Available courses

Barcoding Refresher Training FY25

This refresher course will cover key topics that are essential for all barcoders to know and execute properly to ensure an accurate and easily usable catalog for all library users. 

Barcoders are required to take Barcoding Refresher training every two years. A barcoders certification renewal date is based on the date they are assigned barcoding permissions or the last time they took Barcoding Refresher training, whichever is latest.

Barcoding Refresher training cannot be taken more than 3 months prior to the barcoder’s biannual certification renewal date.


LEAP 6.4

Learn how to use Leap, Polaris’ Web Application! This intuitive web-based platform is easy to learn and easy to use. Use the following videos to see learn more about each function, like patron registration or using the find tool. You will find that Leap is great resource for your library.   


How to SHARE: Four Rules of Circulation

This course must be completed before Polaris user credentials will be assigned.

Basic Circulation

This online training provides handouts, tutorials, and policy relating to Polaris circulation procedures.  

Barcoding Certification Quiz

This Moodle course contains the final quiz that must be completed after attending Barcoding training live, either in-person or via a Zoom course. You must complete this quiz in order to be granted your Barcoding permissions in Polaris.

Recorded Catalogers Training Sessions - FY24 to Present

To help complete the required 15 hours of continuing education for cataloging permissions.  Cataloger's Training sessions are held 10 times a year, on the second Tuesday of January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, via Zoom.  After the live session, the recorded session will be posted here.


To complete the monthly session and receive credit for watching, you must open the recording and watch.

If you have any questions or are experiencing difficulties, please contact Jennifer Baugh at 618-619-2077. Good luck and thanks for watching.

Barcoding Training

Barcoding Training is required for all SHARE staff seeking barcoding permissions. Prior to beginning this course, the SHARE Bibliographic Services Training Contract must be completed and returned to the SHARE Bibliographic Services Manager, Jennifer Baugh, at jbaugh@illinoisheartland.org

This training will cover the following topics:

  1. Item and bibliographic records
  2. Searching and matching items in Polaris
  3. Creating item records, with and without using templates
  4. Sending items to SHARE for cataloging
  5. Barcoding in Leap
  6. Miscellaneous smaller topics

Focus on Cataloging CDs

Cataloging CDs can be challenging--what MARC fields are required, and which ones are optional? How do you fill out the fixed-field elements? Eric McKinney will guide you through the process of creating bibliographic records for CDs.

Focus on World Language Cataloging

Has your library decided to start purchasing materials in world languages, and you need help figuring out where to start? This course will help walk you through the steps of cataloging world language materials.

Focus on Cataloging DVDs

Do you have a stack of DVDs to catalog but don't know where to start? This class will help you learn how to whittle that stack down! 

Focus on Cataloging Binge Boxes

Does your library have binge boxes but don't know how to catalog them? This course will help guide you through cataloging binge boxes.

Focus on Deriving a Record

Have you found records in OCLC that are almost a match, but you need to create a new bibliographic record, or do you? If you find a close match, you can derive a new record. This class will teach you how to do that.

Focus on Serials Cataloging

Are you new to cataloging serials (continuing resources), or do you need a refresher? Then this is the class for you! We will spend two weeks discussing how to fill in the fixed and variable fields of a serials bibliographic MARC record.

Barcoding Refresher Training

This refresher course will cover key topics that are essential for all barcoders to know and execute properly to ensure an accurate and easily usable catalog for all library users. 

Barcoders are required to take Barcoding Refresher training every two years. A barcoders certification renewal date is based on the date they are assigned barcoding permissions or the last time they took Barcoding Refresher training, whichever is latest.

Barcoding Refresher training cannot be taken more than 3 months prior to the barcoder’s biannual certification renewal date.


Cataloging Basics

Are you new to cataloging and need to learn the basics? This is the course for you! This course will look at fields, indicators, and subfields used to catalog a book. 

RDA for Video and Audio Recordings

RDA guidelines for cataloging video and audio recordings

Recorded Catalogers Training Sessions

To help complete the required 15 hours of continuing education for cataloging permissions.  Cataloger's Training sessions are held 10 times a year, on the second Tuesday of January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, via Zoom.  After the live session, the recorded session will be posted here.


To complete the monthly session and receive credit for watching, you must open the recording and watch.

If you have any questions or are experiencing difficulties, please contact Jennifer Baugh at 618-619-2077. Good luck and thanks for watching.

Cataloging Series

This series focuses on the beginning skills necessary for cataloging.

Topics covered include:

  • Book Cataloging
  • Searching and Editing in OCLC
  • Introduction to Authority Records
  • Library of Congress Subject Headings
  • Dewey Decimal Classification

Anyone wishing to become a cataloger should take these classes, plus the OCLC modules listed here. Catalogers can take these courses as a refresher or for annual cataloging continuing education hours. Catalogers must attend 15 hours of continuing education related to cataloging each fiscal year (July 1 through June 30).




RBdigital User Groups

Archived recordings of RBdigital Users Group meetings.

Cloud Library User Groups

Archive of recorded Cloud Library Users Groups

Cloud Library Demo

This online training session provides a basic demonstration of the Cloud Library App.

Cloud Library Shopping in CAT

This course will explain how to use the Cloud Library shopping cart provided for your library in the Cloud Library Content Acquisition Tool (CAT).

IHLS L2 Event Publication Training

This is the required training for Illinois Heartland Library System's designated L2 Event Publisher staff.

IHLS Proofing Process & Guidelines

This is the required training for all members of the Illinois Heartland Library System Document Proofing Team.