Vancouver Island Library Staff Conference

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. Staff worked to build alliances with local stakeholders such as Indigenous artists, makers and community members interested in cultivating a reclamation of culture through the library makerspace. VIRL staff worked collaboratively to develop STEAM programs for all ages such as Traditional Drum-making, Leather Craft, Textile Art for Kids, Music-making and sound production. Through an Indigenous-led approach to program delivery, libraries can better amplify indigenous voices in a reconciliatory manner.

This panel session will share the process and outcomes of a collaboration between the Libraries and the Academic and Technical Writing Program (ATWP) at UVic. The panelists will discuss how librarians and ATWP administrators have developed a shared lesson plan with consistent intended learning outcomes for students in library ATWP sessions, and how the Libraries are working to encourage a consistent library instruction style that emphasizes active, participatory learning. We’ l l discuss the tensions and challenges of navigating changes in both the Libraries’ instruction program as well as within ATWP, as well as the opportunities we have for developing a shared pedagogical approach and connecting the Libraries more effectively with campus curriculum planning and strategic enrollment management.

Since 2017 hype has been building about "web3" reaching a deafening crescendo in 2022. Not to be confused with "Web 3.0/The Semantic Web" web3 proponents cite the advent of a next generation decentralized Internet built on top of encryption and blockchain technologies. This talk will provide an introduction to some key concepts, discuss ways in which they are being investigated in libraries, and offer some hot takes as to whether libraries should pay any attention to this much hyped development.

GVPL’s Healthy Communities portfolio frames the library as an information hub for key health issues that impact our communities. Mental health, particularly for caregivers and children, has been one of the key health issues throughout the pandemic that our patrons have struggled with. In this lightning talk, hear about three recent displays at GVPL’s Central branch that were designed in response to community need for mental health resources during challenging times. We’ l l tell you how the displays came together, what themes and library resources were highlighted, and how the displays were received by our patrons.

In re-imagining services, the Legislative Library and Parliamentary Education Office collaborated on virtual learning programs during the pandemic. The Parliamentary Education Office had successfully pivoted some programing to on-line but there were some service gaps. For the Library, public virtual programming was a new experience. Both departments benefited from the collaboration. The Parliamentary Education Office connected with the public when the Assembly was closed to visitors, the Library gained new exposure, and both departments learned about each other.

If you have been wanting to design posters, brochures, and other documents, but haven't had the time to learn advanced software, this workshop might be your answer. Canva is a free, browser-based layout software loaded with pre-designed templates for creating items such as posters, tri-fold brochures, business cards, flyers, newsletters, slideshow presentations, etc. You can also start with a blank document and build from scratch. It’s linked to free image libraries such as Pexels and Pixabay, or you can upload your own images and logos, or images you’ve downloaded from places such as Unsplash. Your designs are auto-saved, and can be shared with others to collaborate on as a team. This workshop covers: Attendees can apply the skills learned in this workshop to the other layouts available on Canva.
Workshop Recording:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d0qAwCh_JJdsyTLcDkyinuF4jzci-rlj/view?usp=sharing

Through the Community Scholars Program, staff and volunteers in BC-based community organizations have unprecedented access to paywalled academic content from participating publishers, together with supporting services of librarians. In this session we reflect on how the Program supports non-profit organizations that promote inclusion and make measurable contributions to social and economic wellbeing, fostering healthy and resilient communities across Vancouver Island and BC. We explore how this occurs through providing access to paywalled academic content, and also through supporting communities of practice, and offering expert advice and services related to scholarly information.