The Minnesota Library Association Annual Conference provides the opportunities for me to connect with other public librarians around the state. More important are the sessions giving a variety of topics and presenters. I chose sessions which would provide information, resources and challenges to continue to provide the Glencoe Public Library with new or improved programs and services. I wanted to gather information, discuss new topics and plan to develop programs for the community patrons. At the 2017 MLA conference I attended: Community Engagement, Fundraising, Gamification, and Library Marketing, to name a few sessions. These provided me with lots of food for thought. The RART Bookblast gave me 40 titles which assist in Readers Advisory and collection development. I also attended a session titles “Filling a Gap in Children’s LIterature: Sporty Girls.” After meeting Shelly Boyum-Breen and Kara Thom, I was enthused to be able to plan and pursue the Glencoe Public Library collaborating with Glencoe-Silver Lake School District grades 4, 5, and 6 to support girls sports. Even better, I’m encouraged to have the girls read well-written books by Shelly Boyum-Breen. The author will also gladly speak at this collaborative event. Thank you, SAMMIE, for this scholarship to provide me with program and service opportunities by attending the MLA Conference.
