How to request to attend a training or conference

Want to attend a conference, class, training, webinar or some other learning event not offered through the County? Follow these steps outlined below.

NOTE: In order to get approved and pay for the event, you should start this process a month in advance of the start date.

Local training in the Portland metro area, online webinar* or online class

1. Get approval from your manager to attend the training. Discuss this opportunity with your manager, including if you would be using paid work time to attend.
2. Register for the training:
   If there is no cost to attend the training, you can register yourself for the training.  
   If there is a cost to attend, find out what cost center will be paying for the training. In most cases, training will be paid from the Learning + Organizational Development cost center (803720). Complete the Local/virtual training request form.
3. A library travel coordinator will pay for the registration and work with you on any additional paperwork. Do NOT use your department p-card to pay for the registration.

*NOTE: If you think that other MCL employees might be interested in the online webinar, contact Learning + Organizational Development to see if they will pay for it and set up a watching party.

Conference or training outside of the Portland metro area

If it is a conference that is promoted by Learning + Organizational Development (such as ALA, PLA, OLA), you will start with the application to request funding support. Check out the conference information page for more information.

If it is a specialized conference for your work area (youth services, marketing, technical services), you need to discuss the opportunity with your supervisor to determine if you can go. If the manager agrees, get the cost center that will be paying for the event and fill out the Overnight travel and training request form.

What happens with the request process?

When you submit the travel request form, an email will be sent to your manager. If your manager approves you to attend, your request will be sent to the library travel coordination team. Someone on that team will get in touch with you to confirm registration and travel arrangements, if necessary.

NOTE: Employees who have not completed their new hire trial service period or who are currently in any form of disciplinary process may not be approved for paid, external training opportunities. An exception will be made for employees who have obligations to attend the event (such as presenting or serving on a committee where prior commitments were made to participate). Manager and HR input will be requested for all employees prior to being approved for the training or conference.