Track 2: Library Staff
- 9:30-10:30
- Steve Sheinkin
- Session will not be recorded.
Keynote - Steve Sheinkin
Confessions of a (Former) Textbook Writer - Steve describes his long and winding path from miserable textbook writer to much happier writer of nonfiction books that kids and teens actually want to read. He'll include stories from his recent and upcoming books. A former textbook writer, Steve Sheinkin is now making amends by writing books young people might actually want to read. He's the author of fast-paced, cinematic nonfiction including Bomb, Fallout, Undefeated, Born to Fly, The Port Chicago 50, and Impossible Escape, as well as The Bletchley Riddle, a middle grade historical mystery written with Ruta Sepetys. Steve's accolades include a Newbery Honor, three Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards, a Sibert Medal and Honor, three National Book Award finalist honors, and the Margaret A. Edwards Award. He lives with his family in Saratoga Springs, New York.
- 10:45-11:45
- Patrick Bodily
Track 2, Session 2: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Leading with Radical Acceptance
For many of us, feelings of falling short are right around the corner. It doesn't take much - hearing of someone else's accomplishments, being criticized, getting into an argument, making a mistake - to make us feel that we are not okay. Learn how to lead with Radical Acceptance by recognizing our strengths and weaknesses with compassion and accepting situations that are outside our control. Radical Acceptance doesn't mean that we are non-reactive to challenges. Instead, we can use that acceptance to overcome challenges and become more self-aware. This session will teach how to radically accept what comes in our lives so we can overcome our feelings of inadequacy. Regardless of your position at your library, you can learn to lead and overcome. Patrick is the Library Director at the Independence Public Library in Independence, Oregon, and is currently serving as the President of the Association for Rural and Small Libraries. He has worked at Academic, State, and Public Libraries in Utah, Idaho and Oregon. In his free time he enjoys exploring his home in the Pacific Northwest, working on his ever expanding "To Be Read" pile, and baking sourdough bread with somewhat consistent results.
- 11:45-12:15
- Session will not be recorded.
Lunch & Optional Networking
Join your colleagues from around the region while you enjoy your lunch and discuss your favorite holiday baked goods! We'll exchange recipes too!
- 12:15-1:15
- Sonnet Ireland
- Session will be recorded.
Track 2, Session 3: From Burnout to Balance: Cultivating a Culture of Well-Being in Libraries
As stress and burnout levels rise among library professionals, particularly in the face of increasing book banning and restrictive laws impacting our field, it’s essential to create a culture that prioritizes self-care and support. This session will address the challenges faced in the library environment and the impact of ignoring well-being. Participants will learn practical strategies for fostering a supportive atmosphere, share effective self-care practices, and discover how collaboration can alleviate stress. Bring your experiences and questions as we work together to navigate these challenges and walk away with practical tools to empower your team to build a healthier, more resilient workforce that thrives while serving the community. Sonnet Ireland is the Library Director of the Washington Parish Library and has been a Louisiana librarian for fifteen years. She has written and presented on censorship and fake news, with a focus on counteracting both. A Past President of the Louisiana Library Association and an ALA Councilor At-Large, Sonnet is passionate about fostering emotional wellness and self-care for library staff. She believes in creating supportive environments where staff can thrive while serving their communities. In her spare time, she enjoys playing old video games and rescuing any random animal that crosses her path.
- 1:30-2:30
- Nate Heyer
- Session will not be recorded.
Track 2, Session 4: Introducing Generative AI
Learn about how Generative AI tools work - and how to make them work for your library in this introductory session. We'll explore text and image-based AI tools with a live demonstration segment, plus discuss key points to share with community members who bring questions to the desk. Nate Heyer is a librarian and educator with a passion for helping library workers level up their confidence with technology, and thrive as professionals within a challenging, ever-evolving field. He works as the Assistant Director for Public Services at the Guilderland Public Library in upstate New York, and provides digital literacy instruction across New York state via his business, the Neoliteracy Academy.
- 2:45-3:45
- Arthur Wheaton
- Session will be recorded.
Track 2, Session 5: Difficult Patron Interactions and Conflict Management
Arthur will discuss dealing with difficult patrons while sharing conflict resolution strategies to improve patron interactions. Arthur Wheaton is director of Labor Studies for Cornell University ILR School. Art has a master of Science degree in labor relations and human resources from Michigan State University. Arthur also holds a bachelor's of science degree in Social Science PRe-Law in Economics, History and Political Science from Michigan State University. Art’s expertise includes industry education and workplace training, negotiations and conflict resolution. Arthur has years of experience teaching and developing joint labor/management programs, train-the-trainer workshops and online teaching. He has a special interest in health and safety programs and committees. His specialty is integrating lean or high-performance principles with health and safety programs to provide a safe working environment and enhance quality, productivity, and morale. Art is an auto industry specialist and has previously been a labor relations resource for the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions and the International Labor Organization. Prior to working for Cornell University, he was the Project Manager for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Labor Aerospace Research Agenda. He is a co-author of the 1998 book, Knowledge Driven Work: Unexpected Lessons from Japanese and United States Work Practices. Arthur has been an executive board member for AFSCME Local 1585 and Union Steward for AFSCME Local 1585 at Michigan State University.