Thursday, January 28
The conference has 7 sessions each day (listed in Central Standard Time). This day has 3 sessions in the Marketing and Public Services tracks, following with a Closing Session to end the conference. You must register for each session individually.
9 a.m.
Introduction to Inclusive Marketing (Marketing)
Register
Does your library truly promote inclusivity? Do you seek ways to include all people in the representation of your library? Why does focusing on inclusivity matter? Trenton will talk about ways all libraries can remove barriers through library communications and messaging.
Participants Will:
- Learn how to expand your library’s marketing reach to marginalized and underrepresented groups in your community
- Learn how to remove some of the current barriers through messaging and other tactics that truly resonate with people from all backgrounds
Trenton Smiley, Marketing and Communications Director, Capital Area District Library; Lansing, MI
The conference has 7 sessions each day (listed in Central Standard Time). This day has 3 sessions in the Marketing and Public Services tracks, following with a Closing Session to end the conference. You must register for each session individually.
9 a.m.
Introduction to Inclusive Marketing (Marketing)
Register
Does your library truly promote inclusivity? Do you seek ways to include all people in the representation of your library? Why does focusing on inclusivity matter? Trenton will talk about ways all libraries can remove barriers through library communications and messaging.
Participants Will:
- Learn how to expand your library’s marketing reach to marginalized and underrepresented groups in your community
- Learn how to remove some of the current barriers through messaging and other tactics that truly resonate with people from all backgrounds
Trenton Smiley, Marketing and Communications Director, Capital Area District Library; Lansing, MI
9 a.m.
Impacting Small Business Success in Your Community: Learn How Libraries Can Connect and Empower Entrepreneurs (Public Services)
Register
Find out how your library can be an excellent resource for aspiring and experienced business owners. The Business Information Center at the Cecil County Public Library was created in 2003, growing from a shelf of books to a personalized service. Cecil County Public Library Business Librarian, Laura Metzler will provide takeaways that any size branch can implement to start meeting the needs of your business community.
Participants Will:
- Learn how to meet the needs of your business community
- Learn how to become a resource for new and experienced business owners
Laura Metzler, Senior Business Research Librarian, Cecil County Public Library; Elkton, MD
10:30 a.m.
The Accidental Library Marketer: Ten Things You Should Know to Promote Your Library When the World Keeps Changing (Marketing)
Register
If your job looks very different today than it did at this time last year, you’re not alone. Many librarians now find themselves in charge of marketing and promotions ("other duties as assigned"), even though they have no experience. And they’re expected to do it quickly and effectively. It might feel like an impossible task, but Angela Hursh (Senior Engagement Consultant for NoveList and author of SuperLibraryMarketing.com) breaks down the ten most important things you need to know to promote your collection and services.
Participants Will:
- Learn basic tips you can apply to social media, email, video, and print promotions
- Learn how to stay on top of marketing trends
- Learn flexibility in promoting your library
- Learn how to tell your library’s story, even if you’re not a marketing expert
Angela Hursh, Senior Engagement Consultant, NoveList; Cincinnati, OH
The Accidental Library Marketer: Ten Things You Should Know to Promote Your Library When the World Keeps Changing (Marketing)
Register
If your job looks very different today than it did at this time last year, you’re not alone. Many librarians now find themselves in charge of marketing and promotions ("other duties as assigned"), even though they have no experience. And they’re expected to do it quickly and effectively. It might feel like an impossible task, but Angela Hursh (Senior Engagement Consultant for NoveList and author of SuperLibraryMarketing.com) breaks down the ten most important things you need to know to promote your collection and services.
Participants Will:
- Learn basic tips you can apply to social media, email, video, and print promotions
- Learn how to stay on top of marketing trends
- Learn flexibility in promoting your library
- Learn how to tell your library’s story, even if you’re not a marketing expert
Angela Hursh, Senior Engagement Consultant, NoveList; Cincinnati, OH
10:30 a.m.
Supporting People with Mental Illness (Public Services)
Register
Libraries are community hubs. As such, librarians interact with many people in the community from different contexts and situations. People with mental illnesses, as well as their families and friends, seek resources at libraries. People may also come in seeking more immediate services.
Participants Will:
- Discuss a general overview of major mental illnesses
- Learn how to engage someone who is in crisis
- Learn what kinds of resources are available in your community, as well as resources on caring for ourselves and co-workers
Helyn Luisi-Mills, Mental Health Consultant; Madison, WI
New! 12 - 12:15 p.m.
Short Stretch Break
Register
We get it. You have likely experienced "online meeting overload" in the last several months. That is why this year's conference will include two short breaks to stretch over the lunch hour. Make sure you register ahead of time so you receive the link to sign in.
All you need is a chair and yourself. Get ready to relax!
Short Stretch Break
Register
We get it. You have likely experienced "online meeting overload" in the last several months. That is why this year's conference will include two short breaks to stretch over the lunch hour. Make sure you register ahead of time so you receive the link to sign in.
All you need is a chair and yourself. Get ready to relax!
1 p.m.
Emojis: What Are They and How They Help With Marketing (Marketing)
Register
Smiley face, sad face, high five, a smiling face with heart-shaped eyes. Emojis are everywhere and they are changing how we communicate. Unlike in the past, this visual language has now become mainstream communication. Emojis have a mixed, but evolving, history.
Participants Will:
- Learn where emojis have been and where they are now
- Discover how they can best be used to potentially increase the effectiveness of your library’s marketing efforts
Laura Solomon, Library Services Manager, Ohio Public Library Information Network; Columbus, OH
Emojis: What Are They and How They Help With Marketing (Marketing)
Register
Smiley face, sad face, high five, a smiling face with heart-shaped eyes. Emojis are everywhere and they are changing how we communicate. Unlike in the past, this visual language has now become mainstream communication. Emojis have a mixed, but evolving, history.
Participants Will:
- Learn where emojis have been and where they are now
- Discover how they can best be used to potentially increase the effectiveness of your library’s marketing efforts
Laura Solomon, Library Services Manager, Ohio Public Library Information Network; Columbus, OH
1 p.m.
Different Tries for Your Size: Finding the Right Teen Engagement Fit For You (Public Services)
Register
Teen services have undergone a mighty shift in the past thirty years. Now more than ever before, libraries are playing an important role in the lives of teens. Despite that, figuring out how best to serve this notoriously slippery age group can leave libraries and their staff at a loss. Teen engagement is the key! Join three Youth Services Librarians from vastly different sized libraries as they share their trials and triumphs and give you high-interest and hands-on ideas for how you can serve and engage with them, too. From creating and running Teen Advisory Boards to using teen volunteers to building relationships and offering teens agency, you’ll find ideas you can implement, no matter what size your library is!
Participants Will:
- Learn how to create and run a Teen Advisory Board
- Discover how to create volunteers among teens
- Learn how to build relationships with teens
Alicia Woodland, Young Adult Services Manager, McMillan Memorial Library; Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Cat Mullen, Youth Services Librarian, Milwaukee Public Library; Milwaukee, WI
Emily Sanders, Youth Services Director, Barrett Memorial Library; Williams Bay, WI
Different Tries for Your Size: Finding the Right Teen Engagement Fit For You (Public Services)
Register
Teen services have undergone a mighty shift in the past thirty years. Now more than ever before, libraries are playing an important role in the lives of teens. Despite that, figuring out how best to serve this notoriously slippery age group can leave libraries and their staff at a loss. Teen engagement is the key! Join three Youth Services Librarians from vastly different sized libraries as they share their trials and triumphs and give you high-interest and hands-on ideas for how you can serve and engage with them, too. From creating and running Teen Advisory Boards to using teen volunteers to building relationships and offering teens agency, you’ll find ideas you can implement, no matter what size your library is!
Participants Will:
- Learn how to create and run a Teen Advisory Board
- Discover how to create volunteers among teens
- Learn how to build relationships with teens
Alicia Woodland, Young Adult Services Manager, McMillan Memorial Library; Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Cat Mullen, Youth Services Librarian, Milwaukee Public Library; Milwaukee, WI
Emily Sanders, Youth Services Director, Barrett Memorial Library; Williams Bay, WI
2:30 p.m.
Staying True to Yourself in Times of Stress (Closing Session)
Register
A National Mental Health Crisis, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of APA, found that nearly 8 in 10 adults (78%) say the coronavirus pandemic is a significant source of stress in their lives, while 3 in 5 (60%) say the number of issues Americans face is overwhelming to them. In this presentation, we will look to academic scholarship, ancient wisdom traditions, and personal creative practices for strategies that help us stay true to ourselves in times of stress. In particular, we will look for practices that help us accept, and even embrace, discomfort, messiness, and vulnerability in our lives and work.
Participants Will:
- Learn strategies to help us stay true to ourselves in times of stress
- Learn practices that help us accept vulnerability in our lives and work
Beck Tench, Instructor and PhD Candidate, University of Washington Information School; Seattle, WA
Staying True to Yourself in Times of Stress (Closing Session)
Register
A National Mental Health Crisis, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of APA, found that nearly 8 in 10 adults (78%) say the coronavirus pandemic is a significant source of stress in their lives, while 3 in 5 (60%) say the number of issues Americans face is overwhelming to them. In this presentation, we will look to academic scholarship, ancient wisdom traditions, and personal creative practices for strategies that help us stay true to ourselves in times of stress. In particular, we will look for practices that help us accept, and even embrace, discomfort, messiness, and vulnerability in our lives and work.
Participants Will:
- Learn strategies to help us stay true to ourselves in times of stress
- Learn practices that help us accept vulnerability in our lives and work
Beck Tench, Instructor and PhD Candidate, University of Washington Information School; Seattle, WA