If provided by presenters, slides and other materials are linked in the title of each session.

Sessions at a Glance

To jump to a specific day or time, click the links below.

Thursday 10:00–11:15 am 1:45–3:00 pm 3:30–4:45 pm

Friday 10:00–11:15 am 1:45–3:00 pm 3:30–4:45 pm

Saturday 10:00–11:15 am 1:45–3:00 pm 3:30–4:45 pm

Thursday, April 18

10:00–11:15 am

A Universe of Stories and the Future of Summer Reading
If summer reading plays an important role in your library’s ability to connect with your community, this is the session for you. Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) leadership will share upcoming changes to CSLP. Attendees will learn how these changes could impact their summer program and gain a better understanding on how the manuals are created, how themes are picked, and what the annual meetings are about. Presenters will answer your questions and cover how YOU can voice your opinion and make a difference. Bonus: see a sneak peek of future artwork!

Josephine Camarillo, Director, Ellensburg Library
Luke Kralik, Organizational Coordinator, Collaborative Summer Library Program

Collaborative Library Outreach: Working Across Library Systems to Reach Patrons
Over the last four years, librarians from several library systems and schools in Western Washington and beyond have collaborated to reach the community through panels, storytimes, and a collaborative pop-up library at Emerald City Comicon and GeekGirlCon. We’ll talk about what we’ve learned about planning and executing these collaborations and how you can use these principles to plan a project that goes beyond your own organization.

Whitney Winn, Teen Services Librarian, King County Library System
Claire Scott, Children’s Librarian, The Seattle Public Library

So You Have a Makerspace, Now What?
You’ve charted the unknown territories of opening a makerspace, and have now come to the difficult task of crossing the great expanse of growth and sustainability. How do you prepare for longevity, and maintain its tools, services, and programs? This presentation will prepare you with an adventurer’s pack of tips, tricks, and tools for assisting you on your quest to provide a makerspace for your community.

Sponsor: OLA Public Library Division (PLD)

Amanda Peña, Library Assistant, Hillsboro Public Library
Mila Harris, Collaboratory Librarian, Hillsboro Public Library

We Went Fine Free & You Can, Too!
Research shows library fines aren’t an effective tool for recovering items sooner. We are staff members from three libraries that have done away with overdue fines wholly or in part, and we’re here to tell you about how we worked with our governing bodies to make the change. Come learn about the practicalities, politics, pitfalls, and pleasures of saying goodbye to fines!

Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney, Library Director, Driftwood Public Library
Julie Retherford, Director, Chetco Community Public Library
Holly McKinley, Library Operations Manager, Deschutes Public Library
Ashlee Chavez, Library Director, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
Kevin Edwards, Access Services Manager, Portland Community College 

Better Together: Publishers, Libraries & Writers Collaborate
Are you interested in building unique local collections and making meaningful community partners at the same time? Each fall, Multnomah County Library’s Library Writers Project opens submissions to self-published eBooks from local authors; the best are added to the OverDrive collection and promoted to patrons. With a new partnership, Ooligan Press selects one of these titles per year to publish in print. Together, they promote the author and book on a national level. MCL and Ooligan Press will share our process and what we’ve learned from the collaboration in the hopes that other libraries and publishers might embark on similar projects.

Kady Ferris, Electronic Content Librarian, Multnomah County Library
Abbey Gaterud, Director of Publishing, Ooligan Press

No More Silos: Implementing Self-Management to Fully Empower Staff (x)
When challenged to create an organizational chart for your library that was patron-focused, it is unlikely we would come up with the cumbersome, siloed org charts we now have. Hillsboro (OR) Public Library did away with traditional departments, replacing Circulation, Reference, and Technical Services with four quadrants that speak to the experiences we want patrons to have. How did we do it? By learning from the self-management, or holacracy, movement, and implementing a new structure that prioritized supporting staff expertise, allowed for significant cross-training, and empowered staff to manage their own time and participate more fully in organizational projects.

Hillary Ostlund, Library Manager, Cultivate, Hillsboro Public Library
Stephanie Chase, Director, Hillsboro Public Library

Diversifying Libraries Now & Later: Lessons Learned from PLA’s Inclusive Internship Initiative
Teens can be a tremendous asset to your library—not just as patrons, but as volunteers and interns who bring a diverse perspective to your library and give you a chance to sell the idea of libraries as a career path. Two librarians who acted as mentors for the ALA Public Library Association’s Inclusive Internship Initiative in 2018 will talk about the experience, how to become involved, and how to use the lessons learned to create dynamic opportunities for teens and libraries alike, even with little or no funding.

Sponsors: OLA Oregon Young Adult Network (OYAN); OLA Public Library Division (PLD); WLA Children & Young Adult Services (CAYAS) Section

Sonja Somerville, Teen Services Librarian, Salem Public Library
Andrea Wallis, Librarian II, Everett Public Library

When Women Didn’t Count: Charting the “Facts” in Government Resources
Challenging the reliability of U.S. government data is not unique to current times. Author and government information librarian Rob Lopresti has researched federal statistics on topics such as population, employment, crime, and health, showing how often our view of American women has been shaped on data that was biased, erased, or simply wrong. Lopresti will share highlights from his award-winning book, When Women Didn’t Count, providing insight on how we should navigate and consume statistics. Also, come learn what it is like to turn a research interest into a book!

Sponsor: OLA Documents Interest Group of Oregon (DIGOR)

Robert Lopresti, Author/Retired Librarian (Emeritus), Western Washington University

Learning Circles: Community-Led Education at the Library with P2PU
Learning circles are free study groups for people who want to take online classes together at libraries. Developed by Peer 2 Peer University (P2PU) and Chicago Public Library in 2015, the program has now expanded to more than two dozen library systems in the U.S., including Multnomah County in Oregon and Pierce County in Washington. Learning circles are part of a larger mission to center the library as the leader in the field of community-based education. In this workshop, P2PU and partner librarians will walk you through how to start a learning circle in your own library. You’ll learn about uncovering local learning needs, finding good online courses, running a learning circle as a facilitator, and connecting with other librarians and educators across the world.

Sponsor: WLA Washington Library Trainers (WALT) Section

Nico Koenig, Community Lead, P2PU
Elizabeth Iaukea, Workforce Development Librarian, Washington State Library

Making Oral History Collections More Accessible to Underrepresented Communities
Oral history collections continue to be largely neglected by catalogers, archivists, and historians. This oversight greatly disadvantages underrepresented peoples and communities who rely on oral histories for their unique role in preserving primarily non-dominant/non-western traditions, knowledge, and science. This session will examine key issues contributing to the inaccessibility of oral histories highlighted by leading LIS scholars. The presenters will also share qualitative feedback by Indigenous college students who consider oral histories valuable to their identities, communities, and education and have experienced direct barriers to accessing oral histories through libraries. We will conclude with a group discussion on potential actionable ideas.

Magenta Loera, Research and Learning Services Specialist, University of Washington Libraries
Sandy Littletree, Scholar and Educator, University of Washington Libraries
Conor Casey, Labor Archivist, University of Washington Libraries
Lauren Nagasawa, Preservation Assistant, University of Washington Libraries
Sam Buechler, Library & Archives Paraprofessional, Spokane Falls Community College Library

1:45–3:00 pm

Local Authors & Illustrators Present New Books for Teens & Tweens
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) presents authors and illustrators from Oregon and Washington whose new Middle Grade or Young Adult books publish early in 2019. We’ll give you the inside scoop about our new books—germs of our stories, how we wrote them, secrets hidden in the text—so you can share this information with your patrons. All authors and illustrators will be available after the panel for Q&A, signings, and to talk about library visits. We hope to build strong relationships between libraries and local authors and illustrators to enrich the lives of teens and tweens.

Michele Bacon, author of Antipodes
Kevin Emerson, author of Any Second
Mark Cronk Farrell, author of Standing Up Against Hate: How Black Women in the Army Changed the Course of WWII
K.D. Halbrook, author of Silver Batal and the Water Dragon Races
April Henry, author of The Lonely Dead
Kelly Jones, author of Are You Ready to Hatch an Unusual Chicken?
Jody J. Little, author of Mostly the Honest Truth
Maureen McQuerry, author of Between Before & After
Claire Rudolf Murphy, author of Martin and Bobby: A Journey to Justice
Rosanne Parry, author of Last of the Name
Suma Subramanium, The Hero Next DoorStephen Wallenfels, author of Deadfall

Expanding Library Service to the Public: Opening the Library Beyond Traditional Hours
Expanding Library Services beyond staffed hours has been a reality in cutting-edge libraries like Dokk1 in Aarhus, Denmark, for a while. But recently the trend has caught on in the States as well with library vending machines like the Book-o-Mat in Hillsboro, OR, and lightly staffed library branches like the Yacolt and Yale Library Express locations that are a part of Fort Vancouver Regional Library System or the North Plains Public Library. Some of these libraries will share how they approached keeping their doors open longer. What are the challenges? Which patrons are taking advantage of these extended hours? Hear about a service from Biblioteca called Open+ that allows libraries to keep their doors open longer and other creative solutions to expanding library access with limited resources.

Sponsor: OLA Public Library Division

Mark Richardson, Reference and Young Adult Librarian, Cedar Mill & Bethany Community Libraries
Sarah Strahl, City Librarian, Salem Public Library
Holland Christie, Branch Manager, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries
Eric Danko, Library Assistant II (Cataloging Focus), North Plains Public Library
Scott Hackstadt, Director of Open+ North America, Bibliotheca
Sam Wallin, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries

Escaping the Ordinary
Escape rooms are a fantastic way to engage students and meet all kinds of goals and learning objectives. But don’t tell the kids! They just think they are solving puzzles and having fun. Come and hear from two school librarians who have been utilizing escape rooms in their libraries (and other places!). Experience a puzzle or two and hear our journeys into the world of educational escape rooms, hits and misses, practical planning aspects, and curriculum connections. Along the way we will stop for Q&A and some sharing time.

Lisa Bain, Teacher Librarian, Oak Harbor High School/Oak Harbor Public Schools
Kimberly Rose, Teacher Librarian, Brouillet Elementary School/Puyallup School District

Opening Access: Virtual Reality as a Library Learning Tool
Virtual reality (VR) has been in development for over 20 years, starting with air force jet fighter environments and more recently, moving into gaming and educational environments. In a study of user reflection, students and faculty from Bellevue College provided feedback on their experiences using VR and how the tool may impact learning, teaching and student careers. Staff at the Eugene Public Library used funds from the Mozilla Gigabit Community Fund to provide exposure, education, and access to VR and video game development with 56 in-house and outreach programs. Hands-on demos of VR and example instructional resources will be available.

Vivienne J. McClendon, Dean, Library & eLearning, Bellevue College
James Riggall, Scholar in Residence, Bellevue College
Adrienne Alger, Digital User Experience Librarian, Eugene Public Library
Chris Allman, Adult Services Librarian, Eugene Public Library
JJ Stewart, Youth Services Librarian, Eugene Public Library

Aiding & Abetting: Public Library & Law Library Partnerships  (Handout 2)
Washington and Oregon librarians and residents are fortunate to have access to county law libraries and their legal resources. In this session, learn how county law libraries and public libraries in Oregon and Washington are creating meaningful partnerships to expand public access to legal information. Panelists will share their collaboration processes and outcomes—some with proven success, others braving new territory. From traveling law librarians, to legal collection development help, to workshops for self-represented litigants, attendees will hear a variety of ideas that will inspire them as they help citizens navigate their legal rights, obligations, and the justice system.

Sponsor: OLA Legal Reference Round Table (LRRT); WLA Special Library Division (SpLD)

Barbara Engstrom, Executive Director, Public Law Library of King County
Lee Van Duzer, Law Librarian (Manager), Washington County Law Library
Moderated by Sue Ludington, Law Librarian (Manager), Lane County Law Library

Failures, Flops & F*%!ups: Charting the Known Together
Some say that failure is an opportunity to learn. If that’s true, library staff have a lot of learning opportunities. For many, failures, flops, and f*%!ups are not unknown territory, but together we can discover ways to make them successes. Join us in a facilitated discussion—moderated and guided by youth and teen services librarians from Oregon and Washington—and share your failures, flops, and other misadventures and learn from the failures of others. After all, misery loves company, and we should chart the known together!

Sponsors: OLA Oregon Young Adult Network (OYAN); OLA Children’s Services Division (CSD)

Bobbye Hernandez, Bilingual Youth Librarian, Multnomah County Library
Claire Scott, Children’s Librarian, The Seattle Public Library
Amy Fellows, Youth Services Librarian, Multnomah County Library

Working with Patrons Experiencing Homelessness: Values, Engagement & Impact
This session will empower you to serve people experiencing homelessness in your community, no matter how large or small. Staff from small and large libraries will share their experiences with library policy, programs, and outreach that support and connect with patrons experiencing homelessness. We will address how library values lead us to serve people living in poverty and experiencing homelessness; how you can engage directly with patrons to learn about their interests and needs; and how to prioritize and evaluate the impact of this work in your own community.

Sponsor: OLA Outreach Round Table

Kate Schwab, Librarian, Multnomah County Library
Hayden Bass, Outreach Program Manager, The Seattle Public Library
Courtney Tiffany, Branch Manager, North Central Regional Library
Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney, Director, Driftwood Library

Libraries Show & Tell: Database Promotion from the Inside Out
Does your library subscribe to a variety of databases? Are you involved with reference or outreach activities? All of the above? This interactive presentation will provide tips and tricks for quickly and thoughtfully evaluating and using any informational database, with a focus on promoting databases both internally with frontline staff and colleagues and externally to patrons and stakeholders. During the session, groups will brainstorm and discuss promotional activities for databases at their own libraries, and afterward, attendees will be equipped to share their knowledge with others at a variety of levels—from co-workers to community partners and everyone in between.

Sponsor: OLA Reference Round Table (RRT)

Amy Coughenour, Electronic Resources Librarian, State Library of Oregon
Joanna Milner, Library Assistant, Multnomah County Library

Making Space for Active Learning in Your Library
No matter the size of your space or your budget, you can ignite active learning at your library, where community members participate and collaborate in hands-on learning and strengthen social connections. Learn from the dynamic experiences of fifteen small libraries who re-imagined and reconfigured “smart spaces” using place-making and design thinking strategies. Before-and-after photos tell a dramatic story of real transformation. Get inspired because you too can follow the steps they took to discover community needs and genuinely engage community members to generate and prototype ideas, co-create the space and the programs, and actively learn together.

Betha Gutsche, WebJunction Programs Manager, OCLC
Brianna Hoffman, Librarian, Project Coordinator, Consultant, Independent Contractor

Friends & Facilities: Building & Supporting Libraries Together
Friends of the Library groups play various roles in supporting library facilities. Some buildings are owned by a municipality, others by a Friends group, yet others by the library system itself. Some groups take care of the landscaping and some group members even crawl under the floor to make repairs. Others primarily raise funds for special projects and leave the facilities to others. Learn how one library system uses  all of these models, working with Friends groups and municipalities to design and construct several new branches in the past five years. In every case, the relationship with the community has been crucial in the funding, design, and ongoing success of the branch. In this session, a deputy director, branch manager, and a trustee share experiences with multiple models of ownership of library facilities and discuss how that has shaped the process for two projects currently in the library design phase.

Marvin Waschke, Trustee, Whatcom County Library System
Michael Cox, Deputy Director, Whatcom County Library System
Katrina Carabba, Deming Branch Manager, Whatcom County Library System

Early Literacy for the Rest of Us: Calling All Directors, Board Members, Friends & Library Staff Who Don’t Do Storytime
Early literacy services benefit our communities exponentially. Everyone should know what early literacy is and how libraries work every day towards building early literacy. At this interactive session, four library directors will share proven strategies supporting early literacy in their home communities, as well as the unexpected benefits of doing so. Whether you’re a Friend, Board member, Trustee, or a staff member who doesn’t work directly with kids, come learn with us and develop your own ideas for supporting early literacy services in your library community. Leave prepared to be an early literacy ambassador!

Christine Perkins, Library Director, Whatcom County Library District
Emily David, Library Director, Springfield Public Library
Rhonda Gould, Library Director, Walla Walla County Rural Library District
Wil Worthey, Library Director, North Plains Public Library

3:30–4:45 pm

Teens in the Lead: Designing Teen Programs that Promote Autonomy
What does a library experience look like when teens are in the driver’s seat? Teen library staff will share examples of their successes and missteps in designing library programs that seek to put teens at the center through publishing art and poetry books, providing space for interactive art walls, teaching play production and acting, and offering paid teen internships. The session will shift gears to allow time for participants to brainstorm together how they might construct programming that allows teens to direct, define, and own their library experiences.

Tamar Clarke, Teen Services Coordinator, Whatcom County Library System
Heather Sears, Teen Librarian, Eugene Public Library
Sarah Lavender, Youth Focus Public Service Assistant, Whatcom County Library System

Razzle-Dazzle Readers’ Advisory: Creating an Active RA Culture & Crash Course Cruisin’ Through the Tools
Be ready to dazzle the next time a patron says, “I’m looking for a book …” Two experienced and enthusiastic readers’ advisors will share their tips, tricks, and tools as well as pitfalls to avoid when guiding readers toward their next great book crush. With a goal of always creating a reading-positive environment (no genre shaming here!), we will offer ideas for empowering all levels of library staff to sparkle when it comes to readers’ advisory! Ideas for additional study and self-improvement are also included. We’ll also set aside time for participants to share their favorite RA tips.

Sponsor: OLA Public Library DIvision (PLD)

Emily Byers, Collection Development and eResource Librarian, Salem Public Library
Ashley Folgate, Senior Librarian & Operation Bookshelf Program Coordinator, Salem Public Library

Leveling Up: Staying Current in an Evolving Learning Environment
As capacity and bandwidth for library instruction services change, how can libraries reach more students and build information literacy competency into the curriculum? One college library bridges the gap between library and eLearning to build and promote learning modules on a variety of information literacy topics. This move enhanced the services and support that the library offers and created an opportunity to work directly with faculty on the online version of their courses. In this session we will share our experiences building modules in Canvas, our best practices, and how we foster relationships with eLearning.

Sponsor: WLA Academic Library Division (ALD)

Heath Ray Hayden, Collection Development Librarian, Bellevue College
Elena I. Maans, Outreach Librarian, Bellevue College

Opening Doors with Drag Queen Storytime
How do you make storytime more fabulous? By inviting Drag Queens to read stories about inclusion, gender diversity, and celebrating differences followed by a dance party, of course! Learn about both the challenges and rewards of offering a drag queen storytime at your library with a panel of librarians and our special guest, Poison Waters! We will cover how to partner with local drag queens, preparing staff for questions and complaints, promotion, social media, and more! The panel will be followed by a storytime reading by Poison Waters.

Becky Standal, Youth Services Specialist, Longview Public Library
Lyndsey Runyan, Lead Programming Librarian, Multnomah County Library
Brianne Williams, Youth Librarian, Multnomah County Library
Poison Waters aka Kevin Cook, Drag Queen, self-employed
Moderated by Elizabeth Partridge, Adult Services Librarian, Longview Public Library

Documenting Library Impact on Student Success
Sick and tired of hearing that the library is the heart of the campus, but never see an increase in funding? Do you lack the data to document library contributions? Want to change the discussion? College librarians will share the results of their two-year study on the impact of 50-minute, one-shot workshops on student retention and pass rates. Learn how capturing student names enabled them to see the correlation between one-shot workshops and student success. Learn about their continuing assessment to address issues of equity and improve student outcomes.

Mindy Coslor, Ph.D., Director of Library Services, Skagit Valley College

Becoming GLAM: Promoting Collections, Engaging Communities (x)
Gallery + Library + Archive + Museum—if you have all four, you are truly GLAM! Creating a gallery space in your library provides an opportunity to showcase community creativity and history. Whether you work in an academic or public library, a gallery will allow your community members to exhibit their work and to share their diverse perspectives. For institutions with archives and museum collections, a gallery can also bring increased visibility to these resources. In this session, you will learn about practical considerations and potential challenges for configuring a gallery space, creating associated policies, and soliciting exhibits.

Xan Arch, Dean, Clark Library, University of Portland
Isaac Gilman, Dean of University Libraries, Pacific University
Eva Guggemos, Archives/Special Collections & Instructional Services Librarian, Pacific University
Philip Delgado, Librarian Supervisor, Hillsboro Public Library
Eva Silverstone, Arts Education Specialist, Spokane Public Library

Lightning Talks
It’s a wild, fast-moving world out there. Using Skype to connect students to the broader world? Putting makerspaces in public schools? STEM programs for little people who can barely walk and talk? Designing buildings to hold all these things? Building open-source library platforms to make all this discoverable? Figuring out how to build the best collection for your community? Believe it or not, but all of these topics will be covered in this Lightning Talk session. Come hear the thunder.

Gillian Grimm, Teacher Librarian, Portland Public Schools, “Mystery Skype Adventures in the Library!”
Hillary Marshal, Library Media Specialist, Washougal School District, “Makerspace Madness”
Sarah Vandehey, Children’s Librarian, Beaverton City Library, “STEM for 1-3 Year-Olds”
David Wark. Principal, Hennebery Eddy Architects, “Reinvigorating Communities by Reinvigorating Buildings”
George Dragich, Field Sales Representative, EBSCO, “FOLIO: Project Progress Report and a Look Under the Hood”
Jay Peters, Librarian, Mid-Columbia Libraries, “Homegrown Collection Analysis and Action Tool”

Rough Waters Make Leaders of Us All
In our current uncertain climate, it’s imperative that we develop staff to step up and help guide our libraries. In this interactive session, staff from various levels within their organizations will share what it takes to be seen as a leader no matter your position. Great leaders don’t need a take-charge personality. In reality the qualities that make people follow someone can be wide ranging and exhibited at any stage of your career. Join the discussion to learn how to manage up, have a voice in your organization, and make a difference for the community you serve.

Sponsors: OLA Leadership Committee; OLA Support Staff Division

Sare Webster, Senior Library Assistant, Beaverton City Library
Melissa Little, Circulation Manager, Beaverton City Library
Jane Corry, Librarian, Multnomah County Library, Past-President of OLA
Judy Pitchford, Digital Collections Coordinator, Washington State Library

I Too: Unmasking Emotional Labor for Women of Color Librarians
Have you experienced racism, sexism, and ageism in the classroom, at the reference desk, or in meetings? Women of color in libraries face unfair perceptions and expectations, and spend a significant amount of energy both pushing against those perceptions and fulfilling those expectations. How do we avoid burnout? How do we draw boundaries? How do we cope with high expectations from students, from colleagues, and from ourselves? Join us for a discussion of solutions such as individual self-care and collective efforts that can increase support and create time and space for wellness of librarians, staff, and students.

Alyssa Jocson Porter, Reference & Instruction Librarian, Seattle Central College
Kimberly Tate-Malone, Reference & Instruction Librarian, Seattle Central College
Sharon Spence-Wilcox, Reference & Instruction Librarian, Seattle Central College

Activate, Collaborate & Educate: Health Outreach & Programming in Your Community
A Libraries Transform Health Literacy campaign poster reads, “Because Libraries are Partners in a Healthy Community.” That may be so, but if you aren’t currently providing health programming or partnering for health information outreach, how do you get started? This program provides an overview of the steps needed to create and conduct health information outreach and programming for your communities. The National Library of Medicine’s free resources to support this work will be shared as well as information on the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) Community Engagement Network. Ready to chart a new course? We’re here to help.

Sponsor: OLA Public Library Division (PLD) 

Michele Spatz, NNLM All of Us Community Engagement Coordinator, NNLM/PNR, University of Washington

Have Fun Storming the Castle: Role-Playing Games in Your Library
Are your patrons requesting a space for their gaming group? A library-led dungeon crawl? A place to learn how to play Dungeons & Dragons? Learn how to host a role-playing program at your library! RPG-programming is accessible to a wide range of ages and can develop skills such as collaboration, teamwork, communication, math, and storytelling. This presentation will provide you with examples of different types of programming that can meet the needs of gamers in your community. Speakers will discuss their libraries’ RPG events, resources available to help you develop programming, and methods for identifying community interest and potential partnerships.

Sponsor: WLA Academic Library Division (ALD)

Bonnie Svitavsky, Young Adult Librarian, Puyallup Public Library
Sara Sunshine Holloway, Teen Services Librarian, Tacoma Public Library

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Friday, April 19

10:00–11:15 am

Open Books, Open Minds: Building a Teen Collection to Answer Difficult Questions & Ignite Empathy
Teens and tweens are increasingly dealing with issues that can isolate them from family and friends—like bullying, racism, homophobia, parental divorce, body image, depression, poverty, and more. While libraries may long to help by providing resources, the awkwardness of these problems often makes teens reluctant to reach out and seek assistance. Learn how one library developed a special teen mental health collection called “What I’m Afraid to Ask” that provides access to much-needed resources. Hear from high school librarians about how they use current YA literature to incorporate social and emotional learning (SEL) and social justice discussion points across the curriculum. And get tips for building a reading list from the author who literally wrote the book on novels that promote empathy and self-acceptance in teens.

Katherine Pitman, Library Director, Jefferson Public Library
Deb Nickerson, Teacher Librarian, Black Hills High School, Tumwater School District
Kristin Jewell, Teacher Librarian, Tumwater High School, Tumwater School District
Melissa Hart, Author, Better with Books: 500 Diverse Novels to Open Minds, Ignite Empathy, and Encourage Self-Acceptance, Sasquatch Books

One Book, Right Book: Smart Reading Choices for Library Communities
Building community through shared reading is one of a library’s basic services. Whether selecting a title for a one city, one book event or choosing discussable works for book groups, numerous factors go into making quality reading choices that will generate perceptive conversation. Library staff are recognized as reading experts by library users. This session will provide guidance, support, and criteria for making thoughtful and appealing choices in reading material for community-wide reading initiatives and book groups that encourage library users to see their libraries as safe places for public discourse while expanding reading horizons.

Stephanie Chase, Director, Hillsboro (OR) Public Library
Kaite Stover, Director of Readers’ Services, Kansas City Public Library

Make Easy: Take the Fear Out of Making
Explore a Maker menu with a wide variety of flexible programming that eases the anxiety of failure and has everyone, even non-makers, step into making. We will lay out our successes and failures with patrons of all ages and libraries of all types.  You’ll even make something yourself! Come see how easy it can be.

Jamie Bair, Experiential Learning Librarian, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries
Keli Yeats, Teen Librarian, Multnomah County Library
Desiree Wolcott-Cushman, Makerspace Library Assistant, Multnomah County Library
Rob Polivka, Youth STEM Librarian, Hillsboro Public Library
Deepa Chandra, Library Assistant, Hillsboro Public Library

The Evolving Library: New Uses in Existing Spaces (x)
We will explore how libraries of all types and sizes need to adapt to the ever-changing cultural landscape, technology, and spatial needs of their users and staff. So many libraries are trying to reinvent how they provide service and create appropriate spaces to serve their communities into the future, often in existing buildings with predefined and limited areas and layouts. How do we translate new needs into functional and inspiring space that accommodate new functions and programs and remain flexible enough to adapt to progressive library service models in the future?

Troy Ainsworth, American Institute of Architects, Principal, FFA Architecture and Interiors, Inc.
Brenda Katz, American Institute of Architects, Senior Associate, Library Planner, Interior Designer, FFA Architecture and Interiors, Inc.
Amelia Shelley, Executive Director, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries
Isaac Gilman, Dean of University Libraries, Associate Professor, Pacific University Libraries

Healthcare Providers & Libraries Collaborating to Support Families
Are you looking for new ways to support early literacy development and connect with families who may not be accessing your library’s services? Would you like to connect with underserved families? In Oregon and Washington over 200,000 families participate in Reach Out and Read at over 350 medical clinics. In this panel, we will share our strategies for successful partnerships between libraries and healthcare providers participating in the Reach Out and Read program that could be a model for your community. 

Jessica Mortensen, MLIS, Executive Director, Washington State Reach Out and Read
Ellen Stevenson, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Reach Out and Read Oregon, Oregon Health and Science University
Annie Lewis, MLIS, Early Childhood Services Manager, Multnomah County Library
Blythe Summers, MLIS, Learning Initiative Manger, Pierce County Library System

What We Talk About When We Talk About Library Leadership
Library leadership is not just about communication, vision, and strategic planning. Library leadership is also about being vulnerable, engaging passion, and inspiring others. What does library leadership professional development look like in the Pacific Northwest? Many library leadership programs already exist nationally and regionally. A trend for urban and bigger library systems has been to create their own internal leadership training as a form of on-boarding and succession planning for their institutions. But what about rural and small libraries—where do they fit into the library leadership picture? This panel will discuss their experiences and observations and report out on a library leadership survey to engage session participants in a discussion of what library leadership looks like in the Pacific Northwest.

Rick Stoddart, Library Dean, Lane Community College
Brianna Hoffman, Library Consultant, Contractor, WLA, Webjunction
Melody Sky Eisler, Library Director, City of Port Townsend

Real Talk About Fake News
Are you seeing a growing need in your community for better information literacy, especially when it comes to discerning online news? Join us to discover resources from two teacher librarians and an adult services librarian who teach digital news literacy. Discover curricular materials and best practices for engaging students and community members around this topic, and share and discuss ideas for improving news literacy across the board.

Shana Ferguson, Teacher Librarian, Columbia River High School
Katie Nedved, Teacher Librarian, Henrietta Lacks Health & Bioscience High School
Di Zhang, Adult Services Librarian, The Seattle Public Library

Navigating Newspaper Preservation in the Digital Age
More organizations are moving away from preserving newspapers in print and microfilm, creating new challenges to providing consistent, continuous access to the daily local news of our past. Public libraries typically keep print issues for a limited time, then send issues to a historical museum or filming vendor. News is out that some vendors, even the Library of Congress Copyright Office, are moving away from microfilm to digital formats, which pose storage and access challenges. The time is upon us to find new options for providing local newspaper access to current subscriptions (online-only editions?) and historic archives in print, film, and file. Our panel members are already working on these challenges and will discuss microfilming active subscriptions, digitizing newspapers from microfilm, preserving born-digital newspapers, and guaranteeing access to future archives.

Shawn Schollmeyer, Washington Digital Newspapers Coordinator, Washington State Library
Kathryn Devine, Reference Librarian and Newspaper Subscriptions Coordinator, Washington State Library
Judy Pitchford, Digital Collections Coordinator, Washington State Library
Sarah E. Seymore, Digital Collections Metadata Librarian, University of Oregon Libraries; Program Manager, Oregon Digital Newspaper Program
Moderator: Nikki Chiampa, Digital Projects Librarian, Washington State Library

Communities of Practice: Embracing a Social Learning Model to Convene Community Conversations
Communities of practice are formed by people who engage in a process of collective learning, and public libraries are natural spaces to convene community. In this session, participate in a demonstration of the Design Clinic format, a process that allows people of multiple interests to learn together, provides equal opportunity for people to speak, and resists the group from jumping too quickly to offering advice. Faculty from a university, a community college, and a public library system will share stories of how using the Design Clinic format along with the Community Engagement Fellows program worked to build campus-community connections and convene stakeholders from across the community to learn together. Walk away with agendas and activities prepared to launch your own community of practice.

Michael Cox, Deputy Director, Whatcom County Library System
Travis Tennessen, Assistant Director, Center for Service-Learning, Western Washington University
Kristine Smith, Service-Learning Coordinator, Whatcom Community College
Katrina Carabba, Library Manager, Whatcom County Library System 

Grand Grantees, Sublime Subrecipients (x)
A panel of cracker-jack grant administrators shows how to find, get, and manage the right grants for your library. Making sure your project aligns with the ideal funding source is essential. Panelists from Oregon and Washington state libraries and private foundations will share their expertise. We’ll discuss our grant programs’ goals and priorities. We‘ll address how we’re working to make our programs more easily accessible, more centered around outcomes, and ultimately more effective for your libraries and communities. You’ll learn how to hone your approach and make the application and grant-management process more efficient and successful.

Sponsor: OLA Public Library Division (PLD)

Ross Fuqua, Data & Federal Programs Consultant, State Library of Oregon
Maura Walsh, Grant & Contracts Coordinator Lead, Washington State Library
Michael Achterman, Program Officer, Oregon Community Foundation
Greta Bergquist, Youth Services Consultant, State Library of Oregon

1:45–3:00 pm

WA Do I Read Next? OR Should I Read That?
Come enjoy a lively review of new and fabulous books written by Washington and Oregon authors. A panel of readers advisory librarians will present brief and enticing booktalks for adult fiction and nonfiction titles you’ll want to share with your patrons. This session is ideal for readers advisers, collection staff, and everyone who works in a library and loves books. Let’s support and celebrate the rich literary landscape of our region! 

Sponsor: Oregon Authors Committee

Josephine Camarillo, Director, Ellensburg Library
Brian Hulsey, Branch Circulation Manager, Sno-Isle Libraries
Jenna Zarzycki, Adult Services Librarian, King County Library System
Andrea Gough, Reader Services Librarian, Seattle Public Library
Linda Johns, Reader Services Librarian, Seattle Public Library
Carissa Barrett, Reference Librarian, Lake Oswego Public Library
Chris Myers, Reference Librarian, Lake Oswego Public Library

X Marks the Spot: Mapping Year-Round Outreach
In this presentation academic library staff will share a variety of outreach methods and their level of success, including cross-departmental programming, whiteboards for student feedback, mascot branding, social media programming, in-house marketing and outreach, and more. Participants will have the opportunity to share their best advice. Resources will be shared as well.

Heather Newcomer, Library Faculty, Olympic College
Robin Jeffrey, Circulation Supervisor, Olympic College
Reilly Curran, Lead Librarian for User Outreach, Seattle university

Making Music in the Stacks
Active engagement with music lets people tap into music’s creative potential to connect content and emotion, expression and understanding in fun and memorable ways. Engaging examples from school and public library programming will inspire you to incorporate music far beyond Dewey’s 780s. Leave with strategies to use music and books to open up discussions about our world, to create music connected to books, to promote collaborative thinking and problem solving, and to ignite passion for literature. Participants will engage in collaborative songwriting and discussions around tools to use music in the library.

Craig Seasholes, Elementary School Librarian, Seattle Public Schools
Nate Bogopolsky, Education Director, Bushwick Northwest, STYLE: Songwriting Through Youth Literature Education
Jennifer Wooten, Teen Services Librarian, King County Library System

Beyond Computer Basics: All-Ages Programs for Design, Computational & Systems Thinking
Robots dashing around the library. Seniors practicing painting skills on tablet computers. Kids making DIY bumper cars. While these programs may look quite different from another, they share a common goal: they all teach 21st-century skills to participants, including systems thinking, computational thinking, and design thinking. In this session, come learn how a public library has integrated app-based instruction for digital creativity and STEAM instruction through drop-in tinkering time called Library Lab. Play hands-on with some of our high- and low-tech materials for teaching systems, computational, and design thinking.

Emily Lynch, Adult Services Librarian, The Seattle Public Library
Daniel Tilton, Supervising Librarian, The Seattle Public Library

Collaborating Globally to Chart the Unknown
Explore ways to collaborate and learn from librarians in other countries. Hear how one library system recently created an exchange with librarians in Xiamen, China. Learn about the process for establishing the exchange and the benefits gained through their affiliation with Chinese librarians. In addition, a university librarian will discuss his Fulbright Exchange to Bulgaria, where he conducted research and taught a digital access course. The panel presentation is geared for public or academic library staff interested in developing international relationships with librarians across the globe.

Sponsor: OLA International Relations Round Table (IRRT)

Michael Boock, Associate Professor/Digital Projects Librarian, Oregon State University Library and Press
Sam Wallin, Analyst/Project Coordinator, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries
Jennifer Hauan, Woodland Community Librarian, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries
Amy Lee, Public Services Director, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries

Getting to Yes: Relationship-Building 101
Would you like to get more funding and resources for a library project? Are you interested in finding more collaborative ways to work with your colleagues? Do you want to develop more effective partnerships with your community stakeholders? This interactive session on relationship-building is for you! Learn how to cultivate better relationships with others so you get the “yes” answers that will translate to success in your library. 

Sponsor: OLA Leadership Commitee

Lori Wamsley, Faculty Librarian, Mount Hood Community College
Liisa Sjoblom, Community Librarian, Deschutes Public Library

Time, Place & Manner: Free Speech & the Public Library Free speech is a core public library value. But can anyone really say anything, anywhere, any time? The short answer: No. The longer answer: Thoughtful libraries carefully craft their policies and procedures to adhere to the First Amendment and maintain a respectful and welcoming space for public and staff. Hear about some of the emerging issues in intellectual freedom and the library that reach beyond books to activities within public spaces. Leave with a clearer understanding of the legal implications of policies and procedures; the difference between speech and behavior; and the applications of time, place, and manner restrictions to free speech activities.
Sponsors: OLA Intellectual Freedom Comittee and WLA Intellectual Freedom Section (IFS)

James LaRue, CEO, LaRue and Associates

Everyone Counts: How Libraries Can Be a Partner for the 2020 Census

The 2020 Census is quickly approaching, and this is an important opportunity to make sure everyone living in the U.S. is counted every 10 years. Join us as a representative from the Census Bureau provides an overview of how this decennial census will be different from prior censuses. Representatives from King County and Yakima Valley will share their unique challenges of supporting undercounted populations through programs and resources, and small collaborative groups will be formed to consider how each library can support a complete and accurate count.

Lorraine Ralston, Partnership Specialist, U.S. Census Bureau
Krystal Corbray, Programming and Marketing Librarian, Yakima Valley Libraries
Jo Anderson Cavinta, King County Library System

Gamification of Your Library
What do chess, militarized babies, and sushi have in common? GAMES! From creating your own digital games to giant chess, pub trivia, werewolves running amuck, and dragons setting you on fire—this panel has it all. Learn how easy it is to game-ify your kids’, teen, and adult spaces with passive and active programming. Learn our favorite games for every age range, and score some sweet prizes as we pepper you with trivia.

Heather Sears, Teen Services Librarian, Eugene Public Library
Angela Ocana, Youth Services Supervisor, Eugene Public Library
J Stewart, Youth Services Supervisor, Eugene Public LibraryBut Really, It’s OK to Laugh! Laughter is a great social equalizer and can be used strategically and appropriately in the workplace to enhance wellness and diffuse stressful environments. Three former colleagues will share tips and tricks for making your library workplace an engaging, and yes, entertaining place to ply your library trade. From staff meetings to interactions with the public, you’ll find out how to use humor and laughter to contribute to the well-being and productivity of your staff and co-workers.

Rhonda Gould, Executive Director, Walla Walla County Rural Library District
Megan Dazey, Assistant Director, Puyallup Public Library
Bonnie Svitavsky, Teen Librarian, Puyallup Public Library

All-Staff Day—You’ll Never Get the Food Right
Are you looking for a way to connect your staff across libraries and departments? Or have you tried a staff development day but are looking for ways to make it better? Prioritizing a day for staff development, team building, and inspiration demonstrates a commitment to continuing education and community building by modeling these internally with our co-workers. Staff-led planning committees allow all levels to participate in developing your organization’s culture. Presentations and shared ideas by panelists from libraries with varying budgets and sizes will help you develop an event that expands your library’s goals and vision and fosters staff engagement. 

Rachael Ries, Branch Manager, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries
Brandon Cruz, Public Services Librarian, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries
Toni Costa, Human Resources Director, Spokane County Library District
Dianne Marrs-Smith, Branch Manager, Whatcom County Library System
Jeanne Fondre, Learning Coordinator, Whatcom County Library System

3:30–4:45 pm

Booktalking the Rave List: Outstanding Middle Grade & Young Adult BooksOregon Young Adult Network librarians team with MLIS students from the University of Washington iSchool for a session packed with snappy booktalks, presenting some of the best recent young adult and middle grade fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels. Highlighting a range of diverse identities and experiences, this session will leave public and school librarians supplied with excellent readers’ advisory fodder from recent to upcoming publications. This is the first chance to see the 2019 Book Rave list, an annual project of the OYAN membership. The 2018 OYAN Graphic Rave is also included. Copies of the lists will be available in print and digital forms to share back with libraries in Washington and Oregon. 

Sponsors: OLA Oregon Young Adult Network (OYAN) and WLA Children & Young Adult Services (CAYAS) Section

Kelsey Klug, MLIS Candidate, iYouth Co-Chair, University of Washington iSchool
Gabi Dahlin, MLIS Candidate, iYouth Co-Chair, University of Washington iSchool
Clare Morrison, MLIS Candidate, iYouth Event Coordinator, University of Washington iSchool
Sonja Somerville, Teen Services Librarian, Salem Public Library
Ian Duncanson, Youth/Teen Librarian, Beaverton Public Library
Traci Glass, Library Administrator, Multnomah County Library
Mandi Harris, Youth Services Supervisor, Coeur d’Alene Public Library

Lightning Talks
Step right up, and be amazed at so much awesome information being delivered with such speed and skill! Discover the mysterious secret of keeping school libraries popular with a hot tip for success in every letter of the alphabet! Master the art of using design & community input to make your library more inviting and inclusive for families! Marvel at tales of non-traditional outreach & volunteer partnerships so victorious, you may not believe your ears! Astonish your staff with improved internal communication strategies beyond your wildest dreams! Behold with wonder ever-changing e-book trends & vast and beautiful vistas of brand new digital content! Bolster thy grasp on providing seamless digital access with optimum security practices! Boldly attend these Lightning Talks and leave a wiser and wilier librarian. 

Lisa Bain, Teacher Librarian, Oak Harbor Public Schools, “Reeling Them In, A – Z”
Dawn Borgardt, Library Supervisor, Hillsboro Public Library, “Free Play is OK! Redesigning a Children’s Space”
Kelsey Hudson, Student & Youth Partnership Coordinator, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries, “Getting Creative: Non-Traditional Outreach and Volunteer Partnerships”
Amy Honisett, Staff Development Librarian, Multnomah County Library, “That’s MY Job! Responding To Patron Questions”
Peyton Stafford, No Shelf Required, “Cutting Edge E-book Trends and Projects”
George Dragich, Field Sales Representative, EBSCO, “Improving Digital Info Flows & Access”

Digital Privacy & Security: Teaching Safer Habits
From responding to reported data breaches to creating strong passwords, library users in all communities navigate concerns of digital privacy and security. Libraries are ideal digital privacy advocates, and can offer support for patrons of all digital literacy levels, both in the library classroom and at the reference desk. In this session, we share what we have learned as members of the first cohort of the Library Freedom Institute, a six-month digital privacy program for librarians. We will focus on our experiences teaching a variety of community members at an urban public library, and teaching college students at a large academic library.

Sponsor: Intellectual Freedom Committee

Sarah White, Adult Services Librarian, Eugene Public Library
Kelly McElroy, Student Engagement and Community Outreach Librarian, Oregon State University

The Ultimate Partnership: Collaboration Strategies Between Schools & Public Libraries
Discover strategies beyond traditional school outreach to build bridges between parents, teachers, teacher librarians, and district administration. Are you a public librarian wondering how to connect with schools in your community? Are you a school librarian looking for ways to give students more experiences on a limited budget? Hear from public and school libraries from Oregon and Washington who are collaborating to provide students and staff digital library access, fine-free library cards, book delivery and return, outreach, programming, and more. Leave with tools to help plan and build these dynamic partnerships.

Steven Engelfried, Library Services Manager, Wilsonville Public Library
Kimberley Rhoades, Children’s LibrarianWest Linn Public Library
Doug Erickson, Director, West Linn Public Library
Rachael Ries, Branch Manager, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries
Hillary Marshall, Library Media Specialist, Washougal High School
Sarah Bain, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Spokane Public Library
Cathy Bakken, Youth Services Library, Spokane Public Library
Kelsey Hudson, Student and Youth Partnership Coordinator, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries
Justin Keeler, Outreach/Community Partnerships Director, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries

The Leader’s Journey: Mentors Bring the Map
How often have you wished for your own personal Albus Dumbledore to guide you through the perils and pitfalls of your professional life? Finding a mentor to help navigate the challenges of your career may be easier than you imagine. In this panel discussion, participants will hear from both mentors and proteges about their experiences. Learn how the connections were made, what each has gained from the relationship, and how to develop skills through these special associations. While you may not be battling He Who Must Not Be Named, come learn about how the magic of a mentor could work for you.

Sponsor: OLA Leadership Committee

Jane Corry, OLA Past President, Multnomah County Library
Violeta Garza, Regional Librarian, Multnomah County Library
Sara Q Thompson, Adult Services Manager, Deschutes Public Library
Courtney Gill, Library Supervisor, City of Hillsboro
Hannah Gascho Rempel, Associate Professor, College of Agricultural Sciences Librarian & Graduate Student Services Coordinator, Oregon State University
Leyla Cabugos, Subject Specialist Librarian, University of California, Davis
Moderator: Melissa Little, Circulation Manager, Beaverton City Library

Transforming Your Staff, Transforming Your Library: Creating a More Culturally Responsive Library in One of America’s Whitest Cities
How do you advance meaningful change to transform your library into an inclusive institution that reflects your community? A panel of Multnomah County Library staff will share their stories and best practices in the ongoing transformation of their institution as they expand services to African-American, immigrant, and refugee communities. Hear the experiences of a senior manager who led this change, a human resources manager who recruited under-represented staff, and frontline librarian who was promoted from the ranks. Participants will have time to reflect and formulate strategies for creating institutional change through a journal that captures both their learning and action steps for when they return home. 

Rita Jimenez, Neighborhood Libraries Director, Multnomah County Library
Johnette Easter, Human Resources Director, Multnomah County Library
Toan Lam-Sullivan, Bilingual Regional Librarian, Multnomah County Library

Open Data for Everyone at the Library
The government is publishing free data that anyone can use to do anything—watchdog public services, create a new app, or generate a gorgeous interactive map for fun. Come hear how libraries are connecting patrons to this promising information source, using data to improve their own services, and partnering with the government to get more good data published. You’ll hear from librarians who are leading open data efforts, and get dozens of tips and resources for getting started at your own library.

Kathleen Sullivan, Open Data Literacy Consultant, Washington State Library
Will Saunders, Open Data Guy, Washington Office of the Chief Information Officer
Isaac Huffman, Director, Mount Vernon City Library
Mindy Van Wingen, Assistant Director, Everett Public Library
Chris Fadden, Application and Business Systems Analyst, City of Everett
Ben Tucker, Liaison Librarian, Collins Memorial Library, University of Puget Sound

Public Libraries Unconference
Join others from OR and WA public libraries for this open and participant-driven discussion of topics relevant to the important work that do, and where it’s heading in the future. With a facilitator helping to guide the process, session content will be decided on and delivered by the attendees. Join us to share your ideas, participate in the conversation, or simply to absorb peer wisdom!

Jerianne Thompson, Library Director, Tualatin Public Library

Academic Libraries Unconference
Join others from OR and WA academic libraries for this open and participant-driven discussion of topics relevant to the important work that do, and where it’s heading in the future. With a facilitator helping to guide the process, session content will be decided on and delivered by the attendees. Join us to share your ideas, participate in the conversation, or simply to absorb peer wisdom!

Steve Overfelt, Access Services Librarian, Washington State University

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Saturday, April 20

10:00–11:15 am

School Libraries & Youth Services Unconference
Join others from OR and WA school libraries and youth services for this open and participant-driven discussion of topics relevant to the important work that do, and where it’s heading in the future. With a facilitator helping to guide the process, session content will be decided on and delivered by the attendees. Join us to share your ideas, participate in the conversation, or simply to absorb peer wisdom!

Stuart Levy, President, Oregon Association of School Libraries

Local Authors & Illustrators Present New Children’s Books
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) presents authors and illustrators from Oregon and Washington whose new children’s books publish early in 2019. We’ll give you the inside scoop about our new books—germs of our stories, how we wrote them, secrets hidden in the text—so you can share this information with your patrons. All authors and illustrators will be available after the panel for Q&A, signings, and to talk about library visits. We hope to build strong relationships between libraries and local authors and illustrators to enrich the lives of young readers in Oregon and Washington.

Michele Bacon, author of Antipodes
Dori Butler, author of King and Kayla and the Case of Found Fred
Kathryn Dennis, author and illustrator of Snakes on a Train
Hannah Holt, author of A Father’s Love
Tonya Lippert, author of Goodbye, School
Corinna Luyken, author and illustrator of My Heart
Jennifer K. Mann, author and illustrator of Josie’s Lost Tooth
Rae McDonald, author of Gran, Gran, Granny
Gretchen Brandenburg McLellan, author of Button and Bundle
Ruth A. Musgrave, author of Look & Learn: Bedtime
Ellie Peterson, Illustrator of Bea’s Bees
Katherine Pryor, author of Bea’s Bees
Karen S. Robbins, author of I Think I Can
Avril Lynne Van der Merwe, author of Once Upon a Rhinoceros

No More Bad Signs! Promote Your Collection with Graphic Design (Even If You’re Not a Designer)
Don’t let dated or boring signs get in the way of promoting your collections and resources. The best displays feature interesting signs and a wide variety of materials that catch patrons’ attention and entice them to explore further. Learn how to use images to convey abstract ideas and broaden a specific concept while providing surprise and delight to your patrons. In this workshop, we’ll look at ways to keep your signs fresh and modern, provide basic design principles, and share tools and resources you can use with any budget (even if funds are limited or non-existent).

Mary Kinser, Collection Development Librarian, Whatcom County Library System
Amy Jones, Communications Specialist/Graphic Designer, Whatcom County Library System

Creating a Library of Things: What to Do with All This Stuff
While libraries have a well prescribed path when it comes to adding media of various stripes to our collections, the process gets more complicated when we start adding other resources. Snowshoes? Ukuleles? Telescopes? Bass guitars? GPS units? The cataloging, processing, shelving, check in/checkout processes for these items don’t always align with business as usual. If you’re looking to expand your library’s offerings but are hesitant about the logistics, this is the session for you.

Brendan Lax, Collection Development Librarian, Hillsboro Public Library
Rob Roose, Support Services Director, Spokane Public Library
Gwendolyn Haley, Library Services Manager – Education and Enrichment, Spokane County Library District

ConnectED: Bringing Public Library Service to Schools 
Imagine a world where every student can check out books during a class visit or tour to the public library. Where every student can use library databases for their research whether or not they have a library card. This successful public library/school district partnership closes the library loop, allowing students to learn about, request, pick up, and return library materials, all from the comfort of their school. Panelists from public library and school district partners will share ideas about who to approach to set up the program, benefits for public and school libraries, and how to scale up.

Angelina Kuchar, Public Services Assistant – Youth Focus, Whatcom County Library System
Carmi Parker, ILS Administrator, Whatcom County Library System
Melissa Menti, District Librarian, Mount Baker School District
Thom Barthelmess, Youth Services Manager, Whatcom County Library System

Agile Goes to the Library
Agile project management offers simple, game-changing concepts: stop starting, start finishing; eliminate work in progress; make work visible. When one library system introduced Agile to staff, they got results: saving time in daily processes, managing complex projects, and moving towards a flexible and accountable culture. Another library system also saw results when using Scrum, an Agile framework that promises accomplishing twice the work in half the time with cross-functional teams. They were able to implement a new catalog in a matter of months. How? Hear our stories, learn the basics, and begin your journey as an Agile library!

Elizabeth Tracy, Library Director, Whistler Public Library
Chelsea Jordan-Makely, Technology & Support Services Librarian, Whistler Public Library
Crystal Trice, Library Project Coordinator, Washington County Cooperative Library Services
Maria Kessler McShane, Training and Web Content Librarian, Washington County Cooperative Library Services
PJ Bentley, Digital Engagement Librarian, Washington County Cooperative Library Services

Bridge to Tomorrow: Intercultural Competence Demystified
Libraries, as the trusted transmitter of our civilization through time, are increasing in importance as central hubs of inquiry and spaces that foster community. Our long-standing mission of embracing diversity through our practices and collections extends to our awareness of the important role of intercultural competence. This presentation introduces an Intercultural Competence Theory to raise the level of awareness and promote an applied framework for the integration of intercultural competencies through teaching, promoting, and enacting intercultural dialogues in daily life. Learn about the steps that lead to jointly developing an inter-cultural construct to live more successfully in a heterogeneous society.

Suzanne Milton, Learning Services Coordinator, Eastern Washington University
Qing Meade, Diversity and Inclusion Librarian, Eastern Washington University

Reading the Fine Print: Libraries Defending Academic Freedom, Students’ Rights & OER
When one community college announced Barnes & Noble (BNED) would assume bookstore operations, librarians took a deep dive into the proposed contract language. It contained restrictions on using and sharing open educational resources (OER), learning management systems (LMS) linking, and more. BNED offers turnkey OER products on proprietary courseware that enable easy faculty adoption but cost students money. These librarians scrambled on a short timeline to conduct outreach and work with administration to make changes in support of academic freedom, students’ rights, and an open educational culture. We will share our story, strategies, struggles, successes, lessons learned, and next steps. The regional community needs to support one another in this advocacy, as the contract includes a cooperative agreement clause allowing other community colleges to opt in.

Colleen Sanders, Part Time Reference Librarian, Clackamas Community College
Jane Littlefield, Instruction Librarian, Department Chair, Clackamas Community College
Kerry Leek, Part Time Reference Librarian, Clackamas Community College

Nontraditional Storytimes for All Ages: Building Community Through Story
Are you fascinated by the power of story? Learn ways to build community and bring families together to share stories with one another. Instill a love of reading and, in the process, remind people that we are never too old for storytime. Join this panel of librarians who are branching out to reach folks not covered under the traditional storytime umbrella. Ideas include teen and tween storytime, drag queen storytime, social justice storytime, and more!

Jennifer Wooten, Teen Services Librarian, King County Library System
TuesD Chambers, Ballard High School, Seattle Public Schools
Rebecca Wynkoop, Robert Eaglestaff Middle School, Seattle Public Schools
Stacia Bell, Madison Middle School, Seattle Public Schools

Special Libraries Unconference
Join others from OR and WA special libraries for this open and participant-driven discussion of topics relevant to the important work that do, and where it’s heading in the future. With a facilitator helping to guide the process, session content will be decided on and delivered by the attendees. Join us to share your ideas, participate in the conversation, or simply to absorb peer wisdom!

Rob Mead, State Law Librarian, Washington State Law Library
Star Khan, Outreach Services Coordinator, Driftwood Public Library

1:45–3:00 pm

Children’s & Teen Book Award Extravaganza
Do you love matching books with kids and teens? We do, too! Join us to learn about some Oregon and Washington youth book awards—we’ll share new award titles, play games, answer questions, and give away prizes. Awards include the Beverly Cleary Children’s Choice Award, Evergreen Teen Book Award, Oregon Book Awards, Oregon Reader’s Choice Awards, and Washington State Book Awards.

Sponsor: OLA Public Library Division (PLD)

Lori Lieberman, Teacher Librarian, Lincoln High School, Portland Public Schools
Jodeana Kruse, Chairperson, Evergreen Teen Book Award Committee
Libby Hamler-Dupras, Chair of Beverly Cleary Children’s Choice Award, WESD Teacher Librarian Consultant
Sheri Boggs, Youth Collection Development Librarian, Spokane County Library District
Susan Moore, Director of Programs for Writers, Literary Arts

Library Lights Out: A Cross-Campus Collaboration That Brings Library Outreach Back into the Library
University librarians will introduce Library Lights Out, an annual library event in partnership with university Housing and Residential Life. Students spend the night in the library and participate in a variety of educational and fun activities, such as a library resources scavenger hunt and Laser Tag in the library stacks. Topics include an overview of the event; how to build cost-sharing partnerships with other campus organizations; how the event serves to further the organizational goals of both the library and Residential Life; and lessons learned over nine consecutive years of this event.

Sponsor: WLA Academic Library Division (ALD)

Justin Otto, Scholarly Communications Librarian/Professor, Eastern Washington University
Qing Meade, Diversity and Inclusion Librarian/Assistant Professor, Eastern Washington University

The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness: Reduce Problems and Conflict While Still Being Inclusive *NEW SESSION*
Do you struggle with homeless, mentally ill, and addicted patrons? This interactive training expands on the Luncheon Keynote with Ryan Dowd and will teach you why homeless individuals do what they do and the practical tools for resolving problems and deescalating conflict. After this training, you will have more confidence with homeless patrons. This training is based on the ALA book, The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness.

Ryan Dowd, Author, The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness: An Empathy-Driven Approach to Solving Problems, Preventing Conflict, and Serving Everyone

Leap Into Science (1:45-4:45)
Take a Leap Into Science! Leap into Science programs for libraries integrate open-ended science activities with children’s books, designed especially for children ages 3-10 and their families. Washington State Library and the State Library of Oregon are partnering with libraries, museums, and other afterschool providers to build capacity for STEM learning across our states using this nationwide program from The Franklin Institute Science Museum & the Free Library of Philadelphia. By choosing to participate in this training, your library is committing to provide a total of three family workshops. All attendees will receive their own Leap into Science program kit with materials valued at $300 and follow up support from the Leap Into Science National Network. We strongly encourage teams of two or more people to register for this training. 

Greta Bergquist, Youth Services Consultant, State Library of Oregon
Gwendolyn Haley, Education and Enrichment Manager, Spokane County Library District
Rachel Kessler, Curriculum Development Coordinator, Oregon ASK
Nick Spicher, Program Innovations Manager, Imagine Children’s Museum
Dee Wetzel, Training and Education Specialist, Portland State University’s Center for Career Development in Childhood Care and Education
Bill Wells, Statewide Trainer, School’s Out Washington

Douglas County Libraries: New Paths to Success
The Douglas County Library System shuttered its 11-library operation in spring 2017. Since then, the former branches have developed unique ways to operate as independent public libraries. Learn about how the North Douglas Library District, a special district, was formed in the Drain area; the Roseburg Public Library was created by the City of Roseburg; and other libraries in the county continued operations with support from Friends, volunteers, and the Douglas Community Library Association, a 501(c)(3) organization.

Anne Campbell, North Douglas Library District Board Member
Kris Wiley, Director, Roseburg Public Library
Valarie Johns, Board Member, North Douglas Library District

Training Staff to Solve Tech Problems: A Hands-on Approach
Helping patrons to use their devices to download eBooks or other electronic resources can be daunting. Solving tech problems rarely follows a procedural checklist. Individual judgement and a willingness to try novel solutions are the necessary skills, but how do you train for those skills? Get hands-on practice using real devices to learn how “thinking outside the box” can be taught to library staff. Experience first-hand the successful Technology Assistance training implemented at Fort Vancouver Library System. What does it take, what does it cost, and what are the results? Come find out for yourself.

Sponsors: OLA Staff Training Round Table (STRT) and WLA Washington Library Trainers (WALT) Section

Blake Kincaid, Staff Development Coordinator, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries
Lee-Anne Flandreau, Reference Services Coordinator, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries

Developing & Implementing a Diversity Resident Position at Your Library
The mismatch in demographics between library staff and the communities they serve is well documented within the profession. Joining other programs across the country that are focused on growing a more equitable and inclusive library field, Oregon State University (OSU) and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) have recently created diversity resident positions, both for current MLIS students and early-career librarians. Attendees will learn how these positions function and potential barriers, and will have the chance to reflect upon creating similar positions at their institutions. The first librarians in these new roles will discuss their hands-on experiences working in academic libraries, with mentorship, professional identity development, and more.

Lindsay Marlow, Assistant Professor/STEM Outreach Librarian, Oregon State University Libraries & Press
Marisol Moreno Ortiz, OSULP Diversity Scholar, Oregon State University Libraries & Press
Bridgette Garcia, OSULP Diversity Scholar, Oregon State University Libraries & Press
Laura Zeigen, Liaison Librarian/Assistant Professor, Oregon Health & Science University

Reflecting Community: The Importance of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Library Staffing
Look around your library. Who do you see? Does your staff mirror your library’s audience? Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in library staffing provides a vital sense of place for members of your community. During this interactive session, attendees will learn the differences between equity and inclusion, why each is important to the culture of your library, and take away best practices for shaping a library staff that represents the communities they serve.

Brian Hulsey, Branch Circulation Supervisor, Sno-isle Libraries
Jo Anderson Cavinta, Diversity Coordinator, King County Library System

Spanish Materials, Outreach & Your Library: Tips from Libros for Oregon
How do we get good materials in Spanish? How do we connect them with our communities? Libros for Oregon (LfO) can help you address these perennial questions! The project’s three main parts: 1) Statewide book-buying cooperative (different participating libraries every year) to buy materials for members at the Guadalajara Book Fair; 2) Website chock-full of resources; and 3) Help for participating libraries to develop and implement outreach plans. LfO’s developers and first participants will answer questions and share how the project works, tips for navigating the vast Guadalajara Book Fair, outreach ideas to connect collections and communities, and the LfO website and resources—including cataloging help!

Sponsor: Reforma Oregon

Deborah Gitlitz, Community Outreach Librarian/Libros for Oregon Co-Chair, Wilsonville Public Library
Angelica Novoa de Cordeiro, Bilingual Services Specialist, Canby Public Library
Star Khan, Outreach Services Coordinator, Driftwood Public Library

3:30–4:45 pm

Get Your Diploma at the Library
Many libraries support GED programs, but the GED’s high-stakes test format and cost can be a barrier. In Washington, High School 21+ is a publicly funded, competency-based program specifically designed to accelerate individuals to a high school diploma. Although Oregon doesn’t yet have a program like HS 21+, there’s interest at the college level in launching one. Libraries are a terrific solution to many of the barriers to student success, with little effort beyond providing existing services and resources, such as access to computers and internet for students to complete assignments. This college/public library partnership is truly “charting the unknown together” by bringing high school graduation completion back into range for adults – right in their local communities. Perhaps by following the trail we’ve blazed others will find it easier to create their own “It’s Never too Late to Graduate” program or find other ways for schools and libraries to work together.

Elizabeth Iaukea, Workforce Development Librarian, Washington State Library
Troy Goracke, Policy Associate, BEdA, WA State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
Stacey Goddard, Library Services Manager, Spokane County Library District
Trisha Cronin, District Manager- Adult Services, Timberland Regional Library

Changing Library Classification Systems: There & Back Again
When the Fife Library was opened as the 19th branch in the Pierce County Library System in 2011, it was decided to do a pilot using word-based spine labeling and shelving, based on Book Industry Study Group’s Book Industry Standard and Communications (BISAC). In 2018, we converted the Fife Library back to the Dewey classification system. This session will cover what we learned about using BISAC, why we converted back, and the conversion process.

Kayce Austin, Customer Experience Manager, Pierce County Library
Tracy Thompson, Collection Manager, Pierce County Library
Heather Kaufman, Senior Collection Management Librarian, Pierce County Library

The 4 Leadership Skills They Didn’t Teach You in Library School (x)
Great organizations start with great leaders. In this session, you will learn the four key leadership skills that will drive your organization to achieve goals you never thought possible. Drawing from lessons learned while chasing scary, audacious goals (such as achieving a 95% self-checkout rate, 90 Net Promoter score, growing customers by 35%, getting 46% of households to use the library, and educating more than 120,000 people on the library’s future facility plan), leadership at Spokane Public Library will teach you what you need to wow your board, inspire your staff, and become an essential driver in your community.

Caris O’Malley, Deputy Director, Spokane Public Library
Andrew Chanse, Executive Director, Spokane Public Library

Digital Accessibility: What Is It & Why Should You Care?
Are your library’s digital resources accessible? Publishers and vendors are not liable if their products are inaccessible to users, but libraries are. Come learn why your library needs to be aware of digital accessibility, how to work with vendors to assure equitable access for patrons, and what resources are available to get started. Making your library’s digital resources accessible serves both a growing disabled population and a wider group of non-disabled users who make use of accessible features, such as keyboard navigation and closed captioning. Libraries are increasingly receiving formal legal accessibility complaints—don’t let it be yours.

Kim Storbeck, Collection Development Specialist – Electronic Resources, Timberland Regional Library
Samantha Everett, Vendor Relations Coordinator, King County Library System
Clare Murphy, Senior Collection Management Librarian, Pierce County Library System

Charting a Path Towards a Digitally Literate Community
As new and life-changing technologies are implemented at an accelerated rate, libraries can play an important role in engaging the community about the benefits and consequences of an ever-growing digital world. This program will demonstrate how the Edge Toolkit is used by libraries: to assess how they are helping residents embrace digital tools and understand their impacts; to build their internal staff capacity to become more technologically adept so that their residents become more productive digital citizens; and to create programs and services within the digital landscape for their community members.

Sponsors: WLA/Public Libraries and OLA/Public Library Division

Lourdes Aceves, Sr. Program Manager, Edge Initiative, Urban Libraries Council
Darci Hanning, Public Library Consultant, State Library of Oregon

Moderated by Sue Ludington, Law Librarian (Manager), Lane County Law Library