The 2017 preconference session line-up has something for everyone this year!
Extended preconference sessions will be held on Monday, April 24, the day prior to our two-day full schedule of events. These 3.5-hour sessions are designed to allow for an in-depth look at highlighted topics, opportunity for discussion and question-and-answer, and even hands-on activity in some cases. NJLA strives to bring in speakers that offer experience beyond the NJ or library landscape, while providing relevant information to all of our constituents. Preconference sessions often provide a unique opportunity for Board of Trustee and Friends of the Library members to engage with each other, library workers and supporters, as well. With an additional charge required for attendance at these events, we hope that you agree that these sessions add specific value to the NJLA Conference experience as a whole!
NJLA continues to provide additional virtual preconference sessions throughout the morning of Monday, April 24, too, using the Adobe Connect platform! These events come free-of-charge to all those who register for any part of the 2017 NJLA Conference (preconference-only, single-day or full-conference), and all three sessions are also offered to those who do not register for Conference at a single low cost of $25. (Details for registering ONLY for the virtual sessions will be available on the website soon.) All attendees will be emailed the details of accessing these sessions prior to April 24. The virtual preconferences will be recorded and distributed to paid attendees following Conference.
Find complete registration costs online: http://njlaconference.info/content/attendee-registration
As an added bonus, don’t forget to stick around on Monday evening for the President’s Program featuring Tammy Tibbetts of She’s the First, followed by Library Trivia sponsored by NJLA’s Member Services Committee! Register for the 2017 Conference today; early bird deadline is March 25.
Preconference Sessions
Monday, April 24, 1:00-4:30pm
One Talking Point at a Time: Library Sound Bites that Work
Patrick Sweeney, well-known Political Director of EveryLibrary, will teach the basics of creating winning messages and sound bites that help promote your library and Friends groups. Employing the formula 27/9/3 (use 27 words in 9 seconds to make 3 simple points) and other communication tools, learn skills that will craft a message that resonates with your community and delivers it efficiently, effectively and as often as possible. Excellent for all library staff, Friends and Trustees.
Libraries Without Limits: Serving Developmentally Challenged Patrons of All Ages
Adult Social Hours, Special Needs Library Time, Inclusive Storytime, Job Skills, Life Skills . . . There is NO LIMIT to what your library can offer developmentally challenged patrons! Join us for a fun, interactive panel discussion where we will talk about programming, resources and building partnerships to help serve this very special population. This panel will feature librarians from public library systems and high schools, an ACT Program representative from Rowan College, and a representative from the Volunteer Center of South Jersey.
Library Workers Today: Strong Staff Equals Strong Service
Running a library is hard and no one knows this better than those doing the work! A shifting workplace, public misconception of our job, and side effects of doing more with less are among the challenges library workers face. How can we balance our dedication to our profession and our communities with our own well-being? Join librarians from public libraries and colleges/universities for these conversations about the relationship library staff has to libraries and the work we do.
Virtual Preconferences
9:50-10:40am
The Importance of HTTPS with Let’s Encrypt
Join Let’s Encrypt and JerseyConnect in learning the value and implementation of HTTPS. This program is for both people new to the topic who want to learn and understand what HTTPS is and why it’s important, and those who are interested in learning about HTTPS implementation and validation.
11:00-11:50am
Making Your Space: The Nuts and Bolts of Policy and Procedure for Makerspaces
So, you know what you what to make and you have your space, but how do you make it all happen? This informative presentation will feature panelists from public, academic and museum libraries, and you'll go home with actual handouts on policy and procedure that you can modify for your own makerspace.
12:10-1:00pm
Volunteering Outside the Box for Teens and New Adults
Libraries are the go-to place for volunteers, particularly teens and new adults, who often need to fulfill a requirement for school or another civic organization. Join four public librarians in a panel discussion as they share their successes and failures of volunteer programs. As we strive to meet the deadlines of fulfilling volunteer requirements, this session will offer both an overview and specific tips for implementing teen volunteers in your library.
Kate Jaggers and the 2016-2017 NJLA Conference Committee