Workshops and Poster Sessions and Brunch, oh my!

With only one day to spend at CLA, I tried to fit in as much as I could!


I attended several workshops including:
Programming for the A in Steam. This program focused on the necessity for the Arts programs in a STEM world. (and Carmen posted some great shots from their PowerPoint!) Using the formats of Music, Crafts and Painting, the presenters explained how their individual programs used artistic expression to advance the ideas of literature, science and math. For example, music not only offers a creative opportunity, but in learning to play music, you must also be able to count out notes, and understand time signatures. Literature becomes involved when you dissect lyrics as both expression and poetry. Crafts programs can use scientific methods to create art. One example given showed how vinegar and powder interact to create an explosion, however by mixing tempera paint powder and vinegar in a  cheap plastic baggie, the explosion produces an outpouring of color that is as creative as it is scientific.


Reinventing Community Engagement went through the different processes involved with creating community involvement and buy-in necessary for developing community-library relationships. The presenters discussed different tools that could be used to gather information in order to determine public needs and wants. This information could then be used to create action plans and finally bring the desired outcomes into practice.


Teen Takeover discussed the processes, challenges and successes the Sacramento Library system went through to create more standardized system-wide teen programs that would be lead by teens and a consolidated Teen Advisory Board. Although we don't have to deal with the distance problems that they faced, some of their techniques could be applied to our library. In order to create teen buy-in, the librarians spent some time at an already established and well-attended program to talk to teens about further programs. By asking teens what they liked about that program, what they would do differently about that program, and what they'd like to see in the future, they opened the discussion to bring out commitment to teen programming and, through TAB meetings, how these programs would be produced.


I also looked found a few areas in the Poster Sessions that I thought would be great for the library. The one I liked the best was Do They "Like" Us? where the librarian took photos of teens (although it could be any group) and asked them to say something about what the library meant to them. She then took the photos and quotes and created a wonderful looking marketing sheet that could be used in print or on the web. 


Finally, my favorite part of the day was attending the CLA Brunch. As chair of the Yelland Scholarship Committee this past year, I really enjoyed meeting other members of the committee face-to-face and finally getting to see our scholarship winners collect their awards in person. It was a very heart-warming experience to see how we as librarians pay it forward to the newest members of our profession.