Staff Trainings & Events
MELSA supports its member libraries by offering various staff trainings and events throughout the year.
Fall 2025 Learn About Transparent Language Online with 3 Courses:
Getting Started with Transparent Language Online
Getting to know the platform.
Join us for an introduction (or a refresher) of Transparent Language Online for Libraries. We’ll take a look at the learning portal including…
- ✅ setting learning goals & earning streaks
- ✨ browsing popular courses & creating your own learning path
- 📎 touring through a lesson & various learning activities
See you there! (Or in the recording if you can’t make it live, nbd.)
When can I attend?
Monday, September 29, 2025: 11am-12pm (US) EDT
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Supporting Your ELL Community with Transparent Language Online
What will I learn?
Does your library support a growing community of English Language Learners (ELLs)?
Join us to explore our 300+ hour ESL collection including:
- Beginner courses for speakers of 35+ languages
- English for Newcomers for speakers of 17 languages
- English-only immersion courses for intermediate and advanced learners
- US Citizenship Test prep course
When can I attend?
Thursday, October 23, 2025: 1-2pm (US) EDT
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Supporting Young Learners with Transparent Language Online
What will I learn?
Did you know that Transparent Language Online has learning content specifically designed for young learners? In this webinar, we’ll explore the available content for different ages, including K-2, elementary, and teens. We will look at how the content differs for each age range and review what supplemental resources are available.
When can I attend?
Thursday, October 30, 2025: 11am-12pm (US) EDT
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Regional Event Ambassadors
MELSA member library staff also serve as ambassadors for various regional events.
Teen Lit Con
A celebration of teen literature, promoting reading and writing, and creating a community of readers by connecting teens and authors. Held yearly in April or May.
Register to be a Public Library Ambassador opens in a new windowhere!
2025 Teen Lit Con is taking place on Saturday, April 26th at Two Rivers High School.
Twin Cities Pride Festival
The metro area public libraries have a booth presence at the Twin Cities Pride Festival. Annually in June.
Registration is currently closed.
MELSA Workshop Recordings
Data Axle Reference Solutions was created to provide libraries with the most up-to-date business and consumer data available. From everyday research to new business ventures, library users can leverage the data for growth and success. Data is categorized to help library users get what they need such as:
- Jobs by job skills, location, and industry
- Great locations for a new businesses
- Companies nationwide
- Addresses and phone numbers
- News articles
Learn how to navigate, filter, and create lists to assist your customers gather the data they need most.
Training resources on vendor sites:
- Ancestry Library Edition (ProQuest): opens in a new windowAncestry LE (PROQUEST)
- Historic New York Times (ProQuest): opens in a new windowHistoric NYT (PROQUEST)
- NoveList (EBSCO): opens in a new windowNoveList (EBSCO)
