Category Archives: Trends

Make it! Tips on Starting or Expanding your Library’s Makerspace – 1 LEU

image of white gears on blue backgroundMore and more libraries are incorporating Makerspaces as part of the available resources for the public. With a focus on lifelong learning, creativity, and innovation, makerspaces can offer people an opportunity to explore new hobbies, interests, and job skills by providing tools and resources that they may otherwise not have access to. Is your library looking to begin or expand a makerspace? Not sure where to start or how to take the next step? In this presentation we will share an overview of the La Porte County Public Library Exchange, a makerspace located in La Porte, Indiana; what the Exchange offers; and lessons learned along the way that may be helpful to consider when starting or expanding your library’s makerspace.

Participants will:

  • Learn about the history of the LPCPL Exchange and how it grew over time
  • Goals of the space, logistics, and what we offer to the public
  • Lessons learned along the way and considerations for your own makerspace

Date Recorded: 4/26/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Elizabeth Adams, Community Learning Librarian and Pam Okosun, Community Learning Manager / La Porte County Public Library

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Present Like a Pro: Tips and Tricks for a Great Presentation – 1 LEU

woman on computer screen wavingDid your boss ask you to do a presentation for your library staff day? Have you been tasked with giving a presentation about the library reading program to the local Rotary Club? Does the through of speaking in front of an audience frighten you to your core? Do you have no idea what to do? Help is here! In this presentation you will learn about the basics of presenting with some tips, tricks and best practices.

Date Recorded: 2/8/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter:  Paula Newcom / Indiana State Library

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Creating Engaging Experiences Through Gameplay – 1 LEU

image of Elan LeeLibraries aren’t just hubs for learning and knowledge sharing, but places where imagination, curiosity and play should be front and center. Join Elan Lee, CEO and Co-Creator of award-winning gaming and entertainment company Exploding Kittens, as he explores how libraries can integrate gameplay in unique ways and demonstrates how to use regular objects to turn the ordinary into extraordinary.

Date Recorded: 4/3/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters:  Elan Lee / CEO & Co-Creator, Exploding Kittens

 

What the Research Says – A Week in the Life of an Academic Video Game Collection – 1 LEU

image of person playing with virtual reality gameThis presentation will give an overview of the maintenance and management of the UNT Media Library’s video game collection and gaming spaces. Join Diane Robson and Emily Pojman as they discuss collection maintenance and space management topics such as circulation, reservations, problem troubleshooting and ticketing, and handling disruptive students.

  • Space and collection overview
  • In-house collections and circulation
  • Reservations – recreational and instructional
  • Troubleshooting PCs and equipment
  • Tech ticketing systems
  • Space maintenance
  • Equipment maintenance
  • Disruptive students

Date Recorded: 4/5/2023

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters:  Diane Robson – Games and Education Librarian & Emily Pojman – Media Circulation Manager / University of North Texas

 

 

Because We Matter – 1 LEU

telehealth doctor and patient on computer screenThe Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of social workers will grow 12% from 2020 to 2030 to meet an increase in demand. Further, with the growth of telehealth and telemedicine visits continuing beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals are finding more ways to reach their healthcare providers. However, in rural areas, finding local providers and reliable Internet access can create a barrier to access. As public libraries have long been viewed as the central hub for information, gatherings, and broadband service, their pivot to serve as a place for patrons to meet virtually with social workers comes at an opportune time. This presentation will show how three public libraries developed a pilot program – titled “Because You Matter” – with the Indiana University School of Social Work to coordinate weekly telehealth visits with social work students and library patrons. They’ll share successes, failures, and what they learned to improve the program in the future. 

Date Recorded: 10/26/22

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters:  Stephanie Rawlins / Director, Pike County Public Library & Jordan Orwig / Director, Sullivan County Public Library & Nathan Watson / Director, Bedford Public Library

 

 

I See a Library! Making Libraries More Accessible to the Visually Impaired – 1 LEU

Kate KosiorIt’s a daunting tasks for librarians to consider how best to welcome visually impaired patrons into their libraries.  However, with a better understanding of what vision loss is, you can make quick, easy, and inexpensive changes to your library that will open the doors more fully to those with vision loss.  Learn more about vision loss and how to quickly and easily change your flyers and presentations, physical space, technology, and signage to be more accessible.

Date Recorded: 6/8/22

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter:  Kate Kosior, Braille and Talking Book Library Manager / South Dakota State Library

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Canva Demo and Q&A: Ask Questions, Get Answers from an Amateur Designer and Professional Librarian – 1 LEU

This session will include a demonstration of Canva, the web-based graphic design and publishing tool. Learn tips and tricks that will help you do more with Canva and help you create graphics that capture the attention of your audience. Questions submitted before the webinar will help guide the presentation.

Date Recorded: 5/17/22

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Cole Zrostlik, Collaborative Consultant / Winding Rivers Library System (Wisconsin)

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Gameschooling: Using Board Games in the Classroom – 1 LEU

gameboard with dice and plastic ducksBoard games are fun for children of all ages, but they are also promising tools for education. How can we best practically incorporate them into K-12 classrooms in order to optimize learning? As a former neurobiologist who transitioned to teaching, I have experimented for the past seven years with the integration of board games as educational tools. Here I will discuss best practices for using board games effectively to teach content knowledge, focusing primarily on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. Topics covered will include gamer motivations, fun yet educational game mechanics, lesson plan structures, roles of educators in scaffolded learning, and common mistakes I have discovered in the “gameschooling” process. I will also show preliminary evidence that board games can effectively improve content knowledge. Overall, I hope to show how  popular modern board games could be utilized in educational arenas.

Date Recorded: 10/27/21

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Catherine Croft, Ph.D. / Co-Founder & CEO, Catlilli Games

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My Favorite Tech Tools and Shortcuts for Busy Library Staff – 1 LEU

 

Keeping up with our busy work and personal lives can be a challenge! Technology exists to help make it a little easier, but how do you decide what to use?

In this session, I will share some of my favorite tech tools and shortcuts that help maintain healthy work habits, as well as some ideas on how we can connect with our communities virtually.

Bring some of your favorite tech tools or shortcuts to share and we’ll create a list of resources everyone will be able to access.  1hr / 1 TLEU.

Date Recorded: 2/17/20

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Pam Seabolt / Community Engagement Librarian with the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) –

Pam has served as Community Engagement Librarian with the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS) since 2017. Through her role, Pam works with libraries across Indiana to present a variety of training opportunities.

Pam’s educational background includes a B.S. in Child Development and Family Studies with a minor in History and a M.L.S. from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis.

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Libraries Will Save the World! Implementing Sustainability at Your Library – 1 LEU

April GriffithConcerned about climate change? Help your library “go green” by leveraging the super power of libraries everywhere: the make-do mindset! You’ll learn solutions for everything from sustainable programming practices, environmental partnerships, as well as easy eco-friendly swaps, based on the experience of the Eureka Springs Carnegie Library.

Date Recorded: 5/26/2021

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter:  April Griffith / Eureka Springs Carnegie Library, Director

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