Learn how to communicate more effectively with the public, media, and diverse stakeholders in our new online course Media Training: PR and Communication Skills for Library Leaders. In this intensive half-day course, you will gain essential media and public relations skills, learn to handle media inquiries, craft compelling narratives, and manage crisis situations with confidence. From honing messages for diverse audiences to fostering internal transparency, this course will provide you with practical strategies tailored for library environments. 

Course Program

Session 1| 12:00-12:45pm ET

Foundational Tips for Working with the Media

How do you navigate working with the media as a library leader? When is it appropriate to engage and when should you step back? This session will discuss foundational insights and practical tips for library leaders to effectively interact with the media. You will gain practical strategies to confidently handle media inquiries and shape narratives for and about your library.

Session 2 | 12:45-1:30pm ET

Positive Media Outreach: Understanding and Building Relationships with Local Media

How might you leverage the power of your local media to raise awareness about your library's initiatives and services? What are the most effective ways to reach outs? And how can your library be a resource to increasingly time-strapped reporters? This session will explore ways to understand your local media landscape and start to build positive relationships with reporters.

Session 3 | 1:45-2:30pm ET

Media Interviews: Spokesperson Tips and Message Training

How can you best prepare to give an interview on behalf of your library? This session will discuss easy and straightforward things you can do to prepare your messages and highlight your key talking points. We will also explore interview do's and don'ts that will help you be prepared for both the media and the general public.

Session 4 | 2:30-3:00pm ET

Media Deliverables: Creating Media Kits and Policies 

What kinds of tangible materials should you create to make your media interactions more successful? This session will take a deep dive into how to create media kits that will help busy reporters cover your library more accurately and thoroughly. We’ll also discuss how media policies and procedures can help take the guesswork out of how media inquiries should be handled.

Session 5 | 3:15-4:00pm ET

Crisis Communications Do's and Don'ts

How can leaders best communicate with audiences before, during, and after a crisis situation, and how can leaders support staff during these situations? How should leaders engage with the media and your community during and after an incident? This session will discuss practical best practices for internal and external crisis communications. 

Adapt and Thrive: Leadership Methods for a Resilient Library

Half-Day Online Course + 3-Week Workshop

Thursday, Sept. 26

Interested in more professional development courses built for leaders? Check out Adapt and Thrive: Leadership Methods for a Resilient Library on Sept. 26. 

Why take this course: This interactive, online course will provide you ample opportunities to role play and workshop real-life challenging scenarios asynchronously with peer groups. You will leave this course with the practical skills and confidence to maintain calm during tense situations, adapt to challenges as they arise, and know when, if, and how to engage with conflict at work.

Who should take this course: This course is geared toward library leaders, administrators, and experienced managers.

Join as a Group 

Group Rates

Request a discount for groups of 3 or more and work with your colleagues on a project for your library.

Credit Packages

Dedicate a portion of your annual PD budget towards seats in our courses and receive 25% off our lowest price for each seat. 

Allocate seats to staff as needs arise over a 12-month period of your choosing.  

Click here to request more information.