Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Our speaker, an architect by training, has been working over the last number of years to make communities and organizations smarter. He shares some strategies and examples on how libraries can take center stage at their community’s “smart cities” journey, as well as support their own digital transformation.

Our popular and knowledgeable speaker is always reinventing and transforming the world of search. She is an annual favorite who attendees flock to hear! She is a super searcher who continues to surprise and impress with new strategies, techniques, and tips for getting the most out of web research. The host of Searchers Academy (where even more secrets are shared) provides an up-to-the minute and jam-packedwith- valuable-tools-and-tips talk that’s always a hit! Bates tells us she takes 2 days to research this session, so take advantage of her knowledge and gather tips and tools to share with others!

Search continues to change, grow, and adapt; and the volume of information continues to grow exponentially. Come, hear about the latest changes and newest features to help you and your customers actually find what you want; get a search industry update including an analysis of Google’s latest search changes, learn about database interface updates, grab ideas about new search design and lots more.

Online searching disrupted the research process decades ago, yet the basic tenets remain. Information professionals still have the phenomenal ability to research any topic and provide accurate, relevant, and timely answers. But as search shifts from simple information retrieval to visualization, prediction, analysis, and cognitive computing, so must our search behaviors. Keep your searching up-to-speed by learning about new and changed search features, innovative websites, and groundbreaking search technologies. Next-gen searching is not about keywords!

Come learn tips and tricks from librarians on the frontlines who have to verify truth in a factually ambiguous world! Librarians often approach information with a “healthy skepticism,” so it was not surprising when IFLA’s 8-point checklist to spotting fake news became an overnight social media sensation and headline on CNN! Info pro Affelt talks about this infographic and discusses other red flags that signal rumors, scams, and outright falsehoods. Everyone needs to know how to make these determinations. STEM librarian Tompson shares some tools for vetting information sources’ veracity, including a tried-and-true rubric for undergraduates, as well as resources from scientists and skeptics. Academic librarian Helfer talks about the academic librarian’s role in teaching critical thinking in information literacy in the academy designed to combat fake or misleading research. User services librarian Lehman shares the “whys” behind lies and fake news, including why we lie, why we are inclined to believe lies, why it’s so hard to refute lies, and, finally, why the promotion of truth even matters. 

Join us for tasty bites and drinks as we celebrate the grand opening of the 2018 Computers in Libraries Exhibition. Featuring leading-edge companies, the exhibition offers visitors a choice of products in all aspects of library technology, including webbased products and services, integrated library and information systems, online services, document delivery services, and more.

Based on years of experience and recent endeavors, Edson shares the strategy that has taken shape through collaboration, research, and reflection for his nonprofit. The museum works with people around the world to translate their mission into content, programs, and experiences that will bring it to life and have a positive impact on billions of people for years to come. This is definitely a strategy libraries will want to emulate. Get the road map from our popular speaker!

In response to the changing needs at NIH, the NIH Library’s services has been expanded into several nontraditional areas. This session explores the field of information architecture (IA), which blends librarianship, project management, taxonomy, consulting, database architecture, usability, and website design to create a unique service that provides improved service to customers. It provides practical examples of how IA has been applied at the NIH Library to build custom data-rich websites for specific research needs.

This session illustrates the development process for a series of web-based infographics designed to teach information literacy skills to college students. Markman emphasizes how iterative design and user testing were employed to produce learning objects that are both engaging and pedagogically sound. Hear how the team implemented different user testing methods, including surveys, focus groups, paper and digital prototyping, and accessibility testing, to improve the design and the content of the infographics and save development time. The process can be adapted to the development of a wide range of teaching and learning technologies and learning objects in a variety of library contexts.

Death and taxes are not the only givens in life: Library website redesigns are just as unavoidable. Instead of focusing on how the front end looks, Degler introduces ways to improve how the back end works. Topics include simplifying design, creating reusable content, improving underlying technology, and evaluating silos. Samuel shares how Waring Historical Library’s four employees, with no formal web design training and varying degrees of experience, created and launched a more user-friendly and responsive site in just over 1 year. Using LibGuides CMS, Omeka, and Google Sheets, as well as heavily engaging their users, the staff designed a site that organizes and showcases the varied resources in the rare books and special collection. They also devised ways to connect more with their users through widgets and blog posts that synchronize with their social media accounts. The success of this project could not have occurred without proper project management, tools such as Google Sheets to organize our workflow, and each team member’s enthusiasm to learn something new. Learn from their experience!

This session focuses on common accessibility problems with technology in libraries and how to fix these issues to better ensure an inclusive digital environment. Montgomery reviews web accessibility for library sites and catalogs as well as accessibility challenges for kiosks such as electronic book drops. She also shares ideas for using technology to solve physical accessibility challenges. The PGCMLS digital services team shares their journey to transform an anachronistic public website into a beautiful, inclusive and accessible digital space in total compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Udachin discusses challenges and success using modern coding languages within the confines of a content management system. Clybourn addresses website usability and functional design features. She also will elaborate on her project to embed 360-degree images for greater digital mobility into PGCMLS' individual branch pages. As all websites are living and breathing organisms, our speakers look at future improvements and trends for accessible, elegant and ethical web spaces 

Join us for tasty bites and drinks as we celebrate the grand opening of the 2018 Computers in Libraries Exhibition. Featuring leading-edge companies, the exhibition offers visitors a choice of products in all aspects of library technology, including webbased products and services, integrated library and information systems, online services, document delivery services, and more.

A modern library is all about making and maintaining connections. Connections to library customers, connections to community partners, and even helping some customers connect to the library and the web for the first time. All are important in today’s library. King shares examples of how libraries can use data to better connect with customers, innovative ways to create new community partnerships, and how some libraries and other organizations are using technology tools to help all customers connect to the library and to the world.

Hear how digital services of one public library offered, over a 1-year period, 300 individual one-on-one technology appointments, totaling more than 500 hours. But getting to this point wasn’t easy. Comprised of only three staff members, sacrifices were made and obstacles were encountered. This session covers how to build a successful technology one-onone program with the goal of getting patrons to say, “I cannot live without the library!” a phrase they hear often. It covers getting staff and administration buy-in; “selling” the program; finding the importance, promotion, and outcomes; and if oneon- ones are better than group instruction.

On April 13, 2006, an F2 tornado formed in Southwest Iowa City. Eight minutes and 4.5 miles later, the twister dissipated, leaving more than $12 million in damages. In honor of the 10th anniversary of the tragedy, the ICPL collected images and stories from community members who experienced this historic event. Members of the public submitted more than 2,500 images and video to the library for its digital collections on its Omeka website. ICPL plotted many of these images onto a Neatline map, where users could tour the destruction digitally. This session shares the project’s “lessons learned”: What factors led to successful crowdsourcing? What struggles did crowd-controlled curation invite? It covers the marketing strategies, technology tools, and interactive print and e-sign exhibits that grew from the map. ICPL provides analytics on the map’s use as well as attendance numbers for the library program produced in tandem with the digital tour. Tour the tornado in advance at history.icpl.org/tornado.

Find out how the NYPL was able to partner and collaborate with the MIT Scratch Team, Google CS First, and Shapeways to create three unique programs for youth and adults. Learn how kids were able to learn to code through music and create their own stories and how adults were able to learn 3D printing and take their creations to the next level. This session is filled with successful strategies and tips!

Instagram is one of the hottest social media tools in use today. It’s a great way to both showcase your library’s story and connect with your users. Kowalski shows how to make the best use of your account through mobile photography tips, content ideas, and special projects that bring your online content into your library and to connect your patrons who use Instagram through social listening, geotagging, and building relationships with influencers. Bruneau illustrates how the Boylston Public Library increased user engagement with the addition of interactive screens, Apple TVs, and iPads. The library had an eight-screen system installed which incorporates BrightSign, Apple TV, and Blu-Ray technology. Each screen can be used independently, or can be linked together to display one image. The result is an interactive display system that engages patrons and opens up limitless possibilities for library programming, displays, and fun.

Join us for tasty bites and drinks as we celebrate the grand opening of the 2018 Computers in Libraries Exhibition. Featuring leading-edge companies, the exhibition offers visitors a choice of products in all aspects of library technology, including webbased products and services, integrated library and information systems, online services, document delivery services, and more.

White shares her secrets in understanding the landscape, industry, and technology challenges, the needs of the library’s communities, the uncertainties of the future, and developing strategy.

Being a part of the community is critical for all libraries, but there are many facets to that for a public library, including the social side. As one of the first libraries to reach out to different communities in its area, EPL developed a community toolkit, aligned staff with the strategies, developed relationships, and won “Library of the Year” in 2014 from Library Journal. Get strategies and tips to take back to your community!

Public libraries are catalysts for smart cities. As one of the largest library systems in the world, TPL is undertaking significant transformational changes and innovations, working with private and public sector partners to build a smart city. Hear from its leader about the strategies, practices, and the library’s unique role in providing the necessary active ingredients to build a smart city.

The world of higher education, like most other industries and facets of our society, is being challenged by many forces. Our experienced academic library leader addresses those challenges and shares some successful pathways to setting direction and influencing the future of academic libraries.

We’ve all seen good and bad library websites, but these library leaders from academic and public libraries choose several of each type, critique them, and help you understand what the most important features and functions are for making your library website as successful as it can be!

Join us for tasty bites and drinks as we celebrate the grand opening of the 2018 Computers in Libraries Exhibition. Featuring leading-edge companies, the exhibition offers visitors a choice of products in all aspects of library technology, including webbased products and services, integrated library and information systems, online services, document delivery services, and more.

This presentation explains and explores the journey of Baltimore County Public Schools redefined school library program and its path to National School Library Program of the Year 2017 (AASL). Glick shares goals, strategies, leadership, advocacy, and change management to provide support for other school libraries and school librarians looking to redefine and grow their programs and practices.

What does it mean to be a future-ready librarian? How will being a future-ready librarian affect my library, school, teachers, and especially my students? What can I do to become a future-ready librarian today? These questions are central to the Future Ready Librarians initiative and also what we ask ourselves every day as we embrace our roles within the library and school community. Miller explores the critical role that librarians play in the strategic work of schools and educational systems connected with educational technology leadership, empowering students as creators and learners, content curation, innovative instructional practices, collaboration, community connections, and more. She shares stories and inspires us to embrace the change we can bring through our roles as librarians. Leave this presentation knowing you have what it takes to be a future-ready librarian!

The Independent Research Seminar is a unique, personalized learning experience for high school students who are motivated to engage in a rigorous research process for investigating a topic of their own choice. Facilitated by the library media specialist in collaboration with content teachers, students learn collaboratively and independently using resources in an online research framework. Students also have an opportunity to work with an expert mentor in the field of their research and present their research at an annual Student Research Symposium. Educators discover the benefits of this unique course model for a variety of students by hearing their stories and exploring our online research framework, course implementation resources, and Symposium highlights.

Participants learn the basics of creating a coding culture in their library through the use of Dash and Dot robotics, starting with basic blockly code and moving into intermediate skills where conditional statements and algorithms are utilized. Get tips and techniques to make coding happen in your community.

Intrigued by the trend of public libraries lending “things,” this library adapted the idea for the Albemarle High School community. Learn how the library planned, developed, implemented, and marketed its own “Library of Things.”

Join us for tasty bites and drinks as we celebrate the grand opening of the 2018 Computers in Libraries Exhibition. Featuring leading-edge companies, the exhibition offers visitors a choice of products in all aspects of library technology, including webbased products and services, integrated library and information systems, online services, document delivery services, and more.

This panel of leaders shares how they are dealing with changes in the world: their strategies, practices and plans for the future. There is lots of time for audience interaction and discussion.

Collections have been a critical asset of libraries. But clients, students, faculty and users don’t need a collection now; they need a carefully curated portfolio of content in the formats most effective for their unique requirements. Join the discussion around e-resources vs. print, multimedia, open access, intellectual property, self-publishing, repositories, curating, pricing and financing, and changing mindsets from building a collection to sourcing and curating a healthy portfolio.

This panel addresses another key asset of libraries— staff! It covers continuous learning, customer service, hiring skills, outsourcing processes, succession planning, and more. Make sure your future is sustainable with the right expertise for your community.

Join us for tasty bites and drinks as we celebrate the grand opening of the 2018 Computers in Libraries Exhibition. Featuring leading-edge companies, the exhibition offers visitors a choice of products in all aspects of library technology, including webbased products and services, integrated library and information systems, online services, document delivery services, and more.