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Since 2022, the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) has offered a training course to help Idaho librarians make libraries inclusive and accurately representative spaces for Indigenous peoples while improving the foundational knowledge of library staff about Indigenous peoples. In many places in the US, including Idaho, Indigenous patrons are more likely to be served by non-Indigenous librarians. These non-Indigenous library workers can have gaps in knowledge regarding histories, resources, stories, statistics, and media by, about, and for Indigenous Peoples. ICfL now offers two types of Indigenous library education trainings which seek to bridge that information gap and help make libraries more welcoming, accurate, and inclusive spaces for all Indigenous Peoples and improve library services: 1) An Idaho-specific course called Indigenous Idaho: Future, Past & Present, where the five tribes of Idaho take center stage, and; 2) Indigenous Library Education for All, where the same foundational information is shared but the Idaho-specific module is optional; In addition, regional Tribal resources are provided in this course as an alternate.

You can learn more about each course, their objectives, and how to access them below.

• To increase understanding by Idaho library staff of the world’s Indigenous cultures, both historic and current, with an emphasis on the five federally recognized tribes located in present-day Idaho.
• To foster and increase relationships and partnerships between Idaho libraries and Idaho tribes and Indigenous peoples.
• To create Idaho library services, materials, and programs that are high-quality, relevant, and accurate regarding Native peoples, cultures, and histories.
• To improve library communication, promotion, membership, and outreach efforts with members of Idaho’s tribes and other organizations that serve native peoples.

 – a continuing education course for all Idaho library staff –

Until recently, the Indigenous Idaho course was offered annually to Idaho library staff for four weeks each October. This required pre-registration by participants and was limited to a small class size and to only one time per year. Today, the Indigenous Idaho course is offered year-round, asynchronously, with no registration requirement. Beginning on August 15, 2026, you can find the course on the Idaho Niche Academy site. What if your library wants a large group of your staff to participate in this course? This course can now be offered any time of year as a Library Staff Group Training upon request to ICfL/Kristina Taylor. What if you are missing the live component and would like to add back in the facilitated group discussions or live speakers? Contact Kristina Taylor and she can discuss options with you.

 – a continuing education course for all library staff –

Currently, the Indigenous Idaho course is being updated to become a national version of itself as Indigenous Library Education for All. This updated course will live on the Idaho Niche Academy site and will be available to participants on August 15, 2026. As noted above, this new, national version of the course will still provide the foundation information provided in the original, Indigenous Idaho course, but will offer additional, regional, educational tribal resources in lieu of, or in addition to, the Idaho-specific module.

[QR code for Indigenous Library Education for All registration coming soon!]

Questions? Contact Kristina Taylor, Outreach & Community Engagement Consultant.