Stronger Together

Beyond addressing basic literacy skills, many libraries are teaching financial, digital, and physical literacy, as well as offering medical, legal, and mental health services, in an effort to meet the needs of the whole person, during the entire lifespan. Barring a few exceptions, most services are free. This is a daunting, complex undertaking. Some argue we should "stay in our lane" and others are cursing the "vocational awe" that leads us to try to be all things to all people. We are burning out in rapid numbers. Meanwhile, as mounting fears and realities around climate change, pandemics, economic recession, and political corruption overwhelm our citizens they are increasingly turning to their libraries for information, shelter, and support. This talk will address those concerns and show how we can lead with compassion. It will argue that the proven solution to keeping librarians sane and service needs met during these turbulent times is by first taking care of ourselves, and then forming partnerships between outside non-profit organizations, government, local businesses, and citizens. More importantly, we will discuss positive steps we can take towards healing, while also acknowledging the grief, trauma, and guilt librarians experience every day on the front lines.

A talk by Hailey McCullough, Head of Adult Services, Grande Prairie Public Library Libraries are the hearts of their communities. Librarians are passionate about serving their communities. But how do we do that? Find out by attending this session, which focuses on the success story of Project: Full Stop at Grande Prairie Public Library, and how one librarian found her passion project. This presentation will focus on period poverty and the role libraries can play in fighting it, how you can implement a similar project in your library, and ways in which you can develop your project in a way to help it shine and fund it for years to come.

A talk by Rena Traxel (she/her) Community Services Librarian, Parkland County Libraries Reaching our communities during times of COVID has challenged us to push outside our normal routines, find innovative ways to continue outreach, and pull together to meet the needs of our publics. From walking book clubs to curbside concerts; come learn about what worked, what didn’t, and everything in between.

Join urban agriculturalist and horticulture therapy practitioner, Nicola Gunter from Good Worm Garden Programs, as we learn more about the evidence-based "power of plants". Nicola will discuss how to bring nature indoors into your office setting and why this is beneficial. No green thumb needed!

Are you ready to get crafty with Indigenous traditions for 21st century learning? Learn to bridge brilliant craft traditions with STEAM literacies through Indigenous-led maker programs.

In 2019, Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) launched their makerspace, the Creativity Commons, to the public. Dalia built alliances with local stakeholders such as Indigenous artists, makers, and community members interested in cultivating a reclamation of culture through the library makerspace.

Through an Indigenous-led approach to program delivery, libraries can better amplify Indigenous voices in a reconciliatory manner. This not only offers those of Indigenous ancestry the opportunity to learn about their cultural traditions that were outlawed previously in Canada, but encourages a wider audience of community members to learn about pre-colonial traditions and connect with the local Indigenous community in the hands-on process.

Bridging the divide between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities through DIY making empowers life-long learners to celebrate equity, diversity and inclusion, and decolonizes state-funded spaces that have historically excluded Indigenous knowledge-keepers and voices.

Come learn how library makerspaces coupled with sound, culturally appropriate, outreach practices can preserve and pass on traditional knowledge for generations to come and build lasting community partnerships. Simultaneously, we can impart hands-on STEAM-based literacies that foster 21st century learning and welcoming makerspaces for renewed success!

Members of The Dewey Divas and Dudes will present some of their favourite new books publishing between Sept. to Dec. 2021 and focusing on themes of diversity and inclusion. These books will offer mirrors and windows into many different identities and lived experiences for readers of all ages, help build empathy, and are just plain great reads. Get ready to grow your TBR pile!

The Dewey Divas and Dudes are a collective of publisher reps who specialize in the library market. Throughout the year, they give readers’ advisory presentations to libraries across the country highlighting their top picks and hidden gems of the latest new and upcoming releases.

Three library managers from small rural Alberta communities will discuss their experience with overcoming the challenges of providing big library service on a small library budget. Some topics that will be covered include:

Community and library overview

How does each library overcome budgetary restrictions

How each library exceeds expectations of "small library" service

Cybersecurity is one of the leading concerns affecting organizations, but it isn’t just a technology issue – it’s a people issue. Regardless of where you work, if you’re connected, you’re affected. Learn about the top three risks affecting users and leave armed with simple things you can do to improve your personal cybersecurity, including one that may just change your life.

In recent years, young adult (YA) fiction has, like its Generation Z audience, turned to social justice issues and activism. At the same time, the discussion of social responsibility in librarianship has begun to include human rights and social justice, especially since public libraries provide education and information about issues of rights and justice. 

For Jennifer's thesis research, she conducted a participatory case study with a co-designed virtual program through the Camrose Public Library. The case study investigated how teen readers engage with the social justice themes in YA fiction, how and if they find these themes useful for understanding and engaging in activism on their own, and the influence of public library programming on these actions. 

This presentation provides an overview of what worked and what didn’t when it came to collaborative program design with teens and provides practical recommendations for young adult librarians who want to implement social justice programming.

Cat McIlroy (she/her)

Librarian, Sexsmith Secondary School

Information literacy has always been a part of librarians' vernacular, but because students are facing an increasingly endless abyss of digital information and misinformation, it is now librarians' responsibility to show them how to navigate.

Cat will discuss how librarians can help high school students become information and digitally literate. The session will include ways to partner with teachers, engage with students in-person and virtually, and the methods to make things relevant and fun.