct as you engage with this workshop. Additional policies and information can be found in the site wide footer.
Accessibility
For information about accessibility across the MLS Learning Hub, please see the Accessibility Statement located in the sitewide footer.
How do I get a certificate?
To receive a certificate of completion by email, participants must:
- Attend the live sessions in full
- Actively participate in all discussions and live sessions
- Complete the post-course evaluation
Why participation matters
This book club is designed to be interactive and collaborative. Active participation strengthens the experience for everyone and supports deeper learning. If you prefer self-paced learning, MLS offers self-paced courses and live and recorded webinars that do not require live participation.
For more information:
Learning Hub Self-Paced Learning
MLS provides access to our members for a variety of webinars from ALA, PCI Webinars, and LibraryWorks Webinar and more!
✋ Need help?
For questions about this workshop, contact Hillary Washburn at learninghub@masslibsystem.org.
Enrollment for this course is closed.
Number of topics: 4
October 16, 2025 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM (MLS Northampton Office)
Description
Getting started with strategic planning or need a refresher? This workshop provides practical strategies for a simplified, effective, and enjoyable planning process. We'll explore the basics of strategic planning for libraries with a focus on how to gather staff and community input. Participants will leave with ideas, tools, and a little spark of inspiration.
What to expect
How will I be participating?
During this in-person workshop, expect frequent, active participation for maximum impact! Collaborate with peers through the use of breakout groups and hands-on activities.
Please note, sessions will not be recorded.
After completing this workshop, learners will be able to:
- Explain the value and purpose of strategic planning in libraries.
- Identify the essential components of a strategic plan.
- Choose 2–3 methods to gather insights from your staff and community.
CEUs
This course awards 0.2 IACET CEUs upon successful completion. To earn CEUs, learners must complete all required modules and pass the post-course assessment.
Location
This workshop will be held IN PERSON at the MLS office in Northampton, located at 241-243 King Street, Suite 250 Northampton, MA 01060. Parking is free and plentiful.
Guidelines for conduct
Please refer to the Learning Hub's Community Guidelines for Conduct as you engage with this workshop. Additional policies and information can be found in the site wide footer.
Accessibility
The Massachusetts Library System (MLS) strives to create inclusive and accessible events. To request a reasonable accommodation to attend this event, please contact Sarah Donnelly (Event & Project Manager) at sdonnelly@masslibsystem.org or 508-357-2121 ext. 301. All reasonable accommodation requests should be made no fewer than two (2) weeks before the event, although we will attempt to fulfill reasonable requests made after that time.
For information about accessibility across the MLS Learning Hub, please see the Accessibility Statement located in the sitewide footer.
How do I get a certificate?
To receive a certificate of completion by email, participants must:
- Attend the live session in full
- Actively participate in all workshop activities, including discussions and breakout groups
- Complete the post-workshop evaluation
Why participation matters
This workshop is designed to be interactive and collaborative. Active participation strengthens the experience for everyone and supports deeper learning. If you prefer self-paced learning, MLS offers self-paced courses and live and recorded webinars that do not require live participation.
For more information (links will open in a new browser window):
Learning Hub Self-Paced Learning
MLS provides access to our members for a variety of webinars from ALA, PCI Webinars, and LibraryWorks Webinar and more!
If registration for this workshop is full, please contact learninghub@masslibsystem.org to be put on a waitlist.
✋ Need help?
- For questions about this workshop, contact Michelle at michelle@masslibsystem.org.
- If you encounter technical issues while using this workshop, contact Hillary Washburn at learninghub@masslibsystem.org.
Number of topics: 7
This course is for learners who have been chosen to present an MLS Member Webinar. MLS Member Webinars are selected through a proposal process once or twice per year and allow MLS members to share their expertise with the MLS community in a live, online presentation format.
For more information, see the MLS Member Webinars LibGuide.
Learning Outcomes
- Set personal goals and identify the skills needed to build confidence and effectively present an MLS Member Webinar.
- Design and follow a personal preparation plan to improve the delivery of an MLS Member Webinar.
- Present an MLS Member Webinar on the selected proposal topic, applying best practices of engagement, interactivity, and inclusivity.