Online training

Last updated:  11 November 2024

The State Library provides a range of online professional development opportunities. 

The PL Portal provides short online training courses for NSW public library staff. The State Library also works with external agencies to provide training. 

PL Portal 

The PL Portal is an online training platform developed and maintained by the State Library for NSW public library staff. 

The training courses on the PL Portal enable NSW public library staff to develop an understanding of the collections and services of the State Library. The courses will suit all levels of staff including new public library staff and those seeking to refresh their knowledge.

Sign up to the PL Portal

Access to the online learning portal is free and available to any NSW public library staff member via a simple sign-up process. Follow the steps below to access the Discover SL, Find Legal Answers and indyreads short courses and the Connect with the public library network mini module.

  1. Go to https://slnswpls.adesaustralia.com/sign-up.
  2. Select your library service from the list of organisations.
  3. Enter the organisational password PLN2021.
  4. You will be asked to create your own account with your email address as your username and a personal password.
  5. Log in to your account to complete the training.

Short courses

Short courses are self-paced courses covering a specific topic or service relating to NSW public libraries. Each course takes 1-2 hours to complete. You can complete the courses over more than one session and are able to save your progress and return to complete the courses at any time.

  • Discover SL: an introduction to the State Library of NSW. Learn about the services that the State Library offers you and your clients – our collections, services, and how we can assist public library staff.  

  • Find Legal Answers. Learn about the Find Legal Answers service - what it is and how you can provide legal information to your community. 

  • Drug Info. Learn about the Drug Info service - what it is and how you can provide information about drugs and alcohol to your community.

  • indyreads.  Learn about indyreads - what it is, why you would use it and how you can promote it to your community.

As I now know more about what the State Library offers, I can refer people to different parts of the website or show them how to search the catalogue if our library does not have what they need.  

A really good refresher for the Tool Kit, website and the appropriate pathway for provision of legal information.  

It was easy to use. Could go at own pace. Did not have to do it all in one go. Could save and come back later to finish. Layout and content good and interesting.   

The clarity of the training modules was great. I can easily look back at them anytime to find answers.  

 

Mini modules

Mini modules teach a skill or provide an overview about a topic in less than 15 minutes.

  • Connect with the public library network. Find five ways that you can connect with the NSW public library network.

  • NSW.net Consortia Opt-in Offers Scheme. Find out how your library can access discounts for digital content through the NSW.net Consortia Opt-in Offers Scheme for NSW public libraries.

I wish I had done this ages ago.  

Great for newbies. 

The course is very informative about the public library network.  

 

Online courses from other agencies

In addition to providing the PL Portal, the State Library funds training courses offered by partner agencies. These courses are generally applied for via an EOI process and require manager approval.

Current courses

SBS Cultural diversity course

Australia is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world and this diversity is increasing both in absolute numbers and in the range of cultures represented. This two-hour online course explores the nature of culture and how affects all aspects of behaviour, cultural differences and similarities, how written, verbal and non-verbal expressions might vary across cultures, cultural adaptation, and Australia by the numbers.

The State Library is funding 100 places for public library staff to participate in this course in 2024. All spaces have now been allocated.

SBS Core Inclusion course

This 1.45 hour course discusses diversity and inclusion, unconscious bias, and the core inclusion skills of curiosity, respect and empathy.

The State Library is funding 100 places for public library staff to participate in this course in 2024. All spaces have now been allocated.
 

ALIA CPD scheme

Staff participating in the ALIA CPD scheme can claim this training as part of the CPD log.

Keep in touch

Find out about other professional development opportunities and news by signing up to PLS enews.