Session Descriptions
PRECONFERENCE SESSION: PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
Speaker: Carol-Anne Pasemko
September 25, 1:30 - 4:00 pm, at Peace Library System Headquarters
Performance management is about managing people and the way people within your organization work together. Employees expect feedback and a culture that fosters their own development, and want to understand how their efforts tie into organizational objectives, what is expected of them, and how they are measured for it. This fast paced workshop will focus on the dynamics of performance engagement, coaching, and review.
Please Note: There is a limit of 30 participants and there is no extra charge to attend. Indicate on your conference registration if you would like to attend, and register early to ensure a space in the preconference session!
Thursday, September 26: 10:30-11:45 am
A1: Evaluating Success: Getting More From Your Plan of Service
Speakers: Miranda Maguire and Jordan DeSousa
Your Plan of Service is a powerful tool for demonstrating your library’s value and communicating success to stakeholders. In this session we’ll cover the process of developing effective goals and objectives, explore various evaluation and assessment methods, and show you how a Plan of Service can help you tell a more meaningful story about your library's value. Go beyond simply meeting targets and start making connections that illustrate just how important the library is to your community!
Audience: Public libraries and trustees
A2: How To Hire a Library Superhero
Speaker: Tanya Pollard
How does one find the perfect Library Director/Manager/SUPERHERO? Yup, you need someone who can leap over stacks of books and resources in a single bound! Find just the right resource with their laser sharp vision, build fortress-like policies and grant proposals, stretch a dollar like it is made of “elasto-steel,” and still have the energy to wrangle cranky toddlers at Read and Rhyme! Finding this person seems like a tall order, and a daunting task, but fear not: ALTA is here to help you! Come and learn a thing or two about what it takes to detect, recruit and HIRE a LIBRARY SUPERHERO.
Audience: Trustees
A3: Video Games at Your Library?
Speakers: Charlotte Anderson and Mikyla Meyer
Want to learn more about video games at your library? In the first part of this session we will be discussing how to implement and manage a video game collection. The second part will be tips and tricks for programming with video games - from which consoles to use to how to choose your games.
Audience: Everyone
A4: Accessibility, Inclusion, and the Empathetic Library
Speaker: Lisa Patton
Building off BPL's Access to Services Initiatives of 2017, Brooks Public Library delves into the world of Empathetic Librarianship. Session will address (1) language politics and good intentions that can become obstacles to inclusive policy development, (2) specific program ideas from Brooks as well as other great Alberta libraries, and (3) a review of our staff Empathy Journey - a reflection on our library-wide empathy-driven customer service training and how we "fixed" our problem patrons.
Audience: Everyone
A5: Inspirational Books: the Brightest and Best of 2019
Speakers: Calvin Smith and Brittany Smith-Giesbrecht
Let the staff of Shepherd's Fold take you on a lightning tour of the year's brightest and best in inspirational books.
Includes genres for all ages, with special attention to juvenile and YA.
Audience: Everyone
A1: Evaluating Success: Getting More From Your Plan of Service
Speakers: Miranda Maguire and Jordan DeSousa
Your Plan of Service is a powerful tool for demonstrating your library’s value and communicating success to stakeholders. In this session we’ll cover the process of developing effective goals and objectives, explore various evaluation and assessment methods, and show you how a Plan of Service can help you tell a more meaningful story about your library's value. Go beyond simply meeting targets and start making connections that illustrate just how important the library is to your community!
Audience: Public libraries and trustees
A2: How To Hire a Library Superhero
Speaker: Tanya Pollard
How does one find the perfect Library Director/Manager/SUPERHERO? Yup, you need someone who can leap over stacks of books and resources in a single bound! Find just the right resource with their laser sharp vision, build fortress-like policies and grant proposals, stretch a dollar like it is made of “elasto-steel,” and still have the energy to wrangle cranky toddlers at Read and Rhyme! Finding this person seems like a tall order, and a daunting task, but fear not: ALTA is here to help you! Come and learn a thing or two about what it takes to detect, recruit and HIRE a LIBRARY SUPERHERO.
Audience: Trustees
A3: Video Games at Your Library?
Speakers: Charlotte Anderson and Mikyla Meyer
Want to learn more about video games at your library? In the first part of this session we will be discussing how to implement and manage a video game collection. The second part will be tips and tricks for programming with video games - from which consoles to use to how to choose your games.
Audience: Everyone
A4: Accessibility, Inclusion, and the Empathetic Library
Speaker: Lisa Patton
Building off BPL's Access to Services Initiatives of 2017, Brooks Public Library delves into the world of Empathetic Librarianship. Session will address (1) language politics and good intentions that can become obstacles to inclusive policy development, (2) specific program ideas from Brooks as well as other great Alberta libraries, and (3) a review of our staff Empathy Journey - a reflection on our library-wide empathy-driven customer service training and how we "fixed" our problem patrons.
Audience: Everyone
A5: Inspirational Books: the Brightest and Best of 2019
Speakers: Calvin Smith and Brittany Smith-Giesbrecht
Let the staff of Shepherd's Fold take you on a lightning tour of the year's brightest and best in inspirational books.
Includes genres for all ages, with special attention to juvenile and YA.
Audience: Everyone
Thursday, September 26: 1:15 pm - 2:30 pm
B1: Libraries: The Heartbeat of a Rural Community
Speaker: Jean Ketch
Rural libraries are the heart of the community. They bring people together through programs, services, and events. In this presentation I will be demonstrating how the Rimbey Municipal Library has become the hub of the community with our many varied programs for people ranging in age from babies to seniors.
Audience: Public libraries and trustees
B2: Library Boards and Councils: Building a Great Relationship
Speaker: Ken Allan
Are you a councilor who is newly appointed to your municipal library board? Have you never quite understood how boards and councils are supposed to relate to each other? Come to this session and learn about the ways in which library boards and municipal councils can interact with each other under the Libraries Act, and the roles that library boards and municipal councils play in developing a beneficial and productive relationship.
Audience: Public libraries and trustees
B3: Makerspace Collections
Speaker: Maureen Penn
What is a makerspace collection? How do they circulate? Why add them to your collection? We want to jump right in, purchase everything and try it all. But when building the collection, we found the best course of action was to slow our pace down and start with a few types. In this presentation we will share some ideas on how to start, cataloguing, tracking kit pieces, plus how to tailor it to your library member’s needs and your plan of service.
Audience: Public libraries and school libraries
B4: Overcoming Communication Barriers
Speaker: Samina Malik-Smith
Do you find it difficult to say ‘No’? Is it a challenge to give or receive feedback? Perhaps you’d like to enhance your assertiveness and negotiation skills? This informative session will give participants practical tools and strategies to put core skills to use to overcome communication barriers. Using a straightforward approach, these strategies will create change and guide you towards resolution in conflicts at home or in the workplace.
Audience: Everyone
B5: Annual All-Stars
Speakers: Jacob Fehr and Bailey Randolph
Once again Jacob and Bailey will be discussing their favourite children’s and teen books from the past year. They’ll show off their all-star picks, read a picture book or two, and (spoiler alert!) provide a detailed synopsis of each book.
Audience: Everyone
B1: Libraries: The Heartbeat of a Rural Community
Speaker: Jean Ketch
Rural libraries are the heart of the community. They bring people together through programs, services, and events. In this presentation I will be demonstrating how the Rimbey Municipal Library has become the hub of the community with our many varied programs for people ranging in age from babies to seniors.
Audience: Public libraries and trustees
B2: Library Boards and Councils: Building a Great Relationship
Speaker: Ken Allan
Are you a councilor who is newly appointed to your municipal library board? Have you never quite understood how boards and councils are supposed to relate to each other? Come to this session and learn about the ways in which library boards and municipal councils can interact with each other under the Libraries Act, and the roles that library boards and municipal councils play in developing a beneficial and productive relationship.
Audience: Public libraries and trustees
B3: Makerspace Collections
Speaker: Maureen Penn
What is a makerspace collection? How do they circulate? Why add them to your collection? We want to jump right in, purchase everything and try it all. But when building the collection, we found the best course of action was to slow our pace down and start with a few types. In this presentation we will share some ideas on how to start, cataloguing, tracking kit pieces, plus how to tailor it to your library member’s needs and your plan of service.
Audience: Public libraries and school libraries
B4: Overcoming Communication Barriers
Speaker: Samina Malik-Smith
Do you find it difficult to say ‘No’? Is it a challenge to give or receive feedback? Perhaps you’d like to enhance your assertiveness and negotiation skills? This informative session will give participants practical tools and strategies to put core skills to use to overcome communication barriers. Using a straightforward approach, these strategies will create change and guide you towards resolution in conflicts at home or in the workplace.
Audience: Everyone
B5: Annual All-Stars
Speakers: Jacob Fehr and Bailey Randolph
Once again Jacob and Bailey will be discussing their favourite children’s and teen books from the past year. They’ll show off their all-star picks, read a picture book or two, and (spoiler alert!) provide a detailed synopsis of each book.
Audience: Everyone
Thursday, September 26: 2:45 pm - 4:00 pm
C1: The Future Voilà: Our National Union Catalogue
Speaker: Monica Fuijkschot
Published Heritage Branch is engaging with the library community across the country to develop a vision, policy, and strategy for Voilà Canada’s new National Union Catalogue in order to maximize participation and achieve greater representation by Canadian libraries. This interactive session focuses on discussion in order to get input from the library community on 1) a new vision, policy and strategic direction for Voilà, and 2) practical solutions and next steps we need to take together in order to achieve this new vision, policy and strategic direction. An update on Library and Archives Canada will also be presented.
Audience: Everyone
C2: Making Staff Evaluations Meaningful and Joyful Experiences
Speaker: Caroline Vandriel
**CANCELLED**
C3: Tech Time!
Speakers: Charlotte Anderson, Mikyla Meyer and Jacob Fehr
Come and play with the Oculus Go (virtual reality), Sphero, Lego Mindstorms, Makey Makey, Snap Circuits, and the Nintendo Switch. Rather than a presentation, this unique session offers hands-on experience with various devices you can use in your library!
Audience: Everyone
C4: The Churches and the Residential Schools, 1876-1939: Responsibilities and Realities
Speaker: Dr. Duff Crerar
Duff Crerar seeks to shed light on the origins and the reasons for the national scandal of the Residential Schools.
Perhaps one of the greatest charges against the Canadian government, which only compounded the school legacy, is that early warnings and protests were ignored. This presentation will address the often little-known and less-understood background of the toxic relationship between religion, culture and oppression from the days of Sir John A Macdonald to those of Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier, Borden and Mackenzie King. Key actors, assumptions and failures need to be linked, as well as the question of why those who spoke out against the schools were ignored and suppressed.
Audience: Everyone
C5: An Analog Life: An Enthusiastic Introduction to Bullet Journaling
Speaker: Sheryl Pelletier
Learn the basics of keeping your brain in one spot. Lists, schedules, habit changers, projects, hobbies, brain dumps; pretty much anything goes into this nifty project. Bullet journals have been around for a few years now and work wonders for keeping both sides of your brain satisfied and well-functioning. Interestingly enough, men and women are both attracted to this method of keeping life together at minimal cost. Beginners will leave with a starter journal; pros will leave with new ideas and an opportunity to share their favorites.
Audience: Everyone
C1: The Future Voilà: Our National Union Catalogue
Speaker: Monica Fuijkschot
Published Heritage Branch is engaging with the library community across the country to develop a vision, policy, and strategy for Voilà Canada’s new National Union Catalogue in order to maximize participation and achieve greater representation by Canadian libraries. This interactive session focuses on discussion in order to get input from the library community on 1) a new vision, policy and strategic direction for Voilà, and 2) practical solutions and next steps we need to take together in order to achieve this new vision, policy and strategic direction. An update on Library and Archives Canada will also be presented.
Audience: Everyone
C2: Making Staff Evaluations Meaningful and Joyful Experiences
Speaker: Caroline Vandriel
**CANCELLED**
C3: Tech Time!
Speakers: Charlotte Anderson, Mikyla Meyer and Jacob Fehr
Come and play with the Oculus Go (virtual reality), Sphero, Lego Mindstorms, Makey Makey, Snap Circuits, and the Nintendo Switch. Rather than a presentation, this unique session offers hands-on experience with various devices you can use in your library!
Audience: Everyone
C4: The Churches and the Residential Schools, 1876-1939: Responsibilities and Realities
Speaker: Dr. Duff Crerar
Duff Crerar seeks to shed light on the origins and the reasons for the national scandal of the Residential Schools.
Perhaps one of the greatest charges against the Canadian government, which only compounded the school legacy, is that early warnings and protests were ignored. This presentation will address the often little-known and less-understood background of the toxic relationship between religion, culture and oppression from the days of Sir John A Macdonald to those of Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier, Borden and Mackenzie King. Key actors, assumptions and failures need to be linked, as well as the question of why those who spoke out against the schools were ignored and suppressed.
Audience: Everyone
C5: An Analog Life: An Enthusiastic Introduction to Bullet Journaling
Speaker: Sheryl Pelletier
Learn the basics of keeping your brain in one spot. Lists, schedules, habit changers, projects, hobbies, brain dumps; pretty much anything goes into this nifty project. Bullet journals have been around for a few years now and work wonders for keeping both sides of your brain satisfied and well-functioning. Interestingly enough, men and women are both attracted to this method of keeping life together at minimal cost. Beginners will leave with a starter journal; pros will leave with new ideas and an opportunity to share their favorites.
Audience: Everyone
Friday, September 27: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
D1: Single Staff Superheroes
Speaker: Myah Adams
How is it possible for a single staff library to offer more to their patrons besides books and computers? How do you have staff meetings to plan the upcoming month? When are we managing our collections, shelving, looking for
funding, advocating, advertising, posting to social media, helping our patrons, answering phones…oh, and I’m
probably forgetting something!! This session will give you tips for time management, tips for running programs while the library is open, tips for posting to social media, how to make cold calls to gain community partnerships, and a look at how to create an elevator speech to get some volunteers.
Audience: Public libraries
D2: SPEAK UP! Advocacy for Library Trustees
Speaker: Tanya Pollard
Let's face it, libraries are rarely at the forefront of the funding train or at the top of the important services list. At best, we make it to the middle! This session will give you some thought provoking ideas to turn your advocacy plans into advocacy success stories. From postcards to in-house candidate forums, ALTA has collected advocacy ideas from every corner of the library world to share with trustees. Find your voice, speak up, and be heard.
Audience: Trustees
D3: One Size Does Not Fit All: Using SimplyReports to Create Custom Reports
Speaker: Janet Ayles
When it comes to hunting down data and digging up what Polaris has to offer, SimplyReports is the right tool for the job. SimplyReports allows you to create extensive custom reports to meet your needs. Come and learn how to create, save, and even schedule your reports. This is your opportunity to come and ask lots of questions about Simply Reports. Feel free to even bring report scenarios and get advice on how to build them.
Audience: Public libraries
D4: Library Legislation Game Night
Speakers: Kerry Anderson and Jen Anderson
Have you taken Board Basics? Trustee 2.0? Think you know all there is to know about the Libraries Act and Regulation? Then, test your knowledge at this fun game-show style session where participants will answer skill-testing questions and work together to solve library board conundrums. Who knew library governance could be so complicated and yet so entertaining? Play for fun and prestige!
Audience: Public libraries and trustees
D5: The Next Big Thing: Book Recommendations
Speakers: Samantha Mercer and Emma Stewart
Take a tour through the latest and greatest publications for young adult and adult fiction. Emma and Samantha will highlight recent releases and let you know about upcoming titles to look out for in several genres: Fantasy/Science Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Thrillers and Mysteries, and Nonfiction and Memoir.
Audience: Everyone
D1: Single Staff Superheroes
Speaker: Myah Adams
How is it possible for a single staff library to offer more to their patrons besides books and computers? How do you have staff meetings to plan the upcoming month? When are we managing our collections, shelving, looking for
funding, advocating, advertising, posting to social media, helping our patrons, answering phones…oh, and I’m
probably forgetting something!! This session will give you tips for time management, tips for running programs while the library is open, tips for posting to social media, how to make cold calls to gain community partnerships, and a look at how to create an elevator speech to get some volunteers.
Audience: Public libraries
D2: SPEAK UP! Advocacy for Library Trustees
Speaker: Tanya Pollard
Let's face it, libraries are rarely at the forefront of the funding train or at the top of the important services list. At best, we make it to the middle! This session will give you some thought provoking ideas to turn your advocacy plans into advocacy success stories. From postcards to in-house candidate forums, ALTA has collected advocacy ideas from every corner of the library world to share with trustees. Find your voice, speak up, and be heard.
Audience: Trustees
D3: One Size Does Not Fit All: Using SimplyReports to Create Custom Reports
Speaker: Janet Ayles
When it comes to hunting down data and digging up what Polaris has to offer, SimplyReports is the right tool for the job. SimplyReports allows you to create extensive custom reports to meet your needs. Come and learn how to create, save, and even schedule your reports. This is your opportunity to come and ask lots of questions about Simply Reports. Feel free to even bring report scenarios and get advice on how to build them.
Audience: Public libraries
D4: Library Legislation Game Night
Speakers: Kerry Anderson and Jen Anderson
Have you taken Board Basics? Trustee 2.0? Think you know all there is to know about the Libraries Act and Regulation? Then, test your knowledge at this fun game-show style session where participants will answer skill-testing questions and work together to solve library board conundrums. Who knew library governance could be so complicated and yet so entertaining? Play for fun and prestige!
Audience: Public libraries and trustees
D5: The Next Big Thing: Book Recommendations
Speakers: Samantha Mercer and Emma Stewart
Take a tour through the latest and greatest publications for young adult and adult fiction. Emma and Samantha will highlight recent releases and let you know about upcoming titles to look out for in several genres: Fantasy/Science Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Thrillers and Mysteries, and Nonfiction and Memoir.
Audience: Everyone
Friday, September 27: 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm
E1: Why We Weed
Speaker: Emma Stewart
As much as we might wish we could keep every book in the world on our library shelves, the reality is that limited space and evolving community interests mean we have to be selective about what stays and what goes. Weeding is critical to maintaining a healthy library collection, but sometimes it can be an intimidating or overwhelming process. In this session, we’ll discuss why weeding is important, what criteria you can use when evaluating books, and how to weed in a thoughtful, systematic way that won’t alienate your patrons.
Audience: Public libraries and school libraries
E2: Trustee 2.0
Speaker: Tanya Pollard
Welcome to the amazingly interesting, highly rewarding, ridiculously well-paid world of Library Trusteeship. OOPS! Wait a second... we don't get paid. So, what do we do as Trustees? The Alberta Library Trustees' Association is the premiere source of information for Library Trustees. In Trustee 2.0, we pick up where Board Basics leaves off- how to structure effective meetings, your legal roles and responsibilities, board-director relationships, problem solving, the relationship between the Board and its stakeholders, funding, and so many other details for new and seasoned trustees alike. This session will include ample time for some Q&A, so bring your questions!
Audience: Trustees
E3: Windows 10: Seeing Clearly Through Your Windows
Speaker: Fred Richard
Windows has come a long way with their operating systems and the newest edition seems to be one of the most user friendly to date, but it can be an overwhelming experience for those who are only familiar with a Windows 7 operating system. In this session, attendees will take a look at the layout and features of Windows 10 and Fred will discuss some tips and tricks for using Windows 10 and how to use it to its full advantage.
Audience: Public libraries
E4: Collection Building: Diversity & Own Voices
Speaker: Samantha Mercer
Interested in expanding and updating your collection? Get recommendations of titles that promote diversity & own voices representation. We’ll also discuss where and how to find these books to keep your collection up to date and highlight some tools to help you evaluate what your collection has and where there are gaps.
Audience: Everyone
E5: Peace Library System Tour
Guide: Linda Duplessis
Tour System headquarters (8301 - 110 Street) and find out more about the services and programs offered, as well as how you can access them. Meet with and talk to some of the staff members who provide services to your library.
Audience: Everyone
E1: Why We Weed
Speaker: Emma Stewart
As much as we might wish we could keep every book in the world on our library shelves, the reality is that limited space and evolving community interests mean we have to be selective about what stays and what goes. Weeding is critical to maintaining a healthy library collection, but sometimes it can be an intimidating or overwhelming process. In this session, we’ll discuss why weeding is important, what criteria you can use when evaluating books, and how to weed in a thoughtful, systematic way that won’t alienate your patrons.
Audience: Public libraries and school libraries
E2: Trustee 2.0
Speaker: Tanya Pollard
Welcome to the amazingly interesting, highly rewarding, ridiculously well-paid world of Library Trusteeship. OOPS! Wait a second... we don't get paid. So, what do we do as Trustees? The Alberta Library Trustees' Association is the premiere source of information for Library Trustees. In Trustee 2.0, we pick up where Board Basics leaves off- how to structure effective meetings, your legal roles and responsibilities, board-director relationships, problem solving, the relationship between the Board and its stakeholders, funding, and so many other details for new and seasoned trustees alike. This session will include ample time for some Q&A, so bring your questions!
Audience: Trustees
E3: Windows 10: Seeing Clearly Through Your Windows
Speaker: Fred Richard
Windows has come a long way with their operating systems and the newest edition seems to be one of the most user friendly to date, but it can be an overwhelming experience for those who are only familiar with a Windows 7 operating system. In this session, attendees will take a look at the layout and features of Windows 10 and Fred will discuss some tips and tricks for using Windows 10 and how to use it to its full advantage.
Audience: Public libraries
E4: Collection Building: Diversity & Own Voices
Speaker: Samantha Mercer
Interested in expanding and updating your collection? Get recommendations of titles that promote diversity & own voices representation. We’ll also discuss where and how to find these books to keep your collection up to date and highlight some tools to help you evaluate what your collection has and where there are gaps.
Audience: Everyone
E5: Peace Library System Tour
Guide: Linda Duplessis
Tour System headquarters (8301 - 110 Street) and find out more about the services and programs offered, as well as how you can access them. Meet with and talk to some of the staff members who provide services to your library.
Audience: Everyone