Youth Services Conference:
Thriving in Changing Times – Adapting and Improving
August 19, 2021
9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Virtual Conference via Zoom

 

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

9 a.m. | Join the Zoom Conference

All registrants will receive a link to join the conference two days prior to the program. We will test audio and video connections to ensure all attendees can see and hear the presenters.

9:15-10 a.m. | General Session: Diversity and Inclusiveness in Children’s Literature

Keynote: Sharon M. Draper, Award-Winning Author, Educator, Speaker, Poet and National Teacher of the Year

Diversity in children’s books is not just a response to a rise in socially-conscious parenting. Children themselves yearn to be represented. Sharon Draper has written dozens of books for young readers. Out of My Mind is a New York Times bestseller, still hitting the list 10 years later along with Blended, and was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Books of All Time. She has a new book coming out this fall, Out of My Heart. During this session, Draper will discuss the importance of diversity and inclusiveness in children’s literature.

10-10:15 a.m. | Break

10:15-11:15 a.m. | Breakout Sessions – Choose one when registering

1A	1B	1C
Getting Started on the Road to Restorative Practices for Youth	Teen Virtual Library	Countdown to Kindergarten – Virtual Edition
Core Competency: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion	Core Competency: Adaptability	Core Competency: Adaptability

11:15-11:30 a.m. | Break

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Breakout Sessions – Choose one when registering

2A	2B	2C
From Diversity to Inclusion: How to Audit Your Collection and Why	Re-training the Library: How Cross-Training Saved Our Library	Back Porch Tips: Maximizing Your Videos for Young Children
Core Competency: Collection Management	Core Competency: Teamwork	Core Competency: Programming

12:30-1 p.m. | Networking Lunch– Choose one when registering

3A	3B	3C
Kids	Teens	Social Justice

1-1:15 p.m. | Break

1:15-2:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions – Choose one when registering

4A	4B	4C
Racial Justice Programming	Creating a Library Discord Server for Teens	Creating Unique Early Literacy Spaces
Core Competency: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion	Core Competency: Programming	Core Competency: Innovation

2:15-2:30 p.m. | Q&A and Closing Remarks

2:30 p.m. | Adjourn

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SESSION DESCRIPTIONS 

This virtual conference allows you to select breakout sessions that meet your needs and interests. When registering, you will be asked to choose one breakout session per time period.

Getting Started on the Road to Restorative Practices for Youth
Session: 1A
Time: 10:15-11:15 a.m.
Presenters: Emma Willig, Elizabeth Sullivan and Sarah True, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library (CHPL)

Restorative practices in libraries offer an alternative for youth facing suspensions due to violations of library behavior standards that are rooted in EDI principles like inclusivity, empowerment, and compassion. This framework is a way to make amends through relationship building and without losing library access privileges. The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library is in the midst of researching and launching restorative practices for youth in conjunction with a broader look at their standards of library behavior through an EDI lens. In this session, members of the Restorative Practices team at CHPL will share the library’s process for getting started, ongoing findings, planning for the next year, and roadblocks that have already been faced. Come prepared to share your own library’s journey with restorative practices or bring questions to discuss with the group.

Teen Virtual Library
Session: 1B
Time: 10:15-11:15 a.m.
Presenter: Amanda Brenner, Greene County Public Library

The teen virtual library was created as a way to virtually share library resources, offer reader’s advisory, share virtual programming opportunities, and offer passive virtual programming during COVID-19.

Countdown to Kindergarten – Virtual Edition
Session: 1C
Time: 10:15-11:15 a.m.
Presenters: Cristin Brown and Lauren Boeke, Toledo Lucas County Public Library

Research shows that kindergarten is the new first grade, and most children arrive unprepared for the years ahead. What can libraries do to join school efforts in preparing young children for kindergarten readiness? Join Toledo Lucas County Public Library to learn about our successful Countdown to Kindergarten program, and how it was adapted and improved from its original in-person format to a pandemic-friendly virtual training.

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From Diversity to Inclusion: How to Audit Your Collection and Why
Session: 2A
Time: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Presenter: Kymberlee Powe, Connecticut State Library

Join Kymberlee Powe, Children and YA Consultant for the Connecticut State Library Division of Library Development, as she dives into the makeup of the publishing industry. You will learn how to identify the difference between a diverse collection and an inclusive one, and walk through the logistics of performing a diversity audit of your collection. The examples and resources provided in this session will focus on youth collections; however, the methodology of performing a diversity audit, and the reasons to do so, are universal to all collections.

Re-training the Library: How Cross-Training Saved Our Library
Session: 2B
Time: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Presenters: Brittany Burchett, Greene County Public Library; Melissa Fasanella, Susan Jeffery and Keesha Summers, Greene County Public Library

Libraries have faced incalculable changes in the past year. How can libraries carefully adapt to this new normal and keep their team spirit? Our panelists will discuss how they were successful in getting their teams on board with cross-training. In this session, you will learn skills to: encourage teamwork, build relationships, change your teams’ expectations, cross-train your different departments, teach your staff to communicate between desks, and create a one-desk mentality.

Back Porch Tips: Maximizing Your Videos for Young Children
Session: 2C
Time: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Presenter: Nicki Petrone, Shaker Heights Public Library

Best practices for online programming for kids are different than for adults and differ between age groups. Learn simple tools and tips to maximize the educational value and appeal of your early literacy videos using editing software and a healthy dose of humor.

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Kids Networking Lunch
Session: 3A
Time: 12:30-1 p.m.
Moderator: Angela Young

Teen Networking Lunch
Session: 3B
Time: 12:30-1 p.m.
Moderator: Tara Bahnsen

Social Justice Networking Lunch
Session: 3C
Time: 12:30-1 p.m.
Moderator: Bridgid Gallagher-Sauter

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Racial Justice Programming
Session: 4A
Time: 1:15-2:15 p.m.
Presenters: Nacim Sajabi, Greene County Public Library

Several teens moved into action following the killing of George Floyd, starting a group called “Yellow Springs Speaking Up for Justice.” They held protests and provided educational programs to shed light on systemic racism. Nacim Sajabi and these teens launched racial justice book clubs with a total of six held in 2020-2021. Each program was held virtually; books were purchased and distributed in advance and discussions focused on sharing thoughts around racism. Racial justice events included a movie, displays, and books by minority authors were placed in little libraries around town. One of the book clubs centered on Bryan Stevenson’s book, “Just Mercy” which included a virtual showing of the movie. Displays were created by local artists and teens presenting themes of Women in the Civil Rights Movement, Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate. A meaningful panel discussion and special display of personal items were created during the month of May for Asian American and Pacific Islander month. A large number of villagers with AAPI heritage joined together to share their experiences. Learn more about how these programs helped raise awareness and encouraged dialogue.

Creating a Library Discord Server for Teens
Session: 4B
Time: 1:15-2:15 p.m.
Presenters: Shannon Schilling and Danielle Wolff, Delaware County District Library; Sarah Rust, Brea McQueen and Chris Smith, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library

When libraries and their teen rooms closed in 2020, teens lost their safe space as well as an important aspect of their social development. In order to fill this gap and create a teen-friendly platform for virtual programming, Delaware County District Library and Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library built Discord servers to create online communities for teens during mandated shut downs and reduced services. This program will discuss the mechanics behind building your own server, how to keep your server safe and secure, ways to pitch this platform to your administration, and how other librarians have been utilizing Discord servers in 2020 and now beyond.

Creating Unique Early Literacy Spaces
Session: 4C
Time: 1:15-2:15 p.m.
Presenters: Becky Schaade, Fairfield County District Library and Deborah Long, Louisville Public Library

Hear how two public libraries created innovative spaces for children that filled a need in their communities. Learn about Louisville Public Library’s unique Sensory Strategies Space, created with the needs of those with sensory processing disorders, autism, and learning disabilities in mind. Discover how the Fairfield County District Library has created Early Literacy Centers — interactive spaces that encourage learning through play — in several different branches. Find out what worked, what didn’t, and options for every budget. They will also discuss adjustments made during the pandemic and plans moving forward.