May 20th, 2014
9:00 am to 5:30 pm
St. Michael’s College, Colchester, VT
For a schedule with times, meals, etc, please see the full conference schedule (PDF, 1.42 MB) or check it out via Sched.
Keynote Address
Story Time: Advocate, Celebrate, and Be Heard by Marci Merola
Marci Merola is the Director of the Office for Library Advocacy at the Chicago-based American Library Association, ALA’s newest office, which focuses on providing advocacy resources and tools to libraries at the state and local levels. She works to educate members and citizens on current issues and the importance of libraries, as well as integrating advocacy efforts throughout the association. Marci came to the ALA in 2001 as the Advocacy Specialist within the ALA Public Information Office. Before joining ALA, Marci worked as a freelance writer in the not-for-profit sector, and as a writer and editor for a variety of publishing firms.
First Session
A Conversation with Marci Merola
An informal dialogue with the Director of the American Library Association’s Office for Library Advocacy.
Vermont’s Child-Chosen Book Awards with Grace Greene (VTLIB) and Rebecca Cook (Poultney Public Library)
Come learn about the books on the 2014-2015 master lists for the Red Clover, Dorothy Canfield Fisher, and Green Mountain Book Award programs. The books will be presented in a variety of formats including booktalks and video.
Privacy Lost? Facilitating Conversations about Technology, Privacy, and Personal Data Management on Campus with Sean Leahy (Champlain College), Andy Burkhardt (Champlain College), and Lindsey Rae (Champlain College)
A panel of librarians will share their experiences organizing and planning programming for a campus setting on privacy in the digital age and the role libraries have in determining what the future of privacy looks like.
How to Talk with Techies with Helen Linda (Goddard College)
Learn simple tips and tools for creating IT and systems interactions that are smooth, fast, and friendly. By the end of this session, you will have concrete examples and tools to try so you will be the library hero for your IT and systems person or department.
How to Talk with Techies Slides (PDF, 1.06 MB)
One Big Koha Catalog, One Big Collection, One Board of Directors, Many Libraries: The Catamount Library Network at Year One with Tom McMurdo (VTLIB), Sheila Kearns (VTLIB), and Mary Kasamatsu (Waterbury Public Library)
Come learn about the formation of the CLN, the goals of the founding libraries for the network, and the VTLIB’s role in making it all happen. Bring your questions!
Vermont Digitization Roundup with Rebekah Irwin (Middlebury College), Fred Pond (UVM), and Lydia Willoughby (Plattsburgh)
This panel will cover digital archives in our great state, including information on creating a Green Mountain Digital Archive, archives on queer history, and film archives.
Second Session
Presidential Panel: Drugs and Libraries with Amber Billey (VLA)
Join VLA President Amber Billey with representatives from Turning Point, the Howard Center, and COTS to discuss how libraries can be prepared and respond to drug abuse and emergencies.
STEM Programming @ Your Library with Sarah Kleinman (UVM) and Valerie Bang-Jensen (SMC)
Explore ways to include STEM programming at your library. Learn about 4-H resources available to libraries, and how to set up a summer garden designed around picture books.
Shifting the Paradigm: A New Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education with Elizabeth Berman (UVM)
Join a member of ACRL’s task force to revise the Information Literacy Competency Standards as she explains this new framework and its impact on teaching and assessment across campuses.
How Can We Help You? Using Focus Groups to Improve Library Services with Lela Kretzer (SMC)
Come learn about social science research, focus group studies, and making change by acting on survey results to improve library services, including the planning process, from a library that made this work.
Getting Started with MARCEdit with Ben Abrahamse (MIT Libraries)
This beginner session in MARCEdit explains what it is, what it does, and explores some of its basic features. No experience necessary, just come ready to learn!
Rapid Reviews with Amy Howlett (VTLIB), Selene Colburn (UVM), and Ernie Drown
These booktalkers hit the highlights of the best adult fiction and nonfiction in the past year.
Rapid Reviews Handout (PDF, 160 KB)
Rapid Reviews Book Cover Slides (PDF, 3.71 MB)
Third Session
Open Meeting Law: Transparency and Libraries with Jim Condos (Secretary of State)
Vermont Secretary Condos will present highlights from his “transparency tour” on public records and open meeting laws as it relates to libraries. Bring questions for the discussion.
The Write Start: Initiating a Young Writer’s Community in Your Library with Caitlin Corless (Essex Free Library) and Gizelle Guyette (Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester)
This interactive workshop will explore ways of inspiring young community members to express themselves through creative writing workshops, community readings, author visits, and other literary events. Come learn and ask questions from librarians who’ve made it work and the real, live teenagers they serve!
Creative Writing Resources handout
The Search for Discovery with John Payne (SMC), Heidi Steiner (Norwich University), Stacey Knight (SMC), Aaron Nichols (UVM), and Terry Simpkins (Middlebury College)
Come hear representatives from four academic libraries that selected four different systems discuss the factors and features that influenced their decision.
Stop Thief! Protecting Historical Documents in Vermont Libraries with Chris Burns (UVM), Prudence Doherty (UVM), Jeffrey Marshall (UVM), and Jerry Carbone (Brooks Memorial Library, Brattleboro)
Two recent highly publicized thefts have prompted Vermont libraries, museums, and historical societies to re-examine security procedures for their special collections. A panel of academic and public librarians will talk about challenges and best practices involved in providing access to unique and rare documents.
Introduction to the RDA Toolkit with Greg Sauer (Norwich University) and Cindy Weber (Stowe Free Library)
Learn what the RDA Toolkit is, what resources are available in the Toolkit, and if it is right for your library’s cataloging needs.
Evidence-Based Practice: What All Librarians Need to Know About Health Information with Jane Kearns (CCV), Lauren Olewnik (Castleton State College), and Michelle Eberle (National Network of Libraries of Medicine)
This session covers the definition of evidence-based practice and why it is important for information specialists working in special, academic, or public settings.
Fourth Session
Advocacy for Public Libraries — Turning the Page and Geek the Library with Christine Friese (VTLIB) and Michael Roche (VTLIB)
Overview of two effective tools for library advocacy: Turning the Page, a 6-week online advocacy class, and Geek the Library, an active plan for general library awareness.
Create a Pop-up Makerspace @ Your Library with Mara Siegel (VTLIB) and Susan O’Connell (Craftsbury Public Library)
If you’ve been hearing about Makerspaces in libraries but you don’t think you have room, come and discover how even in small spaces, you can provide a place for hands-on learning and tinkering activities.
Academic Library Show & Tell: Pecha Kucha Sessions with Laura Crain (SMC) and Stacey Knight (SMC)
A variety of presenters from academic libraries share their innovative topics in the 6 minute 40 second Pecha Kucha format, with plenty of time for discussion.
Examining Library Internships: Perspectives from Participants & Librarians with James Allen (UVM) and Daisy Benson (UVM)
This talk examines the role of internships in library education from the perspective of both participants and librarians, and includes discussing establishing internships.
Effective Web Writing: Your Website’s Welcome Mat with Heidi Steiner (Norwich University)
Join Heidi for a discussion of how patrons read the web, essential tips for high impact web writing, and how to create a more useful website for your library.
Reference Tips with Virgil Fuller (Chelsea Public Library) and Emily Zervas (Rockingham Public Library, Bellows Falls)
Brush up on tips for providing quality reference service to patrons, including special focus on assisting with technology like eReaders, tablets, and digital content.
Reference Tips Handout (PDF, 336 KB)