ABLE has been providing library basics for library staff world-wide since 1998. Over 5,000 ABLE Course Completion Certificates have been printed and distributed to individuals in 32 countries.

No registration is required, simply click on the links below to begin learning.

ABLE Courses

Collection Development Sequence

  1. Collection Development Basics (1 contact hour)
  2. Collection Development Policy (1.5 contact hours)
  3. Building A Collection (1.5 contact hours)
  4. Collection Maintenance (2 contact hours)

Technical Services Sequence

  1. Introduction to Technical Services and Catalog Records (1.5 contact hours)
  2. Introduction to Subject Headings (3 contact hours)
  3. Introduction to Dewey Classification (2 contact hours)
  4. Introduction to MARC Cataloging (2 contact hours)

Public Services Sequence

  1. The Reference Interview (2.0 contact hours)  
  2. Evaluating Reference Sources (2.0 contact hours)
  3. Basic Reference Sources (3.0 contact hours)
  4. Ethics and Public Service (2.0 contact hours)

Upon completing these three sequences of the ABLE program, any learner may request an electronic program completion certificate from the Idaho Commission for Libraries via this survey.

Youth Services Courses

Countdown to Coding

Countdown to Coding is an online tutorial designed to help library staff and other caregivers understand basic computer science concepts and learn to integrate these concepts into regular storytime and playtime. (1 contact hour)

Early Childhood Services

(3 contact hours)

Young Adult (YA) Services

(2 contact hours)

If you access the courses and they didn’t work, try one of more of these tips:

  • Enable flash to run
  • Turn off pop-up blocker
  • Try a different browser
  • Clear the cache on your web browser

Tips for Maximizing Your ABLE Learning Experience

Competencies supported by the content in the ABLE Courses

More Information:

  • Click here for a list of states which accept these courses for their continuing education programs.
  • For accessibility purposes, text-only versions of the audio narration for each ABLE course is available at this page.
  • Questions or comments may be directed to the Idaho Commission for Libraries’ Continuing Education Consultant at (208) 334-2150. 

A recent user commented:

Thank you for such generosity in sharing your knowledge…..I work as a library aide in two schools in Brisbane, Australia. Your courses will be invaluable to me and many others….A big thank you to all the people at the Idaho Commission for Libraries whose thoughtfulness, knowledge and hard work has contributed to this venture. 

All the best, , Helen Abbott, Teacher Aide, Brisbane, Australia