I found this year’s MLA conference to be incredibly useful and well worth my time. I attended sessions relating to VR technology, AI, book clubs, leveraging community organizations and resources, using data to tell the story of how libraries are valuable, and the reality of book banning and censorship. Additionally in light of Baker and Taylor closing, I found being able to speak with a number of book vendors and sales reps to be rather useful this year. These conversations were helpful in ensuring that all of the books I intend to purchase in 2025 will be added to our collection after all.
One session I want to highlight as being particularly useful and interesting was the one about using Farm Bureau as a partnership agency, and the programing this could make possible. I was aware of their existence as an organization in my town, but I had not yet had any interactions with them. The presentation focused on the value of ag specific programing at the library, how it is a specific need and interest in our communities, and what kinds of events will bring in patrons of all ages. After seeing what is possible, I am excited to reach out and make contact with the local Swift County chapter. A second session that I found to be very useful was the one discussing the U of MN’s student book club. Now the University of Minnesota is different from the Benson Public Library in most ways, except we both love our book clubs (currently Beson supports 7 of them!). So I found the session on managing and supporting book clubs to be very worthwhile. One specific take away from the discussion that I am excited to implement here is to offer some non-book club social events as a way for book club members to bond as well.