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Adult Services & Programming Workshop

A few years ago, the Wisconsin State Law Library (WSLL) collaborated with library systems to bring a workshop to libraries about the court system. As a former reference librarian, my favorite part of that workshop was the Legal Research presentation. The resources available at the WSLL are incredible.

As part of this year's Adult Services & Programming Workshop on August 8, WSLL offered to host our annual gathering and present a workshop called "It's a Trap! How to Avoid Giving Legal Advice in Reference Services."

Librarians can be at the front lines of the legal system. Helping users to access legal information and resources can be complicated. Where is the line between research help and giving legal advice? How can you determine which sources are authoritative or up to date? This session gives examples and practical tips, including phrases you can use to manage your users’ expectations. Discover online sources for case law, statutes, and regulations, and understand how the Wisconsin State Law Library’s website and services can be used to optimize your legal reference services.

In addition to the workshop, come prepared to share your top 5 programs from the last year. Was there a program that was a hit? Or not? We want to hear about it! This is your opportunity to network and connect with other Adult Services and Programming Librarians in SCLS. As I did last year, I'll compile a list of the program ideas and share with all attendees.

After the workshop, librarians from WSLL will give a tour to all interested. I hope you can join me at the beautiful David T. Prosser State Law Library for this year's workshop.

Details: August 8, 2019 from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the Wisconsin State Law Library - Rare Books Room, 120 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Madison. Parking is available in a variety of ramps around the square. Register here!

 

PLA Webinars & Workshops

Two interesting CE Opportunities from the Public Library Association came through my email this week and I wanted to share them with  you.

First is a webinar called "Unreturned Materials as Barriers to Access" and it's being held on Thursday, July 11 at 1 p.m. Central Time. The cost for the webinar is $43 (PLA member) or $59 (nonmember). The presenters may be familiar to you: Steve Heser, the Director of the Milwaukee County Federated Library System; Paula Kiely, Director of the Milwaukee Public Library; and Joyce Latham, Ph.D., Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee's School of Information Studies. The research team asked the question "why don't people return their books?" As more libraries are going fine free, this is an interesting look at the issue.

Next up is a Social Justice and Public Libraries Symposium: Equity Starts with Us. One of the three regional symposiums will be held from October 28 -29 at the Chicago Public Library. The cost for the day and a half symposium is $175 (PLA member) or $250 (nonmember). Registration includes training, materials, and some meals. Lodging and travel are not included. Our own Sarah Lawton from the Madison Public Library will be one of the presenters at the Chicago symposium.

SCLS member public libraries can use CE Grant funds to offset the cost of the webinar or symposium.

 

Archived Webinars

I've been researching some possible presenters for the 2020 Wild Wisconsin Winter Web Conference. As I was searching for technology related topics, I realized I needed to share some of what I found with you.

First, I looked through the conference program for Internet Librarian. This is a great conference that is held every fall in Monterey, California. Someday, I'd love to attend this conference. In the meantime, I look through the program for topics and speakers on topics that might be of interest to you.

Second, I looked through the webinar archives from Infopeople and WebJunction. This lead me to watch a few archived webinars like Using Social Media as a Tool to Advocate Diversity and Inclusion and Implicit Bias in the Library Workplace. Infopeople also offers webinars and online courses (you can use CE Grant funds to offset the costs of the course).

Watching the Social Media webinar lead me to the Indiana State Library and their archived webinars. This is another great collection of webinars on a lot of topics ranging from Director Training to genealogy and reference/research. I'll be looking more closely at these archives to get ideas for future SCLS webinars. Let me know what you find in the treasure trove that is webinar archives.

Image by ElasticComputeFarm from Pixabay

Why Inclusivity and Diversity Matter at Your Library

At the inaugural Wisconsin Library Association Leadership Development Institute in 2017, I heard Deborah Biddle speak for the first time. In that workshop, Deborah spoke on building relationships and collaboration. Along the way, she also brought in topics of diversity, inclusion, and bias. Her presentation resonated with me long after the Leadership Development Institute ended.

Last summer, I had an opportunity to see Deborah speak at the American Family DreamBank* where she presented on Inclusive Leadership, Unconscious Bias, Trust, and Decision-Making. It was an eye-opening two hour workshop that challenged my thinking and taught me a lot about myself and my leadership style - and how to improve it. I was also reminded that I really needed to contact Deborah and bring her to SCLS to share her knowledge and expertise with all of you.

On May 22, Deborah Biddle will be the main speaker at "Why Inclusivity & Diversity Matter at Your Library." Here's the description of the workshop:

An inclusive work culture promotes innovation, productivity, and profitability. How well do leaders and their teams embrace difference? In this session, we will discuss the team member and leader roles in embracing diversity, inclusion, and equality within the library, the characteristics of highly inclusive leaders and examine the impact of trust and unconscious bias.

In addition to Deborah Biddle, we'll start off the morning with an introduction to the Inclusive Services Assessment and Guide for Wisconsin Public Libraries with Mark Jochem and Shawn Brommer. Mark and Shawn both attended the Inclusive Services Institute where this assessment and guide were developed.

Here are the details:

• May 22, 2019 at the Fitchburg Public Library
• 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., registration & refreshments start at 9 a.m.
• Register here!

*If you're not going to WAPL, Deborah will be speaking at the DreamBank on May 2 from 12 - 1:30 p.m. The title of her presentation is Building an Appreciation Culture at Work.

 

Wisconsin Literacy's Plain Language Webinar

Every field is filled with jargon and acronyms and libraries are no different. ALA, PLA, ARSL, WLA, LD&L, WISL, ILL, and AC* are a few of the acronyms you likely read or hear about on a regular basis. In addition, we talk about topics cataloging, metadata, serials, and Dewey Decimal classification. Mostly these conversations are with other library practitioners so we have a mutual understanding of the language. Sometimes, though, we forget and use these and other words and acronyms in our conversations with our patrons, board members, and members of the community.

The upcoming webinar from Wisconsin Literacy, Plain Language, focuses on the fundamentals of plain language including the benefits of using it in the workplace. Several strategies for clear written communication including simplifying word choice, grammar tips, active vs. passive voice, and layout and design will be introduced. Participants will learn improved communication strategies that can be implemented immediately. Register here!

While the webinar will be recorded, the recording will only be available for one week. Plan accordingly.

This webinar is sponsored by IFLS, South Central, Southwest Wisconsin, Winding Rivers, Nicolet, Bridges, Arrowhead, Kenosha County, Lakeshores, Milwaukee County, and Monarch Library Systems.

*American Library Association, Public Library Association, Association for Rural and Small Libraries, Wisconsin Library Association, Library Development & Legislation committee, Wisconsin Small Libraries, Interlibrary Loan, and Administrative Council.