CHICAGO — Any librarian concerned about what the future holds for libraries won’t want to miss the outstanding lineup of ALA Annual Conference programs hosted by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA).
This year’s program topics highlight the expertise of ASCLA members, while delivering content that is relevant to a wide variety of library types and librarian roles. Program participation is open to any registered Annual Conference attendee. Conference registration opens Jan. 3, 2012 at www.alaannual.org. In addition to these programs, ASCLA will host a number of discussion groups, several cutting-edge preconferences, the ASCLA/COSLA dessert and awards reception and association business meetings. Information about these events will be posted throughout the coming months at the ASCLA website, the ASCLA blog, the ASCLA Facebook page and on the ASCLA Twitter feed.
Here’s an overview of this year’s programs, which will be held Saturday, June 23 through Monday, June 25. More information about these programs is available at the ASCLA website.
- Writing a Way Out: The Success of Writing Programs in Correctional Settings
Saturday, 8 a,n, – 10 a.m.
Writing programs in correctional settings have produced dramatic results for those who experience them. This program will include successful inmate writers, program instructors and correctional librarians who manage or assist in the programs. - Patron-Driven Acquisition in Consortia
Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – noon
Patron-driven acquisition and purchase-on-demand models are being tested in multi-type and same-type library systems and consortia in several pockets of the country. These pilots empower patrons to select print materials, e-books or both for their local library collection, while meeting their own immediate information needs. Join us as we learn from a panel of speakers about some of these initiatives and their outcomes. - Innovative Programs Impacting Rural and Urban Libraries Funded Through LSTA: Preschool Connections, Mother Goose Alive, and Brain Boxes Collaboration
Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – noon
Using LSTA funds as seed money, public libraries and state libraries can collaborate to provide library users with current resources and quality programs. Programs from Pennsylvania and Arizona will be showcased, showing how they created family spaces in small libraries, developed an online Mother Goose Rhymes portal and provided developmental activities for children. Pennsylvania will also share the results of a recent evaluation of one program. - Successful Collaboration in Good Times and Bad
Saturday 10:30 a.m. – noon
Collaborative efforts sometimes thrive, but often fail—especially in difficult financial times or without grant funding. What are the attributes of successful collaborative efforts, and how can knowing these help others plan for long-term success and sustainability? An expert panel will highlight three collaborative initiatives focused on digital libraries and present the factors that have, or would have, made them successful and sustainable. - Library of the Future
Saturday, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
New Jersey State Librarian Norma Blake and Peggy Cadigan, associate state librarian for library development, will discuss current and future policies and practices that will help libraries survive and thrive. - Touching Literacy: iPads in the School Library Serving Incarcerated and Detained Youth
Sunday, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Are tablets available to your patrons yet? This program introduces you to three library staffers and their project to bring iPads to school libraries serving detained youth in New York City. We will examine the practical “how to’s” of technology pilots; the process of collaborating with multiple institutions; and maintenance, marketing, funding and collection development for tablets. - Train the Technology Trainer: Developing 21st Century Library Staff
Monday, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.One-on-one technology assistance and public computer classes have become essential instructional services in libraries, but it takes the right skills and knowledge to provide a true learning experience. Staff are often not equipped with the necessary experience to provide this level of service. Hear about the Colorado State Library’s experience with “Train the Technology Trainer” workshops and learn how to implement similar staff training programs in your organization.
- Virtual Faiths: Cooperative Digitization Projects
Monday, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Digitization of collections of interdisciplinary and historical records related to a particular denomination or faith help researchers delve into contemporary questions of church and state boundaries, as well as the history of the development of local communities, regions and nations. Cooperative digitization and digital library projects that bring together these kinds of materials from different types of institutions that are geographically dispersed pose particular problems, including many copyright ownership questions that have not yet been answered. This program will feature several projects underway related to Methodism, Judaism and Catholicism. - Essential Facilitation: Practical Tools for Guiding Groups
Monday, 10:30 a.m. – noon
Anyone who leads groups or teams, manages products or plans meetings can benefit from learning facilitation skills. During this exciting session, consultants, change agents and group leaders will gain practical tools to help groups engage in innovative planning sessions and to help them make decisions more easily. - Locked Up!: Go Inside a Juvenile Detention Center
Monday, tentatively noon – 5 p.m.
Tour Los Angeles County’s Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall. Talk with experts who provide library services to juveniles behind bars and speak with incarcerated youth to hear what the facility library means to them. Advance reservations and security clearance required—details forthcoming.
ASCLA, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is a diverse organization of librarians and support staff who work in academic and public libraries, state agencies, specialized libraries and multi-type cooperatives, as well as those who are self-employed. Our division’s work centers on member-driven interest groups that represent the diversity and important work of our engaged and active members. Not an ASCLA member, but interested in discounted registration rates on conference, ASCLA preconference and other ASCLA events? Join, renew or add ASCLA to your ALA membership at www.ala.org/membership.
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