Training
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Events
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Public Libraries Watercooler Discussion
Join members of the NC LIVE Continuing Education and Training Committee (CETAC) for a laid-back, "cameras-on" (if you want!) chat about what’s actually happening in our libraries right now. We’re moving past the "how-to" of specific databases and into the "why" of our daily work. This discussion is an opportunity for North Carolina public library staff to discuss the big-picture issues and emerging interests that are currently on your mind - and on your front desk.
From the quirks of navigating AI at the reference desk to the big-picture challenge of keeping our spaces accessible and welcoming in 2026, no topic is too big or too small.This discussion is dedicated to the interests and issues that keep us busy. Whether you’re working in a busy urban hub or a quiet rural branch, come hang out with your peers across North Carolina to brainstorm, network, and realize you’re definitely not alone in this.
Discussion Leads:
Christy Bondy, Director of Chatham County Public Library
Page Andersen, Assistant Director of Burke County Public Library
Laura Jones, Director of Duplin County Public Library
Devon Waugh, Instruction Librarian for NC LIVEStrengthening Library Services through Student Staff Engagement and Development
The PASCAL Voices Series highlights practical, peer-led approaches that enhance library services and deepen connections with campus communities. This one-hour session brings together two complementary lightning talks focused on strengthening the student staff experience as a strategy for improving service quality, operational efficiency, and student success.
This webinar will feature two 20-minute lightning talks followed by discussion and Q&A, giving participants an opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions, and explore how these approaches might be adapted at their own institutions. Participants will leave with actionable, scalable strategies for engaging student staff as partners in delivering high-quality, student-centered library services.
Lightning Talks:
Innovating the Student Staff Experience to Elevate Your Library
Providing high-quality service is imperative for libraries to meet the needs of their stakeholders, and Student Staff play an invaluable role in meeting this goal. In this session, learn simple strategies that you can implement to enhance Student Staff training, build community among Student Staff, and ultimately raise the level of service for your patrons. These strategies are currently used with our Student Staff in the Learning Commons at Clemson Libraries, and they can be scaled to meet the diverse needs of your library's Student Staff.
Some of the strategies that will be discussed include:
- Building community through food, job titles, celebrations, and check-ins
- Enhance training through field trips, coaching, projects, and feedbackPresenters: Jessica Kohout-Tailor, Undergraduate Experience Librarian & Learning Commons Director, and Tyler Commons, Learning Commons Manager, Clemson Libraries
Elevating the Student Experience: Optimizing Student Worker Management at the Access Services Hub
Operating the demanding Access Services Hub requires librarians and staff to balance core responsibilities with the vital task of supervising student workers. This lightning talk addresses the critical challenge of elevating the student experience—ensuring meaningful development and engagement—while maintaining operational excellence at a high-volume service point. We will explore practical strategies for optimizing student worker management to alleviate the workload pressures associated with managing diverse duties.This includes innovative approaches for moving beyond simple transactions by focusing on cross-training, a scaffolded, competency-based model, and workflow design that empowers student staff ownership and develops essential workplace skills. Attendees will gain actionable insights on scheduling optimization for peak times, developing student leadership, and implementing effective performance assessment methods to strengthen both service quality and student learning outcomes.
Presenter: Faith Rankin, Circulation Services and Resource Sharing Librarian, Tri-County Technical College
NC LIVE AI Community of Practice Discussion
The NC LIVE AI Community of Practice will host its next discussion on Thursday, March 12, from 1 - 2 pm.
This session shifts the focus from instructional practice to staff empowerment and institutional capacity. Danielle Colbert-Lewis and Sean Rodgers from North Carolina Central University (NCCU) - home to the nation’s first AI institute at an HBCU - will lead the conversation and share how they have spearheaded AI training within their library.
Their approach centers on creating low barriers to entry and providing multiple opportunities for learning, ensuring that every staff member - regardless of their technical background - feels empowered to explore these new tools.
Date: Thursday, March 12thTime: 1 - 2pm
Discussion Goals:
Explore successful models for introducing AI concepts to library teams with varying levels of comfort and experience.
Identify the challenges of staff upskilling and brainstorm collective solutions for libraries.
Share strategies for building a sustainable, curiosity-driven culture that keeps pace with rapid technological shifts.