Training
Online Resources
Events
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The New Instruction Librarian Live: Real Problems, Real Solutions
Step into the classroom with confidence! This webinar brings to life teaching scenarios from the 2025 (2nd edition) book The New Instruction Librarian, tackling the common (and sometimes surprising) challenges that instruction librarians face. Together, we’ll look at practical ways to respond in the moment, keep students engaged, and build confidence as an instructor. Our goal is to keep things real, practical, and reassuring, because you don’t have to figure this out alone.
Co-authors Candice Benjes-Small and Rebecca Miller Waltz will be joined by a panel of librarians who served as experts in the book.
Presenters
Candice Benjes-Small, MLIS, is head of research at William & Mary Libraries in Williamsburg, VA. A frequent presenter at national library and teaching-and-learning conferences, Benjes-Small has published widely on information literacy pedagogy, librarian–faculty partnerships, and the organizational structures that support effective teaching programs. Along with Rebecca, she co-founded The Innovative Library Classroom, a popular regional library instruction conference, serving as co-chair since 2014.
Rebecca Miller Waltz, MSLS, MAEd, is Associate Dean for Learning and Engagement at Penn State University Libraries. Rebecca has been active in regional, state, and national library organizations and has authored and coauthored a number of books, book chapters, technical reports, and articles on teaching, learning, and instructional technologies in libraries, including publications in College & Research Libraries News, Journal of Learning Spaces, Library Leadership & Management, and Journal of Library Administration.
Bringing the Past to Life: Readers' Advisory for Historical Fiction
Historical fiction draws readers in because it lets them discover something new through story - whether that’s an unfamiliar time period, a new place, or a different perspective on history. Many readers turn to the genre to escape repetitive themes, explore deeper context, or find rich, discussion-worthy titles.
This readers’ advisory webinar will focus on why readers love historical fiction and how library staff can make confident, engaging recommendations. We’ll talk about key appeal factors, strategies for selecting standout titles, and ways to offer variety within the genre from sweeping epics to quieter, character-driven stories.
We’ll also explore how libraries can connect historical fiction to local history and programming with Leigh Thomas, who leads the Past Tense: Historical Fiction Book Club at New Hanover County Public Library. Leigh will share how the book club is structured, how titles are selected, and how historical fiction can spark meaningful community conversations and partnerships.
Attendees will leave with practical readers’ advisory strategies and fresh ideas for engaging readers through the past.
Presenters: Leigh Thomas, Branch Manager at New Hanover County Public Library, and Devon Waugh, Instruction Librarian for NC LIVE
Learning Objectives: Identify the key appeal factors of historical fiction that draw readers in, including unique time periods, rich context, and compelling perspectives, and use these factors to guide confident readers’ advisory.
Apply practical strategies to select and recommend standout historical fiction titles, ensuring variety across style, scope, and theme to engage different reader interests.
Connect historical fiction to local history and library programming, using book clubs, community partnerships, and events to bring the past to life for readers and spark meaningful discussions.From Community to Campus: Public to Academic Librarianship
Many public librarians seek to make career changes by transitioning into academic libraries. This panel will feature four academic librarians that have all also worked for public libraries. During this panel discussion, presenters will discuss their career paths and how their skillsets developed in the public library.
This presentation aims to demystify the process, share valuable insights, and offer practical advice based on our journeys from public to academic librarianship.