I attended the Iowa Library Association conference, which was October 1-3 in Sioux City, IA. The main day of the conference was October 2. The day began with opening keynote speaker Dorcas Hand, who is a retired school librarian from Texas. Her presentation made an analogy between libraries and squares of a quilt. Each library is unique and serves a unique community, but we are all connected. Dorcas also highlighted the ways that we can advocate for libraries and bring awareness to libraries through connecting with local and personal advocates. Additionally, library workers at different types of libraries can advocate for each other. For example, employees of public libraries advocating for school libraries and vice versa. Afterwards, I attended sessions on space needs, open-source library tools, and E-rate. Space needs was relevant to me because I learned about how to maximize the potential of small spaces (such as the Plum Creek office!). The session on open-source library tools was given by a staff member of ByWater Solutions, which is an organization that we are partnered with, so I’m glad that I got to meet them in person. I was able to learn about how other libraries have been able to tailor open-source library software such as Koha ILS and Aspen OPAC to the needs of themselves and their patrons. Additionally, the session on E-Rate was interesting to me because it allowed me to get a better understanding the process of applying for and implementing federal E-Rate funds. Plum Creek as well as many of our member libraries are currently utilizing E-Rate funds, so I am grateful that I was able to learn more about the inner workings of the program.
On October 3, I continued the conference by attending sessions on teamwork between libraries, problem solving, and disability representation in graphic novels. The session on teamwork was given by library directors/trustee members at five public libraries in Monona County, IA. As small, rural public libraries, they have been able to form partnerships to improve funding, programming, and services at their libraries. The session highlighted the importance of partnerships and how libraries can achieve better outcomes by working together. Furthermore, the second session that I attended discussed the paradoxes that library workers may face in their day-to-day work environment. When there is a conflict that has no clear solution, a paradox is created. The session emphasized different models for problem-solving that allow you to work through paradoxes and approach the conflict in a different way. Finally, the session on disability representation in graphic novels was relevant to me because I love graphic novels! The session introduced me to some new titles that include disability representation. I also learned about the importance of reflecting disability representation in subject headings so that these titles are discoverable in the catalog. The conference ended with closing keynote speaker Bob Leonard, a former trustee at the Knoxville Public Library in Knoxville, IA. He discussed the impact that libraries have had on his life as well as the lives of many others. He also discussed his role as a trustee and how he continues to advocate for libraries. Overall, it was a great conference, and I am thankful for the opportunity to attend!