ARLIS/NA PDC Bulletin: January 2026
The PDC Bulletin is compiled by the Professional Development Committee (PDC) to spread the word about professional development resources and opportunities, free and fee based, for art information professionals. Your input is welcome. If you have something to share, please email pdc@arlisna.org. Previous issues can be found on the ARLIS/NA website at https://www.arlisna.org/news/pdc-bulletin.
Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL)
Creating Your Librarian Teaching Portfolio - March 30-April 24, 2026
https://elearning.ala.org/local/catalog/view/product.php?productid=1638
A teaching portfolio is comprised of a variety of documents that are a record of pedagogical experiences, backed by evidence of teaching, assessment, and improvement. Teaching portfolios can be used for self-documentation, tenure and promotion, and job applications. An academic librarian’s portfolio is very different from a teacher’s: Librarians may not have student evaluation forms, syllabi, or peer observations of teaching. Academic librarians need to craft a portfolio based on the pedagogical experiences found in the profession, written for an audience who may not be librarians.
Creating Your Librarian Teaching Portfolio is a cohort experience from March 30 through April 24, 2026, with synchronous and asynchronous elements that will introduce participants to the concept and construction of a librarian teaching portfolio. It provides context and background for the teaching portfolio, writing prompts to encourage reflection on how librarianship can be translated into terms of pedagogy, and concludes with the writing and review of your portfolio.
Even though creating a teaching portfolio is not a universal requirement for academic librarians with or without faculty status, it is a self-reflective practice on your own pedagogical methods. The portfolio process can also reveal the invisible labor of technical and systems librarianship that is not as apparent as public-facing work such as access services and reference.
Center for Book Art virtual workshops
Artists' Book as Archive with Gillian Lee – 3 sessions – March 2026
https://shop.centerforbookarts.org/products/26spv004v?_pos=12&_fid=73895711c&_ss=c
In this class, we will begin by remembering the history of scrapbooks and photo albums and taking close looks at the styles of historical scrapbooks. We'll continue by discovering examples of artists’ books that serve as an archive, database, travelogue, moodboard, or memory book, and we’ll discuss the importance of maintaining a personal archives and touch on the history of scrapbooking and travelogues.
History of the Book with Karen Bowen – 4 Sessions in March and April 2026
https://shop.centerforbookarts.org/products/26sat004v?_pos=11&_fid=73895711c&_ss=c
Beginning with an open discussion of distinct perspectives on how one should define a book and the “History of the Book” – it’s much harder than you think! – the following sessions will focus on a chronological overview of the primary means by which texts were created in both Asia and the West. As we move from ancient scrolls and illuminated manuscripts to hand-printed books and the revolutionizing innovations in the production of books of the nineteenth century, we will consider how these changes reflected and impacted their physical appearance, the demand for them, their accessibility, and readers’ interaction with them. We will then conclude with a return to our original attempts to define a book in consideration of the plethora of options produced, collected, and made available to us now in the twentieth century.
Prompt to Page: Designing Artist Books with Creative Prompts with Amber Braverman – 4 sessions in March and April 2026
https://shop.centerforbookarts.org/products/26sbb108v?_pos=9&_fid=73895711c&_ss=c
Immerse yourself in the creative process of artist bookmaking through the use of imaginative prompts in this engaging 4-week online course. Each week, you'll receive a unique prompt that will inspire the content, structure, and design of your artist book. From concept development to binding techniques, you'll explore how prompts can shape and enhance your artistic expression. By the end of the course, you'll have created a personalized artist book, reflecting your creative responses to each week's prompt, and gained the skills to continue crafting unique books in the future. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, this course offers a fresh, prompt-driven approach to bookmaking.
Artists’ Books: Examples & Methods with Ben Denzer – 2 sessions in April 2026
https://shop.centerforbookarts.org/products/26spv101v?_pos=4&_fid=73895711c&_ss=c
In the first session, Denzer will introduce a working definition of the term “artist book,” share a survey of historical examples, and outline basic bookmaking techniques.
Between sessions, students will be prompted to create their own experimental artist books using materials they have readily available around them. Ben will be available for one and one chats over zoom to go over ideas, plans, in-progress work, etc.
In the second session, each student will share their completed artist book in a group critique.
Library Juice Academy
International Perspectives on Librarianship – January 22, 2026
International Perspectives on Librarianship • Library Juice Connections
What can U.S.-based librarians learn from gaining an international perspective? What steps can librarians take to gain these perspectives?
Join our panel as we discuss these and related topics.
Art Librarianship - May 4 - May 31:
https://libraryjuiceacademy.com/shop/course/091-art-librarianship-2/
This course offers an overview of the practice of art librarianship from the perspective of an academic librarian. Topics to be covered include core competencies, collection development and management, reference/research and instruction services, outreach and liaison work, programming and engagement, exhibitions, academic databases and image resources, and special collections.
Morgan Library
Online Short Course | Stories Across Time and Place - Wednesdays, February 11, 18, 25, 2026, 12–1 PM
https://www.themorgan.org/programs/online-short-course-stories-across-time-and-place
Join Morgan Library & Museum curators to explore the universal importance of narrative. In this three-session online course, curators will use objects in the Morgan’s expansive collection on view in Come Together: 3000 Years of Stories and Storytelling as a point of departure for a deep dive into the power of stories to entertain, enlighten, console, and transport us.
- Session 1: Storytelling in Mesopotamia with Pinar Durgun, Associate Curator and Department Head of Ancient Western Asian Seals & Tablets
- Session 2: Storytelling in Master Drawings with Sarah Mallory, Annette and Oscar de la Renta Assistant Curator of Drawings & Prints.
- Session 3: Storytelling in Printed Books with Jesse Erickson, Astor Curator and Department Head of Printed Books & Bindings
This is an online course. Recordings will be made available for ticket holders via a password-protected link through March 11. Attendees will receive a Zoom link on the day of the programs.
Society of American Archivists (SAA)
Rare Books for Archivists – May 2026
https://mysaa.archivists.org/nc__event?id=a0lUV000004VQC1YAO
What are the basics archivists should know about rare books and why? This workshop will introduce you to the management of rare books; the associated acquisition, identification, preservation, access and de-accession strategies; and the research potential for archivists and researchers.
Presentations by other experts on subjects like strategies of preservation for rare books, and rare book cataloging for archivists complement this unique workshop.
Upon completion of this course you’ll be able to:
- Examine rare materials hands-on to understand the codex book during the hand-press era and the machine-press era
- Inspect various tools of the antiquarian book trade (for acquisition, valuation, and/or deaccessioning)
- Compare archival methodologies and rare book methodologies
- Assess book collections that come with archival materials
Career Transition Workshop: Thinking about your career inside the GLAMS industry and beyond – May and June 2026
https://mysaa.archivists.org/nc__event?id=a0lUV000005GibhYAC
Revamp your career perspective with our intensive 6-hour virtual workshop. Dive deep into reflection, brainstorming, and planning your professional journey. Sessions blend individual exercises and group activities, fostering a supportive environment to map out your next steps alongside experienced facilitators and peers. Extend the momentum with two follow-up sessions, providing ongoing support and accountability to execute your crafted plans. Your career transformation starts here.
This workshop will be held on May 12 and May 14, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. U.S. central time on both days online via SAA's Zoom platform. Follow-ups will be held on May 28, 2026 and on June 11, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. U.S. central time.