#2017VLA Lightning Talks: Fourth Floor, The Main Ballroom, Salon H

Thursday, October 12, 12:30 pm - 1:15 pm Fourth Floor, The Main Ballroom, Salon H

Charlottesville and Beyond: Developmentally Appropriate Ways to use Social Justice in the Elementary Library

Public libraries are often a bastion of freedom of speech and defenders against censorship. However, all too often, elementary school libraries tend to divorce themselves from current events, politics, and civil rights. We believe that there are developmentally appropriate ways to discuss social justice issues in the elementary library, tie in relevant literature, and allow for a space of healing after unrest and violence.

Presenter: J-Lynn Van Pelt, Friendship Public Charter School


Diversity in Libraries: Launching a Diversity Internship Program

This summer William & Mary Libraries began a new diversity initiative designed to provide the support and opportunities needed to encourage, develop and grow future librarians, archivists and library professionals. The W&M Mosaic Program provides valuable, paid library work experience to students from diverse backgrounds looking to pursue library careers. Learn about the opportunities we discovered and the challenges we faced launching this program.

Presenter: Tami Back, William & Mary Libraries


Bursting the Filter Bubble

As librarians, we are aware of the power of filters to help us locate information, materials, and broaden or narrow our search results. But have you ever given thought to how the filters you use in daily life may change how you experience the world.  A colleague and I recently began thinking about how online filters can change the ways we receive and encounter information.  We created a lesson plan that can be used with multiple audiences to help people become familiar with how the internet can put us in a  filter bubble.  Which may cause us to miss out on new experiences, unfamiliar and opposing ideas, information we need to know about our world, and even the people we care about. This talk will leave you with another perspective on the power of filters and a ready made lesson plan to use with many different library audiences.

Presenter: Lisa Dinkle, Radford University


STEAMing Up and Camping In Your Library

In Summer 2017, Virginia Beach Public Library and Tidewater Community College collaborated to host a week-long STEAM + Maker camp for elementary school students. For librarians, the experience was deeply collaborative and leveraged the programs in a public system with academic resources on a college campus. For the kids, it was a heck of a lot of fun.

Presenter: Sarah Falls, Tidewater Community College


Friday, October 13, 9:30 - 10:15 am Fourth Floor, The Main Ballroom, Salon H

Ten Foot Pole Conversations:  Charlottesville and the Aftermath in Our Library World

A "Ten Foot Pole Conversation"  is one of those compelling issues which loom just under the surface, but often out of fear or discomfort, important discussions and actions are left unspoken and undone because no one wants to broach the issue, not even with a ten foot pole.

Presenter: Joslyn Jones, Prince William Public Library System


Creating and Expanding Entrepreneurship Support in the Public Library

Entrepreneurs and small business owners are an underserved population for many public libraries. Learn how the Roanoke Public Libraries has been working to support and programming for entrepreneurs and small business in their area.

Presenter: Whitney Kramer, Roanoke Public Libraries


Friday, October 13, 9:30 - 10:15 am

Building Your Community of Practice with a Book Club

Entering into a new library role is an exciting and exhilarating time.  It can also be a terrific time for professional growth and learning.  Many times we jump in with an "learn as I go" attitude, but what if we didn't, what if we intentionally acknowledged ourselves as learners in our new role, and then sought out other people outside of your library, who are in or have been in similar situations. This talk will layout the basics for how to begin growing your community of practice with a book club.

Presenter: Lisa Dinkle, Radford University


Friday, October 13, 9:30 - 10:15 am

Mindfulness in the Library

How do we remain calm when the world around us seems in constant chaos? Can we quiet our minds when questions and problems are swirling through? The practice of mindfulness is a helpful tool we can use even during our most stressful moments on the desk or while dealing with workplace struggles.

Presenter: Margaret Howard, Chesterfield County Public Library