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Professional Development Resources for Librarians: Home

WebJunction

Free January Webinars The list, provided by the Maine State Library, includes over 40 webinars and an online conference, covering 14 different topic areas.

Course Catalog

Topic Areas

Upcoming Webinars

Past Webinar Recordings

WebJunction Projects

Unite Against Book Bans

Unite Against Book Bans supports the public to defeat attempts at every level of government to censor reading materials and ban books. The majority of Americans believe in everyone's freedom to read, and the coalition is composed of parents, students, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and library workers. Unite Against Book Bans is an initiative of the American Library Association, a 501(c)3 organization. 

Unite Against Book Bans Mission: "Unite Against Book Bans strives to stop the removal of reading materials from America’s libraries and schools, which has soared to record highs in recent years. Unite is working to defeat the vocal minority that seeks to impose their views on others by restricting the First Amendment right to read freely."

Unite Against Book Bans Beliefs: 

  • Reading is a foundational skill, critical to learning and exercising our democratic freedoms.
  • Individuals must be trusted and have the right to make their own decisions about what to read.
  • Parents should not make decisions about what to read for other parents' children.
  • Library materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
  • Books are tools for understanding complex issues. Limiting access to books does not offer protection from life's complex and challenging issues.
  • All people deserve to see themselves reflected in a library's books.
  • Library workers should not be subject to harassment, intimidation, arrest, or threats of legal action for fulfilling their professional obligation to serve all members of their community.

About this Subject Guide

This subject guide was originally based on resources the presenter and program participants shared at the 2017 New Mexico Library Association Mini-conference program Transforming Ourselves through Professional Development.

Pages of this guide are predominantly organized based on the following areas.

  • Taking advantage of the numerous resources available through ALA
  • Attending library association conferences, in person and online
  • Completing online courses and webinars
  • Exploring library tech blogs
  • Gaining access to valuable practical tools and skills to incorporate right away from toolkits
  • Connecting to resources available through the New Mexico State Library

Know additional resources for staying up to date and ahead of the curve that are free? Do you have additional comments you would like to share? Contact us and we'll add helpful resources to this guide.