Free Webinars in December (PLA)

Check out these free learning opportunities from PLA:

​Free national webinars in December

• December 16: “Library Programs and Partnerships in the 2020 Census”
• PLA and OCLC are hosting a free webinar on Tuesday, Dec. 17, around public libraries response to the opioid crisis. This webinar will highlight approaches, resources, and programs that can help reduce stigma and fear surrounding the opioid crisis, and promote healthier communities. Learn more and register.
• Want to learn more about the Macmillan saga related to ebook access at public libraries? PLA will host an #eBooksForAll Campaign Update webinar on Tuesday, Dec. 17, to outline planned next steps with Congress and data-gathering to build the library case, and specific actions public libraries can take to advance these efforts.* The webinar is free, but registration is required and space is limited. Learn more and register.

New course on health insurance enrollment added to DigitalLearn website
In early November, in coordination with Affordable Care Act (ACA) Open Enrollment for 2020, PLA released a new online tutorial to help consumers sign up for health insurance. The course, Using Healthcare.gov to Enroll in Health Insurance, covers the basics of securing coverage through Healthcare.gov, the health insurance exchange website operated by the U.S. federal government. This 18-minute online tutorial explores the processes of determining eligibility, preparing to enroll, creating an account, and finding local help to successfully enroll in an ACA health insurance plan. The course can be accessed via DigitalLearn.org, PLA's free online digital literacy training curriculum designed to help people increase their digital skills. Read the full announcement.

 
Watch recording of family engagement program
PLA recently collaborated with the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) to present the session “How Programs Can Recruit & Engage Culturally Diverse Families” at NCFL's Annual Conference in Louisville. During the session, education and library experts who work to engage diverse community groups spoke about how those programs can inform the work of public libraries. Presenters included Allison Barney, youth services manager at Denver (Colo.) Public Library; Amber Creger, Youth Department director at Schaumburg Township (Ill.) District Library; Zeljana Javorek, ESL program manager at Catholic Charities of Louisville (Ky.); Sophie Maier, immigrant services librarian at Louisville (Ky.) Free Public Library; Homa Naficy, executive director of The American Place at Hartford (Conn.) Public Library; and PLA Deputy Director Scott Allen. Click here to access a recording of the session or here to view the presentation slides.