Rising to the challenge - Jana's ALA Experience

Friday’s opening session featured Roberta A. Kaplan, who shared how she came to be involved in United States v. Windsor, striking down DOMA. Kaplan spoke hours after the Supreme Court’s decision which legalized gay marriage. “Wow, what a day!” is how she began her speech. Librarians rose to their feet in a standing ovation. She focused on the word “dignity” from Justice Kennedy’s closing paragraph in Obergefell v. Hodges:

This was truly an inspiring start to the conference. On Sunday, I was able to view the Pride parade, which felt especially historic (and went on for hours and hours!)

As I searched through the weighty program guide to highlight sessions I was interested in attending, I kept in mind our four strategic plan goals.

Satisfy curiosity and encourage lifelong learning

Rising to the challenge: re-envisioning libraries

Panelists discussed this report issued by the Aspen Institute and provided tools and resources that we can use in our communities to address challenges and other issues. Community needs continue to change as technologies change. Public libraries must focus on expanding access to education, learning opportunities, and social connections – especially as we transition to a new economy where “knowledge and creativity are the drivers of productivity and economic growth, and information, technology and learning are central to economic performance and prosperity.”

Auditorium Speaker: Sarah Vowell

Sarah Vowell is a familiar voice to NPR junkies. She contributes to This American Life and is also a journalist, essayist, social commentator, and bestselling author. She spoke to a crowded room about her new book: Lafayette in the somewhat United States. She talked briefly about the role libraries play in doing research and in her personal life (as a kid she often skipped school to hang out and read at her local public library), but when Nick Offerman joined her onstage, they mostly traded quips and wry observations about each other. One point she emphasized is that although we as Americans can often be frustrated by the expression of “horrible, hateful” opinions, we should value the fact that those opinions can be expressed openly without fear of censorship or persecution.

Ensure a welcoming experience

You have my empathy: what does empathy look like in the library?

PhD candidate Abigail Phillips discussed the role empathy plays when doing reference, programming, or outreach. Empathy, as she defined it, allows two individuals to understand each other and share prevailing human occurrences. She reviewed Kuhlthau’s ISP and Taylor’s negotiation and how a reference librarian often acts as a counselor when seeking to assist a customer. Curious about where you fall on the empathy scale? Rate yourself here.

BEST top pics in library furniture and equipment

With the CH remodel looming in the not-too-distant future, I attended this session hoping to get some furniture ideas.  Lots of great (very expensive!) stuff here: the Yolk chair, the Manny ottoman, the Turnstone buoy, Vibia Ameba lighting, and my favorite, the Philips luminous carpets.

Know how to find, evaluate & use information

Beacon me up, Scotty! Pushing information by proximity

Paolo Melilo of the Orange County Library System talked about their use of iBeacon technology to promote library services and programs. This innovative approach provides precision targeted marketing based on customer location. Melilo called it a “virtual tap on the shoulder.”  Customers download an app. Once in the library, when they come in proximity to an iBeacon, they will get a “beam” on their mobile phone. Using this method, the OCLS experienced a 25% increase in attendance for children’s programs. One program attendee suggested putting an iBeacon on a roving librarian in order to get the message out to even more people!

OITP: Pew Library research update

John Horrigan, senior researcher at the Pew Institute, reviewed the newest research based on a national telephone survey of young adults. He called libraries “opportunity hubs” and talked how important we are in providing “digital inclusion.” Most interesting data gathered, in his opinion, was that 45% of those surveyed think libraries should buy 3-D printers to make available to customers.

Connect to the online world

Libraries as anchors in the community

This session was a Jean E. Coleman memorial outreach lecture. It featured Dr. Carla D. Hayden, CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, Maryland. This was a fantastic session and for me, it was the highlight of the conference. I got chills listening to Dr. Hayden talk about the efforts of the Pennsylvania Ave. branch to stay open during the civil unrest sparked by protests of the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody. When the rioting started, branch manager Melanie Townsend Diggs and her staff kept customers safe inside the library. They kept the library open the next day because, according to Diggs, “the community needs us.”  Hayden expressed to the audience her fear of what the staff was going to say about putting them in harm’s way the next day. “Never ask staff to do something you wouldn’t do” she said. She and many administrative personnel went to the branch to assist. For challenged communities, sometimes a library is its only resource. It’s important to see, acknowledge, and engage the community – especially during tough times. Through all the violence, the Pennsylvania Ave. branch library was never damaged in any way.

Know how to find, evaluate & use information

AASL announced their annual list of best websites and best apps

Reading the art in Caldecott Award Books

I tried to get into the Future of Libraries session but there were so many people crammed into that room, I was afraid the fire marshal was going to show up and shut it down. So I went next door to this delightful session and learned about the Caldecott medal criteria. Also covered were the elements of art, composition, medium, and style when evaluating picture book illustrations.

In addition to all those sessions, I viewed the vendors, toured the city, visited with colleagues (old and new) and really enjoyed myself. What a great week!