Alberta Library Conference

A library pen or coffee mug is a nice token of appreciation, but won't pay the bills for a visiting author or for the library. In this session, we will discuss how and why to cover costs for literary events without using up the artist’s goodwill or library budget. We will explore when and why to fund author events, how to estimate costs, and review relevant grants and their application processes.
Learning objectives:

• Understand when and why to fund author events and estimate costs
• Become familiar with relevant grants and their application processes
• Come away with ideas to partner within your community or region.

Library and Student Services partners will share research results from 3 semesters worth of student surveys addressing the appeal of attending campus Long Night Against Procrastination events. Evidence of student motivations and learning is critical for the continuation of such unorthodox events, and points to a demand for supportive, collaborative work environments outside of regular service hours - even at 2am in bunny slippers.
Learning objectives:

• Consider the value of temporary learning communities
• Reflect how academic services can be offered in engaging, informal environments
• Engage in discussion about similar experiences

From a board game inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, to hilarious online challenges like #bookface, to Secret Agent missions designed to push the readers out of their comfort zone, St. Albert Public Library and Strathcona County Library are connecting adults and teens to great summer reading!
Learning objectives:

• The benefits of offering reading games to teen and adults
• Examples created around different themes
• Resources needed to develop/run a summer reading game and how to share programming resources

Coding is a foundational skill. Many schools are still not teaching computer science, and libraries have a key role to play in introducing people to these critical concepts in a fun, non-intimidating way.
Learning objectives:

• Discover high-quality free online resources for computer science education
• Learn about Calgary Public Library’s self-directed model for coding programs
• Understand the concepts of computational thinking and coding logic

Does your community need an Idea Lab? Absolutely! Using a new partnership model, Calgary Public Library designed a unique, innovation-focused space in our Central Library. An ‘Idea Lab’ is a space that embraces and facilitates idea generation through activities, tools, and technology.
Learning objectives:

• Understand the Idea Labs concept and ethos
• Know when an Idea Lab is appropriate for your library
• Learn how to get one started in your library

More than ever, the role of the library as a social hub is needed to fight social isolation. This session will provide an overview of this crisis, and examples of libraries using deliberate strategies to fight it. We will use structured small group discussions designed to create connection between the participants, and discuss ideas for enhancing the role of libraries as social hubs in every community.
Learning objectives:

• Greater understanding of social capital crisis
• Understand ways to create social connection through libraries
• Increased connection to fellow community librarians

This session aims to inspire dialogue around library policies and practices, in all library sectors, that support sexual and gender minorities. Session themes include the historic struggles of LGBTQ* minorities, rainbow terminology, LGBTQ* library information needs, library barriers, and access challenges for inclusive services and space. There is a powerful symbolic message in library services for LGBTQ* communities – there’s something for everyone at the library and power in the universal library message of inclusivity.
Learning objectives:

• Understand the histories and complexities of LGBTQ* minorities
• Understand rainbow terminology
• Understand historical barriers and access challenges for LGBTQ* communities
• Recognize the power of the universal library message of inclusivity

LegalAve.ca is a new free website that helps Albertans learn about their legal matters and how to resolve them. This session will go over the key features of LegalAve.ca that library staff can use to find legal information for their patrons without crossing the line into legal advice. Our approach to promoting the website provincially will be outlined, along with lessons learned.
Learning objectives:

• Find accurate, reliable legal information
• Explore features of LegalAve.ca designed for library staff
• Better serve diverse audiences, including Aboriginal people, immigrants, and low-income Albertans

Through 2015 and into 2016, Canadian academic libraries’ collections budgets were severely strained due to the steady decline of the CAD/USD exchange rate. We will present results of a survey carried out to determine the impact of the falling exchange rate on collections development and the means by which libraries are coping with new budgetary pressures. Input and discussion will be sought from attendees on the larger issue of open access and changing the scholarly communication model.
Learning objectives:

• The current budgetary landscape of Canadian libraries
• The impact of the exchange rate on serials collections
• Review possible solutions to the problem of rising costs for scholarly communications
• Discuss open access and alternatives to the publishing oligopoly

Publisher reps present their picks for the best new books of the Winter/Spring and Summer 2017 seasons. This session will be informative for collection development staff, readers’ advisory staff, and teacher librarians looking for new recommendations for schools.