Author: Lisa Barnhart

Do you have a training topic to bring to your region? Would you like to network and learn with library colleagues near you? CALL has been listening and we know you want more in-person events, but it’s hard to take time away from your library. Local CALL provides a chance for your library to host a learning event and invite your colleagues. California Libraries Learn will provide financial support.

Goals

Local CALL is intended to:

• Provide support for customized training at the regional level. 
• Encourage networking and connections between libraries with similar training needs. 
• Provide more on-ground training.
• Minimize staff time away from the library for training.
• Maximize the impact of training investments.
• Provide more in-person opportunities for rural and remote areas.
• Use more California trainers/presenters.

Guidelines

• Local CALL events must be hosted by a California public library or library cooperative. However, you may invite staff from other library types to participate.
• You may apply for financial support up to $5,000. Funds may be used for Presenters/Trainers and facility fees, if the event happens outside of the host library.
• The host library must invite other library staff within its region or cooperative library system. Local CALL cannot support training for a single library jurisdiction, such as a staff training day.
• The host library will handle registration, promotion, logistics and distribution of a required LSTA evaluation.
• CALL staff can provide guidance and assistance on topics and presenters when requested.
• Local CALL interest forms will be accepted starting October 24 and reviewed on a rolling basis until December 31, 2024. All Local CALL events must be complete by July 31, 2025.

I’m Interested!

• Complete and submit the Local CALL Interest Form.
• CALL staff will review the form and get back to you.
• If you have questions about Local CALL, please contact Lisa Barnhart, CALL Project Manager, at lbarnhart@cla-net.org.

Do you want a better understanding of mental health and practical tools for use in your daily work? In August and September, CALL is offering Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor Certification.

One in five Americans has a mental illness in any given year. The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically increased depression and anxiety symptoms for many who are reluctant to seek help or do not know where to turn for care. California library workers are well aware of these challenges, as shown by this year’s California Library Association conference theme, Balancing Act: Self Care and Shelf Care. 

In response, California Libraries Learn (CALL) is offering the opportunity for library workers to be certified as Instructors in the MHFA curriculum for Youth and/or Adults. Read more about Debunking Myths Around Mental Health First Aid.

“Mental Health First Aid’s (MHFA) main goal is to teach individuals how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges in their friends, neighbors and coworkers. MHFA does not teach individuals how to diagnose or treat mental illness or substance use, but it equips them with crucial skills for providing assistance.”

Lodi Public Library

Andriana Martin, librarian at the Lodi Public Library, is a certified MHFA Instructor. She has seen the impact on the Lodi community. “The library is the hub of any community, filled with free information and resources for all members of the public,” says Martin. “Three years ago, all the library staff members at Lodi Public Library were trained in Mental Health First Aid. The training was specifically focused on helping adults within the community.” The library was recognized for their work with the MHFA and adults in the local news. Last year, teens in the community asked for the training for themselves. In response, more staff members trained as instructors in Teen MHFA. As staff started promoting these trainings to teens, community members also requested the course.

Your library can do the same thing as the Lodi Public Library, which is now poised to train more new MHFA instructors through CALL. Having more instructors will increase capacity to go out into the community and host training sessions in MHFA for adults, teens, and youth. According to the MHFA, research shows that individuals who complete instructor training are able to use their skills to offer support through appropriate self-help and professional resources. You can be part of the solution for the mental health crisis.

Apply now to be certified as an MHFA Instructor. The course is provided at no cost to you.

MENTORING IS A BRAIN TO PICK, AN EAR TO LISTEN, AND A PUSH IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION.

JOHN C. CROSBY

In November, many of us take a moment (or hopefully more) to think about what we are grateful for. Over the course of my library career, I have had many individuals who took the time to share their wisdom, expertise, and advice with me, and I am grateful for them. Some of those people were the first to encourage me to explore my love of learning and professional development by giving me the chance to travel across Illinois delivering training to library staff. Thirty years later, it is still my passion, and I still have mentors who encourage me.

Although we don’t always recognize or name it, most of us have had many mentors throughout our life. Being a mentor (or a mentee) comes naturally for some people, but being intentional about it is often the challenge.

On Tuesday, November 28 at noon California library staff have the opportunity to hear from Christine Kreger on the Foundations of Mentoring. If you have ever struggled with the logistics of a mentoring relationship (consistency, communication, goal setting, etc.) you will benefit from the practical and specific concepts in this presentation. You will leave knowing more about how to move forward with an intentional mentoring relationship, and how both the mentee and mentor can benefit. All participants will get a Foundations of Mentoring Workbook as part of their attendance.

So, in November when you are giving thanks for many things, don’t forget those who have officially or unofficially been a mentor for you. They didn’t have to do it, but they did, and you have benefited.

Christine Kreger is the Professional Development Consultant for the Colorado State Library and has been involved in leadership training and mentoring for over ten years, including acting as co-chair of the Colorado Association of Libraries Mentorship Interest Group.

It’s that time of year again. We are starting our annual Needs Assessment and we want to hear from you! What would you like to see in the next year from CALL? Do you have topics or areas of interest that you would like to share? What format is your favorite? How can CALL better meet your needs? If you are interested in helping us determine the answers to these questions – and more – please volunteer for a virtual focus group.

• Focus Group 1:  April 4 at 2pm 
• Focus Group 2:  April 21 at 10am 
• Focus Group 3:  April 25 at noon

Anyone is welcome to volunteer for any of the available dates – regardless of your staff role or library size. Choose your date and sign up with this focus group form.

Note: All focus groups will be virtual and facilitated by our needs assessment consultant – Audrey Barbakoff. If you are unable to participate in a focus group, look for the CALL Needs Assessment survey announcement coming soon!