Scheduling conflicts made it such that I couldn’t attend any live MLA sessions (besides the one our Library Director, Michele Leininger and I presented), so I am grateful that the recordings were made available for viewing at more convenient times. I plan to watch and review some more over the next few weeks. Lots of good information and inspiration!
U of MN Extension Collaboration: I’m so glad that Extension collaborations was one of the sessions. This showed me some of the programs they offer that I wasn’t aware of, and reminded me of a couple I would like to work with them on. In Lyon County, we have a very active Master Gardener program, and have been able to share videos and programs by them. They are always willing to offer their expertise, which is extensive!
Look What I Found at the Library: Our library has been trying many different ways of utilizing displays, and this session showed me so many other ideas, such as making use of large sheets of cardboard to create scenes (ex: a large tree that was decorated differently for each of the seasons – semi-permanent); having an empty display with just a few books and a sign about procrastination (humor); some clever themes – “It’s All Relative,” “Books We Hated,” “Bats, Cats & Rats” for Halloween. Thanks to the Dakota County Librarians for sharing so many photos and ideas!
I also took a quick look at one of the round table discussions, having never taken the time at a live conference to attend one. I chose RART – Reader’s Advisory Round Table. One takeaway was a Bookmatch online request form. I’ll be doing more research into that!
One final one I plan to revisit and think more about is Shining the Light: Examining Our Role in Knowledge Equity, which discussed how libraries need to look at how Dewey (among other areas of the profession), needs to be examined in the light of diversity, inclusion, and equity. Perceptions and language change over time, and subject headings, for example, need to reflect those changes. They also discussed acknowledging the Native Lands on which our libraries reside.
I appreciate all the work put into the conference, by those who organized it and the presenters, and am grateful for the opportunity to present a session.
Thanks, Prairielands, for continuing to provide these scholarships to help us bring new ideas to our libraries!
