WALE Conference 2002: The Key to Discovery

Program Descriptions

Thursday Evening Keynote Speaker:

Stella Cameron is the New York Times/USA Today/Washington Post bestselling, award-winning author of sixty historical and contemporary novels and novellas. Stella has won the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense and Best Romantic Suspense of the Year Award. She has been a RITA finalist, and is the recipient of the Pacific Northwest Writers' Association Achievement Award for distinguished professional achievement and for enhancing the stature of the Northwest literary community.

Friday Evening Keynote Speaker:

Friday am Keynote Speaker:

Not just annoying people, but darkly seductive. Emotional vampires draw you in with charm, beauty, talent, and pulse-pounding excitement. Then they drain you - not of blood, but of every last drop of emotional energy. To protect yourself from children of the night, you must understand what personality disorders are, and how the operate. With checklists, examples, humor, and detailed step-by-step instructions, Dr. Bernstein will tell you all you need to know to save yourself from a tremendous pain in the neck.

Al Bernstein, Ph.D., is the best-selling author of many books, including Emotional Vampires (2000), Neanderthals at Work (1992) and Dinosaur Brains (1989). A clinical psychologist, speaker, columnist, and business consultant, Dr. Bernstein is well known for teaching people to confront difficult and frightening situations with wit, wisdom, grace, and liberal doses of humor.

Friday Breakout Session #1:

For some bizarre reason, the public's perception of library work hasn't changed much since the days when a monk silently copied manuscripts by hand, while humming Gregorian chants! Someone will invariable say, "Wow! You lucky dog! You get to work someplace quiet and even get paid to read books!" Outsiders are unaware of the fact that this work-- in libraries of all types and sizes, both rural & urban-often leaves library staff vulnerable to difficult and inappropriate behaviors by "problem patrons." In this workshop, will share "war stories" with humor, offer practical advice, talk about expectations, and swap coping strategies.

Sara Behrman is a freelance writer and consultant with 20 years of experience working in libraries. Her background as a former director of a library cooperative, community librarian, coordinator of young adult services, and as an adult, reference, young adult, and children's librarian, enables her to tap a wide range of experience and expertise.

Learn how to understand and recognize the predictable stages of change and transition, as well as strategies that can help you deal with the stress related to change in a positive way.

Barbara Robinette is a certified counselor in Washington and Oregon and has a background in the broadcast industry as well. She has been working with organizations since 1985, helping them improve human effectiveness on the job.

What could be more fun than sleeping in a place where "you're not supposed to"? Staff from the Evergreen Branch Library in Everett will share their experiences from their Library Sleep-over. Included will be slides and photographs, samples of crafts projects, and they will answer questions that people have about this fun programming idea!

In this first session, you will hear about some web myths, tools for using search engines and directories, and get some resources for learning about and keeping up with the web.

Donna L Cohen, MLIS, M.Ed., Information Specialist, is the principal of d. l. cohen information services. She has worked in special, academic, and public libraries and has taught all levels, including adults. Experience in the new information economy and continuing professional development gives Donna the wide background and outlook to match the challenge of being an Information Specialist.

In July 2002, OCLC introduced a new cataloging interface for libraries. At the same time, existing options continue to be supported, and Passport will soon cease to be supported. This session presents a brief overview of the new interface and the existing options--their features and how they best fit with libraries. It also covers the plan for a single, integrated cataloging system and the migration strategy for cataloging services in the next three years.

Friday Lunch Keynote Speaker:

We are often so caught up in the busyness of our lives that we fail to take stock, to check on "how we're doing with this life we've been given." Explore ways to look inward and discover - or reaffirm - the work and/or service that gives you the most joy.

Amory Peck is the owner of the consulting business The Next Step. She has 25 years experience in conducting workshops and seminars throughout the U.S. and Canada. She is the chairperson of the Whatcom County Library System Board of Trustees and brings an understanding of libraries and library staff to her presentations.

Friday Breakout Session #2:

Does incomprehensible technical jargon make your eyes glaze over? Does it seem like your IT department is speaking in another language? In the weird and wacky world of "library technology" presenter Sara Behrman (playing the role of Professor Techno-Babble, a mix of characters emulating Bill Nye the Science Guy, Soupy Sales, and Mr. Rogers) will offer an irreverent look at the impact of technology in libraries today and help you understand what those IT people are talking about!

Sara Behrman is a freelance writer and consultant with 20 years of experience working in libraries. Her background as a former director of a library cooperative, community librarian, coordinator of young adult services, and as an adult, reference, young adult, and children's librarian, enables her to tap a wide range of experience and expertise.

We all know the benefits of using volunteers at the library. But once you have them, how do you get them to stay? Learn some strategies & ideas on what you can do to keep them coming back time and time again.

Sherry Braga is the Volunteer Coordinator for the Fort Vancouver Regional Library System. She is also the chair of the Directors of Volunteer Programs Association, the Vancouver, WA affiliate of the national group the AVA (Association for Volunteer Administration).

Teens are important library customers, but how do you get them in the door? Food is not the only answer. Creating cool programs, including outreach events, will entice young adults into your library to boost your circulation. This session will give you ideas on how to plan and deliver both traditional and outside-the-box programs.

Trish Segal is the Coordinator of Young Adult Services for the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District and is also an ALA YALSA Serving the Underserved Trainer. Heidi Weisel a Youth Services Librarian at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library and is also the current President of the Oregon Young Adult Network (OYAN), a division of the Oregon Library Association.

In this second session, you will learn about the Invisible Web and how to find information on special search engines and directories, including government information and proprietary databases. Attendance at Part I is not required to attend Part II.

Donna L Cohen, MLIS, M.Ed., Information Specialist, is the principal of d. l. cohen information services. She has worked in special, academic, and public libraries and has taught all levels, including adults. Experience in the new information economy and continuing professional development gives Donna the wide background and outlook to match the challenge of being an Information Specialist.

In this first part of our intellectual freedom series, learn the history behind intellectual freedom. Our presenter will talk about the concept of "liberty" and the documents and events that have shaped our history. She will then discuss the ALA and their involvement in intellectual freedom issues.

Presenter Catherine Lord has been working in libraries all her life, starting at age 16. She is currently the Staff Development Coordinator for the King County Library System. She is a member of ALA, the WLA Intellectual Freedom Committee, and the ACLU. She has presented workshops on Intellectual Freedom at King County Library System and Kitsap Regional Library and is also a founding member and active participant of Washington Library Trainers Group.

Friday Breakout Session #3

A serendipitous look (through photos and discussion) at bookstores, libraries, and readers by a librarian attending the 75th anniversary conference of IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations) in Glasgow, Scotland in August 2002 and traveling in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

Linda Lambert is the Associate Director of the Whatcom County Library. She is a former Washington State Library Commissioner and a participant in the Governor's and White House Conference on Libraries in 1991. Before becoming a librarian, she worked in support staff positions in circulation & acquisitions at several libraries.

As library types, we have a tendency to sit in front of the computer for such prolonged periods of time we get stiff and groggy. This session will show different ways to relieve stress and touch base on different mind-body tricks that will help anyone that works seated for long periods of time.

Karen Eddy has worked at the Blue Mountain Community College Library in Pendleton, Oregon for nine years as the acquisition/ILL person. Before that, she was the library assistant at a high school library for nine years. She has also been a fitness instructor for the past thirteen years.

A Reader's Advisory primer on the art of conversing about books. Attendees will understand how to think and talk about books, and find out about some great reader's advisory resources.

Sharon Stack is the Camas Public Library Assistant Director. She is the facilitator for two books discussion groups in Camas, WA.

If you are interested in finding out about more resources for finding information on businesses, this is the session for you. Presented will be sources for finding information on businesses and industries, both in print and on the Internet.

Hazel Cameron is the Librarian for Accounting, Economics, FDMS, and Management at the Wilson Library at Western Washington University. Hazel has an MBA and has been a business specialist for industry and universities for over 20 years.

In this second part of our intellectual freedom sessions, Catherine will share some strategies to help you deal with intellectual freedom challenges. Learn how to keep from being emotionally involved in the situation and help get these challenges resolved.

Presenter Catherine Lord has been working in libraries all her life, starting at age 16. She is currently the Staff Development Coordinator for the King County Library System. She is a member of ALA, the WLA Intellectual Freedom Committee, and the ACLU. She has presented workshops on Intellectual Freedom at King County Library System and Kitsap Regional Library and is also a founding member and active participant of Washington Library Trainers Group.

Friday Evening Entertainment:

Local Irish ceili band Pangur Ban will entertain us with some melodious Celtic tunes. Alyson Williams of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann of Vancouver, WA (a branch chapter of an international organization which promotes the traditional music, dance and language of Ireland) will be teaching us some Celtic dancing as well. Come to kick up your heels or just enjoy the music.

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