Sessions and Descriptions
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
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.
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.
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
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.