Wednesday, January 21
The conference has 7 sessions each day (listed in Central Standard Time). This day has an opening session, followed by 3 sessions in the Management and Collection Development tracks. Attendees must register for each session individually.
9 a.m.
Cultivating Community Support through Partnerships (Opening Session)
Register
In uncertain times, the community needs the library more than ever - and libraries need our communities. A supportive, engaged community can make all the difference when the library faces challenges or explores new opportunities. But how can your library develop this kind of strong community? Authentic relationships and intentional partnerships are the key. As a result of this session, you will learn mindsets, models, and real-world strategies for developing and sustaining the relationships that are the foundation of a thriving library.
Audrey Barbakoff, CEO, Co/Lab Capacity LLC (Washington)
The conference has 7 sessions each day (listed in Central Standard Time). This day has an opening session, followed by 3 sessions in the Management and Collection Development tracks. Attendees must register for each session individually.
9 a.m.
Cultivating Community Support through Partnerships (Opening Session)
Register
In uncertain times, the community needs the library more than ever - and libraries need our communities. A supportive, engaged community can make all the difference when the library faces challenges or explores new opportunities. But how can your library develop this kind of strong community? Authentic relationships and intentional partnerships are the key. As a result of this session, you will learn mindsets, models, and real-world strategies for developing and sustaining the relationships that are the foundation of a thriving library.
Audrey Barbakoff, CEO, Co/Lab Capacity LLC (Washington)
10:30 a.m.
Not an Emergency Room: A Mindset for Encouraging Realistic Performance Expectations Among Employees (Management)
Register
In libraries, where patrons can have unreasonable expectations, reminding ourselves and our employees that “we are a library, not an emergency room” can be helpful in working toward a healthier view of our work and realistic performance expectations in the workplace. This presentation will focus on a mindset that can help in coaching employees towards healthier expectations regarding their own performance in an environment that frequently asks us to go above and beyond to serve patrons, often at the expense of our own mental health. Library leaders can demonstrate the boundaries of what is and is not doable in a work environment by not being afraid to say no to unreasonable patron requests, by explicitly placing value on our own work-life balance, and by taking other similar actions that demonstrate to our employees that we understand and respect our own limits, and therefore, theirs as well.
Amanda Darby, Research and Teaching Librarian, Montgomery College (Maryland)
Not an Emergency Room: A Mindset for Encouraging Realistic Performance Expectations Among Employees (Management)
Register
In libraries, where patrons can have unreasonable expectations, reminding ourselves and our employees that “we are a library, not an emergency room” can be helpful in working toward a healthier view of our work and realistic performance expectations in the workplace. This presentation will focus on a mindset that can help in coaching employees towards healthier expectations regarding their own performance in an environment that frequently asks us to go above and beyond to serve patrons, often at the expense of our own mental health. Library leaders can demonstrate the boundaries of what is and is not doable in a work environment by not being afraid to say no to unreasonable patron requests, by explicitly placing value on our own work-life balance, and by taking other similar actions that demonstrate to our employees that we understand and respect our own limits, and therefore, theirs as well.
Amanda Darby, Research and Teaching Librarian, Montgomery College (Maryland)
10:30 a.m.
Managing Library Collections (Collection Development)
Register
Join Children’s and YA Consultant Kym Powe for an exploration of inclusive collection development via collection audits and sustainable weeding practices. This session will go beyond the basics to examine the full spectrum of library collections, with a focus on ensuring representation, relevance, and community connection.
Using the CREW (Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding) manual developed by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission as our guide, learn the steps to weed including the weeding formulas. Attendees will learn how to thoughtfully audit collections to reflect the diverse voices and experiences of the communities they serve insuring that the collections built and maintained represent a wide breadth of experiences. Whether you're new to collection maintenance or looking to refine your current practices, this session will equip you with the knowledge and resources to manage your library’s collection with intention and care.
Kymberlee Powe, Children and Young Adult Consultant, Connecticut State Library (Connecticut)
1 p.m.
(Don’t) Do All the Things: Delegation in the Workplace (Management)
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As library staff, you can feel that you wear many hats and need to do all the things, completely and well and for many small libraries – you have to! However, effective delegation will not only free up time and energy for your highest priorities, but allow all staff to become more effective in working together as a team. Delegation can create better workflows, balanced responsibilities, and create accountability and buy-in, no matter your position in the library.
The purpose of this program is to help build personal and team management skills by understanding delegation and its effective implementation in the library.
Kristi Chadwick, Director, Ballston Community Public Library (New York)
(Don’t) Do All the Things: Delegation in the Workplace (Management)
Register
As library staff, you can feel that you wear many hats and need to do all the things, completely and well and for many small libraries – you have to! However, effective delegation will not only free up time and energy for your highest priorities, but allow all staff to become more effective in working together as a team. Delegation can create better workflows, balanced responsibilities, and create accountability and buy-in, no matter your position in the library.
The purpose of this program is to help build personal and team management skills by understanding delegation and its effective implementation in the library.
Kristi Chadwick, Director, Ballston Community Public Library (New York)
1 p.m.
Riding the Whirlwind: The Changing World of Collection Development (Collection Development)
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With the collection development world in an upheaval with old companies exiting and different companies stepping in to fill the gap, now is a great time to talk about the philosophy of collection development and what constitutes success. This session will start with the ground rules of collection development, what they are and how they fit into everyday workflow. From there, it will move into how a collection development philosophy differs from the more formal collection development policy, and the benefits of each complete with examples using real questions and answers. Finally, we'll talk about ways to avoid chaos when the unexpected happens.
Robin Bradford, Collection Development Librarian, Pierce County Library (Washington)
2:30 p.m.
How Does Anyone Do All of This? Practical Organizational Strategies for Library Leaders (Management)
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Public library leaders navigate a constant stream of competing demands: strategic planning, community engagement, board relations, staff supervision, and daily operations all require attention, often at the same time. How do you stay on top of it all without dropping the ball or burning out? Whether you're navigating budget season while planning community programs or responding to staff needs while preparing for a board meeting, you'll leave with concrete approaches to manage the many levels of duty inherent to library leadership.
Abby Armour, Director, Mukwonago Community Library (Wisconsin)
How Does Anyone Do All of This? Practical Organizational Strategies for Library Leaders (Management)
Register
Public library leaders navigate a constant stream of competing demands: strategic planning, community engagement, board relations, staff supervision, and daily operations all require attention, often at the same time. How do you stay on top of it all without dropping the ball or burning out? Whether you're navigating budget season while planning community programs or responding to staff needs while preparing for a board meeting, you'll leave with concrete approaches to manage the many levels of duty inherent to library leadership.
Abby Armour, Director, Mukwonago Community Library (Wisconsin)
2:30 p.m.
Promoting Your Collection, Programs and Services with Better Book Displays (Collection Development)
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Any library worker can be a hero and use book displays or online book lists to market their library's collection, revealing the hidden gems on their shelves and introducing patrons to materials they may have missed. In addition, book displays, both in the library and online, can be used to market programs, partnerships, and library services as well. Attendees will learn how to craft displays and lists that are effective in promoting the theme or message behind the display.
Join Passive Readers’ Advisory expert Lila Denning for an hour of all the ways that you can promote your library’s collection with better book displays. Book displays are a fun, creative marketing technique that any library can use. She will show you how to create book displays that will draw readers in and help them to find those titles that don’t get enough attention.
Lila Denning, Acquisitions Coordinator, St. Petersburg Library System (Florida)