Tending the Garden of your Mind: Sensory Blankets an Approach to Dementia | 8:30-10:30 | Room: Cutter
Sensory blankets provide sensory and tactile stimulation for restless hands of someone with Alzheimer's, Dementia, those on the spectrum and other cognitive disabilities. Sensory blankets have been proven to calm stress, anxiety, prevent adverse behavior and other benefits. Those in attendance will learn how to create a sensory blanket on a shoestring budget along with holding a Dementia 101 Series. Speaker: Wenona Phillips
Get Growing: Sow Your Library Events Smartly for Next-Level Participation! | 8:30-10:30 | Room: Clipper
In the Fall of 2023, the Loyola Notre Dame Library held Fall Fest, its largest student-centered event in history. Join Assistant Director of Research & Technology Services, Amanda Kramer, and Access Services Librarian, Mallory Walker, as they walk you through how to supercharge your events through strategic planning, partnerships, intentional communication, and staff engagement. Attendees will walk away with planning templates as well as a Fall Fest-inspired bookend painting craft. Put on those garden gloves and get ready to grow! Speakers: Amanda Kramer, Mallory Walker
Cultivate and Grow your Library Programming and Outreach with Census Data | 8:30-10:30 | Room: Windjammer
Census data provides an understanding of community needs and can increase the effectiveness of a library’s programs, collections and outreach with data-informed decision making. This collaborative workshop will show users how to access Census data and tools to better work for their community’s well-being. Participants will explore local populations by looking at various demographic data for short and long-term community library planning. Stacie Cochran-McNeal, Data Dissemination Specialist, and Carl Olson, Librarian for Government Information at Towson University, will guide users in the use of Census Data to grow your library outreach into a Community Garden of resources and engagement. Speakers: Stacie Cochran-McNeal, Carl Olson
Growing an Equity-Based Summer | 8:30-10:30 | Room: Galleon
This session’s content and focus about the Building Equity Based Summers (BEBS) national IMLS project, in which Maryland is a piloting state, reinforces the priority work happening in MD libraries surrounding equity. Exploring the four key topics of BEBS enables library staff to view their summer services through fresh eyes to intentionally ponder if greater equity might be achieved in reaching systemically-marginalized populations in their communities. The BEBS learning processes and activities presented are available for all library systems to implement in their summer services planning, regardless of involvement in the IMLS BEBS project as a Maryland piloting library. Speakers: Carrie Sanders, Michelle McConville, Stevia Morales
Reap What You Sow: Library Acquisitions and Open Access Transformation | 8:30-9:30 | Room: Schooner A
Dive into the evolving landscape of open access and transformative agreements in the realm of library acquisitions. This discussion group offers a platform for librarians and information professionals to exchange insights, strategies, and experiences regarding the adoption of open access models and transformative agreements. Explore the latest trends, challenges, and best practices in navigating the transition from traditional subscription-based models to more open and sustainable approaches. Join us in an engaging dialogue that delves into the potential benefits and hurdles associated with these transformative changes, fostering a deeper understanding of their impact on academic and research libraries. Speaker: Alex Dodd
Ready Now: Preparing to Support Youth and Families in Times of Crisis | 8:30-9:30 | Room: Skipjack
What does it mean to be ready to work with youth, families, and communities before, during and after crises? In this discussion session we will focus on preparing, supporting, and reimagining services for youth, families, and your library’s local community. You will talk with colleagues and take a deep dive into effective strategies for learning, co-creating, iterating, and re-envisioning library services while working alongside community members. Designing services together is essential to ensure community needs and expectations are met. Get started in this session by engaging with the IMLS-funded Ready Now initiative. Speakers: Mega Subramaniam, Linda Braun, Nitzan Koren
Shake It Off: Belly Dance for Stress-Relief and Wellness | 8:30-9:30 | Room: Regatta Pavilion
Belly Dance is an ancient art form, but it is timeless in its health and wellness benefits. I will introduce Belly Dance as a wellness modality and means of self-care. Conferences are rigorous, and a movement and/or wellness offering is essential for an optimal experience. Additionally, I will share movements that participants can take home with them to enhance their exercise routine and manage stress. Speaker: Kri Lalita Wiant
Legislative Update | 8:30-9:30 | Room: Chesapeake E
Grow your knowledge of the legislation, successes and challenges during the Maryland legislative session and at the federal level. You will leave this session with the seeds needed to be an informed library advocate. Speaker: Andrea Berstler
Planting the Seeds for the Future: Library Information Resources Training (LIST) | 8:30-9:30 | Room: Chesapeake F
The Library Information Resources Training (LIST) is Harford County Public Library’s onboarding and training program for new reference staff. Inspired by the Library Associate Training Institute, LIST is a comprehensive training program that provides a foundation of library reference service including customer service, HCPL’s policies and procedures, resources and more. This standardized training and onboarding is provided to all new reference staff regardless of background or position, ensuring that all staff start on an equal footing and are equally prepared to succeed at HCPL. Speakers: Julie Parsons, Amanda Hughes
Legislative Update: Growing Your Library Advocacy Toolkit | 9:45-10:45 | Room: Skipjack
Library advocacy is critical for ensuring that libraries can continue to do their important work. Cultivate your understanding of the basics of library advocacy, awareness of tools and resources and how you can take action. Whether you are new to advocacy or have an advocate’s green thumb, you will leave this session with a full toolkit and ready to take action for libraries! Speakers: Andrea Berstler, Natalie Edington
Supporting Immigrant Youth’s Civic Engagement | 9:45-10:45 | Room: Chesapeake E
Immigrant youth bring different cultures and perspectives to civic life in the U.S. and can benefit from learning opportunities outside of school, especially in libraries, spaces they seldom engage with. This presentation will share findings from a participatory study with immigrant youth, library, and after-school educators to support immigrant youth as they identify ways to civically engage and learn to combat mis/disinformation and fake news. I will highlight the perspectives of youth, including the support they indicated they need from staff, their interests, and how they wish to participate and develop literacy to examine digital information and respond critically.
Democracy & Me: A Year Long Growing Guide | 9:45-10:45 | Room: Schooner A
Democracy is strongest when every voice is heard. This workshop will give the tools you need to dig into democracy and citizenship. Join us to create your own clever, interactive, intergenerational growing guide filled with history, literature, events and hands-on activities. Pick what works for you and your library and plant the seeds of democracy in your community.
AI in Selection and Cataloging | 9:45-10:45 | Room: Chesapeake F
Artificial Intelligence is creeping into all aspects of library life, including behind the scenes. At this session, you'll learn some background of AI, how it may impact copyright, current scams that may be seen while selecting/cataloging, as well as some things to keep in mind while talking with vendors.
Growing With Your Community | 9:45-10:45 | Room: Chesapeake G
Our two presenters will each share their experience in creating community gardens. From the small to large, growing plants and veggies can be a great way to engage with your communities and give back what you grow to support them.
Graphic Medicine: Planting the Seeds for Health Literacy | 10-11 | Room: Skipjack
Graphic medicine is the intersection of health and wellness with comic books. It is an innovative way to process and understand health information as well as to promote empathy and understanding regarding chronic health conditions. The DHSS Library is the first library in Delaware to house a Graphic Medicine collection, which includes graphic novels, memoirs, and illustrated texts related to healthcare, wellness, and social issues. The DHSS Librarians will provide an overview of graphic medicine, explain the ways graphic medicine promotes health literacy, review how to start a collection at your library, and help you illustrate your own health experience. Don’t miss out on this great way to “plant the seeds” for patron health literacy.
Early-Career Librarians Branch Out: Reflections from the First Year | 10-11 | Room: Cutter
Three early-career librarians share their experiences entering the world of academic librarianship and how new staff members can invigorate a library. All three presenters came from the same MLIS program at University of Maryland, College Park, and will reflect on how their shared educational experiences helped them hit the ground running in their new positions. During this session, the presenters will discuss how they diverged beyond their shared MLIS background, their unique onboarding processes, impressions of transitioning from students to professionals, and recommendations for welcoming new librarians and staff to your library. We welcome any fellow early-career librarians and anyone planning or thinking about hiring new staff members or who are in the onboarding process!
Keep Your Children’s Section Evergreen | 10-11 | Room: Chesapeake E
Have an awkward or small layout for your children’s section? Join us as we talk about the Ocean City Library’s journey of utilizing furniture, flow, toys, and activities to unlock the potential of our children’s section and increase patron satisfaction. We will provide tips on how to get families and children to stay in your children’s section longer and have a better time.
Access Amplified: Navigating Maryland's Statewide Interlibrary Loan and Delivery Network | 10-11 | Room: Chesapeake F
Elevate customer access and transform your library's impact with insights from Maryland's interlibrary loan program! Join the team behind the Maryland Interlibrary Loan Organization (MILO) as they unravel the secrets of the state's unique resource sharing and delivery network. Explore the power of Marina, our resource-sharing software, and gain an in-depth understanding of our seamless statewide delivery network. Discover how our innovative approach enhances accessibility for patrons and optimizes resource sharing. Walk away with actionable strategies to amplify customer access to statewide resources right from your library.
We Sow, You Reap: Gathering a Bounty of Legal Information | 10-11 | Room: Schooner A
Are you asked for information about a legal situation and don’t know what to reach for, or feel unsure if you’re providing useful and reliable material? With the growth of material from the Maryland Courts and State Law Library, there are more resources than ever before to support your legal reference interactions. This session will provide demonstrations of resources from the Maryland Judiciary, including Court Help pages, People’s Law Library content, and Frontlines Legal Reference for Public Library trainings. Presenters will show you where you can access or order helpful materials, from articles to tip sheets to videos and more. Materials will be available for learners to take home.
Cultivating Access Through Assistive Technology | 10-11 | Room: Chesapeake G
Learn about different types of assistive technology and how they are used by people with disabilities. Discover software for screen reading and screen enlargement, built-in accessibility features of computers, and other assistive devices, available at your library and beyond.
Cultivating Romance Readers’ Advisory for Adults and Teens | 10-11 | Room: Windjammer
Romance is a genre that is in high demand by library users, but still faces a lot of stigma. A lot of people, including library staff, do not want to admit that they read romance, and this can lead to incomplete readers' advisory interactions between staff and patrons. We will break down some of this stigma and help staff have more meaningful and successful romance readers' advisory. Our focus will be on both adult and teen readers since both age groups have interest in the romance genre but have very different needs.
Let's Talk About Stuff | 10-11 | Room: Clipper
The panelists will each discuss a new or exciting service happening at their system (for example-the gun safety locks at AACPL). Afterwards there is time for an open discussion in which attendees can share what’s happening in their libraries related to any area - circulation, technology, programming, new services, post COVID changes, supervising, etc. Attendees may submit any questions they have ahead of time so that they may be thrown out to the group at the end.
Fail With Purpose | 10-11 | Room: Galleon
The seeds we sow don't always make it to a full, beautiful plant. What do you do when you fail in trying to connect with teens? We will discuss what to do after the low attendance programs, the teen side-eye at your engagement, and the abysmal readers advisory. Come find some new ideas on picking up again and pushing forward to cultivate teen engagement!
Maryland State Library Agency/Delaware Division of Libraries State Update | 1:30-2:30 | Room: Skipjack A
The Maryland State Library Agency and The Delaware Division of Libraries will share updates about state programming and initiatives. Come hear what has been happening in Delaware and Maryland regarding STEM and Tech education programming, early childhood literacy and learning, staff development opportunities, capital projects, accessibility services, and much more.
"Show Me The Money": Financial Literacy for All Ages at the Public Library | 1:30-2:30 | Room: Chesapeake G
Modern public libraries have redefined themselves as trusted civic, cultural, social, and learning centers. Join staff from Lewes Public Library in Delaware to gain practical strategies for enhancing financial literacy education in the community your library serves. This session is designed for public librarians who are looking to educate and empower patrons of all ages to make great decisions about youth entrepreneurship, introduction to employment, managing finances, and retirement planning. Speakers: Rebecca Lowe, Jennifer Noonan
Live Two Sides 2 the Story Podcast with Ronald Malfi | 1:30-2:30 | Room: Schooner
Join the 2024 William G. Wilson Maryland Author Award winner, Ronald Malfi, for a live recording of the Two Sides 2 the Story podcast. Podcast hosts, and Maryland library lovers, Ted and Lory will talk to Ronald Malfi about his books, writing process, and the state of libraries. This will be an interactive session, so bring your questions!
Time Capsules: Preserving our Collective Memories | 1:30-2:30 | Room: Skipjack B
Time Capsules are created with the hope of sharing present experiences with future communities, and their interment and discovery are often of great community and local media interest. But whose responsibility is it to select, handle, or preserve the materials and how should this be done? Using the time capsules already discovered and processed as well as the one most recently created by Delaware State University and its archives, this presentation explores the role of time capsules in local history. Topics include: the types of time capsules institutions may work with; the idea of “collective memory” and how time capsules can shape future perceptions of the present; and some of the best practices and current literature available for those planning to exhume, process, and preserve a recently found capsule.
Abundance! Having So Many Identities at Work | 1:30-2:30 | Room: Chesapeake F
From book bans, and anti-trans and LGB legislation, to the dismantling of affirmative action and outlawing of CRT and DEI, living at the intersection of race, gender and sexual orientation isn’t easy. It can be difficult to serve the public while your core identities are fuel for the current culture wars. In this session we will create a shared space for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) staff to gather and talk about the reality of working in libraries while living at the intersection of race, gender and sexual orientation. We will explore several types of self-care for both home and the workplace. Speakers: Dr. Kelly Clark and Kinshasa Vargas-Pile
Are Kids Reading Less Or Is It Just Me? | 1:30-2:30 | Room: Clipper
Spoiler Alert: it's not just you. Maybe you've had a hunch that kids were reading less now, or at least reading fewer chapter books. Well, you're not wrong. Through charts, graphs, and a few laughs, we'll look at 10 years of circulation data to discover when students began reading less and why. We'll also look at several attempts to change this trend and what has been successful and what hasn't. This session is a must for anyone who worries about growing the next generation of readers and is ready to do something about it. Speaker: Marcus Zumwalt
Poster Sessions | 1:30 – 2:30 | Room: Boardroom
The MLA/DLA Poster Session returns, offering a platform to explore innovative projects, services, and research conducted by libraries in Maryland and Delaware. Don't miss this unique opportunity to uncover the latest library advancements in our region.
A Developing Community: Accessibility and Virtual Reality | 1:30-3:30 | Room: Chesapeake E
Virtual Reality (VR) has become a trending topic as talk about Web 3.0 and the metaverse became unavoidable in the last few years. However, despite the ambitions of technocrats to use this technology to change the way we socialize, shop, and live our lives, who does "we" include? Over the last 5 years, a steady community dedicated to examining and addressing VR's application to disabled users has grown. This session will start with a presentation that will introduce this community and its work and examine its applicability to libraries. The second hour will consist of a workshop that introduces auditing practices for these technologies. Speaker: Jasmine L. Clark
Proactive, Not Reactive: Effective Intellectual Freedom Advocacy. | 1:30-3:30 | Room: Cutter
Censorship is fueled by the desire of historically dominant social forces to reassert power over marginalized populations. As book challenges are on the upswing in the region — it is essential to understand both root causes and strategic responses to the growing reactionary movement attempting to seize control of our libraries and, ultimately, silence diverse voices. In this session, you will hear from an experienced public library CEO, a community-minded librarian, and an intellectual freedom scholar as they share the context for this culture war, emerging research, and practical strategies for protecting collections, library workers, and our communities. Speakers: Andrea Boothby-Rice
Book Buzz | 1:30-3:30 | Room: Galleon
Catch the “buzz” on new, upcoming and recently published titles! The Reader’s Advisory Interest Group will be presenting a diverse and enticing selection of fresh reads for library staff to add to their reader’s advisory toolbox. Speakers: Meg Faller, Monica McAbee
Building a Public Library Digital Equity Strategy from the Ground Up | 1:30-3:30 | Room: Windjammer
Faced with the familiar chicken-egg conundrum of tackling digital equity and teaching digital literacy to those who are least equipped for both, learn how BCPL combined old-fashioned outreach with emerging technology solutions to address the issues faced by branch customers. Also learn how we leveraged relationships with local and national like-minded NGOs and government partners to increase capacity without overburdening staff. Speakers: Alexandra Houff, Andrea Lowman
Tending the Garden: Supporting Staff Who Live at the Intersection of Identities | 3-4 | Room: Chesapeake F
Books, and by extension, libraries, have become a flashpoint in the culture wars. The most banned books are from Black and LGBTQ+ authors. Laws now ban DEI and CRT. Library leaders, managers, and colleagues are invited to consider what it means for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) staff, living at the intersections of race, gender, and sexual orientation, to bring their whole selves to work. What does it mean to truly foster a library culture of inclusion and belonging for all staff? Speakers: Dr. Kelly Clark and Kinshasa Vargas-Pile
It’s Thyme to Set Boundaries – For Managers | 3-4 | Room: Chesapeake G
It can be challenging to transition from being a team member to a team leader. Especially when you are juggling the needs of your department and the needs of your system. Learn how to utilize your newfound position in leadership to plant seeds of growth and effective change. While it can be difficult meeting varying expectations, through effective communication and boundaries, you, too, can be a successful middle manager! Speakers: Bridget Bloomer, Frank Dibeneditto
Concerts from the Library of Congress at 100: A Study in Sustainable Philanthropy and Engagement | 3-4 | Room: Clipper A/B
Learn best practices for establishing or growing programming and engagement initiatives through the sustainable public-private funding model of the "Concerts from the Library of Congress" series, which celebrates 100 years in 2024/2025. A program of the Library of Congress Music Division, the series was founded in 1925 by an act of Congress through the leadership and philanthropic support of Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge (1864-1953). Over the past 100 years, the series has been an important avenue for the Library of Congress to engage with the American and global public through radio broadcasts, digital media, commissioning of new works, and live events in Washington, DC. This presentation features speakers from the Music Division's leadership and the Office of the Librarian who will provide an overview of the history of the series, how its major supporters have cultivated a legacy of philanthropy, how the series has enriched the Library's collections, and how the Music Division leverages private funding to advance its mission. Attendees will also learn tactics for developing strategic institutional partnerships that strengthen engagement with specific cultural communities. Speaker: Nicholas A. Brown-Càceras
Freedom to Read - Legislation and First Amendment Discussion | 3-4 | Room: Schooner
This will be an open forum, led by the three panel members, on the impact of Freedom to Read Legislation, the First amendment and where libraries find themselves with the current status of banned books and censorship. Speakers: Andrea Berstler, Thomas Vose, Michael Blackwell
Destination or Hangout: Intentional Teen Programming | 3-4 | Room: Skipjack
Teen programming can be really tough. It isn't uncommon for a program that took weeks of preparation to have few attendees or a program with limited space to be absolutely swamped. This program will guide participants in thinking about goals, target audiences, and library resources to create programs best suited for our teen communities by posing a simple question. Are your teens looking for a destination or a hangout? Speaker: Jake Ciarapica
Collaborative Digital Discovery with DPLA | 4:15-5:15 | Room: Clipper C
In the age of ever-increasing importance of digital accessibility of collections, questions of digitization and aggregation remain as relevant as ever. The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) provides a rich platform for discovering digital collections at thousands of organizations across the United States, including in Maryland and Delaware. Hear how two DPLA hubs – Digital Maryland and the NJ/DE Digital Collective – can help people find and access your historical treasures. This session is intended for any cultural heritage workers in Maryland or Delaware who are interested in hearing about the hubs or potentially getting involved. It is also an opportunity for representatives at existing partner institutions to ask questions and make comments. Speakers: Michael L. Stewart, Lynn Hoffman, Megan Kean
Cultivating Lasting Connections Through An International Pen Pal Program | 4:15-5:15 | Room: Chesapeake E
In Spring 2022, Delaware embarked on a pen pal program with Wellington City Libraries. With over 530 patrons enrolled, and more are being added each month, patrons can explore a new culture, make friends, and revive the art of letter writing. We'll talk you through the process from the very beginning, and cover details such as matching pen pals, safety, patron feedback, and ways to incorporate other library programs. This session is great for any library staff member or volunteer who may be interested in setting up their own international pen pal program, regardless of experience level. Speakers: Robin Agar, Matthew Symes, Rachel Firestein-Noguera
Journey Through and Beyond the Fence: Assisting Incarcerated Individuals in the Reentry and Workforce Development Process | 4:15-5:15 | Room: Cutter
Learn about current library programs that assist incarcerated individuals in overcoming barriers to parole, reentry and employment. This session will highlight library programs in the Maryland prison system that encourage, teach and cultivate the skills needed for successful transition to the community and the world of work. Correctional libraries plant the seeds of hope and success among this underserved population so that they can and will have a successful life outside the prison walls. We will also explore some ways that public libraries can partner with correctional libraries to assist the formerly incarcerated to succeed in the workforce and to reduce recidivism. Speakers: June Brittingham, Anne Bocchini Kirsch
Farm to Patron: Talking about Food Insecurity in Rural Communities | 4:15-5:15 | Room: Schooner
This session will provide both traditional and non-traditional ideas on how libraries in rural communities can help patrons with food insecurity. It is intended for libraries in rural areas that see patrons facing issues securing food for themselves and their families. Speaker: Stacy Lane
Emerging Adult Programs: Fostering Patrons for the Future | 4:15-5:15 | Room:Galleon
Program design for emerging adults is a new and interesting area of librarianship that specifically targets a demographic of people who will ensure the future of libraries and their use. It is more pivotal than ever to discuss how our young folks are engaging with libraries via programming in order to build life long library users. Speaker: Emily Levine
Engaging Deaf and Hard of Hearing students with Bookcreator | 4:15-5:15 | Room: Chesapeake F
How do you engage DHH students in the media center when historically DHH students have a much lower reading comprehension level in English? This program will how to highlight how to encourage an authentic writing experience to compete in a Write-a-Book competition and allow students to interpret their original works in ASL. The lesson would also be applicable to ESOL teachers and for world language teachers. Speakers: Tammi Tatro, Dianna Yamada
Banned Books Week: Why Now? | 4:15-5:15 | Room: Skipjack
Salisbury University Libraries, in collaboration with Wicomico Public Library, held their second Banned Books Week event. Beginning with the question "Why now?", the diverse panel progressed to an inspirational discussion that offered hope and excitement for the future. Topics ranged from different kinds of libraries supporting each other to the necessity of speaking to the legislators to bring awareness. The discussion was enhanced by the active participation of students from a local high school. This panel will be recreated for the conference to hear and share in this important experience of bringing many voices to the IF discussion table. Panelists: Ashley Teagle, Allison Jennings-Roche, Dr. Erin Stutelberg, Emma Cohn
Moderator: Aurelio Giannitti
Genrefying your Public Library | 4:15-5:15 | Room: Clipper A/B
Increase patron browsing satisfaction and make use of difficult layouts by genrefying your library! This presentation is designed for Librarians who want to start organizing and classifying books by genre but are unsure how to start. Using real experiences from the Ocean City Library, we will go over the complexities of genrefying a collection that is actively being circulated. We will also go over how to include staff at all levels in this process. Speaker: Alec Staley
Public Health Blossoms in Libraries | 4:15-5:15 | Room: Chesapeake G
While many library systems worked closely with public health officials during the height of the pandemic, there is an abundant garden of other ways to build a stronger partnership with your local health department that in turn can grow healthier communities. Anne Arundel County Public Library staff will share how they’ve built a strong relationship with their local health officials and participated in efforts to reduce opioid overdoses, gun violence and save lives. Presenters will share ways you can grow your relationship with health officials and why you should! Speakers: Christine Feldmann, Rachel Myers
Ignite Talks 2 | 4:15-5:15 | Room: Windjammer
Four mini-presentations on mentorship, serving incarcerated individuals, community partnerships, and research data services. 1) A Budding Partnership: How Two BIWOC Library Workers Flourish in Mentorship - Jasmine Shumaker and Joe Lee 2) Empowerment Library – Encouraging Growth for Incarcerated Individuals - Nanna Bailey 3) Lasting Community Connections - Kinshasa Vargas-Pile 4) Bite by Bit: Establishing and Building Impactful Research Data Services - Songyao Chen.
