Go Beyond with Conference Scholars

As spring break comes to an end for many universities, we thought we would get our Academic Librarians excited about the names and faces they can expect to see at #njla17.

The NJLA Conference, among other things, is a gathering of scholars.   This year’s schedule includes a variety of scholars who will speak on topics of importance and relevance to our field.  Check out some of the fascinating talks below:

On Tuesday…

Joyce Kasma Valenza, of Rutgers University, will show us why, when it comes to innovation, “There is No Box,” as she opens our minds to transformative leadership from 9-9:50am. 

Tim Dewysockie of Rowan University will take us “From BIBFRAME to the Cloud” while giving us a glimpse into the future of library automation via ILS (Integrated Library System Technology) at 9am. 

Leslin H. Charles of Rutgers will take us “Out of the Information Literacy Assessment Box” while introducing new ways to assess libraries’ impact on student learning from 11:30am-12:20pm.  Look for scholars Cara Berg and Theresa Agostinelli’s related presentation, “Instructional Assessment Strategies at Your Library!” at 4:10pm. 

At the Rutgers Book Showcase at 3:10pm, scholars Marie L. Radford, Rebecca Reynolds, Kay Cassell, and Marc Aronson will discuss new publications in the areas of inquiry-based learning, reference service models, and YA literature. 

Dr. Ellen Pozzi of William Paterson University will offer guidance on evaluating and selecting diverse titles for a library’s collection at 3:10pm.  *Look for a related talk, led by Emily Drabinski of Long Island University, on “Narratives of Library Power” on Wednesday from 9-9:50am. 

George Robb, of William Paterson University, will show us how to bring ‘history to life’ and capture patrons’ interest with history-based programs and exhibits at 4:10pm. 

Wednesday packs an intellectual punch, beginning with Keynote speaker Valerie J. Gross, labeled a literal ‘mover and shaker’ by Library Journal, who will present a new vision for libraries based on her proven “Libraries=Education” model.  Her keynote address at 10:10am will be followed by “Making a Splash: How to Implement Libraries=Education” at 11:30am.

Keep the intellectual stimulation going at the CUS Luncheon at 12:30, led by Emily Drabinski, where the topic of discussion will be “Local Contexts, National Demands: Navigating Standards in Academic Libraries.”

Join Ebony Elizabeth Thomas of the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education and Kay Cassel of Rutgers University at 2:30pm for a timely conversation on the ways that libraries might “weave together our commitments to social justice and intellectual freedom in our collections, services, and programs.”  This talk compliments earlier talks led by Dr. Ellen Pozzi and Emily Drabinski.

Also at 2:30, Richard Kearney of William Paterson University and others will lead a talk on innovative ways to connect users with databases which offer more expansive and precise information than an internet search.  In an age of ‘alternative facts,’ this talk promises that Librarians can continue to inhabit their valuable role as knowledge gatekeepers.    

At the College and University Section Awards Forum at 3:40pm, our academic luminaries will be honored for their research and technological innovation.  Come and see who this year’s winners are and what contributions they have made to library world.  

Librarians have been called many things, but we like to think ourselves as scholars, and these sessions help to solidify that persona.

Michael Stirm and the 2016-2017 NJLA Conference Committee