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2021 WLA Programs

Click the buttons below to jump to various types of virtual sessions. When our conference app goes live, you will be able to search and filter sessions to build your own agenda. Program descriptions will be subject to change.

Live Sessions
On-Demand
Lightning Talks

 

Live Sessions

Friday, October 1

Speed Networking Icebreaker | 9:00–10:00 am
Make new connections with other conference attendees over your morning beverage of choice! Join Vice President/President-Elect Ahniwa Ferrari for this fun, informal networking event to open programming for the 2021 WLA Conference. You'll be paired off randomly in Zoom breakout rooms for short one-on-one conversations with other attendees to share your answers to all kinds of icebreakers, ranging from your conference plans, to your favorite sandwich, to your latest recommended read!

Trauma-Responsive Tools for Serving the Public | 10:15–11:30 am
Have you ever lost your cool when working with or confronted by a challenging patron? Understanding toxic stress and trauma and how they impact behavior is critical for working with the public. Especially in a public library setting where the people served are often impacted by trauma, and may be marginalized and underserved members of society. In this interactive session we will explore the brain science behind trauma and how it impacts human development and behavior, examine our own ability to manage stress as it relates to working with the public, and learn tools to foster our own resilience and build positive relationships with those served in our libraries.

Mary Power, Marketing & Communications Manager, Sound Discipline
Stacy Lappin, Director of Program, Sound Discipline

Misinformation Escape Room | 10:15–11:30 am
An investigative journalist suspiciously vanished last night, and the last thing they did was hand their laptop over to their trusted librarian. After opening the laptop and seeing the contents, the librarian grew alarmed and called you all in to help. The librarian knew the journalist was doing research on the company that makes Euphorigen, a mood-enhancing supplement. Now the government is about to sign a contract to put Euphorigen in the public water supply for everyone to enjoy its benefits. But you have suspicions, and only 45 minutes to uncover the truth! The Euphorigen Investigation is an online escape room that immerses players in a world of manipulated media, social media bots, deepfakes, and other forms of deception. Our goal is to create an active learning environment around misinformation using the experiential format of an escape room. We are especially interested in the emotional and psychological dimensions of misinformation, areas that are often missing from other misinformation educational programs.

Chris Coward, Senior Principal Research Scientist, University of Washington

Nonhierarchical Mentoring to Disrupt the System! Creating Communities of Solidarity within the Library | 2:30–3:15 pm
Increasingly, many organizations have created mentorship programs to provide early-career employees with support from longer-serving colleagues. There are many benefits to this model; however, it often comes with an implied or explicit power imbalance, which can preclude the possibility of both parties receiving and providing the most meaningful support. The presenters, who as pre-tenure faculty are in the minority among our library faculty group, have addressed this challenge by creating an intentional, nonhierarchical mentoring community for ourselves. We will discuss the applicability of this mentorship model for library workers in many situations and settings who might be disadvantaged by a top-down mentorship model.

Nicole Gustavsen, STEM Liaison Librarian, Gonzaga University
Shayna Pekala, Scholarly Communication Librarian, Gonzaga University
Anthony Tardiff, First-Year Experience Librarian, Gonzaga University

EDI Advocacy 101 |  2:30–3:15 pm
This panel discussion will feature leaders in equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts across multiple types of libraries: school, academic, public, and government libraries. Facilitated by Karmonda Pearson, Teacher Librarian with the Renton School District, the session will center the voices and perspectives of members of marginalized communities. Panelists will share strategies that have worked within their organizations, and, just as importantly, those which have not. Participants will bring their questions, with an opportunity to submit questions prior to the conference through an online form, and hear from each other about how to take our EDI commitments from words into action. Connections with colleagues across the state and across library types will support relationships that fuel growth, ideas, and action, to advocate for EDI principles and implement EDI initiatives in our libraries for the people we serve.

Shauntee Burns-Simpson, President of the Black Caucus of ALA (BCALA) and Manager, School Support and Outreach at the New York Public Library
Nichelle M. Hayes, Vice President/President-Elect of BCALA and leader for the Center for Black Literature and Culture (CBLC) at the Indianapolis Public Library
Jessica Koshi-Lum, Associate Dean of the Library at Renton Technical College (Washington)
Jo Anderson, Social Impact Coordinator (formerly Diversity Coordinator, prior to the formation of a new Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) at King County Library System (Washington)
Karmonda Pearson, Teacher Librarian, Renton School District (facilitator)

Academic Library Unconference | 3:30–4:30 pm
Join your colleagues for this open and unstructured discussion of topics relevant to the important work that academic libraries do, and where they're heading in the future. With a main facilitator helping to guide the process, session content will be decided on and delivered by the attendees. Join us to share your ideas, to participate in the conversation, or simply to absorb peer wisdom!

Caitlan Maxwell, Academic Library Division/ACRL-WA Vice Chair/Chair-Elect

Public Library Unconference | 3:30–4:30 pm
Public libraries have undergone tremendous change in the last two years. This conference session provides a space for public library staff to share ideas in an informal, participant-driven setting. It's an opportunity to share our challenges, successes, new experiences, and other viewpoints. This session will be facilitated by the Public Library Division leadership team and is open to everyone.   

Carol Ellison, Circulation Supervisor, Everett Public Library
Jannah Minnix, Librarian, Sno-Isle Libraries
Rickey Barnett, Librarian, Sno-Isle Libraries
Lisa Vos, Community Librarian, Libraries of Stevens County - Colville Public Library

BIPOC Happy Hour Meet-up | 6:00–7:00 pm
Connect with other BIPOC library professionals and advocates for open networking and discussion! To prioritize space for groups that are underrepresented in our profession, this meetup is open to those who identify as people of color and/or Indigenous.

Student Happy Hour Meet-up | 6:00–7:00 pm
Connect with your student colleagues for unstructured networking time!

Saturday, October 2

The Post-Pandemic Library: Blending Virtual & In-Person Services for Flexible Community Connection | 10:30–11:45 am
When the pandemic swept through the US, libraries may have closed their physical doors, but they did not close off connections with their communities. Libraries of all types pivoted rapidly to offer virtual services and programs. Now that buildings are reopening and restrictions relaxing, what will the future library look like? Which virtual services will you sustain? Which in-person services will you re-imagine? How will you collaborate with your community to meet their changing needs? How can the post-pandemic library become a more inclusive library? Building on numerous examples of the creative ways that libraries maintained community connections over the past year, we’ll workshop together to envision what comes next.  

Betha Gutsche, WebJunction Programs Manager, OCLC

Making Students Leaders in the Fight Against Misinformation | 10:30–11:45 am
Learn how to help your students become expert fact-checkers who can teach their families to discern fact from fiction by leading a MisinfoDay event at your school. See examples of past student-led MisinfoDay events and explore lesson plans and materials you can adapt to fit your community’s needs. All materials are created for a high school audience but can be adapted to other grades.

Liz Crouse, MisinfoDay Coordinator, University of Washington Center for an Informed Public
Shawn Lee, Social Studies Teacher, Seattle Public Schools

TikTok for Everyone: Social Media Outreach that Works | 1:30–2:15 pm
In charge of social media outreach for your library? Curious about TikTok but don’t know where to start? Learn the basics of what TikTok is, how it works, and how to have fun while reaching patrons like never before. An interactive workshop where we will help you brainstorm ideas for your very own TikTok account, this session is useful for folks from all types of libraries. Let us show you what you’ve been missing!

Robin Jeffrey, Circulation Supervisor, Olympic College

What's Your Library Story: Data Collection Glory | 1:30–2:15 pm
Are you looking for ways to amplify the beauty of your library? Does the word “advocating” leave you frustrated because you feel like you’ve tried everything?  Look no further! I will share a myriad of ways to build community and advocate for libraries, and you will leave with a plan. Together we will share best practices to build relationships, leverage staff support, and create community cheerleaders. Your data will speak for itself and we will find a way to use it and tell your story. The data collection we will be using to draft our "library stories" will include information about our students furthest from educational justice who most need a robust library service. Every advocacy step will be examined through a race and equity lens for purpose and impact.

TuesD Chambers, Teacher Librarian: Ballard High School, Seattle Public Schools

School Library Unconference | 3:00–4:00 pm
Join your colleagues for this open and unstructured discussion of topics relevant to the important work that school libraries do, and where they're heading in the future. With a main facilitator helping to guide the process, session content will be decided on and delivered by the attendees. Join us to share your ideas, to participate in the conversation, or simply to absorb peer wisdom!

Sarah Logan, School Library Division Chair

Special Library Unconference | 3:00–4:00 pm
Join your colleagues for this open and unstructured discussion of topics relevant to the important work that special libraries do, and where they're heading in the future. With a main facilitator helping to guide the process, session content will be decided on and delivered by the attendees. Join us to share your ideas, to participate in the conversation, or simply to absorb peer wisdom!

Laura Edmonston, Special Library Division Chair
Sara Peté, Special Library Division Vice Chair/Chair-Elect
Judy Pitchford, Special Library Division Secretary/Communications

LGBTQIA+ Happy Hour Meet-up | 6:00–7:00 pm
Connect with other LGBTQIA+ library professionals and advocates for open networking and discussion! To prioritize space for groups that are underrepresented in our profession, this meetup is open to those who identify LGBTQIA+.

Peer Mentoring Happy Hour Meet-up | 6:00–7:00 pm
Are you a student or library worker looking for guidance and professional connections? Join the Professional Development Committee for a Peer Mentor Happy Hour! Talk to your peers to share insights, bounce ideas off of each other, and make connections in the field.   

 

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Pre-Recorded

Every Color of the Rainbow: Analyzing & Expanding LGBTQIA+ Representation in Children’s Picture Book Collections
Librarians have become increasingly aware of the importance of representing marginalized communities in our book collections, and the key role that diversity audits can play in measuring that representation. This presentation shares our recent work to build a clear approach to assessing the breadth of LGBTQIA+ representation in recently published picture books. Our work examines the range of identities represented and the types of narratives being presented about LGBTQIA+ identities, building on categories initially developed by DiverseBookFinder. Come learn how to use our approach, including our freely accessible and searchable online list of categorized books, to conduct your own audit of your recent picture book buying.

James W. Rosenzweig, Education Librarian, Eastern Washington University
Alicia G. Vaandering, Student Success Librarian, University of Rhode Island

Advancing Income & Health Equity to Underserved Veterans Populations
Thousands of veterans in Washington fail to apply for life-altering benefits and pensions valued at millions of unclaimed dollars. Discover how your library is uniquely positioned to transform lives by becoming a hub for veterans’ services. Learn about the Veterans Connections Café Program, a library-hosted collaboration that integrates veteran-specific teleservices programming with coordinated case management supported by community members called Navigators. Participants will leave with ideas for identifying potential community partners, creating an efficient veteran-centric space within the library, integrating a teleservice program, meeting HIPPA compliance and security encryption standards, and developing protocols and practices.

Donald Lachman, Special Projects Coordinator , WestCareWA Foundation, WestCare WA/Washington Serves

This Might Get Weird: Cataloging During and After a Pandemic
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, two public library systems faced the challenge of keeping their staff safe, while continuing to receive, process and catalog new materials. Taking slightly different approaches, both libraries moved away from traditional cataloging practices that require staff on site with the book in hand and developed new remote cataloging workflows that used printed work slips and enabled staff to catalog from their homes while keeping new materials flowing out the door. Attendees will learn how an innovative approach to an old workflow puts new books in their customers' hands faster than ever before.

Jim McCluskey, Cataloging and Acquisitions Manager, Sno-Isle Libraries
Heather Kaufman, Senior Collection Management Librarian, Pierce County Library System

COVID-19 & the Frontline Public Library Worker: Can You Hear Us Now?
What started as a general survey regarding frontline worker experiences with their public library’s resumption of services following the spring lockdown of 2020 became a case study in a breakdown in communications between management and frontline staff at one of North America’s largest public library systems. Survey respondents described a range of feelings, perceptions, and assumptions regarding management’s concerns for their health and safety against the library’s goal of resuming public services. The results support a range of recommendations, surprisingly simple to implement, but powerful in their implications for strengthening bonds across the organization as we move towards a more equitable and inclusive workplace.

Siobhan Stevenson, Associate Professor, University of Toronto
Brandon Haynes, President, Toronto Public Library Workers Union, CUPE Local 4948, Toronto Public Library

Wordless Conversations: Using Wordless Picture Books to Promote Family Literacy Skills
Families that speak a heritage language at home are often left out of the school/home literacy loop. For migrant families, a variety of barriers beyond language differences may interfere with these literacy connections including time, access to materials, lack of experience with shared reading, low levels of educational attainment, or prescriptive curriculum that is not culturally responsive. However, the assets of the home environment--including heritage language use, inter-generational perspectives, contextualized discussions, opportunities for multiple sessions and a more intimate reading environment--invite deeper understanding of presented stories. Learn about a unique summer program in which 40 migrant families in rural Washington volunteered to teach their children at home under the direction of home visitors. Each week a wordless picture book was introduced in the heritage language using an interactive multi-media presentation that focused on a reading comprehension skill. This session will introduce the theory and design of the program and then engage participants in one of the modules as they experience wordless picture book reading and share their thoughts on broader application of the model for family literacy programming in both schools and public libraries.

Tiffany Coulson, Associate Director, Programming, Altera; Branch Librarian, NCW Libraries

Using Picture Books to have Courageous Conversations: One District's Experience Creating Discussion Protocols Around Diversity
Learn about one school district’s "Windows & Mirrors" project created to lay a foundation for conversations around equity and diversity. The project creates a curriculum of picture books that highlight diversity and encourage appreciation and respect for all people. The goal is to give classroom teachers a protocol for leading courageous conversations with students and to give students the vocabulary and understanding they need to engage in those conversations. Hear about how we created the program, how it’s going, and how you can implement a similar project in your library.

Sarah Logan, Teacher Librarian, Dorothy Fox Elementary Library/Camas School District
Lisa Greseth, Assistant Superintendent, Camas School District
Wendy Wick, 4th Grade Teacher, Dorothy Fox Elementary School/Camas School District

Get to Know Special Libraries
Most librarians are familiar with Special Libraries but do you know all the different types and what they do…and what they can do for you? Please join us for a panel of librarians from special libraries around Washington for a “virtual” tour of their collections and services and learn how special libraries can help YOUR customers, too. As part of their presentations, panelists will provide examples of best practices for effective partnerships with all types of libraries and take questions from audience members.

Laura Edmonston, Deputy Law Librarian, Special Libraries Division Chair, Washington State Law Library

Uniting to Create Change: One University’s Virtual Celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
With the rise of anti-Asian violence throughout the country during the pandemic, this year’s celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage month is especially significant. To fight against anti-Asian racism and stand in solidarity with our AAPI communities, one university’s AAPI Heritage Month Planning Committee has joined forces with cross-campus and community partners to host a wide variety of relevant virtual events that celebrate and offer educational opportunities surrounding AAPI histories, heritage, cultural diversity, contributions, and challenges that are historically underreported. These events include panel discussions, bystander anti-racism intervention, movie screenings, and cooking demonstrations. The presenters who are members of the AAPI Planning Committee will share their experiences with organizing and facilitating the events, as well as discussions regarding the sustainability of AAPI programming and its potential impact beyond AAPI Heritage Month.

Qing Stellwagen, Librarian for Diversity & Inclusion Studies and Economics, Eastern Washington University
Steven Bingo, Acting University Archivist, Eastern Washington University

Trauma-Responsive Tools for Serving the Public
Have you ever lost your cool when working with or confronted by a challenging patron? Understanding toxic stress and trauma and how they impact behavior is critical for working with the public. Especially in a public library setting where the people served are often impacted by trauma, and may be marginalized and underserved members of society. In this interactive session we will explore the brain science behind trauma and how it impacts human development and behavior, examine our own ability to manage stress as it relates to working with the public, and learn tools to foster our own resilience and build positive relationships with those served in our libraries.

Mary Power, Marketing & Communications Manager, Sound Discipline
Stacy Lappin, Director of Program, Sound Discipline

Overdue Action: Fine & Fee Policies in Washington State Academic Libraries
Learn how library fines are utilized in academic libraries throughout the state. Following a brief presentation, participants will engage in conversations about library fines as a function of carceral logic, including discussion on collective action methods for removing overdue fines in Washington state’s academic libraries. Library fines, as with all systems of punishment, disproportionately affect marginalized groups—specifically Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities and those with low socioeconomic status—creating ill will against libraries as a result. By discussing library fines as a system of inequity, we can begin to build a vision of transformative justice that not only removes fines but reconsiders all aspects of returning library materials. While geared towards academic library workers, anyone is welcome to participate, and a diversity of perspectives and experiences are welcome.

Carol Fisher, Collections & Technical Services Librarian, Washington State University, Vancouver
Sam Buechler, Student Success Library Faculty Resident, Washington State University, Vancouver
Mark Hasse, Circulation and Reserves Specialist, Washington State University, Vancouver

2022 Evergreen Teen Book Award Nominees: Book Talks & Beyond
The Evergreen Teen Book Award is the oldest (and only) teen readers' choice award in Washington. Meet the 2022 nominees in a super fast series of book talks that will provide information about each of the titles, interdisciplinary curricular connections, and suggestions for critical lens analysis for each. Learn about the "Eager Reader" opportunities for teens to have input into the 2023 title choices. Two lucky winners will walk away with a door prize.

Jodi Kruse, Evergreen Teen Book Award Chair, Evergreen Committee and Longview School District

Touting the Towner Nominees
Are you looking at promoting new nonfiction picture books in your library? You will be introduced to the ten 2022 Towner Award Nominees in this session with a focus on ways to introduce them to their target audience: seven through twelve-year-olds. Get strategies for lesson plans, story times, library displays, and text collections.   .

Lisa Steudel, Teacher Librarian, Katherine G. Johnson Elementary, Bethel School District
Tanja Scott, Teacher Librarian, Clover Park School District; Brandi Gates, Public Librarian, Pierce County Library

Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award 2022
Each year, Washington State’s K–3 students vote to select the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award (WCCPBA). Hear all about our amazing 2022 nominees, learn about the award, and discover how you can use the books, resources, and activities to engage your school library program.

Dave Sonnen, Teacher Librarian, WCCPBA Comm. Co-Chair, Sherwood Elementary, Edmonds School District
Paula Wittmann, Teacher-Librarian, WCCPBA Comm. Co-Chair, West Woodland Elementary, Seattle Public Schools
Stephanie Wilson, Teacher-Librarian, Mariner High School, Mukilteo School District
Kathy Wallace, Teacher-Librarian, Grass Lake Elementary, Kent School District
Amy Cook, Teacher-Librarian, Kennewick School District
Ryan Grant, Teacher-Librarian, Medical Lake School District
Charleen Lee, Teacher-Librarian, Bellevue School District
Alicia Rogers, Teacher-Librarian, Auburn School District
Monica Sands, Librarian, King County Library System
Charisse Tsukamoto, Teacher-Librarian, Renton School District
Sherry Loniewski, Teacher-Librarian, Camas School District

OTTER & Sasquatch Award Nominees for 2022
Committee members for the WLA OTTER and Sasquatch Book Awards will present the nominees for 2022. Discover 18 wonderful chapter books and novels for grades K–6, and hear how librarians in schools and public libraries around the state can use the lists to promote reading, inform purchasing, and engage their community.

Beth Bermani, Youth Services Librarian, Mount Vernon City Library
Caroline Kelley, Teacher-Librarian and Technology Integration Specialist, Carriage Crest Elementary Kent School District
Monica Hodges, Jefferson Elementary Librarian, Mount Vernon School District
Additional presenters TBD

Engaging Readers... at a Distance: Creating a Guest Reading Series in an Academic Library
Learn how academic librarians created a virtual space for informal learning, discussion, and social connection throughout the pandemic. Highline Reads was designed as a guest reader storytime for a college audience, with dedicated space for informal dialogue and discussion afterwards. Reflecting the college’s diverse population, event readers have included student cultural diaspora groups and multilingual staff and faculty. These Highline Reads events have provided the library with a valuable opportunity to develop new collaborative relationships across campus. Attend this session to gain insights into what worked (and what didn’t!) as we developed a new virtual outreach program.

Monica Twork, Reference Librarian, Highline College
Samantha Sermeno, Adjunct Reference Librarian, Highline College

Breaking Barriers through Technology Distribution During a Global Pandemic
Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) was nicknamed “Campus Zero” for possible coronavirus exposure. We had to react swiftly and without precedent to move operations online. One major impediment to this transition was student (and faculty/staff) access to technology. Administrators, Information Technology staff, and the library team came together quickly to develop pathways for technology purchase and distribution. This emergency situation showed us that it is possible to provide the necessary tools for all students to be successful and thus create a more equitable learning environment. Our process can serve as a model to other schools struggling with the digital divide. Participants will come away with possible funding options and processes for how to distribute technology equitably.

Greg Bem, Faculty Librarian, Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Katherine Kelley, Faculty Librarian, Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Cassandra Miller, Library Technician, Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Sue Wozniak, Faculty Librarian, Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Sally Heilstedt, Dean of Instruction - Engagement and Learning, Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Food Literacy at the Library: Growing Communities & Making Cultural Connections through Food
In this session, school and public library workers will gain ideas to engage readers and connect communities through programs and books about food. Leave with a reading list and programming ideas to use food as a way to discuss language arts, social studies and STEAM education.

Philip Lee, Publisher, READERS to EATERS (moderator)
Craig Seasholes, Librarian, Dearborn Park International Elementary School
Dr. Michelle H. Martin, Beverly Cleary Professor for Children and Youth Services, iSchool, University of Washington
June Jo Lee, Co-author, CHEF ROY CHOI AND THE STREET FOOD REMIX

Community Builder: The Dolly Parton Imagination Library
Learn how a public library system, friends group, and local United Way worked together to bring the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to our county in response to community need during the pandemic. These partnerships led to an outreach strategy that helped build community, support early literacy development, and increase visibility. Find out about current grassroots efforts to take the program state-wide and how your community can get involved. Walk away with the tools to run a cost estimation, ideas for potential partnerships and funders, and a road map of how to make it happen in your community.

Jennifer Knight, Youth Services Librarian, North Olympic Library System
Jennifer Lu'Becke, Youth Services Specialist, North Olympic Library System
Christy J. Smith, Chief Executive Officer, United Way of Clallam County
Pam Hunsaker, Regional Director, The Dollywood Foundation
Nora Briggs, Executive Director, Dollywood Foundation

InfoQuest: A New Twist on Information Literacy
InfoQuest is a game of challenging research questions designed to work with children’s curiosity, motivate them to learn more through active resource-based learning, and distinguish between types of resources. This program can be used in the classroom as well as the library. It can be used as part of a curriculum (e.g. Social Studies) or as a separate research tool. You can go as detailed as you want—even including citations—or as simple as you want. It helps students to learn how to USE the resources, as well as interesting trivia which may or may not be related to the classroom curriculum.   

Kimberly Rose, Teacher-Librarian, Brouillet Elementary (Puyallup School District)

Documenting Seattle’s Arts & Cultural Ecosystem: An Initiative Linking Student Research, Digital Projects & Community Benefit
Come discover the Seattle Arts Ecosystem Research Project (AERP), a multi-year initiative to gather, document, and analyze fifty years of the Seattle region’s arts and culture history. Close collaboration between a university library, arts leadership faculty, public library, and community advisors led to the creation of a publicly focused website linked to a repository of student research. The university library was a key partner, engaging in activities in the areas of instruction, research services, collection development, collaboration, archives, scholarly communication, and digital projects. Learn how to develop a program of supporting student research with community benefit and how to foster relationships between academic and community partners.

Felipe Anaya, Coordinator, Service Design and Assessment, Seattle University

"Break Out" of the Ordinary
Have you wondered how you can bring the fun and problem-solving of an escape room experience into your classroom or library? Get the how-tos for creating a highly-engaging escape room-style program to your space, including lesson plan ideas, how to go virtual/remote (if you want), best practices, and resources to take away. This session includes tips for school classrooms, school libraries, and public libraries!

Kimberly Rose, Teacher-Librarian, Brouillet Elementary (Puyallup School District)

Desettling the Dominant Colonizing Voice in Libraries
According to many Indigenous persons and scholars of Indigeneity, non-Indigenous people cannot decolonize, because we are the colonizers/settlers. So, then, what can supporters of Indigenous rights do? We can desettle or engage in processes hearing to make room for Indigenous voices. Then, we can work to challenge and deconstruct instances of what John P. Hopkins (Crow Creek Sioux) calls the dominant colonial voice. This presentation will begin with a short video interview with Hopkins about why settlers cannot decolonize, then we’ll delve into desettling library practices and policies, including a discussion of efforts we are making at our university library. Walk away with a better understanding of the concepts of desettling and indiginization and how they can inform library practices and policies.

Kael Moffat, Information Literacy Librarian, Saint Martin's University

Recapture & Rebuild Your Community Relationship Through the Library eBook Service
Learn how libraries of all sizes and types are using open source applications, such as SimplyE and The Library Project, to take back the patron lending experience and coordinate collection development strategies across libraries to serve a broader range of e-resources to their community. The Washington State Library has licensed this technology from LYRASIS, and this session will cover both the technology as well as how local libraries can augment local collection strategies and enhance the availability of local collections, authors, and more.

James English, Product Strategist, LYRASIS
Mike Buschman, LSTA Coordinator, Library Development, Washington State Library

Harnessing the Power of Communities, Conversations & Connections to Bridge the Digital Divide
COVID-19 clearly revealed the urgent need for digital upskilling. BIPOC, late-career adults, and immigrants are among the most disproportionately affected, with negative outcomes for health, education, employment, and general welfare. Northstar’s complete digital skills solution—assessment, online learning, curriculum, and certification— is licensed statewide and provides all Washingtonians, from urban to rural and regardless of resources, the opportunity to learn and be supported in their learning of basic digital skills. The challenge of reaching all those who need this resource is huge, demanding a bold, innovative approach: begin with mapping communities’ digital divide, then identifying community-based organizations and agencies already engaged—and often embedded—in these communities as equal participants. We reflect on the journey so far for libraries and partners of various sizes and situations and strategize where we go from here.   

Elizabeth Iaukea, Workforce Development Librarian, Washington State Library
Tami Masenhimer, Training Coordinator and Consultant, Washington State Library

Connect Your Community to Certification
Give your patrons and students a competitive advantage at school, in their jobs, and careers! Take advantage of the free resources provided by the Washington State Library that support earning over a dozen industry recognized certifications—it’s one of the easiest, most valuable services you can offer. Certification shows employers they’ve met a certain standard of competence, opening up more job opportunities, higher pay, job security, and even free college credits. No other state offers this opportunity—certifications that typically cost hundreds of dollars each are completely free! We’ll walk you through the set-up process, introduce you to the Learn, Practice, Certify roadmap, and showcase the tools available to support you and your patrons every step of the way.   

Elizabeth Iaukea, Workforce Development Librarian, Washington State Library

Impacting Libraries & Communities with New Resources: Discover What’s New with Statewide Database Licensing!
Join us to learn about the new resources available through the Statewide Database Licensing (SDL) project from the Washington State Library to support your work with students and patrons. We will feature content and tools from Gale and NewsBank to support outreach and impact in your schools and communities. We’ll discuss how to reach users in new ways and create opportunities for meaningful engagement with unique resources that support Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. We’ll also talk about other needs around supporting workforce development in your communities, partnering with other local and state agencies to increase awareness and maximize the use of library resources.  

Will Stuivenga, Cooperative Projects Manager, Library Development, Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, and presenters from NewsBank and Gale Cengage

Differentiation for Diverse, Globally Minded K–5 Students with Gale in Context: Elementary
Gale in Context: Elementary, a new statewide resource, is more than just a K-5 database. Learn how to leverage the database to enhance classroom differentiation and craft library and classroom lessons accessible to all students. Discover a wealth of multi-cultural resources ripe for student discovery, engaging all learners along the way.

Caitlin Bird, Education Consultant, GALE

Interactive eBooks for Differentiated Instruction & Diverse Populations
Read-Alongs/Interactive eBooks reach more types of learners and aid in comprehension better than just text alone. Our Read Along format feature for K–8 learners is a good place to start. Interactive eBooks can add on additional layers of differentiated instruction including multiple reading speeds, “white board” features, video clips, additional learning opportunities, and high interest/low reader fiction or nonfiction.

Jennifer Maydole, Education Consultant, Mackin Educational Resources

Reach Your Readers: Tips to Make the Most of Your Digital Collection
Join us to learn how to optimize your digital collection and keep your readers engaged with the latest content trends, app features, and tips for promoting your ebooks and audiobooks within your physical library. Learn about curation options like high-demand title management, equity tools including offline reading, and how you can maximize your budget and circulation by partnering with local schools.   

Rob Rando, Account Manager, OverDrive

 

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Lightning Talks (Pre-Recorded)

Neighborhood Book Exchanges: What’s Inside & How Did It All Get There?

If you browse a neighborhood book exchange, what titles are you going to find? Does the steward’s opinions and values show up in the book selection? We present results from an inventory of 42 Little Free Libraries in Seattle and interviews with their stewards. Participants will leave with a better understanding of how book exchanges interact with public libraries and stewards’ influence on the contents of their library.

Hanna Roseen, Branch Librarian, NCW Libraries
Andrew McKenna Foster, Product Specialist, Figshare

Accessibility of Electronic Resources: VPATS & Keyboard Testing
We will review current accessibility standards for the web and how they relate to subscribed electronic resources. We will look at Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs), learn how to find relevant information in the VPAT, and see examples that are helpful or not helpful. We will also discuss how to do your own keyboard testing on resources to get a sense of accessibility.

Hana Levay, Collection Assessment Librarian, University of Washington

Data Visualizations for Everybody: A Lesson on Accessibility
Ever wondered how to make your data visualizations appealing to everybody? Discover and learn the dos and don'ts of data visualization as it relates to accessibility. Effective data visualizations should be more than just something "pretty" for the select few; effective visualizations should be functional and accessible to everybody!

Nancy Shin, Outreach and Data Coordinator, UW HSL, NNLM Region 5

All-School Reads as Community Builders
Would you like to coordinate an all-school read for your school community? Hear one school librarian’s successes and lessons with all-school reads during the 2020-21 school year. Leave with ideas to bring a similar program to your community.

Sarah Logan, Teacher Librarian, Dorothy Fox Elementary Library/Camas School District

Decentralizing Social Media: How Libraries Can Destroy Facebook
Learn how libraries could destroy Facebook by working cooperatively to scale and connect decentralized networks, and build a social media platform that could take over the world.

Ahniwa Ferrari, Associate Dean of Bringing Board Games to the Party, The Evergreen State College