Library Programs

During the 2018 VILSC Conference we presented on the topic of participatory culture in libraries and used the Greater Victoria Public Library’s DigiLab programming as a successful example of participatory culture and community-led programming. Some of the feedback we received during that session was that what we were doing sounded great, but why was it only for teens?
We took that feedback and ran with it, creating a programming series entitled Welcome to the Future that features newer technologies than our traditional adult technology programming offered. Our VR programming for teens had been so successful that we tried to use the same model of programming for adults, and, through feedback from patrons, learned very quickly that that particular model did not work for them. We have since taken the patron feedback and recreated our VR programming for adults to better reflect how and what they want to learn about VR in programming, and we plan to share what we have learned in this session.

Bring your rainbow flags and glitter, and come on out for Pride Month celebrations at the library. Learn how and why your library can participate, what others in the province are already doing, and about some of the resources available to support staff and community members alike. This session will begin with a very brief primer on terminology and etiquette for working with the LGBTQ+ community, context about Pride celebrations, and recent highlights from Alberta communities. Library-specific content will cover ideas for Pride month programs and community participation, and ways to ensure your library is welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community year-round through staff training, policies, facilities and programs. 

Southern Alberta libraries are partnering with health and wellness organizations in the province to bring rubber chickens, skating passes, camping equipment, roving gyms, bike repair stations, symphony tickets, walks in the woods, and much more to our communities. Find out how in this inspiring and entertaining session.
LISA WEEKES is Manager of Partnerships and Community Development for Chinook Arch Regional Library System, which consists of 33 member libraries across southwest Alberta. Physical literacy and lifelong active living are personal and professional passions that guide her regional program and project development. Having worked in the public library world for over 10 years, Lisa believes responsive library collections and programming place libraries in a powerful advocacy position for community development and growth. On the personal side, Lisa enjoys planning and undertaking family trips across Canada and beyond with her husband and two teen sons.
BARBARA LONGAIR is Manager of Public Services and Children’s Services at Lethbridge Public Library and is an active community advocate.

Let’s try it out – Robertson Library actively promotes the Library not only as a research and study environment, but also as a welcoming space for students to relax, engage, learn, and have fun! We offer various outreach events throughout the academic semesters – escape rooms; a stargazing evening; a PJ party; pop-up surprises and a stress free zone with games, crafts, and a photo-booth during the exam period; book, movie, and research talks in collaboration with various campus faculties and departments; Spooktacular tales; an Open Mic evening– to name a few. Discover which events were the most successful!
Learning Objectives:

• Gain new ideas for library outreach events
• Learn which outreach activities were successful and which were not
• Recognize the benefits of collaborative relationships with campus faculties and departments

Intergenerational programs can be used in our communities to break down stereotypes and develop mutual support. Learn how Edmonton Public Library’s Then and Now project brings seniors and teens together with the help of Then and Now Kits, identify strategies and challenges of the project and discuss way to adapt current programs to be more intergenerational.

The Long Night Against Procrastination is a well-established and successful event running overnight at the University of Manitoba’s Elizabeth Dafoe Library biannually. To encourage better study and lifestyle habits, in the fall of 2017 the event was reimagined and rebranded into a four night evenings-only event at both Elizabeth Dafoe Library and the Sciences and Technology Library. We surveyed students at the event to discover whether or not students like and benefit from the change in programming and event offerings at end of semesters in the University of Manitoba Libraries. In this presentation, we share a program description and survey results.

A library podcast? What’s that?! Libraries are always striving to reach their audiences wherever their audiences may be. Podcasts can be a part of a library’s social media strategy in reaching a wider audience. Podcasts can be downloaded or streamed at any time, making them great companions for daily commutes, housework and exercise. At WPL we decided to start a monthly “book club” podcast called 'Time to Read', in which four hosts discuss a book each month, and answer questions from our library community. At the Manitoba Libraries Conference, recorded our first “Live” podcast in front of the MLC audience. We discuss the history of our podcast, including some of the challenges we faced starting a podcast. We also leave time for questions from the audience.

In this session, we’ll look at the ways ingrained Ableism affects our outlook, equipment, and our service to patrons. Focus will be on practical advice to address these concerns, in order to provide better service and a happier workplace.
Learning Objectives:

• Identify how the medical model of disability is pervasive and affects our service negatively
• Understand the Social Model of Disability
• Apply the Social Model to improve service to patrons

This is a copy of the presentation 'Breaking Down Barriers: On-Reserve Programs and Services for Indigenous Communities.' This presentation was given by Alexandria Daum (Parkland County Libraries), Allison Stewart (Stony Plain Public Library), and Britney Robinson (Spruce Grove Public Library) at the 2018 Alberta Library Conference in Jasper, AB. This presentation is about the work these three libraries have been doing in partnership with Paul First Nation to provide programs and services on-reserve. It covers strategies for building relationships, examples of programs and services, and the importance of partnerships in this type of work.