MLA/DLA 2016 Conference Notes - Beyond Session Attendance

Since I’ve been going to MLA for a few years now as a Conference Committee member, I’d like to talk about some of the other aspects of MLA I’ve found valuable, especially as a SLRC outreach provider.

Presenting

Jeanne, Ray, and I organized a panel on outreach to adults titled “Connecting Resources: Becoming a Link to Local Industries.” We had very good attendance (exact numbers TBD), and I received two requests for SLRC services on the spot with a third following a few days later. There is often a lack of understanding for what SLRC does, and while that was not the central topic of the panel, it gave us a chance to explain what we do to a statewide audience. Also, I think I get CEUs for my own presentation?

Volunteering

This was my fifth (maybe sixth?) MLA conference, though it was my first year volunteering at the registration table. One of the main reasons I go to MLA is to network with other librarians in the state and learn directly from the source about the new things happening in their regions. Volunteering at the registration table turned out to be by far the best way to do this. Not only did I get to see all of the attendees I already knew, but I was also able to meet several new people via the other volunteers working at the table. I was able to coordinate with my co-presenters, field questions about SLRC services, and ask about upcoming presentations. I can’t even remember the number of business cards I received. I found it an extremely valuable two hours of my life and I highly recommend it.

Vendor Presentations

MLA is a smaller conference and the vendor presentations are often poorly attended as a result. I attended three presentations: OverDrive, a library architectural firm, and a bilingual teen magazine “Motivos.” I was able to ask direct questions about their services and hear about the new and upcoming features (especially in the case of OverDrive).

Aryn Dagirmanjian

Social Science and History Department

MLA/DLA 2016 Conference Notes - Pratt Staff Share Knowledge at MLA

The Library had a strong presence at this year's MLA/DLA conference.  Not only did we have 25 attendees, but our staff participated in a number of presentation and panel discussions. 

Aryn Dagermanjian, Ray Cruitt, and Jeanne Lauber presented “Connecting Resources: Becoming a Link to Local Industries.”  

Linda Thompkins-Baldwin participated in the session on "Digital Maryland and Digital Partnerships -- Developing Collaborative Digital Collection."

Erin Kelly was on the panel for "Improving Library Services for Our Homeless Patrons (and Those Facing Housing Crises)."

Valerie Diamond shared her "De-Stress with Desk Yoga" program with MLA attendees.

Kaitlin Peterson connected with her former colleagues at Frederick County Public Libraries for  "From Traditional to Transformed: An Interactive All Ages Summer Reading Program for Any Community." 

Congratulations to all the staff who presented at the conference this year!

MLA/DLA 2016 Conference Notes

Over the next week or so I hope to post responses from the staff members who attended the MLA/DLA Annual Conference last week.  The theme this year was Libraries:  Unlocking Potential.  Stay tuned for conference notes, interesting facts, amusing quotes, and whatever else our attendees have to share!

Library Lessons Learned at a Non-Library Conference

Library Lessons Learned at a Non-Library Conference

National Training Institute’s Zero to Three Conference

December 2014

Aside from a few trainings hosted by MSDE or City Schools, I’ll admit I’ve never attended a non-library sponsored conference. The National Training Institute’s Zero to Three Conference wasn’t focused on libraries and librarians, but rather on providing services of all kinds to children ages birth to three and their caregivers. Don’t get me wrong, I love being in a room with my colleagues who are equally dedicated to libraries and kids, but there is something very eye-opening and reaffirming about sharing a passion with folks outside of libraries.

And hey, going to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in December doesn’t hurt either, right? (Those of you who go to ALA midwinter and annual can feel my pain, right? Chicago in January?!)

By and large, those who attend the Zero to Three Conference are social workers, Early Head Start teachers, daycare providers, and psychologists. I’m fairly certain that I was the only librarian there. I was able to meet people who spoke highly of their local relationships with their public library, like one Head Start teacher from Brooklyn, NY, while others were really surprised by the type of work and rich service the Pratt Library provides to young children and their families, like another woman who is a social worker from Miami, Florida. Conferences like this provide a chance to help colleagues in related careers and fields see the opportunities and advantages of partnering with their local library, no matter where they are. As many of you know, not only are we ambassadors of the library’s good work to our own patrons, but also to our people in Baltimore, Maryland, and around the country.

While some of the sessions had components that were a bit over my head--like the one on epigenetics which was fascinating--I found all of them to have implications for work in libraries. Issues like the proven influence of fathers on very young boys and in particular, boys of color, equity versus equality of services and opportunities for children in our society (and no, they’re not the same thing!), and how various early interventions can positively affect a child’s well being and eventual success in life.

In addition to having a chance to attend some great sessions, I was also co-presenting a poster on the Pratt Library’s partnership with the Baltimore Infants and Toddlers Program to positively affect their families’ relationship with the library and participation in our Summer Reading Program. You can see a photo of me and my co-presenter, Tody Hairston-Fuller with our poster below!

If you ever have the opportunity to attend a conference that’s not library focused, take it! I had such a great time getting to know folks in related, but very different fields, as well as share my own passion and enthusiasm for the incredible work the Pratt Library and public libraries are doing in their communities around the country.

Jessica Hoptay-Brown
Children's Services Coordinator

Winter/Spring classes

We're a bit late, but we are finally confirming dates with our trainers for the Winter/Spring classes.

Check your email for announcements of upcoming programs or visit the training calendar.

 Here are a few highlights of what's coming:

• Nutrition - better lunch ideas and options than the candy machine
• Front desk staff - safety and security and working with our wonderful customers
• Grammar and Proofreading - you know who you are
• More dates for the contaminated materials classes - in case you weren't itchy enough 
• Autism Awareness - more dates for this great program 
• Lots of ADA dates - it's mandatory for most of you

More to come soon!

Maryland Statewide Circulation Conference

Maryland Statewide Circulation Conference
Baltimore MD

November 13, 2014

For those in the know, November was kind of a big deal for the denizens of the east wing, front facing office spaces of Central Library. The cool and in control demeanor of those who work the Circulation desk and Fiction department hid the hustle and bustle, stress and anxiety emanating from our shared work area. With Ny’ilah’s Baltimore city Media Specialist conference and the Statewide Circulation Conference looming, the excitement and tension was palpable. In the end it was all worth it. Through pain, sweat and hysterical tears we made it through the labyrinth, fought the goblin city and conquered the goblin…no, wait-movie reference, sorry. What I mean to say is that both conferences were rousing successes.

As for mine, I am not too humble to say, yeah baby, yeah! I am proud of what we accomplished.  Is there room for improvement, certainly. Did it go as planned, for the most part. Being that this was my very first foray into the quagmire that can be hosting a conference, I count having come out the other end with all hands accounted for and, dare I say, the participants happy to have been a part of it, a success.  Here are a few comments from attendee’s when asked, what was the most beneficial aspect of the conference?

“Meeting other circ people and sharing ideas. Although we have a lot in common there are some things I felt were different and it was interesting hearing about them.”

“I love the atmosphere of peers because no matter what the subject or session content we can all relate from the circulation viewpoint. It's a rare opportunity because throughout the year most learning sessions are geared to or shared by librarian staff. I enjoy hearing about other Maryland library systems too.”

“Overall it was the entire conference, this was my first Statewide conference. I didn't know what to expect nor where I was going, but I was thoroughly happy with the information I received and the library that host the conference was beautiful and the staff was great and kind.”

“Getting away from the office for a day to meet up with others and just talk about things is a great energizer. I brought 2 staff with me -- one new and one who is working on improvements for promotion. They greatly enjoyed the day as well.”

A huge shout out to all who made it possible, from facilities to my staff, the support I received from SLRC, all my presenters, security,  IAD and Dr Hayden . There are far too many to name individually.

And to my fellow circulation staff, supervisor, assistant or page -- this conference is for you. The content and activities, opportunities to network and, “Attend(ing) a conference that focuses on my job at the library: circulation.”, I encourage you to take advantage of it. Holla at me, become a part of the process and reap the intangible benefits of participation. This is your home, your Pratt and we offer this for your benefit as well.

Here’s to making next year’s conference bigger and better than ever. Especially with the support continued support of my Pratt family.

Brandon Mollock
Circ. Library Resource Manager

32nd Annual National Associations of Black Storytelling Festival and Conference

32nd Annual National Associations of Black Storytelling Festival and Conference
 “In the Tradition”

Chicago, Illinois

November 12-16, 2014

I am always looking for new stories, songs and activities for my school visits and storytimes especially when I have very large groups. The NABS conferences provide resources, mentoring and modeling for beginner and experienced storytellers. NABS is unique because the focus is on the preservation of African and African-American culture through storytelling. Storytellers from across the country attend and exchange ideas, share stories and recognize leadership and the excellence.

I was extremely proud to watch our own “Bunjo” Butler perform his stories and songs on the featured teller stage at this conference. In my almost 30 years of knowing him, I have only seen Bunjo once before on a national stage. This year was so enjoyable because I was able to witness how decades of study, practice and creativity have been combined in performances that had our audience of over 400 clapping, stamping, laughing, crying, singing and cheering a storyteller who made you proud of your experiences, your life and your heritage.

What will I take from watching Bunjo and use in my work at Pratt? Well I will examine my own experiences and personal stories and fuse them into creations which uplift my listeners. I will look for the small stories that connect with the universal memories of my audience. And I will look for ways through my songs, stories and chants to instill pride in my listeners so that they can know the gifts that are inherently theirs. 

Karen Burdnell
Library Associate I, HRR