ACL

Association of Children's Librarians

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Professional Development Overview

Professional development training is an important part of ACL’s mission. At our monthly meetings, experts from ACL and other organizations offer presentations on current and essential topics regarding library service to youth. These sessions are fun, engaging and informative, and all members and potential members are welcome to attend. Presentations are either virtual or in-person. Check the Events calendar for details.

Read below for information about upcoming and past sessions. When available, supporting documents and videos are included. (View our Professional Development Archive for information about earlier sessions.) You can find additional professional development resources on our blog.


Professional Development Topics at ACL Meetings (second Friday of each month)


June 13, 2026
Letters to the Future

Guest artist/author Lea Redmond will be joining us for a hands-on mini workshop. She will guide us through writing thoughtful “letters to our future selves” (with children’s literature in mind!). But first, we’ll craft our own envelopes from National Geographic magazines and fill their corners with vintage postage stamps from Lea’s stash. 
 
Lea Redmond seeks the extraordinary hiding in the ordinary and wants to share it with you. She makes things, books, and activities that invite humans of all ages to be curious, playful, and kind. Lea is the author of Knit The Sky, Wonder Hunt, and the bestselling Letters to My… series of keepsake journals.

May 2026
Novelist Training 2.0

Did our last training leave you wanting to know even more about Novelist? Join Caroline Davis as you hone your readers’ advisory skillset with an even deeper dive into Novelist, the “secret weapon” for finding books to recommend. We’ll take a look at features that will help you find the next best read for your patrons (and yourself!). No matter how well you already know Novelist, you are sure to learn some new tips and tricks!

April 2026
What Is Common Sense Media?

February 2026
Distinguished Books Round Up

January 2026
Little Books, Big Feelings: Picture Books and Social Emotional Learning

This Zoom session will be led by the the professionals at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Art. In this workshop we will consider how we can use picture books to help young people identify and manage emotions, navigate relationships, and cope with difficult situations. Participants will explore books that address various SEL competencies, consider how these books reflect their experiences inside and outside of the classroom, and learn emotionally responsive practices for engaging children in shared reading experiences.

November 2025
Behind the Scenes of Audiobook Narration

October 2025
Puppet Making Workshop

September 2025
New Storytime Books

August 2025
Inside Every Children’s Librarian is a Children’s Book Author

July 2025
Sensory Friendly Libraries

June 2025
Puppetry Workshop

May 2025
Mission and Vision Planning Follow Up

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