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Professional Development

InterLINK’s Professional Development program provides opportunities for BC public library staff to learn, build, and strengthen professional skills and knowledge in areas ranging from customer service to reconciliation. Training is offered through a mix of both live, online sessions and recorded workshops that can be completed at your own pace. 

Offerings are available to InterLINK library members and frequently extended to all BC public libraries. Our training aims to help participants build the skills,  adapt to changing demands, and contribute meaningfully to the communities they serve.

Upcoming Training

What’s Included

InterLINK’s professional development program covers a range of topics relevant to working in libraries. Explore all of our training opportunities.

  • AIDE: Autism and Intellectual Disabilities in Libraries

    AIDE’s online course provides important information and practical strategies for supporting people with autism and those with intellectual disabilities in the library.

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  • ARETE

    AIDE’s online course provides important information and practical strategies for supporting people with autism and those with intellectual disabilities in the library.

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  • Coaching

    The Coaching Foundations and Coaching Advanced courses introduce core coaching principles, build practical skills, and provide guided practice to help library leaders apply coaching effectively in their roles.

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  • Customer Service

    As pillars of the community, libraries play a vital role in serving the public, and strong customer service skills are key to creating welcoming and supportive experiences for all.

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  • Homeless Training by Ryan Dowd

    Ryan Dowd’s online training series teaches compassionate, experience-based approaches for working with people experiencing homelessness.

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  • HSABC: Homelessness Services Association of BC

    Through our partnership with HSABC, library staff can access free workshops and webinars on work-life balance, conflict resolution, communication skills, and more.

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  • Indigenous Awareness & Relations

    The Indigenous Awareness and Relations courses provide foundational knowledge of the history, culture, current issues, and relationships of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

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  • Library Juice Academy

    Library Juice Academy offers a range of online, asynchronous courses on library-specific skills like cataloguing, outreach, collections, policy and more.

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  • Managing Hostile Interactions

    The Managing Hostile Interactions webinar-workshop series equips library staff with practical tools to navigate difficult situations safely and respectfully.

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  • Professional Coaching for IBPOC Library Staff

    This professional coaching service supports library workers who are Indigenous, Black and/or People of Colour (IBPOC), providing one-on-one coaching in order to enhance the work and life experiences of employees.

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Featured Training

Learn more about the history and culture of indigenous peoples in Canada with online courses in Indigenous Awareness and Indigenous Relations.

These courses provide important foundational knowledge about Indigenous nations and a deeper understanding of how current issues and ongoing legal structures impact Indigenous communities and relationships.

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Indigenous Awareness & Relations Training

Frequently Asked Questions

Professional Development FAQs

Browse answers to common questions about InterLINK’s professional development program and staff training.

The cost of training depends on the course. Some training is free, while others have costs ranging from $38 to $462.

Full details are available on each training page. Please confirm that your library or federation is able to financially support your professional development.

InterLINK provides staff training through libraries or federations. Because of this, we work directly with libraries or federations for billing. We’re not able to invoice individuals.

Complete the registration form found on each training page with the required information.

Follow-up details will be provided by an InterLINK staff member after your registration is processed.

Yes. Our training opportunities are available to all BC public libraries, but additional costs may apply. In some cases, InterLINK libraries have priority. 

Please check the specific training page for full details.

Yes. Please review our cancellation guidelines for full details.

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InterLINK collaborates with sector partners including other BC library federations, Association of BC Library Directors, BC Libraries Cooperative, BC Library Association, and the BC Library Trustee Association through the Public Library Professional Development Coalition.

Professional Development

Contact Us

Connect with us to ask questions, request training, or share feedback about InterLINK’s professional development courses.

Meetings & Events

Upcoming Training

Explore upcoming professional development and training opportunities for BC public library staff.

View All Events

  • Managing Hostile Interactions – March

    Professional Development

    March 10 & 11 | 1-4 pm

    Managing Hostile Interactions training equips library staff with practical tools to navigate difficult situations safely and respectfully.

  • Managing Hostile Interactions – April

    Professional Development

    April 28 & 29 | 1-4 pm

    Managing Hostile Interactions training equips library staff with practical tools to navigate difficult situations safely and respectfully.

Get in Touch

Want to learn more about how InterLINK supports public libraries in British Columbia? Let’s connect.

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BC Public Library InterLINK