Reference and Adult Services Conference
University Plaza Hotel and Conference Center
July 9-10, 2008
Make your hotel reservation by June 18 to receive OLC conference rate.
One element remains constant in the seemingly endless sea of change churning around public libraries: service. The 2008 OLC Reference and Adult Services Conference is about service in all its incarnations: eliminating barriers to service, collaborating with and reaching out to your communities, managing virtual and “real” collections, training staff, planning for the future, selecting and implementing technology, delivering reference service and readers advisory in innovative ways, and much more. By providing programs that are both visionary and practical, the conference goal is to inspire and re-energize library staff who on a daily basis serve adult patrons of all ages and ethnicities.
Agenda
Wednesday, July 9th
10:00 AM
Registration
10:30 AM
Welcome and Introductions
Monica Baughman, Conference Program Chair
Opening General Session
Resurrecting Reference
Joan Frye Williams, Library and Information Technology Consultant
There's no denying that changes in technology, information availability, and the deference paid (or not!) to experts have changed the face of reference forever. |
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That's a good thing! Library consultant, futurist, and former reference librarian Joan Frye Williams will share her provocative view of the role of the reference librarian in today's world, along with examples of the good, the bad, and the ugly in the library community's ongoing effort to reestablish reference as a high-value service. Don't miss Joan's lively commentary on reference trends and innovations, and her suggestions for rethinking, reorganizing, and redeploying reference assets for improved results.
For more than 30 years Joan Frye Williams has been a successful librarian, consultant, vendor, planner, trainer, evaluator and user of library services, with a special emphasis on innovation, technology, and emerging library trends. She is the president of her own library and information technology consulting firm, based in Sacramento, California.
Just to give you an idea of how long Joan has been interested in library issues: her first library job was as a junior page in 1964. Since then she has been continuously employed in the library field. Along the way she received an MLS from the University of California at Berkeley (1975) and in addition to her consulting practice she has worked in both public and academic libraries, for library automation vendors, as well as at the California State Library. Her many clients include large and small libraries, library consortia, state library agencies, professional library associations, library boards, library vendors, and architects.
Joan is best known as an acute--and sometimes irreverent--observer of trends in what she calls "the cultural anthropology of libraries." She is an internationally recognized library futurist and designer of innovative library services. |
11:30 AM
Lunch
12:30 PM
First Breakout Sessions
Help! Where Do I Start? Program Planning Before the Program
Ann Badger, Worthington Libraries, Northwest Library; Mary Callahan Boone, Wood County District Library; Amy Garrett; Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library
Are you new to libraries? Been told you have to do programming, but have no clue how to begin? Check-out this program! We'll provide you with detailed information for finding the right programming venue for your library, obtaining speakers and developing a network to program. We'll also look at different ways to obtain funding for programming and how to "get the word out" so your program(s) will be well attended. Next, we'll look at different methods for evaluating programs and finally, we'll provide you with some helpful tools to assist you with this process. You will be programming like a pro in no time!
Make Your Collection Sizzle! Innovative Ways to Market Your Collection
Wendy Bartlett and Nina Rosner, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Beachwood Branch
Share your successes and your sob stories about the ongoing challenge of showcasing your library's collection. You've heard about "reading maps," "silent hand selling" and capturing "micro-trends." Now it's time to turn theory into practice with workable solutions that will welcome and engage your customers and keep 'em coming back for more! This session will focus on flexible "whole collection" placement and creative displays that reflect the interests of your community.
Marjorie M. Liu |
Happily Forever After: Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy
Marjorie M. Liu, Author and Nina Davis, Lane Public Library
Paranormal romance is one of the hottest subgenres in romance today, and it's developed well beyond vampires. |
| It's grown so large, in fact, that it's intermixing with urban fantasy, sparking the question when is a romance no longer a romance? Selectors and reader's advisors will find out who and what is hot, who's up-and-coming and what kinds of stories are making the trend. They'll also get an inside scoop from Marjorie M. Liu, author of the Dirk & Steele paranormal romance series and the newly-launched urban fantasy Hunter Kiss series, on the appeal and challenges in writing both genres. |
World War II Roundtable: A Community in Conversation with the Greatest Generation
Timothy J. Burns and Michael Gemmer, Medina County District Library
World War II veterans have been memorialized in print by Tom Brokaw and on film by Ken Burns as well as many others. This Greatest Generation has become recognized not only for their sacrifices during that great conflict but for their willingness to contribute to this country's prosperity. Now their numbers are dwindling as quickly as the fading memories of our communities. Over a thousand veterans die each day. While Medina County District Library's World War II program emulates others around the country and state by providing a forum for all members of the community to learn what those wonder years were really like, we have approached this project in a unique and easily replicated format. Learn how one program evolved from a proposed academic centered roundtable discussion to an often emotional, compelling and ultimately human story of individual's contributions to our country's greatest challenge.
Creating a Great and Truly Useful Foreign Language Film Collection
Shahin Shoar, Upper Arlington Public Library
Do you often wonder what foreign language films your library should own? Do you need help finding resources that review foreign language films? And how do you decide what foreign films are right for your library and community? Shahin Shoar, Media Services Manager at Upper Arlington Public Library will shed some light on this popular movie genre.
1:45
Break
2:00 PM
Second Breakout Sessions
The Big Read: Money and Support for Your Community Reading Program
Don Yarman, Delaware County District Library and Nancy Foth, Toledo Lucas County Public Library
Those "everyone read the same book" programs are rewarding, but they're a lot of work. In 2006, the National Endowment for the Arts created The Big Read, an initiative designed to reverse the accelerating decline of literary reading, and restore reading to the center of American culture. This partnership between the NEA, the Institute for Museum and Library Services, Arts Midwest, and local libraries and cultural institutions provides generous funding and valuable support for libraries interested in involving their communities in the shared experience of reading and discussing great literature. Two Ohio librarians involved in their communities Big Read Programs will discuss the process of applying, the support provided, the drawbacks of participating in the national program, and the details of their successful community reading programs.
Selecting and Collecting Sensitive Materials
Sara Trepanier, Worthington Libraries; Melanie Bucey, Fairfield County District Library; Judy Nablo, Greene County District Library
The boom in publishing and increased patron demand has resulted in many high profile items that might be considered objectionable to some library patrons. Selectors from several libraries will discuss recent trends and how they address concerns of library administrators, other staff, and patrons. Anyone who serves the public will benefit from this discussion of intellectual freedom concerns from the viewpoint of those making selection and collection management decisions.
We Mean Business!
Jessi Crim-Weithman, Westerville Public Library; Jeff Regensburger, Worthington Libraries; Terry Trimper Jones, Owner, J2 Consulting, LLC; Bill LaFayette, Ph.D., Vice President, Economic Analysis, Columbus Chamber;
Larry Jenkins, Human Resource Services; and
Eric Bush, Sr. Director of Creative Media Services, Performance Development Group
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Terry Trimper Jones |
How many times have you heard your director or colleagues say, "let's serve the business community?" Great idea, eh? But how do we open the world of public libraries to this community? What types of technologies do they use daily? What types of services are lacking from within business infrastructure that libraries can provide? How do we build spaces, both virtual and physical, that support technologies to appeal to this audience? Join a panel of business professionals from the Central Ohio area in a discussion to help answer these questions. The group will share perceptions of and experiences with public libraries. They will brainstorm with us on how we can deliver technologies and spaces to best meet their evolving needs.
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Data Dogs and Detachable Ponytails: Understanding Anime
Nina Davis, Lane Public Library
Anime (Japanese animation) continues to be popular among fans of all ages. Adults are no exception, especially as the new wave of fans created in the mid-90's are now all grown up. The resurgence also reconnected devotees who grew up on Astro Boy, Speed Racer, and Battle of the Planets with the genre they first loved. Navigating the genre, however, can be more confusing than keeping track of hundreds of Pokémon. Many titles thought of as “just a kid/teen thing” are just as popular with adults and more offerings have appeared in the market which appeal to the older crowd. Whether you're helping patrons survive life after Dragon Ball Z, or in charge of deciding what to buy for your collection, come learn about the history and modern landscape of this fascinating form of entertainment.
Can Teens and Seniors "Get Along" in Your Library?
Steven Haynie, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library; Cheryl Kuonen, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library; Deva Walker, Cleveland Public Library; Ami Bray, Madison Public Library
Who says that teens and seniors need to be separated in the library? This panel will discuss successful, innovative and creative multigenerational programs for teens and seniors in rural, suburban and urban libraries. Everything from multigenerational Wii tournaments to crafts and puppet plays will be covered!
3:15 PM
Break
3:30 PM
Third Breakout Sessions
Something Google Won't Do: Programming
Donald I. Crews, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
While we bemoan the dearth of reference questions, we may be missing out on opportunities to share information and resources with the public through a more low-key, even surreptitious method. Adult programming frequently seems to be an afterthought, when it is actually one of the best opportunities that we have to draw people into the library, educate and entertain them and get our materials into their hands and our services into their lives. Learn ways to recognize and develop programming opportunities, find presenters (or become one yourself), promote your programs and use programs to improve circulation and introduce the public to library services.
Show Me the Data!
Valerie Sherman, Michele McNeal, and Mie Mie Sann, Akron-Summit County Public Library
Customer service can feel overwhelming and difficult to describe. How to convey the daily environment and needed priorities can be a challenge. However, having hard data to inform your decisions can make all the difference. When the Science & Technology Division of the Akron-Summit County Public Library took over the reference responsibilities for magazines and newspapers, the dynamic at the reference desk changed dramatically. To help analyze the reference desk experience, staff designed an easy-to use comprehensive reference desk survey. At the same time, staff was using a shared Excel workbook to track collection development expenditures and examine them in relation to circulation statistics. Combining these tools has enabled the division to look at the collection and day-to-day reference from a variety of perspectives. This program will highlight relatively painless ways to incorporate data gathering and reporting to support data-driven decision making.
Create a Reader's Advisory Area for Your Library
Marjory Mogg, Euclid Public Library
This program will review the history and significance of Reader's Advisory Services in public libraries and its recent resurgence. The Euclid Public Library has had a Reader's Advisory Area for over a year. The Reader's Advisory area started as an empty space that was painted and furnished. It now resembles an inviting living room. There will be a discussion of the books featured (fiction vs. nonfiction) and how those books should be arranged. Display suggestions and library tie-ins will also be discussed. Suggestions on how to promote RA in your library will be provided. The positive response from staff and the public indicate that this is a great way to promote the depth and diversity of your library's collection. I will also share humorous anecdotes from patrons in search of their next great read.
Social Networking Sites – What Are They and How Do I Answer My Patrons' Questions about Them?
Gretchen J. Yonata, Timothy Capehart and Eric Wirick, Dayton Metro Library
A huge segment of your service population is logging on to the Internet for the sole purpose of social networking. Some are young adults but an increasing number of older users want to know what the 2.0 noise is all about. At Dayton Metro Library we use MySpace for programming with our teens, and have also crafted programs we call MySpace for Parents. If your knowledge of these services and interfaces is shaky at best, join us as we explain why social networking Web sites don't have to be scary and how you can help patrons log on and plug in.
Preparing for an Aging Ohio: Roles and Opportunities for Libraries
Deanna Clifford and Gary Panek, Ohio Department of Aging
Everyday, news stories focus on baby boomers and their impact on our changing society. In 2005, the Americans for Libraries Council and the Institute of Museum and Library Services convened a Library Leaders Forum titled "Designs for Change: Libraries and Productive Aging." That forum presented thoughts provoking discussion on how libraries can transform themselves to meet the changing needs of our older population.
This session will provide information on Ohio 's aging population and explore some of the key areas for partnership between Ohio 's libraries and Ohio 's aging network. Attendees will be introduced to resources and tools to assist libraries in reaching older consumers and will learn about state initiatives that offer opportunities for libraries.
4:45 PM
Day One: Wrap-Up
As the first day of the conference winds down, program committee members and OLC staff will be on hand to informally offer suggestions on evening activities and events in Columbus. You may just want to retire to your room with a good book but if you're looking for a good restaurant or some “retail therapy” organizers of the conference will happily provide suggestions and directions.
Thursday, July 10th
8:00 AM
Full buffet breakfast
9:00 AM
Fourth Breakout Sessions
So Beyond the Travel Talk: Envisioning and Realizing Progressive Adult Programs
Patrick Manning and Cathy Morgan, Akron-Summit County Public Library
Come learn how to create wildly popular programs that cause administrations to take notice and leave your patrons demanding more! Innovative programming is no longer solely the realm of youth librarians. Public libraries looking to meet the informational, instructional, and social needs of their voting public are focusing on diversifying and expanding their adult program offerings. Adult service programming has finally arrived; now what do we do for inspiration? Attend this workshop, of course! We will discuss some of the thought processes involved in brainstorming and creating popular programs, as well as present specific examples of proven, successful adult programs. Participants will leave with a new perspective on how to approach programming, as well as imaginative ideas for their consideration.
Tech Training from Zero to Sixty in One Year: Basic and Advanced Tech Training Programs for All Library Staff
Sarah Houghton-Jan, San Jose Public Library
In this session, competencies expert and experienced technology trainer Sarah will discuss various practical approaches to developing technology training programs for staff. |
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Many technology training programs address either only the basic skills that staff need to do their jobs -or- the Learning 2.0 approach, exposing library staff to new Web technologies to foster an environment of creativity and flexibility for future developments. Instead, a combination of both approaches proves to be most successful, relevant to both your tech novices and in-house experts all at once. Successful case studies, tools, tricks, and tips will be discussed to give attendees what they need to implement a combined program at their libraries.
Sarah Houghton-Jan serves as the Digital Futures Manager for the San Jose Public Library in the heart of Silicon Valley. She serves on the Library and Information Technology Association's Top Technology Trends Committee and is a well-traveled consultant technology instructor for Infopeople. Sarah presents and trains internationally and has been published widely in both library and technology magazines and journals. She also authored a book-length piece for ALA's Library Technology Reports, entitled Technology Competencies and Training for Libraries. Sarah also writes daily for her award-winning blog about library technology issues and resources, Librarian In Black. |
The Word on the Street (Lit)
Rollie Welch, Cleveland Public Library
Street lit, ghetto books, or urban fiction: no matter what you call this hot genre, its many incarnations seldom remain on library shelves and rack up lengthy reserve lists. For our purposes, we'll dub it street lit, but what is it about, and why does it appeal especially to younger African American readers? Rollie Welch, Collection Manager for Cleveland Public Library and co-author of Library Journal's street lit column, will give an introduction to street lit and answer the questions of why these books are so popular.
Google & Wikipedia: Taming the 800-Pound Gorillas
Donald Boozer, Cleveland Public Library and Steve Herminghausen, Worthington Libraries
Google and Wikipedia are inescapable players in today's information world. Are you uneasy admitting you use Google? Wouldn't be caught dead using Wikipedia? Contrary to popular belief, both of these online juggernauts can be useful if you know how, why, and when to use them. The Coordinators of KnowItNow and OLC's Reference Division will present advanced search techniques and tips on using these ubiquitous tools of the trade.
To See Ourselves as Others See Us
George Needham, OCLC
Over the last four years, OCLC has produced three landmark reports on the ways in which librarians and the public perceive, use, and evaluate information. (The reports are available for free download at http://www.oclc.org/reports.) These reports question many of the assumptions on which library service has been based for decades. Often, the views of librarians and the public are so remarkably different that at times it seems we are speaking completely different languages. With this presentation, George Needham, OCLC's Vice President of Member Services, will address the findings of these reports and offer some ideas on the ways in which we can come to common understandings that will allow us to build a thriving library service for the future.
10:15 AM
Break
10:30 AM
Fifth Breakout Sessions
Getting Out From Behind the Desk: Adult Services in an Outreach World
Rachel A. Gut and Sandy Prell, Dayton Metro Library
In today's convenience-centered world, libraries have to step out of the box and out of the library to compete. But how can you take adult services away from the reference and business collections? Learn how your Outreach Department can help take your services to the next level!
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I Wanna Be 2.0 Too!: Web Services for Smaller Underfunded Libraries
Sarah Houghton-Jan, San Jose Public Library
Some of us don't have a dedicated Web services staff, much less a single dedicated webmaster. |
| This session is for those libraries struggling to provide innovative Web services with little resources to devote to staff, software, or hardware. Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 sound great in concept but are seemingly impossible to implement in smaller, poorer, and/or under-technology-staffed libraries. But we too can offer excellent online services to our users! There are dozens of quick and free services that any library can add to its Web site. This session will cover twenty easy steps that libraries can take to improve their Web sites with ease. If your library hasn't yet implemented new technologies on its Web site but wants to, this is the session for you. |
Adults Just Want to Have Fun (Too!): Graphic Novels and Gaming for a Mature Audience
Donald Boozer and Anastasia Diamond-Ortiz, Cleveland Public Library
Graphic novels and gaming have been around for some time now but are still seen by some as something just for teens. Adults, however, also enjoy these mediums of expression with the sophistication and content of some graphic novels and the in-depth, cinematic storylines of some games. Graphic novels as diverse as Persepolis and The Pride of Baghdad and games like Halo 3 and Dungeons & Dragons should be as much a part of library services and collections to adults as they should be to teens. The presenters will explore this often overlooked area and provide practical tips on serving fun-loving adults.
Geography of Diversity: A Panel Discussion
Brenda Dutton and Rachel Rubin, Columbus Metropolitan Library; Susan Ballard, Cuyahoga County Public Library; Cathy Haynes, Coshocton Public Library
How can libraries be prepared to serve their diverse populations? 1) By partnering with agencies serving seniors to meet their needs. 2) By being comfortable with people of a different culture, ethnicity, language, or country of origin and collaborating with agencies that serve them. 3) By knowing how to serve the hidden population of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community: get a variety of ideas--from passive to active--to help provide more inclusive services and programming. Staff from two very different sized libraries will share the program ideas and approaches that have made their outreach efforts to various segments of their community a success.
Parents Are Adults Too: Programming for Parents and Caregivers
Ann Badger and Amy Brown, Worthington Libraries
Parents are faced with many different issues while raising their children. The library can help parents by connecting them to resources through programming. Worthington Libraries in partnership with community organizations has been offering popular parenting workshops on topics like toilet training, kindergarten readiness, and adolescent health and learning skills. Ann and Amy will share examples of possible programs that you can use in your library and how to look for community partners to help deliver the content.
11:45 AM
Lunch
12:45 PM
Closing Session
Comments by Stephen Hedges, Director, OPLIN
OPLIN has just rolled out the new Ohio Web Library tool for searching the updated collection of statewide reference databases.
Find out why it works as well as it does and what professional reference librarians should know to get the most out of it.
Reflections on a Conference
John Berry III, long-time Editor of Library Journal, has always taken a keen interest in the work of Ohio 's public libraries. A frequent visitor to our state, John will be a participant at this conference---attending sessions and interacting with participants at breaks and meal events. |
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| In this wrap-up session, he'll reflect (in his inimitable way) on what he's heard, seen and learned, as well as what he thinks still needs to be said, heard, and taught to make library services to adults the most effective they can be. He'll encourage questions from the audience and engage in discussion all who've participated in this professional development event. |
2:00 PM
Adjournment
