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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. Library staff may have gaps in knowledge regarding Indigenous histories, resources, stories, statistics, and media by, about, and for Indigenous Peoples. As of August 2026, ICfL now offers two types of Indigenous library education trainings which seek to bridge that information gap and help libraries become 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, the new course includes regional Tribal resources from around the country.

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

• To increase understanding by library staff of the world’s Indigenous cultures, both historic and current, throughout North America, with an emphasis on regional tribal nations.
• To foster and increase relationships and partnerships between libraries, tribes, and Indigenous peoples.
• To create 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 regional Tribes and other organizations that serve Native peoples.

 – a continuing education course for Idaho library staff –

Until recently, the Indigenous Idaho course was offered annually to Idaho library staff for four weeks each October. Class size was limited, required pre-registration and was offered only once per year. Today, the Indigenous Idaho course is offered asynchronously, year-round, and with no registration requirement. As of August 2026, you can now find the course on the Idaho Niche Academy site without being invited to enroll or register. With this change, there are new ways to incorporate facilitated discussions and live speakers into your training. Begin by consulting Kristina Taylor at ICfL.

• To start the course today, visit the Idaho Niche Academy platform and look up the course by name OR navigate directly to the Indigenous Idaho: Future, Past, & Present course here.

 – a continuing education course for all library staff –

In August 2026, the Indigenous Idaho course was edited and updated to become a national version of itself as Indigenous Library Education for All. This updated course is now available on the Idaho Niche Academy site for any library staff nationwide. As noted above, this new, national version of the course provides the foundation information provided in the original Indigenous Idaho course, but also offers additional regional, educational tribal resources in lieu of, or in addition to, the Idaho-specific resources in Module 2 of the original course.

To start the course today, visit the Idaho Niche Academy platform and look up the course by name OR navigate directly to the Indigenous Library Education for All course here.

PLEASE NOTE: You will need a free Niche Academy account to access these courses and any course on the Niche Academy platform. You can create an account by visiting the Niche Academy link on the ICfL website.

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