Hear about the different methods the Boston PL used to test the usability of a new website with the public before going live. All of these methods were used with items the department already had on hand, without the purchase of additional items: online feedback survey, scenario-based testing, intercept survey, A/B Testing, and card sorting. Hear what worked best!

Productivity tools are necessary for work efficiency and effectiveness. There are a ton of tools and techniques out there, and it can be difficult to determine which ones are most useful. This talk demonstrates some of the digital and analog productivity tools that are most applicable for librarians and library staff, such as Trello, Evernote, and Bullet Journals. She also looks at popular productivity activities, such as the Pomodoro and Getting Things Done methods. Get tips and ideas for your professional and personal projects.

Does the thought of implementing a new software product or ILS sound like a complete nightmare? Speakers provide tips and ideas for taking your team from hiding behind the scenes to joyfully promoting the new product. They discuss change management, communication methods, invigorating organizational culture, and preparing for the unexpected.

As more learning opportunities go online, workshop presenters and trainers are discovering that an in-person event doesn’t seamlessly translate to a virtual format. Bates shares the five key aspects of online learning that make the difference between a boring webinar and an engaging virtual event.

Hear how digital tools are being used for tech-based customer experience similar to retail outlets like the Apple Store. See what?s possible for libraries!

Get an introduction to Misty II, the new generation of robot, which is already in use at the Palo Alto City Library and other places. Get ideas about how you could use this technology in your library.

Many online searches revolve around words, but we shouldn’t forget the importance of numbers. Statistics, datasets, and numerical information can be even more vital to a research project than the words describing the numbers. Ojala helps you figure out reputable sources for numeric information, their credibility and validity, and potential for manipulation. Data literacy is rapidly becoming a core competency for information professionals. Go figure.

Sustainability is an important issue for many libraries. One way to enhance sustainability is to replace full sized desktop PCs and costly proprietary systems with flexible micro-PCs running open source software. Loftus shares how his library used low-cost micro-PCs, Porteus Kiosk Linux, and Edubuntu Linux to create OPACs, an ABC Mouse/PBS Kids terminal, and a kiosk for the 2020 census. Get ideas and tips from an experienced practitioner!

How do you create tutorial content that is relevant, engaging, and needs constant updating? Wizardry! Come, find out how Frederick Community College used LibWizard to create a series of tutorials that reflect the tone and content of our face-to-face English 101 Library Instruction sessions. They discuss challenges the software presented, how to leverage content to extend the breadth and depth of English 101 Library Instruction sessions, lessons learned over its first year of use, and wizarding plans for the future.

While publishers are in a perpetual competition to enhance their platform functionalities and outplay their competitors, librarians are tasked with staying up-to-date with these new technology offerings, remaining in constant learning mode. The librarian’s interest is not only the functionality, but the impact, of technology developments on copyright guidelines or restrictions. Get the future outlook and expectations for the librarians in the roles of copyright advisors, educators, and policymakers. Hear how new technologies may impact the copyright side of the library world.

With billions of social media posts and interactions occurring every day, it can be challenging for information professionals to find relevant information and filter out the noise. Geolocation-based social media tools help info pros find specific and timely information from a specific geographic area. Geolocation information also helps researchers to visualize information and identify significant trends. Learn about a few geolocation based social media tools to enhance your online research.

Get an introduction to Misty II, the new generation of robot, which is already in use at the Palo Alto City Library and other places. Get ideas about how you could use this technology in your library.

Wouldn’t it be nice if Google really did return relevant, timely, and accurate results in the first five snippets that show up in response to a search query? It may work for trivial questions, but serious researchers know that digging deeper, using multiple search engines, switching browsers, and accessing specific sites are necessary. In a multidisciplinary, multi-format online world, there’s more to search than Google. Explore some hidden sites and learn techniques for hard-to-find information.