 Catch the ARSL TRAIN!
Join us for ARSL's TRAIN (Training, Roundtables, and Informational Networking) series! Each month, we offer online workshops, roundtables, or networking events designed to support and connect library professionals.
All registrants receive access to the TRAIN recording after the session. TRAIN programming is planned by ARSL's Continuing Education Committee.
Member Benefit: We have an archive with all past TRAIN recordings. Check it out below under "TRAIN Archive!" If you're not yet a member, consider joining to take full advantage of this library of knowledge.
  Upcoming TRAINs
Partner TRAINs  are TRAIN offerings from ARSL partner organizations! These are also focused on continuing education, and are free for all ARSL members and nonmembers.
July Partner TRAIN: Re-Engaging Adult Learners - Adult Career Online High School for Rural Libraries
Public libraries play a vital role in supporting lifelong learning and creating pathways to opportunity within their communities. In this session, participants will explore the barriers that often prevent adults from returning to complete their education and discover practical strategies for helping adult learners overcome “educational trauma” and re-engage in the learning process. Attendees will also learn how libraries can offer Career Online High School to connect patrons with educational resources that align with their personal and career goals.
When: Thursday, July 23, 2026
11:00 am PT / 12:00 pm MT / 1:00 pm CT / 2:00 pm ET
Presented By:
- Dr. Howard A. Liebman, Superintendent, Schools for Smart Horizons Career Online Education (SHCOE)
Dr. Howard A. Liebman is the Superintendent of Schools for Smart Horizons Career Online Education (SHCOE), the world’s first Cognia/SACS/NCA/NWAC accredited online school district. He leads Career Online High School, an accredited adult high school diploma and career certification program that partners with more than 200 public library systems and 80+ corporations nationwide to provide educational opportunities for adults who did not complete high school. Throughout his career, Dr. Liebman has focused on creating innovative pathways that help individuals overcome educational trauma. He is passionate about the transformative role public libraries play as trusted community institutions and works collaboratively with library leaders to expand access to adult education and workforce development programs. His work is grounded in the belief that it is never too late for someone to change the trajectory of their life through education.
August Partner TRAIN: Library Marketing Makeover Reveal
Join Trenton and a panel of marketing experts for an inside look at the Library Marketing Makeover, a national initiative that helps libraries strengthen outreach and community engagement. This session will showcase recommendations developed for four ARSL member libraries: Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library, Algoma Public Library, Jackson Parish Public Library, and Lake Wales Public Library.
Through real-world examples, the team will share practical ideas for improving branding, social media, program promotion, community partnerships, and overall marketing effectiveness. Attendees will gain actionable strategies that can be adapted for libraries of any size and budget.
When: Thursday, August 6, 2026
11:00 am PT / 12:00 pm MT / 1:00 pm CT / 2:00 pm ET
Presented By:
- Trenton Smiley, Director of Customer Messaging, Hoopla
- Katie Rothley, Marketing & PR Librarian, Northville District Library, Northville, MI
- April Jo Harder, Communications & Marketing Supervisor, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, IL
- Peter Velikonja, Researcher, Koios
Trenton Smiley is Director of Customer Messaging at Hoopla, a service of Midwest Tape. Previously, he held marketing leadership roles at several library systems, including Capital Area District Libraries and Genesee District Library. He serves on ARSL's Marketing & Communications Committee and has earned numerous honors, including the American Library Association's John Cotton Dana Award and the Michigan Library Association Award of Excellence. A frequent speaker on library marketing, Trenton has presented for organizations including the Michigan Library Association, Indiana Library Federation, the Library Marketing & Communications Conference, and Library Journal. He has also taught marketing courses through the UW–Madison iSchool Continuing Education Department.
Katie Rothley is a Marketing & PR Librarian at the Northville District Library in Northville, Michigan with an MLIS from Wayne State University. She's been a librarian for over 12 years, starting out in Adult Services before becoming a marketer. Katie is often printing, designing, taking images or asking her colleagues to take pictures for social media, and absolutely loves Canva. Marketing research, neuroscience, and behavioral science are some of her favorite topics.
April Jo Harder is the Communications & Marketing Supervisor at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, where she leads a talented team of marketing professionals. She has more than 20 years of experience in communications and public relations, with a strong background in journalism, editing, and writing. She believes in the power of storytelling, collaborative content creation, outreach and engagement, and teamwork. She has served in her current role for more than 10 years, during which her team received the American Library Association’s John Cotton Dana Award for outstanding library public relations and marketing. April is passionate about literacy and education, the arts and culture, nature and the environment, and inclusion and accessibility.
Peter Velikonja is a trained classical musician (PhD Princeton University) who worked for over twenty years in software development working on audio streaming, Big Data and online advertising. He is the Researcher at Koios, digging into data that can help libraries share publicly owned information with the public
August ARSL TRAIN: Building and Website Accessibility
More information coming soon, stay tuned!
When: Thursday, August 20, 2026
11:00 am PT / 12:00 pm MT / 1:00 pm CT / 2:00 pm ET
 Mark Your Calendar!
October Partner TRAIN: Document Accessibility Essentials - A Step-by-Step Guide from Word to PDF - Registration link coming soon!
When: Thursday, October 1, 2026
11:00 am PT / 12:00 pm MT / 1:00 pm CT / 2:00 pm ET
October ARSL TRAIN: 2026 ARSL Conference Debrief - Registration link coming soon!
When: Thursday, October 15, 2026
11:00 am PT / 12:00 pm MT / 1:00 pm CT / 2:00 pm ET
Mark Your Calendar!
November Partner TRAIN: Compassion Without Collapse: Boundaries for Library Staff Under Pressure - Registration link coming soon!
When: Thursday, November 5, 2026
11:00 am PT / 12:00 pm MT / 1:00 pm CT / 2:00 pm ET
 Previous ARSL TRAINs
Members Only TRAIN Archive
If you’d like full access to our workshop library, ARSL members can unlock an exclusive archive featuring five years’ worth of additional TRAIN recordings — including deep dives, hands-on tutorials, and expert-led sessions specifically tailored with small & rural libraries in mind. With dozens of extra recordings, this growing resource is the perfect way to continue learning at your own pace. Log in or join ARSL today to start exploring!
Browse Our Public TRAIN Archive
View a selection of ARSL TRAIN session recordings available to all, including Partner TRAINs and COVID-19 Roundtables. These sessions were open to both members and non-members.
Cancellation Policies & Fees
Please review our Cancellation & Late Fee Policy to understand our event guidelines.
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