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WAPL Conference Registration Open

This year's Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries (WAPL) Conference is from May 1 - May 3 at the Central Wisconsin Convention & Expo Center in Rothschild (just south of Wausau). Registration is now open.

Here are a few highlights from this year's exciting lineup:

• Poster Sessions featuring topics such as TEACH program, Leadership Development Institute, and Conference Orientation
• Luncheon with Michael Perry!! on Thursday
• Programs on Escape Rooms, Genealogy, Movies, Grant Writing, and much more
• Jessie Vieau, Madison Public Library, is the Friday luncheon speaker - one of SCLS's own!

For SCLS libraries, remember that your library is eligible for CE Grant funds to help your staff attend this - or other conferences.

I hope to see you there!

PLA 2016 Highlights

Wisconsin was well represented at the Public Library Association Conference in Denver last week. Next Tuesday, April 19 at 10 a.m. several of us will be sharing some of our experiences and we'd love for you to join us.

You'll hear from Cindy Fesemyer, Director of the Columbus Public Library; Wendy Rawson, Director of the Fitchburg Public Library; Leah Fritsche, Director of the Deerfield Public Library; Katharine Clark, Adult Services Librarian for the E.D. Locke Public Library in McFarland; and Holly Storck-Post, Youth Services Librarian at the Pinney Library in Madison.

Register here! The webinar will be recorded if you're not able to join us live.

ARSL 2015 - Rockin in Little Rock

I attended my first ARSL (Association of Rural & Small Libraries) Conference this past week in Little Rock. This conference has been on my wish list of out-of-state conferences for a while and I'm glad I had the opportunity to attend this year.

The first two sessions I attended were on PLA's Project Outcome. I've read about this project and know that Shawn  has been talking about using outcomes in her planning process. As I was listening to this program, I kept thinking about how our libraries could use these surveys to help share your story with your boards, municipalities, and community. I've contacted Project Outcome about signing up as a system and will pass along information when I get it.

The lunch keynote was Josh Hanagarne, author of The World's Strongest Librarian. His talk was very inspiring and if you haven't picked up his book, I encourage you to read it.

There was also time to walk around Little Rock and I saw this Book Exchange phone booth and had to share with you. Love the new use for an old phone booth!

Next up was a customer service program. As this is a topic that we always need refreshers on, I'm always looking for new speakers. Key takeaway was STACKS = Service Excellence. Serve with a smile, Take the extra step, Accept ownership, Create the experience, Know the library, Say thank you.

One of my favorite sessions was with librarians from the Lincoln Parish Library in Ruston Louisiana. Their program was called the Readers' Advisory Socialite and they talked about several of the ways they highlight their collection using Pinterest and Goodreads.  You may be hearing more from them next year!

Another excellent session was Too Much Information!! Managing Digital Overload with Crystal Schimpf. You may remember that name as Crystal presented Digital Literacy for Everyone last April as part of our TechDay workshop. Managing digital overload is something I always need help with and there were several new tools she shared (I'll write about those in my next TechBits post).

Last, but not least, was a presentation called "No, We Really Do Want You To Check These out!!!" by Heather Hays from the Bentonville Public Library. Not only did Heather talk about displays, cross promotions, and revamping their reference department, she talked about the success of the board game programming in their library. Another speaker and program to watch for in 2016!

 

Thanks to Jamie Matczak for this picture from our walks around Little Rock - and yes, we did walk across the bridge!

 

 

WiLS World 2012

I attended WiLS World last week and have some highlights and ideas to share with you.

Marshall Breeding, an expert in library automation systems, spoke about "The Next Generation of Library Automation and Discovery: Key Issues and Trends." Marshall has been following the trends in libary automation for years and his insights were eye opening. I liked his idea of Library Services Platform rather than an automation system. This would be more integrated and not focus soley on the collection. His passion and enthusiasm for his subject showed in his presentation.

 

One of my favorite presentations was Hackerspaces and Libaries with Jesse Vieau and Trent Miller from Madison Public Library and Chris Meyer from Sector67. Chris talked about the cool programs and things that are happening at Sector67 - I live on the East Side of Madison and I had no idea this was going on. There are possibilities for programming and partnership here, I think. Chris also brought some examples of things made with the 3D printers they have. Trent talked about Bookless, the Madison Public Library Foundation fundraiser held this past winter and how this experience is helping to shape the new library. Jesse talked about some of the programming (including Maker Programs in conjunction with Sector67) and programming space they're planning on at the new Central Library. It's going to be a very cool place to be!

Carson Block gave the keynote for the second day, The Great Library Swindle: Your Rights are at Risk. Carson talked about where libraries are headed - we're more than our books. He talked about the libraries in his community during the recent Colorado wildfires and how they assisted residents during the crisis. Carson talked about the library as an economic anchor in the community. He asked some hard questions, too. For example, "if libraries didn't already exist, would we invent them today? and Should books be our brand? Interesting questions to think about for the future of libraries.

If you haven't attended a WiLS World yet, I recommend it. This year, there were more programs geared towards public libraries.

Volunteers, Bibliotherapy, ebooks, Teen lit, Photos, and R-Squared

 Here are this week's CE opportunities for you. Enjoy!

• Baby Boomer Volunteers for Libraries and Friends, a webcast series from ALTAFF, cost = $39-$149*, registration required. Webcasts are available 24/7 after registering.
• Healing Reads: Bibliotherapy for the 21st Century, a FREE Infopeople webinar,s cheduled for Tuesday, April 17 at 2 p.m. Central Time. No advance registration required, simply visit this link on the day of the program to join.
• Public Librarian's Guide to E-Books: A PLA Webinar Series, scheduled for April 17, April 24, May 1 and May 8 at 1 p.m. Central Time. Cost = $99 - $129 for series. Individual webinars cost = $28 - $35*, registration required.
• Greening Your Library: Save Money and the Environment, an ALA Editions workshop scheduled for Wednesday, April 18 from 1:30 - 3 p.m. Central Time. Cost = $40*, registration required.
• Stretching Your Library's E-Books Budget, a PLA webinar, scheduled for Tuesday, April 24 at 1 p.m. Central Time. Cost = $28 - $35*, registration required.
• Teen  Literature Update 2012, a FREE Infopeople webinar, scheduled for Thursday, April 26 at 2 p.m. Central Time. No advance registration required, simply visit this link on the day of the program to join.
• Preserving Your Personal Digital Photographs, a FREE ALCTS Webinar as part of Preservation Week 2012, scheduled for Thursday, April 26 at 1 p.m. Central Time. Registration required.
• Book Blitz! 45 "must know" YA Titles in 60 minutes, a YALSA webinar, scheduled for May 17 at 1 p.m. Central Time. cost = $39 - $49*, registration required.
• R-Squared - The Risk & Reward Conference, an all new and unique conference opportunity for libraries, scheduled for September 9-11 in Telluride, Colorado. Registration costs = $495*. For more information and registration, please visit the R-Squared site. 

* SCLS Member public libraries may use CE Grant funds to attend.

Tech, Children's Lit, Digital Collections, & more tech!

More conferences and programs for your enjoyment!

• ALA Midwinter Tech Wrap-up, a FREE webinar, scheduled for Monday, January 30th at noon Central Time. Registration required.
• Handheld Librarian VI Online Conference scheduled for February 1 and 2. Cost = $65-$175 (individual - Site License), regisration required.
• Children's Literature Update 2012, a FREE Infopeople webinar, scheduled for Thrusday, February 2 at 2 p.m. Central Time. No advance regisration required. Simply visit this link on the day of the program to join.
• Storing and Managing Digital Collections, a FREE Infopeople webinar, with Jacob Nadal presenting. This webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, February 7 at 2 p.m. Central Time. No advance regisration required. Simply visit this link on the day of the program to join.
• Libraries, We Mean Business: Best Ideas from LJ's Best Business Books of the Year, a FREE Infopeople webinar scheduled for Thursday, February 16 at 2 p.m. Central Time. No advance regisration required. Simply visit this link on the day of the program to join.
• Every Child Ready to Read: New Conversations on research, relationships and partnerships, a PLA webinar scheduled for February 16 at 11 a.m. Central Time, March 8 at 11 a.m. Central Time, OR April 12 at 6 p.m. Central Time (register for only one session). Cost = $45-$55*, regisration required. 
• What We can Learn from Theater, Retail, Museums, and the Container Store, a PLA webinar, scheduled for Thursday, February 23 at 1 p.m. Central Time. Cost = $28 -$31.50*, registration required.
• It Takes a Community to Bridge the Digital Divide, a FREE WebJunction webinar, scheduled for Tuesday, March 6 at noon, Central Time. Registration required.
• Integrating iPads and Tablet Computers into Library Services, an ALA TechSource workshop, scheduled for Thursday, March 8 and March 15 from 1:30 - 3 p.m. Central Time. Cost = $85*, registration required. 

* SCLS Member public libraries may use CE Grant funds to attend.

Learning, YA titles, Babies, RA, Time, Innovations, and Community

There's quite the line up of great webinars, courses and conferences here. Enjoy!

• Trends in Library Training & Learning 2011, a FREE online WebJunction & Learning RoundTable conference, Wednesday, August 10 and Thursday, August 11. Attend online (register here) or join your colleagues at SCLS HQ (register here or here) to share the experience.
• YA Announcements, Fall 2011, a FREE Booklist webinar, Tuesday, August 23 at 1 p.m. Central Time. Register here.
• Ten Tips for Book Programs for Babies with Kathy Kirchoefer, a FREE LE@D Online webinar, Thursday, August 25 at 1 p.m. Central Time. Register here.
• Readers' Advisory Fundamentals, an Infopeople online course, beginning September 13 and continuing through October 10, 2011. Cost = $150*. Registration required.
• Stop managing Too Much with Too Little with Pat Wagner, a FREE webinar from Pattern Research, Thursday, September 15 at 1 p.m. Central Time. Register here.
• Innovations from America's Best Small Libraries, a FREE WebJunction webinar, Tuesday, September 20 at 1 p.m. Central Time. Registration required.
• Putting the Public Back in Public Libraries: Community-Led Libraries, a FREE WebJunction webinar, Monday, September 26 at noon Central Time. Registration required.

* SCLS Member public libraries may use CE Grant funds to attend.

 

ALA Virtually, Books & Book Groups, Social Media, Mobile Services, Metadata & Writing

Lots of CE Opportunities coming up in the next few weeks! Enjoy!

• ALA 2011 Annual Virtual Conference, July 13 and 14. Cost = $69*
• Dive into a Good Book: Great Summer Reads to Recommend to Your Patrons with Nancy Pearl. Tuesday, July 19 at 1 p.m. Central Time. Cost = $28 - $35*. Registration required.
• Information Cartographer: Social Media Librarians of the Future, a FREE WebJunction webinar. Wednesday, July 20 at 1 p.m. Central Time. Registration required.
• Delivering Innovative Mobile Services through Your Library with Meredith Farkas, an ALA TechSource Workshop. Thursday July 21 and July 28 at 1:30 p.m. Central Time. Cost = $85*. Registration required.
• Book Group Buzzing, a free Booklist webinar. Tuesday, July 26 at 1 p.m. Central Time. Registration required.
• Finding a Legal Comfort Zone on the Web, a FREE WebJunction webinar. Wednesday, July 27 at 1 p.m. Central Time. Registration required.
• Aiming for a Robust Metadata Infrastructure for the Future, a FREE ALCTS webinar. Monday, August 1 at 1:30 p.m. Central Time. Registration required.
• Ten Tips for Writing Well with Dixie Darr, a LE@D Online FREE webinar. Thursday, August 4 at 1 p.m. Central Time. Registration required. 

* SCLS Member public libraries may use CE Grant funds to attend.

WebJunction Programs

WebJunction has many upcoming CE opportunities:

• Libraries at the Core of Workforce Recovery, a FREE online workshop series from Project Compass. Kickoff webinar, Wednesday, June 1 at 1 p.m. Central Time.
• Trends in Library Training and Learning: Developing Staff Skills for the 21st Century, a free, two-day online conference offered by WebJunction and LearningRT (an ALA Roundtable), scheduled for August 10 and 11th. Note - I'm thinking of hosting this at SCLS HQ - email me if you're interested in attending.
• Libraries Partnering to Support Small Business & Entrepreneurs, Tuesday, May 17 at 1 p.m. Central Time. 
• Cataloging as Collaborative Librarianship: Partnering with your Colleagues, Thursday, June 2 at 1 p.m.
• Cataloging Efficiencies that Make a Difference, Tuesday, June 14 at 1 p.m Central Time.
• Foreclosure and Bad Credit and No Job, Oh My!, Tuesday, June 21 at 1 p.m. Central Time.

Visit the link for the individual program you're interested in to register.

Rural & Small Libraries Conference

I've heard from a number of librarians that this is a great conference. SCLS member public libraries may use CE Grant funds towards attendance costs.

Registration is open for the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) 2011 Conference to be held September 8-11, in Frisco, Texas.

 

For conference information and registration, go to http://www.arsl.info/annual-conference-awards-calendar/frisco-conference-2011/.

 

The conference will bring together representatives from libraries across the nation to share resources and build a spirit of collaboration.  “Our main focus will be providing and sharing information about trends, issues and strategies that affect communities,” said ARSL President Sonja Plummer-Morgan.

 

ARSL’s mission is to provide a network of people and materials to support rural and small library staff, volunteers and trustees to integrate the library thoroughly with the life and work of the community it serves.  Learn more at www.arsl.info.

 

Special session speakers will include Linda Braun, a nationally-known library technology consultant; Gene Ambaum and Bill Barnes, creators of wildly popular Unshelved, the world’s only library comic strip; and Joe Bob Briggs, TV personality, drive-in movie critic, author and advocate of intellectual freedom.