Southwest Florida Library Network

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Southwest Florida Library Network

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Helping libraries provide better, faster service. SWFLN is a non-profit 501(c)3 multi-type library cooperative.

Libraries of all types are SWFLN members - public libraries (including one tribal library system), academics, schools, and special libraries. The maintenance of this website is funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act and the Library Cooperative Grant program. Florida’s LSTA and LCG programs are administered by the Department of State’s Division of Library and Information Services.

10/20/2026

⭐️ REGISTER HERE!
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4417799918775/WN_uWObFmqnSEmYaKpDX5agzw #/registration

Toronto Public Library team members provide an overview of this transformational project, the first large-scale public library AI initiative of its kind in Canada.

Learn about the project outcomes, successes and lessons learned. Hear directly from those in the frontlines about the excitement, concerns, questions and feedback that community members have about AI and how public libraries can shape program and service delivery to inform responsible AI use for its communities.

You will:

⭐️ Apply practical strategies for developing AI literacy programs, workshops, and services that can be adapted for their own library communities.
⭐️ Address community concerns about ethics, privacy, misinformation, and responsible AI use.
⭐️ Adapt lessons learned to support local AI planning, staff training, and community engagement.

Wednesday, October 21, 2026
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

10/18/2026

This group is intended for those early on their Leadership journey as well as those who aspire to begin the trek.

Join fellow library professionals for the October Emerging Leaders Interest Group meeting!

What to Expect:

✨ Collaborative Discussions: Exchange ideas and best practices with peers to enhance your initiatives.

✨ Show and Tell: Bring samples of your projects to showcase your creativity and gain valuable feedback.

✨ Problem-Solving & Success Sharing: Share your challenges and celebrate your successes in a supportive, collaborative environment.

🤷 Who Should Attend?

Library staff who want to learn and grow from shared experiences.

Don’t miss this opportunity! Register here 👉 https://swfln.libcal.com/event/17271442

When: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
What Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

10/16/2026

The training will feature three women who work at a large, low-barrier homeless shelter - Hesed House - and are excellent at de-escalation. They’ll be answering questions you submit and from our live audience.

Breanna McMenamin has been with Hesed House for over 6 years and Breanna was a shelter support staff for over 5 years at Hesed House's.

Carolyn Sprawka is the Division Director of Programs for Hesed House. She is responsible for overseeing the adult shelter, family shelter, case management, off-site housing, on-site permanent supportive housing, and homeless prevention/rapid re-housing.

Madison is the Associate Director of Harbor, Hesed House’s on-site permanent supportive housing program, supporting individuals who need more frequent services to successfully maintain housing.

Register here👉👉👉 https://swfln.libcal.com/event/17800686

Date:
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Time:
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

10/12/2026

As a SWFLN member, you’ll have a dedicated space in Library Connect, plus access to additional Spaces where library professionals across Florida connect around shared interests, ideas, and experiences.Join this today! It's FREE with your membership! Your library community is just a click away!

Join here 👉👉 https://bit.ly/libraryconnectswfln

Introducing Library Connect—SWFLN’s new online community where library professionals can connect, ask questions, share ideas, and learn from one another.

As a SWFLN member, you’ll have a dedicated space in Library Connect, plus access to additional Spaces where library professionals across Florida connect around shared interests, ideas, and experiences.

Legal stuff:
This project was funded under the provisions of either the Library Services and Technology Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services or the Library Cooperative Grant program. Florida’s LSTA and LCG programs are administered by the Department of State’s Division of Library and Information Services.
For FY2026-2027, the total state and federal budgets for SWFLN’s programs are $600,000, of which 100% ($600,000) is supported by state funds.

10/08/2026

Join fellow library professionals for the October History, Archives & Genealogy Interest Group meeting!

This interactive session is an excellent opportunity to connect, collaborate, and share strategies for serving our library customers.

What to Expect:

⭐ Collaborative Discussions: Exchange ideas and best practices with peers to enhance your initiatives.
⭐ Show and Tell: Bring samples of your projects to showcase your creativity and gain valuable feedback.
⭐ Problem-Solving & Success Sharing: Share your challenges and celebrate your successes in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Who Should Attend?
Library staff involved in delivering material, programming and activities related to History (especially Local History), Archives and Genealogy are welcome!

Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your toolkit while building connections within the library community!

Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Register here 👉👉 https://swfln.libcal.com/event/17258127

10/06/2026

👪 Library work in 2026 requires more emotional agility than ever.

🧭 From navigating challenging patron interactions to managing digital overload and constant role shifting, librarians are carrying a heavy cognitive and emotional load.

This interactive workshop introduces the concept of mental fitness—the daily practices that strengthen focus, emotional regulation, and resilience.

Participants will explore the science behind stress, learn practical tools for staying grounded during difficult moments, and build personalized strategies they can use on the job.

You will:

Apply practical, evidence-based tools—such as grounding techniques, cognitive reframing, and microbreak strategies—to stay centered during challenging patron interactions and moments of digital overload.

Identify the core components of mental fitness- such as self-awareness, resiliency and stress management.

Resilience & Recovery - the ability to bounce back from difficult interactions, setbacks, or emotionally heavy days.

Learn more and register now 👉 https://swfln.libcal.com/event/17105863

10/02/2026

Join fellow library professionals for the October History, Archives & Genealogy Interest Group meeting!

An excellent opportunity to connect, collaborate, and share strategies for serving our library customers.

What to Expect:

🎯Collaborative Discussions: Exchange ideas and best practices with peers to enhance your initiatives.

🎯Show and Tell: Bring samples of your projects to showcase your creativity and gain valuable feedback.

🎯Problem-Solving & Success Sharing: Share your challenges and celebrate your successes in a supportive, collaborative environment.

This Zoom meeting allows you to participate virtually, providing flexibility to suit
your schedule. Please note: this meeting will not be recorded.

Who Should Attend?

⭐ Library staff involved in delivering material, programming and activities related to History (especially Local History)
⭐ Archives and Genealogy who want to learn and grow from shared experiences. ⭐ Staffers with personal interests in History, Archives and Genealogy are also welcome!

On Thursday, October 15, 2026 from
12 PM - 1 PM
👉 Register now! https://swfln.libcal.com/event/17258127

10/01/2026

Learn how an outreach initiative inspired an outreach pilot program to connect with hispanohablantes.

You will learn to:

⭐ Understand unique challenges in providing outreach services to communities who may have never used a public library.

⭐ Improve outreach initiatives and cultivate relationships with communities that do not speak English by analyzing the successes and failures of our pilot program.

⭐ Explore outreach strategies that are scalable for libraries of all sizes.
Learn more and register now!👉 https://swfln.libcal.com/event/17105808

09/29/2026

Are you new to the library world or selecting materials and suddenly responsible for a collection?

Join this session for a basic introduction to collection development focused on popular materials collections.

You will:

👉Articulate the life cycle of materials in a popular materials collection
👉Identify necessary aspects within user driven collection development polices
👉List useful criteria in selecting fiction and nonfiction materials for different aged audiences across formats
👉Identify keywords within professional reviews to assist with selection decisions

Register Now! https://swfln.libcal.com/event/17088634

Address

Fort Myers, FL

Telephone

+12393136338

Website

http://www.swfln.org/

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