The conference was held from 8:45am ’till 5:00pm CST on Friday, February 27, 2015.
Speaker bios can be found on the Speakers page as they become available.
8:45-9:00am
Welcome to the Conference & Introductions
9:00-9:50am
Reaching Out: Fighting back against a bad public image
Natalie Bazan, Director, Hopkins District and Dorr Township Libraries, TN (Pop Served: 7400)
Join me as I talk you through some of the ways that we have begun to fight back and work hard to bring the community back to a library it once loved through programs, interactive library board meetings, welcome packets and even a community garden with a club and classes.
10:00-10:50am
Hack the OPAC: How to Create a Free Online Library Catalog
Seth Allen, Online Instruction Librarian, King University, Bristol, TN
Library cataloging software generally comes in two categories: affordable but quirky or robust but expensive. Finding a good library catalog is essential to efficient cataloging and user accessibility. This workshop presents a ‘hack’ or shortcut to creating a free online public access catalog (OPAC) using Google Drive and Google Sites. With moderate technical knowledge, librarians can catalog books in an online spreadsheet and make their holdings searchable to the public.
11:00-11:50am
The Little Library that Could (and did!)
Erica Freudenberger, Director, Red Hook Public Library, NY &
Erin Cannan, Associate Director of Bard College’s Center for Civic Engagement, NY (Pop Served: 1961)
“What does it mean when we say libraries are the cornerstone of democracy? Can we claim that without being fully engaged in the communities we serve? Find out what happened when one small library looked beyond the boundaries of space and mission to forge partnerships in order to act as a central agent of change.
Red Hook Public Library redefined its goals as a small rural library by seeking partnerships in the community – including the one it forged with Bard College. Learn how the experience changed both organizations, the people involved and pointed the way to the future for both institutions and the community.
12:00-12:50pm Lightning Round!
If They Build It They Will Keep Coming Back
Amy Marshall, Director Craig Public Library (Pop Served: 1200)
More than just the rise of maker spaces, libraries should look for programs and projects that challenge kids and teens to go a step further — into design using new tech (3D printers and AutoCAD programs) and old tech (knitting patterns and art). Everything is STEM if you apply the definition correctly. Giving kids tech is great, but having the kids build the tech from the ground up is even better. In Craig, our tweens and teens built a 3D printer from a kit. That printer is available for public use. What was even better was the kids’ realization that they had to learn the program BEHIND the tech to make it work. This presentation will focus on projects and programs that you can build on to keep interest high and keep your target group coming back for more.
Youth Programming: Art Against Bullying
Tiffany Harkleroad, Library Assistant and Programming Coordinator, Ford City Public Library, in Ford City PA (Pop Served: 3000)
Last summer, we held a program titled “Art Against Bullying”. For this program, we partnered with an organization titled You Will Rise, which focuses on using art to educate on the effects of bullying, and help youth heal from their own experience of bullying through the creative process. Presenters from the organization came and met with approximately 17 youth (ranging in age from 13 to 19) at our library, talking about their own personal bullying stories, and engaged the youth in both individual and group projects. The program was especially impactful for a number of participants who had lost a friend to suicide after the girl had been bullied. Participants were able to choose various artistic media, including painting, poetry, and large art installations. The program resulted in some really visceral and emotional artwork, which was displayed at the library over the course of a month. A reception was held for all of our young artists and their families, as well as members of the community.
Passports from your Library
Kathe Wilson, Adult Services, Oregon Public Library District (Pop Served: 6000)
Since 2009 we have been accepting US Passport Applications at our library. Would share what is involved to start and the demands on staff time. Also the rewards, both monetary and in publicity and community building.
Programming Exclusively for University Staff: Blind Dates with Books & DVDs
Rebecca Seipp, Outreach & Humanities Liaison Librarian, Wyndham Robertson Library, VA (Pop Served: 1000)
“University staff members are an often overlooked and under-served population when it comes to library programming. While they may be reached by some events, how often do we exclusively target that population? If your answer is “sometimes”, “rarely”, or “never” this lightning talk is for you! Turn Valentine’s Day into a library holiday with the “Blind Date with a Book or DVD” program.
In our first year, approximately 25% of our university staff signed up for a “blind date” and we sent almost 90 books and DVDs across the campus. The talk will cover practical aspects such as advertising, title selection, and time management, as well as future considerations. Learn about a successful program that was described by one executive director as “…the best initiative Hollins has done that directly speaks to employees in terms of going the extra mile to value us I have experienced in my decade here.”
Zopim live-chat for libraries
Edita Sicken, Instruction & Access Services Librarian, Manchester University, IN (Pop Served: 1500)
This lighting round will be a quick introduction to how Funderburg Library has used Zopim, a live-chat service for businesses, to provide reference services to our students for less than $150 a year (we could do it for free but chose to add some bells and whistles!). We have integrated the widget into our website, catalog, and LibGuides and it has given us an opportunity to reach out to more students and to offer them help right where they need it. Additionally, using automated triggers, we’ve been able to assist students who may not otherwise initiate conversation with librarians. We’ve only provided this service for a few months now but the experience has been very positive and absolutely worth the minimal cost and effort to initiate.
1:00-1:50pm
Little Free Public Libraries
Hope Nobel, Director, Tamarack District Library (Pop Served: 10250)
“Hear how one small idea turned into a major community-building project. Faced with the familiar small-town librarian challenge of how to bring her library’s presence to a much larger rural area, Hope turned to the wildly popular “”Little Free Library”” movement. Through a carefully-organized volunteer outreach program, 200+ volunteers built and installed 25 beautiful little libraries as outreach for the public library – without taking one dollar from the library’s operating budget.
The strength of this project was its ability to inspire untapped resources already available in the community – and bring a diverse population together to work toward a single goal of cultural literacy. Hear this library’s story, and find ideas to write your own library’s story in your community!”
2:00-2:50pm
The library’s open: meeting the needs of your community by giving up control
Anita Bennett, County Librarian, Perquimans County Library, NC (Pop Served: 13600)
What are the communities you serve? How well are you meeting their needs? This session will explain how one library is meeting the needs of a diverse population in a small county by being “other-oriented” and flexible in their approach to problem solving.
3:00-3:50pm
Kickstart Community Caring
Janet McAllister, Director, Rochester Public Library District, IL (Pop Served: 7993)
Participants will learn how to actively engage patrons to make a difference in their library and community. Branch out from Food for Fines, involve devoted and reluctant patrons alike, and develop positive relationships with nonprofit and community organizations. Hear how the Rochester Public Library District started with an annual Coat Drive and how that program transformed into a Community Donation Center. Leave this presentation with ideas and a plan of action to transform your library and community!
4:00-4:50pm
The Senior Connection: Helping Technology Make Sense to Seniors
Doris Ann Mertz, Library Director, Custer County Library, SD (Pop Served: 8000)
The Custer County Library recently formed a partnership with the Custer Senior Center to provide technology classes to seniors on a regular basis. The initial offering was an “Introduction to Facebook” class held at the Senior Center in an environment that was familiar and comfortable to them. The next class was a “Bring Your Own Device” workshop held at the library which focused on how to use OverDrive to enjoy e-books and audio-books. Future endeavors include “Tablets 101” and “How to Use Ancestry Library.” The library has also issued the invitation for them to call and “Book a Librarian” to get one-on-one assistance with their specific technology needs. Those who are hesitant, but curious, about using electronic devices are invited to check-out and test-drive library-owned tablets. Seniors are willing and eager to learn how to get the most out of technology when offered the chance to learn in a non-intimidating environment. The partnership has resulted in expanding competent technology use by seniors and increased visibility and support for the library. This session will explain how we make it work, lessons learned along the way, and why such a partnership is worth pursuing.