Alberta Library Conference

The Alberta Library Trustees Association has heard our trustees and your questions in regards to your library manager. In this session we will address the responsibilities and duties of the library manager; the role of the library manager in respect to the board; how to evaluate your manager; and, if necessary, how to hire or dismiss your library manager.
Learning objectives:

• Understand the role of library managers and their duties
• Review different evaluation models
• Determine the qualifications desired in a new library manager, and whether or not your manager fits with the culture of your library

This session will provide an overview of open educational resources (OER) and how current provincial initiatives are striving to lower education costs and increase access; as well as outline ways public libraries can support the open education movement. Join our discussion about how OER could be used to support the needs of public library patrons.
Learning objectives:

• Understand the concept of OER and various provincial initiatives
• Learn about the library’s role in the promotion and stewardship of OER
• Understand how library staff can connect users to OER

Abstract: This research examines key success factors of the sharing economy’s models and postulates how their application to advocate and market libraries services and resources, addressing the gap of applying nontraditional business models to libraries.

Learn voice and performance techniques to allow you to confidently create and deliver exciting and engaging speeches, programs and presentations. This completely hands-on session will cover enunciation, projecting, breath support techniques, and tips for efficiently commanding attention.
Learning objectives:

• Learn vocal and breathing techniques to deliver engaging presentations and programs
• Learn helpful techniques to deal with performance anxiety
• Increase confidence in delivering programs and/or presentations to large groups

Marigold Library System recently received a grant from Alberta Municipal Affairs, enabling them to provide library services to on-reserve populations. This session focuses on the process of building relationships with First Nations communities. We will discuss how buy-in from member libraries was encouraged and recount how barriers were overcome to extend public library service in ways it had not been before.
Learning objectives:

• Best practices for engaging on-reserve populations, overcoming barriers, and encouraging library staff buy-in
• A regional library system perspective on extending library services
• Outreach ideas

Create a “Human Library” and make a place for “conversations that matter.” Instead of borrowing a physical book, patrons sign up for conversation time with a “Human Book” with whom they may talk, listen, discuss, argue, share a story, and experience some of the diversity that exists in all our communities. Human Books at Sundre Municipal Library may cover topics as wide-ranging as everyday philosophy, Alberta politics, genealogy and anthropology, motorcycle touring in Central America, and much more.
Learning objectives:

• Learn how to plan and promote a Human Library event
• Learn how to avoid the perils and pitfalls
• Discover ways to celebrate the results: conversations that matter

The attached web link points to the full PowerPoint presentation, including videos: 535MB in size.
The attached pdf contains the PowerPoint presentation slides, but without videos.
To view videos separately, follow these links:
"Extreme Gardening: Gardening in Zone 2" https://youtu.be/w7Cx6DDiZdk
"Mildew, Trench Foot and Grizzly Bears: Tales Along the Trails of the Canadian Rockies" https://youtu.be/5NegpabbPg0
McPherson Library, University of Victoria, Human Library at UVic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mnz5DJEybjY
 

Do you have hangry kids in your library? Providing the occasional snack for children attending library programs is great, but what about the kids who use our libraries every day? What about the parents who can’t provide snacks for their kids when they drop them off at the library for the day? Or are too embarrassed to visit the food bank? Delve into the benefits of running an after-school snack program or a Little Free Pantry, and discover how your library can help meet basic needs in your community.

In 2016-2017, the Province of Alberta provided funding to regional library systems and large urban libraries for on-reserve and on-settlement Indigenous populations. PLSB hosted a working group of librarians and trustees from across Alberta over the past year and is holding a symposium on the topic of public library service with Indigenous communities in February 2017. Members of this panel have served on the CFLA-FCAB committee on Truth and Reconciliation, and will give an overview of that work during this presentation.
Learning objectives:

• Learn what has been achieved to date and what the future holds
• Learn about the 2016 Indigenous initiative
• Share experiences and ideas for library services to Indigenous people and ideas for relationship building

This workshop will show you a new made-in-Alberta approach to planning that lets you pick your own way to Learn (talk to the community), Plan (analyze data and write a great Plan of Service) and Do (put the plan into action, measure results and celebrate success).
Learning objectives:

• Community engagement / needs assessment
• Analyzing information, picking services that fit local needs and writing a plan
• Putting a plan into action, measuring results and celebrating success

This session reveals the underlying mindsets which create technological barriers and limits your library membership. This session will help you overcome your library’s challenges and contribute with your own unique talents (regardless of your expertise level) and attain higher library membership enrollment.
Learning objectives:

• Learn about mindsets that limit library accessibility
• Discover strategies to build your technological skill sets
• Learn about potential library partners