Programs & Workshops
9:30am - 10:45am
Title: Creating Brave Spaces to Address Diversity Issues (3 hour workshop)
Many of us have a vested interest in addressing diversity issues within our communities, our places of work, and our profession. Recent studies have demonstrated that the ‘diversity day’ trainings of the past may not be an effective tool. From the 2013 book “The Art of Effective Facilitation” comes an approach where ‘safe spaces’ are exchanged for ‘brave spaces’ as a potentially better way of conducting dialogues focused on diversity. This session will foster a brave space for a collaborative dialog where we can learn from one another what our issues are regarding diversity for our libraries in Washington.
Speaker(s): Samantha Hines, Associate Dean of Instructional Resources, Peninsula College
Title: Integrating Digital Citizenship: It’s Common Sense!
This workshop is about how to build a classroom, library, whole-school, or whole-community digital citizenship initiative. Designed for K-12 or Public librarians who want to collaborate with teachers and leaders to integrate digital citizenship lessons into the existing curriculum. Librarians who attend this session will be ready to pilot the use of the Common Sense Education Digital Citizenship materials in their work with peers and community. Learn how to become a Common Sense Education Certified teacher/school/library/district. BYOD (laptop or tablet) for best access to the digital resources that will be shared in this session! All conference materials will be made available to attendees under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Speaker(s): Liz Ebersole, M.Ed. Digital Education Leadership (anticipated May 2017), Seattle Pacific University; Ann Hayes-Bell, NBCT-Librarian & Technology Integration Specialist, Shoreline School District
Title: Building Science Connections
SCIENCE IS EVERYWHERE! Join instructors from the Pacific Science Center as they bring the excitement of science, math and technology to you! Learn engaging, inexpensive, and easily replicable activities that you can use with all ages, abilities, and knowledge levels. Discover workshops, exhibits, and shows for your patrons and students that complement your organization’s programs and initiatives. Bring science and engineering to life in your library!
Speaker(s): Mike Sweeney, Pacific Science Center, Outreach Education Coordinator; Alec McQuinn, Pacific Science Center, Outreach Education Coordinator
Title: Washington's Library Services and Technology Act: The Next Five Years
The Washington State Library is currently developing the next Library Services and Technology Aact Five-Year Plan for 2018 - 2022. Input is needed from the library community in order to make this plan relevant to the needs of Washington libraries. This session provides attendees both the opportunity to hear about the requirements of the plan and to discuss how LSTA funding can serve the needs of various types of libraries throughout Washington.
Speaker(s): Jeff Martin, Manager, Library Development, Washington State Library; Samantha Becker, Principal Research Scientist, UW iSchool
Title: Finding Their Own Voices: A Fresh Approach to Teaching about Plagiarism
The roots of plagiarism are more complex than challenges with attribution and citations. In fact, we could say that student weaknesses in attribution and citation are simply symptoms of larger issues: students don't know what to say and don't understand the collaborative nature of research. In this session, participants will examine a fresh approach to teaching about plagiarism through discussions and activities on developing credibility as a writer and research as collaboration. These discussions and activities can then be used with students.
Speaker(s): Molly Berger, English Language Arts Specialist, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
11:15am - 12:30pm
Title: Reentry Success: How Washington Libraries Can Contribute
In 2015 nearly 8,000 people were released from prison. They faced numerous barriers only some people can even imagine. Libraries already provide services that will assist the men and women reentering society. Internet access, a positive parenting environment and compassionate welcoming staff all contribute to a successful reentry. Find out how staff in public and community college libraries can help remove barriers to a successful reentry and assist in creating a safer community.
Speaker(s): Anna Nash, Institutional Librarian, Washington State Library; Laura Sherbo, Branch Library Services Program Manager, Washington State Library
Title: Real People, Real Stories, Free Resources: Holocaust Teaching Trunks and the Speakers Bureau
Real People: Hear first-hand about the story of a courageous woman who rescued Jews during the Holocaust. Real Stories: Holocaust Teaching Trunks provide hands-on learning with primary sources like artifacts, videos, books and activities. And they are free. Holocaust Teaching Trunks will help you to meet common core standards and your educational goals, while providing reputable materials for your library.
Give your students the opportunity to learn about the Holocaust through discovery, story, and critical thinking. Challenge them to be upstanders. In this session, participants will hear stories from the descendant of an eye-witness to the Holocaust, explore the contents of a trunk, and discuss guidelines for teaching the Holocaust effectively.
Speaker(s): Ilana Cone Kennedy, Director of Education, Holocaust Center for Humanity; Naomi Newman, Legacy Speaker
Title: There Is More than One State Library... Meet ALL the Olympia Libraries!
Most librarians are aware of the Washington State Library--but do you know what it does and how it can help you and your patrons? And did you know there are multiple other state-funded libraries in Olympia that have a wealth of information and resources to support you and your patrons? The DOT library has detailed information about the history of roads, interstates and bridges--what they used to be called, how they were funded; when they were built, and what early photographs looked like. The State Law Library has a mission of outreach and helping the citizens of Washington with issues of social justice. Come hear about the "other" libraries in Olympia and help us spread the word about these valuable state resources.
Speaker(s): Cindy Aden, Washington State Librarian, Washington State Library; Stephanie Earls, Librarian, Geology Library, Division of Geology and Earth Resources, Dept. of Natural Resources; Elly Krumwiede, Reference Specialist, State Law Library; Kim Smeenk, Librarian, State Materials Lab, Department of Transportation
Title: Computer Science in the Library
Every 21st-century student should have the opportunity to learn computer science. The basics help nurture creativity and problem-solving skills, and prepare students for any future career. This workshop will help LITS develop a deeper understanding of computer science and generate ideas for teaching and supporting teachers whether it's through the curriculum or hosting an Hour of Code. As Information Technology Specialists, we have the unique opportunity to provide leadership in our elementary schools to ensure that all students are comfortable and competent computer scientists.
Speaker(s): Marianne Costello, Library and Instructional Technology Coordinator/WLA-SL Division Chair elect/Code.org Fundamentals Facilitator, Edmonds School District
2:00pm - 3:15pm
Title: Social Justice Conversations: Listen Up! Let’s Break It Down (3 hour workshop)
How can the library become a forum for discussing issues of social justice? Find out how to create programs for teens and adults that engage participants in conversations about issues that are relevant and personal, including hunger, immigration, racism and racial stereotypes, restorative justice, Islam, and sexual assault. Learn about ways to prepare panel discussions, host films, and moderate conversations. Participate in real conversations centered around chapters from the Seattle Times series “Under Our Skin” to practice and brainstorm various approaches to community discussions about important and sensitive topics.
Speaker(s): Carrie Bowman, Teen Services Librarian, King County Library System; Naomi Sanyika Moore, Seattle Central College student and former Library Teen Advisory Board member; Arwa Mokdad, Mercer Island High School student and Library Teen Advisory Board member
Title: Anytime + Anywhere = Never: Tackling the Motivation Challenges of Continual Learning
We all aspire to be lifelong learners and we have all hit the snag of “Anytime + Anywhere = Never” ―the reality that unlimited access, unbounded time and lack of external motivators often means that our learning never gets off the ground. Drawing on case studies of learner success, knowledge of the workings of the brain, and an understanding of the “modern learner,” we will work collaboratively with participants to define solutions that will help us individually and collectively crest the wave and stay on top of our learning needs.
Speaker(s): Betha Gutsche, Programs Manager, OCLC/WebJunction; Elizabeth Iaukea, Project Manager, Washington State Library
Title: Reading Digitally: What We Know, What We Can Do
Our students read both print and digital texts. We can bemoan or celebrate this, but our students need skills for both formats. What does it mean to read digitally? How does it compare with reading from paper? How can we help our students build their focus and comprehension when reading digitally? In this session we will examine our emerging understanding of how reading digitally affects our students and strategies to build their digital reading skills. We will also look at current work at the state level to address digital literacy.
Speaker(s): Molly Berger, English Language Arts Specialist, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Title: School Library Advocacy Updates
School librarians know that the need and opportunities for advocacy are always changing. This session will bring together updates from our Olympia lobbyist Carolyn Logue, national ESSA advocacy updates from AASL, usable results of the OSPI WSSLIT2 study, and strategies of local school district library advocacy efforts.
Speaker(s): Craig Seasholes, Teacher-Librarian, Seattle Public Schools; Carolyn Logue, Lobbyist, Washington Library Association; Suzanne Carney,Teacher-Librarian, Selah Public Schools
Title: Helping Your Patrons With Accessibility Needs Become Limitless in Libraries!
Our population of patrons who have accessibility needs is growing and expanding to include seniors and others who may not identify as having a disability but still require customized support in public, school, and other library settings. Specialized software like JAWS and Zoomtext has given way to accessible smart phones, tablets, and Nooks in the marketplace. Patrons who do not identify as disabled are seeking accessible tools and services, while our traditional users want to know what other accessible resources are out in the world. Hear how SPL, KCLS, and WTBBL are connecting with people with special needs, and delivering services patrons enjoy and value!
Speaker(s): C.J. Glenn, Library Associate IV/Library Equal Access Program (LEAP), Seattle Public Library; Wendy Pender, Older Adults Project Specialist, King County Library System; Amy Ravenholt, Assistant Director, Washington Talking Book & Braille Library
3:45pm - 5:00pm
Title: Free Your Mind and the Rest Will Follow: Incorporating Liberating Structures in Your Next Meeting
Liberating Structures are easy-to-learn microstructures that foster lively participation in groups of any size, making it possible to truly include and unleash everyone. They provide an alternative approach to group facilitation that is easy to learn and simple to implement for a variety of purposes from page meeting to board discussion.
Join us in an exploration of why the conventional formats used in meetings are often too inhibiting or too disorganized to creatively engage people in shaping their own future, and how you can bring Liberating Structures into your next staff meeting or planning session to enhance your group’s ability to build trust, coordinate effectively and reveal the latent innovations waiting to be implemented.
Speaker(s): Erin Suda, Public Services Assistant, Whatcom County Library System; Katrina Carabba, Branch Manager, Whatcom County Library System
Title: STEM, STEAM or STREAM for All Ages!
STEM, STEAM, or STREAM programs offer fun learning opportunities for patrons and students of all ages in the areas of science, tech, reading, engineering, art and math. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination! Need a new angle? Some inspiration? Connections to district, state and national standards? Learn how to create programs that inspire your whole community, introducing them to new worlds of science and art from your own backyard!
Speaker(s): Erin Bethel, Teacher Librarian - Media Specialist, NBCT EMC LIT, Board of Directors Pierce County Library Foundation
Title: Multisensory Storytime for Children of Differing Abilities
Early exposure to rich, emergent literacy experiences ensures children reach important early milestones. Libraries can support children of differing abilities in reaching these milestones through sensory storytime programs that incorporate early literacy practices and skills. Participants will learn how to develop and implement storytime programs that incorporate a wide range of accessible materials and emergent literacy experiences. Recommended materials, manipulatives, and activities will be discussed as well as specific storytime modifications for children with Autism, ADHD, and blindness. Participants will leave the session with the tools and resources they need to make their library a more inclusive space for all.
Speaker(s): Marian Mays, Youth Services Librarian, Washington Talking Book & Braille Library
Title: Open Data Belongs to the People
Open Data is the radical notion that government data belongs to the people, and if it's not private it should be published freely and without restrictions. Washington and California are collaborating on a grant-supported curriculum to bring open data home to community libraries. Attendees at this session will see one of the curriculum modules in action, explore the others, talk with some of the authors in the library and civic tech community, and help improve the curriculum itself. Learning objectives from the draft curriculum include: Understand what open data is and how to use it; Explain where open data can be found; Assess whether the data you found will answer the question you're asking; Identify different types of data visualization and how they can inform or mislead; Comparing and combining data to tell a story or answer a question; Using feedback to improve the open data offered by your state or city.
Speaker(s): Will Saunders, Open Data Guy, WA State Office of the Chief Information Officer; Ann Glusker, Research & Data Coordinator, UW Health Sciences Library
