Grow your skills. Advance your career. Better serve your community.
The Oklahoma Department of Libraries offers a range of professional development opportunities designed to support public library staff at every stage—from new hires to seasoned professionals. Whether you are pursuing certification, fulfilling your contact hours, or expanding your professional capabilities, we offer training and support that enrich your work and strengthen the services you provide.
Learning Opportunities
Fall 2026 Certification Workshop at Enid Public Library
This 2-day workshop is open to any Oklahoma library staff who are pursuing their initial certification. The workshop includes four classes and the library will host a networking dinner on the first evening of the workshop.
Register for all sessions you plan to attend.
Legislation Affecting Public Libraries
November 12 | 9:00–11:30 a.m.
Programming & Outreach
November 12 | 1:30–5:30 p.m.
Networking Dinner
November 12 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Location TBD
Collection Development
November 13 | 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Computers & Electronic Resources
November 13 | 1:30–5:30 p.m.
Please bring your own laptop.
Early Literacy and School Readiness Workshops
This year’s Fall Early Literacy and School Readiness workshops will feature expert insights on early childhood brain development from Brandi Elwood at Oklahoma Department of Health, as well as Nancy Stewart’s Sing into Reading training, which demonstrates how music and singing make teaching early literacy skills natural, playful, and memorable for families.
Fairview Public Library
October 12 | 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Belle Isle Library, Metropolitan Library System
Oklahoma City
October 13 | 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Zarrow Regional Library, Tulsa City-County Library System
Tulsa
October 14 | 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Workshops Promoting Early Literacy and School Readiness
Additional resources are available to all libraries and applicants. Register for one of three workshops and learn from early development experts! Trainings will feature insights on early childhood brain development, ready-to-use resources, and community engagement ideas.
Fairview Public Library | Fairview, OK
October 12, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Belle Isle Library, Metropolitan Library System | Oklahoma City, OK
October 13, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Zarrow Regional Library, Tulsa City-County Library System | Tulsa, OK
October 14, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Training Spotlight
Severe Weather Engagement: A New Resource from The Healing Library
September 18 | 12:30–1:30 p.m. | NNLM
Explore The Healing Library’s collection of free, ready-to-use resources and discuss how these materials can be adapted for library communities.
Heat, Health, and Disasters: The Role of Libraries
September 22 | 1:00–2:00 p.m. | NNLM
Discover practical ways libraries can support their communities during periods of extreme heat and each phase of the disaster management cycle.
Ready NOW: A Framework for Disaster Response in Libraries
September 23 | 10:00–11:00 a.m. | NNLM
Check out this toolkit that helps staff move from good intentions to grounded action through relationship-building, co-creation, and internal capacity.
A Library of Things for Disaster Response
September 24 | 12:00–1:00 p.m. | Sustainable Libraries Initiative
Learn how one system made its "Library of Things" a disaster response asset that supports community needs before, during, and after major disruptions.
What the Thermometer Misses: Heat Risk Perception and Trusted Intermediaries
September 24 | 1:00–2:00 p.m. | NNLM
Learn about a method for assessing local risk perceptions and identifying which intermediaries are best positioned to reach populations that might otherwise be missed.
Niche Academy Spotlight
Each under an hour, these on-demand trainings offer additional resources for library staff on the topic of disaster preparation.
Public Library Certification
A free, semester-based training program that supports staff working toward initial library certification. Courses include:
How to Think Like a Librarian
Reference & Readers' Advisory
Computers & Electronic Resources
Interpersonal Skills
Library Legislation
Programming & Outreach
Collection Development
Library Administration
Track Your Progress
Use our dashboards to track certification and contact hours:
Online Learning Opportunities
Access on-demand training, certification programs, and webinars through platforms like:
Niche Academy (includes Online Certification classes and Ryan Dowd’s Homeless De-escalation Training)
WebJunction
Public Library Association
Booklist, Infopeople, EdWeb, and more
Have Questions?
We’re here to support your professional development.
Contact us at: ODL.education@libraries.ok.gov.
.png)