2013 ILA Conference-Rachael Dabkey

Not only did I get to attend all three days of the 2013 ILA Conference, I was also able to volunteer some of my time to help facilitate the poster sessions on Thursday morning. Maybe it's because I've never been to ILA before, yet alone attend a full conference, but I left at the end of each day feeling inspired and enthusiastic about putting all of the ideas I learned into action. I was in the company of colleagues and even fellow classmates from my graduate program at Dominican University. It's times like these when I know that I have chosen the right field.
 

Over the three days, I attended 7 sessions, including:

• Interactive Learning Spaces
  • I learned a bit about library space and a bit more about technology in the library. I even got to play with some cool tech toys, such as Sphero, a Kurio tablet, and Little Bits.
• Turning Conflict into Collaboration
  • "Resolving conflict involves taking risk because you're showing your own cards." This session discussed the types of conflict, the root causes of conflict, and ways to handle conflict.
• Toddler Art: Active Learning Without a Mess
  • This was a fun and informational session on planning and implementing a Toddler Art program in your library. The presenters provided us with examples and tips for doing a Tiny Tot and Preschool Art programs as well. These art programs incorporate four, if not all five, of the skills in Every Child Ready to Read.
• Burn, Lexile, Burn: How to use the Common Core State Standards in the Public Library
  • This was the most beneficial session that I attended. I learned the background behind the Common Core State Standards and left with ideas for things that we can do in our library to further support these standards.
• The Elusive Library Non-User
  • This session discussed ways to reach out to library non-users in your community, such as surveys both written and phone-interview style, as well as what you can do in house. One of my favorite ideas was from the director at Lincolnwood Public Library. She said that they made a graffiti wall for kids, where they stuck post-it notes to answer the following question: "What can't you do in the library that you would like to be able to?"
• Early Literacy: What's it all About?
  • I previously had the pleasure of attending a STAR Power presentation by Saroj Ghoting, who presented this session. Although much of what she shared wasn't new for me, I still walked away with more terminology and a more fluid understanding of Every Child Ready to Read.
• Supporting the Common Core State Standards and STEM in Storytime
  • This session discussed making your library space a language-rich environment as well as incorporating math and science concepts into storytimes.
  
  

I also attended a Makerspace Lab in the exhibit hall. I got to see a lot of innovative technologies that are being used in libraries, such as 3D printers and teaching basic computer programming to children. Overall, I had a great experience and look forward to being able to attend in the coming years.

Tues., Oct. 15, ILA Conference Highlights from Anne

These are highlights from my day:

· I saw the opening speaker that really emphasized the importance of having a positive attitude and surrounding yourself with positive people.

·     The first program I went to was about using volunteers creatively in the library to give me new ideas of how to use our teen volunteers this summer (tutors, book buddies, STEM programmers, tour guides, and more). They discussed the importance of matching volunteers with tasks based on their interest. One library had a referral program within the community, so they could match up volunteers with outside opportunities if they didn’t have something in-house that would fit. The best advice I received was to have a volunteer help me with some of the administrative tasks [one ILA speaker said some people actually like doing these] so I have more time to get to know the volunteers.

· The awards luncheon had the best and richest chocolate cake. If you weren’t there, I’m sorry you missed it. I really enjoyed hearing about other librarians' accomplishments in the field. It was inspiring!

· The second program was entitled Outrageous Outreach! I learned some about out of box ways libraries are engaging their communities beyond the traditional sense through flash reads, local discounts through showing your library cards, book cart drill teams, edible book contests, mini-golf library fundraisers, circulating American Girls, and much more.

· The third program was about presenting. The speaker, who formerly worked in the advertising industry, discussed how slides should have less text and more visuals. The speaker encouraged us to watch past TedTalks of Steve Jobs or Garr Reynolds to get good ideas on how to present. He also told us we should avoid Prezi since it makes people dizzy.

· The fourth and final program I attended was about Common Core and it was great to hear from other public librarians that are trying to figure out their role in this new movement. Two of the librarians were from Hinsdale and I talked to them about nonfiction selecting and some of the trends we are seeing in the publishing industry. I gave them my card in hopes we can keep this conversation going. They presented on many different topics including incorporating nonfiction in storytimes and bibliographies with Lexile, trying new STEM programming that goes beyond our comfort zone, like gaming and Makerbots, beefing up certain areas of the libraries’ nonfiction collection, including folk tales, literature, math, and other areas.  

As always, it was so great to be able to go to ILA Annual Conference and learn from the other librarians from around the state.

~ Anne Bensfield, Youth Services Librarian

ILA Tuesday, Oct. 15

^{I attended the following sessions:}

E-Books for Illinois: Baker & Taylor Axis 360 Shared Collection

In this overview of Axis 360 I learned that each member library will have their own Axis 360 website with patron authentication.  They will be able to run usage reports.  “Unbound” program will allow libraries to purchase local titles for their collection.

Axis 360 will eventually be a multi-format platform but for now is only e-books.  Big six publishers are on board.

Machines, Tools, Imagination, Stories: Book-Based, guy-Friendly Teen programming Girls will Love Too

I got some great ideas from the YA librarians who run the Teen Loft at the Evanston Public Library.  They offer book based programs that incorporate a hands on component. For example they have a Father/Son book group that read The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and partnered with the Evanston Police to come in and do a CSI type program. They also have a teen theater group called B.O.O.K. (Bodacious Oracles of Knowledge) that involves adaptations of book into scripts and performing them for the public.  Sometimes, they write their own scripts, other times they pay the licensing fee to perform something.  

Fire Up Your Teen Programming @ Anylibrary Illinois

Everybranch.com is a website where libraries can promote their programming.  Formerly known as Sheldon, this project was funded by a 2012 IMLS Sparks! Ignition Grant.  It is still a work in progress, but basically any library that uses a programming calendar with RSS can sign up and have their information feed into the site.  

Make it Count: Engaging Teen Readers through a Multi-Library Collaboration

I participated in a panel presentation that discussed the 10 to 1 Book Club that I helped launch last year.  This is a multi-library collaborative Mock Printz reading group that involves public and school librarians. Two teens who participated in the program also spoke about their experience with the group.  They were the stars of the presentation!  Forty people attended the and we had a lively Q&A.

Lisa