Webinars and teleconferences

Training for library staff

An open laptop on a desk displays the CELA logo. Beside it, a hand holds a pen poised over a notebook. CELA is a public library service offered in most libraries in Canada and provides a collection of reading materials in multiple formats for people with print disabilities. Public libraries play an essential role in ensuring that the approximately 3 million people living in Canada who cannot read regular print due to a learning, physical, or visual disability are able to access published materials in the format of their choice. CELA supports public library staff in fostering accessiblity in all aspects of service. Our webinars provide direct training for library staff to support their users with print disabilities.

Our webinars, presented on Zoom, are designed to meet the training needs of public library services at all levels.

Register for a webinar

To register for a live training session on Zoom, select the link with the webinar date and time and complete the registration form. (You will need to adjust the times for your region - all times given on the website are in Eastern Time).

We offer additional webinars for our patrons on our Webinars for You page. Library staff are welcome to register.

Watch a recording

Our webinars are recorded and you may find a full list of our webinar recordings to watch at any time.

Follow a learning path

We offer learning paths designed to help library staff in different roles understand CELA services and provide it to patrons with print disabilities. Check them out on our Learning Paths for Libraries page.

More training opportunities

Library staff in Ontario can also follow the CELA Service in Ontario Public Libraries Certificate Course. Learn more on the Ontario Library Service website.

How to support library patrons to read CELA’s audiobooks and magazines: Transitioning from reading on CDs to other devices

In this 60 minute webinar, library staff will discover how to transition patrons with print disabilities from reading CELA’s audiobooks and magazines on CD, to a variety of players and apps. We will guide you through this change so you can continue to offer accessible reading materials through your library’s CELA account. You will learn:

Which audiobook players and apps work with CELA audiobooks and magazines
How to access CELA books and magazines onto library-owned devices
How CELA can support book clubs and reading programs
Where to find help, training and tutorials

Select the session of your choice to register :

Wed, Aug 13: 3:00-4:00pm EDT

Wed, Sept 24: 2:00-3:00pm EDT

A recorded version of this webinar will be available on CELA's website for library staff who aren't able to attend scheduled webinars.

Getting Started with Accessible Reading Canada: Listen to CELA Audiobooks with Alexa

Join us for a live webinar introducing Accessible Reading Canada, a new way for CELA patrons to enjoy CELA audiobooks using Alexa-enabled smart speakers. This 60-minute session will walk you through how to use voice commands to search, browse, and listen to audiobooks from your CELA Direct to Player Bookshelf using the Accessible Reading Canada Alexa skill.

This webinar will cover:

What Alexa-enabled smart speakers are and how they work
How to set up and use the Accessible Reading Canada skill
How to use voice commands for browsing and reading
Where to find help guides and additional support

After the presentation, there will be a Q&A session to ask additional questions. This session will be recorded.

To register for the online Zoom webinar please select your preferred date below and fill in the registration form. To attend by phone, please call the Contact Centre at 1-855-655-2273.

Tues Aug 12 2:30-3:30pm EDT

Mon Oct 6 2:30-3:30pm EDT

How you as a designate can support library patrons to read CELA’s audiobooks and magazines

Are you a friend, family member or library staff person who assists a person with a print disability manage their CELA library service? In this 60 minute webinar, you will learn how to assist patrons with print disabilities as they transition from reading CELA’s audiobooks and magazines on CD, to a variety of players and apps. We will guide you through this change so you can offer assistance to your friend, family member or library patron in order that they can continue to access reading materials through their CELA account. You will learn:

• Which audiobook players and apps work with CELA audiobooks and magazines
• How to start using Envoy Connect devices, the EasyReader app or Direct to Player on a Humanware Stratus DAISY player
• Where to buy players
• Where to find help, training and tutorials

Tues Sept 9 7:00pm EDT

Educator Access Program webinar

This webinar will introduce library staff and educators to the CELA Educator Access program. This program is offered through public libraries and gives teachers and other educators access to CELA’s collection to support their students with print disabilities at the elementary, secondary and post-secondary levels.

Audience: Public library staff and educators. Educators can include teachers, teacher librarians, educational assistants, and special education teachers – anyone who supports students with print disabilities in a formal educational setting.

Learning goals:

How to register with the Educator Access program
What alternate formats and reading technologies are available for students at all levels in the CELA collection
What is Bookshare and how can educators get access
How to find, access and read our books, magazines and newspapers in audio, e-text and braille

Length: 60 minutes

Thurs, Sept 18 - 3:00-4:00pm EDT

We offer additional webinars for our patrons on our Webinars for You page. Educators are welcome to register for these webinars.

Orientation webinar

An overview of CELA service for public libraries providing this service to your patrons with print disabilities.

This 60 minute webinar will cover the following:

• What is CELA and the role of libraries
• Eligibility
• CELA’s collections
• Formats & services available to patrons and libraries
• Registering for CELA
• How to integrate CELA service at your library

Tues, Oct 14 1:00-2:00pm EDT

Envoy Connect: An accessible and affordable audiobook player

In May 2023, CELA launched our new service which uses the Envoy Connect audiobook player to read books in CELA’s collection. This webinar will provide a basic introduction to the Envoy Connect player, a portable, affordable and easy-to-use device. This webinar is for both library staff and CELA patrons who want to learn more about this device.