Conferences are a brilliant time to explore things outside of your area- you can sit in on a session that catches your fancy or that you need a bit of brushing up on, and get that bit of training in without having to track down a webinar or other class and figure out how to fit in into your work schedule (or worse, convince your boss or administration that it needs to be put into your schedule). With conferences, you’re also guaranteed that they’re going to be engaging and interesting sessions, and you’ll have company and like-minded individuals with you. Below the break I’ve pulled together some of the (to me) most captivating sounding sessions at TLA.
TUESDAY
Truth Be Told: Front Line Stories on Dealing with the Public
4:00 – 4:50 pm
Assuring successful interactions with the public is an art. Hear and share examples from librarians and library support staff. Gain insights and tips on dealing with challenging situations, customers, and behaviors. Vote for the top three stories showcasing staff skills.
Library Support Staff Round Table.
WEDNESDAY
Preventing Acts of Violence in Libraries
10:15 – 11:20 am
While acts of violence seem unpredictable and random, the reality is that many situations build over time. A former FBI agent walks you through recognizing warning signs, using nonthreatening verbal and non-verbal techniques during confrontations, and implementing protocols to use when violence occurs.
Jeff Lanza, The Lanza Group.
Conference Program Committee.
Cool Jobs: 2015 Edition
10:15 – 11:50 am
A panel of librarians with atypical jobs will tell you where they are, what they are doing, and how they got there. Find and succeed at careers that build on your library and information science education.
Cheryl Feldman, City Manager’s Office, City of El Paso; Miguel Figueroa, Center for the Future of Libraries, American Library Association; Stan Gunn, Information Technology, Austin Community College; Beth Hallmark, Data Services, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts; Eric Lupfer, Grants & Education, Humanities Texas; Sarah Samson, AppleCare Content Services, Apple, Inc.
Special Libraries Division.
THURSDAY
Microaggression: It’s No Small Matter
9:00 – 9:50 am
Microaggressions are brief and common verbal and behavioral actions that may be hostile and lead to an unfriendly environment. This session explores this form of behavior in libraries and offers strategies for recognizing and addressing this phenomenon.
Jenny Brewer, Helen Hall Library; Paolo P. Gujilde, Zach S. Henderson Library, Georgia Southern University; and Dale K. McNeil, San Antonio Public Library.
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual , Transgender Round Table and College & University Libraries Division.
TED Talks in the Library
10:00 – 11:20 am
The TEDx (technology, entertainment, design) program sparks conversations on everything from politics to pollination. Hosting a TEDx event can broaden the definition of a library and support the move from “collection development to connection development”! Chrystie Hill, Community Relations, OCLC; and Phil Klein, Community Knowledge Works. Conference Program Committee.
Zoning Out at Lewisville PL: Adventures in Collection Reorganization
1:00 – 1:50 pm
Dreaming of ditching Dewey? Discover how the Lewisville Public Library kept Dewey but reorganized its DVD, fiction, and nonfiction collections to improve the user experience and increase circulation.
Kelly Brouillard and Cherie Kofoed, Lewisville Public Library.
Acquisitions & Collection Development Round Table.
FRIDAY
Libraries and South-by-Southwest
9:00 – 9:50 am
Library programs and services have a lot to offer SXSW Interactive and EDU audiences. A wide-ranging group of libraries and organizations, including TLA and other stakeholders, are showing that libraries are movers and shakers in the digital age. Learn about our growing presence in this high tech and education industry event. Find out how you can get involved. Carson Block, Carson Block Consulting, Inc.; Cindy Fisher, University of Texas at Austin; Martha Rossi, ESC Region 20; and Julie B. Todaro, Austin Community College.
Conference Program Committee.
Emotional Intelligence on the Job
10:00 – 11:20 am
Working with the public demands well-developed social interaction skills. Emotional intelligence training offers guidance in examining our reactions and those of others to help us listen and respond with empathy and strength-no matter the situation.
Margaret A. Johnson, Ideal Training, Inc. Public Libraries Division and Library Support Staff Round Table.
Remember that every session that you attend can count for training (that’s what the CPE/SBEC/TSLAC numbers at the top of the description in the program mean). Once the conference is over, there should be a link on the association website to fill out which sessions you attended so you can get credit for your sessions.
If you’re like me and arriving mid-day in Austin, TLA has already provided a printable Pocket Program that has the room numbers on their site.