Do you have a routine at work but wish you could take your organization and productivity to the next level? Mackenzie Scott of Mission 2 Organize knows what it's like to juggle and prioritize tasks at work. Whether your work is physical, behind a desk or working with customers, she'll share all the tips and tricks to help you reach your productivity goals. This one-hour presentation will cover:

• Cultivating a doable daily checklist

• Prioritizing both last minute and long term tasks

• Protecting your distraction-free work zone

• Rejuvenating your work by establishing your “why”

Participants are invited to stick around after the presentation for a Q&A. Ask a Certified Professional Organizer all of your burning questions!

This program will be recorded for future viewing.

Register for this program on Eventbrite

Libraries have enormous potential to support people with dementia and their caregivers, and demand for dementia-friendly library services is only likely to increase in the future. Have you considered these questions for your library?

1. How is this increasing demographic affecting your library and community?

2. How can you serve this growing population?

LACONI-POP is pleased to offer a webinar for library staff who serve older adults, people with dementia, and caretakers. Explore innovative examples to meet the needs of this population from three professionals with outstanding experience in this area:

• Tina Williams, Outreach Services Manager, White Oak Library District

• David Kelsey, Outreach Services Librarian, St. Charles Public Library

• Glenna Godinsky, Manager of Life Enrichment Services, Gail Borden Public Library District

During this webinar you will:

1. Increase your understanding for meeting the unique needs of caregivers and those suffering with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

2. Discover successful strategies for delivering services through programming, in-house kits, collections, and memory cafes.

This program will be recorded.

Register for this program on Eventbrite (More Seats added 2/27!)

Congratulations on your promotion to manager! “cue balloons and confetti” Now that you've taken on this new role, you may be wondering what steps to take next. Join LACONI CSS and SAAM for the first presentation in a three-part Middle Manager series, presented by Michelle Petersen, Patron Services Manager at Helen Plum Public Library. Michelle will help us explore our unique management styles, understand our managerial approach, and cover other fundamental aspects of effective management.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided, just bring your learning caps and questions!

Register for this program on Eventbrite

Join the LACONI Youth Services Section to better understand the science of reading!

This session will clarify some basic understandings of the body of research known as the science of reading, including what it is, what it is not, and how librarians may use this knowledge to support library patrons. A FAQ will follow the presentation.

Dr. Heidi Beverine-Curry is a co-founder and Chief Academic Officer for The Reading League, where she oversees the Professional Development Department and designs, supervises, and delivers educator learning opportunities for over 60 partnering school districts. Heidi is frequently invited to speak about the Science of Reading and has presented widely at conferences and events across the US and internationally. Before working for The Reading League full-time in 2019, Heidi spent 21 years working in public schools where she made use of her certifications in Elementary Education, K-12 Special Education, and K-12 Reading Education. When Heidi began her doctoral coursework in Reading Education in 2006, she became a champion for evidence-aligned literacy instruction, and has led a number of successful reform efforts. Heidi was an adjunct professor at Syracuse University and SUNY Oswego, where she specialized in teaching clinical reading intervention coursework.

This virtual presentation will be recorded and available for two weeks after the recording.
A link will be emailed to participants along with a short feedback survey.

Register for this program on Eventbrite

If you're feeling overwhelmed by DDC and want to gain a better understanding, consider joining our learning experience with Karen Snow. In this session, she will cover the theory behind Dewey class numbers, selecting appropriate numbers, constructing DDC numbers, and more. Since DDC is no longer published, she will demonstrate how to use Webdewey effectively, highlighting useful tips and personalization features. If you don't have access to Webdewey, it's recommended to enroll in the 30-day free trial for the program.

Register for this event on Eventbrite!

Staff of all levels are invited to join us for a morning of conversation, laughter, and ideas. Michelle Petersen will be presenting 'Dealing with Challenging Situations: A Solution-Centered Discussion.' Michelle will facilitate a discussion on the many challenging situations that we face in the library. Using her philosophy of focusing on 'how,' Michelle will provide tips and suggestions for handling difficult situations. She will also lead conversations to find solutions together. Please come prepared to share your scenarios/issues and work together to come up with possible solutions.

This event will take place in person at the Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S Emerson St, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056. Snacks and refreshments will be provided, so come prepared for an engaging conversation with Michelle Petersen.

Unsure of which ticket your library qualify for? Click on this link before purchasing your ticket to see if your library is a member of LACONI or not. https://www.laconi.net/member-libraries

Register Here

It’s easy to get overwhelmed, frustrated and even angry when a child is having a meltdown. This experience is hard for both the person having the meltdown, as well as for anyone present at the time. In this Webinar, we will begin with a brief review of the stress response system and an introduction to sensory processing.

By understanding the anatomy of a meltdown everyone who cares for and/or works with young children with these types of challenges will be better equipped to understand what a child’s behavior might mean and offer help and support during these difficult times.

Presented by Jennifer Rosinia, PhD, OTR of Kid Links Unlimited

This event will NOT be recorded and will only be available live.

Schedule

9:30 AM - 9:45 AM: LACONI YSS Business Meeting

9:45 AM - 10:00 AM: Opening Comments

10:00 AM - 10:20 AM: Differences Between a Tantrum and a Meltdown

10:20 AM - 10:45 AM: Neurosensory Framework for Understanding Meltdowns

10:45 AM - 11:00 AM: Stages of a Meltdown

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Prevention and Intervention Strategies

11:30 AM - 11:45 AM: Q&A and Discussion

Register Here

Feeling stuck in your role, your place, a problem, a policy? Break out of the rut in this mini unconference, co-presented by LACONI and the Recharge Committee. Keynote speaker David Seleb will open our morning with a charge to engage in a community of practice. Then, connect with other library professionals for career troubleshooting, fresh eyes on old issues, and all-around inspiration. Topics will include:

• Career moves in (and out of!) libraries

• Community partnerships & outreach

• Data driven decision making

• Leadership & coaching

• Library unions

• Equity based programming

• Intellectual freedom

Come with questions, problems, and a growth mindset. Leave with practical ideas and a newfound energy for your worklife. Breakfast will be provided.

Schedule:

Register Here

We’re told the age of Al is upon us, but what does the mean for our libraries?An exploration of policy development, staff training, and public programming, as we prepare our organizations for change.

This program will be presented by Nick Tanzi who is a nationally recognized library technology consultant, and author, whose work has been featured in publications including Public Libraries Magazine, VOYA, Computers in Libraries, Library Journal, and Marketing Library Services.

Register Here for the Virtual Program

Do you want to know how to decide on the proper supplies to use in repairing library & archival materials? Or the right techniques to use in different material damage situations? Or how to determine whether an item is worth repairing or replacing? Would you like to streamline your work flow with a manual on processing materials?

If so, this workshop is for you. Join LACONI TSS at Tinley Park Public Library on Friday November 3, 2023. At this workshop, you will learn:

• Book construction - the different ways books are bound

• Different types of book repair supplies commonly used for most repairs

• What kind of tape and glue to use in repairing books, and why

• Different book repair methods for various types of damage (torn pages, loose pages, spine damage, torn covers, markings, odors, and more)

• How do determine if a book should be repaired or withdrawn

• Preservation methods for preventing damage

• How to use the CoverBind thermal binding machine

• How to handle LP record albums

• How to use disc cleaning machines

• Panel on creating and maintaining processing procedure manuals

Register here

How do you design a survey that will give you the specific data you are trying to collect, and what methods are best for interpreting that data? Join Mallory Edgar, a consultant and co-founder of Fifth Star Collective, and Rebecca Teasdale, an assistant professor of educational psychology at UIC and an evaluation methodologist, for a presentation on figuring out what survey information is truly relevant and useful to libraries.

Register Here

Join LACONI Youth Services Section for a day of science, technology, engineering, and math at the Museum of Science and Industry! This program will include expert STEM instruction and activities from the museum’s makerspace, after school programs, and learning labs. Their focus is on innovation and creativity! At the conclusion of the day, participants will be able to further explore the museum on their own time.

Parking and lunch vouchers will be provided.

Due to the popularity of this program, we ask that you limit your attendees to two people per library.

Free to LACONI members; $15 for non-members.

Check to see if your library is a member here: https://www.laconi.net/member-libraries

Register Here

Amongst the increasing number of challenged books in today's landscape, equipping both libraries and their staff with the necessary preparedness is crucial. Join us for an enlightening morning focused on Intellectual Freedom awareness. Together, we will delve into how libraries have effectively navigated and resolved challenges that have arisen.

We are delighted to host three esteemed library leaders who will generously share their experiences, offer valuable insights, and address any queries you may have. Our distinguished guests for this insightful morning discussion include:

• Materials Reconsideration Request - Karen Toonen, Collection Services Manager, Naperville Public Library.

• Navigating Tricky Purchase Request. - Julie Jurgens, Youth Services Assistant Department Head, Mount Prospect Public Library.

• 1st Amendment Audits - Stacy Wittman, Director, Eisenhower Public Library.

This event will take place over Zoom on Friday, September 29, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to enrich your understanding of Intellectual Freedom and how to handle challenges effectively.

Register Here

Join LACONI to welcome back Michelle Petersen. In this encouraging and uplifting presentation, Michelle asks attendees to question, think about, or remember “Why do I work at a library?” She discusses an overview of the library’s purpose in the community and the roles of the different departments to successfully serve that community. Finally, she will share what it means to “Deliver on Yes”, she gives motivation, ideas, and suggestions to help all departments work as one toward "Delivering on Yes.”

Michelle Petersen is the Patron Services Manager at Helen Plum Library in Lombard, IL. She has developed and presented many professional development programs covering topics of team building, dealing with challenging situations, management and customer service at staff in-service days, conferences and professional group meetings across Illinois and Nationally. Michelle served as a Library Trustee for the Three Rivers Library District located in Channahon and Minooka from 2017 - 2023.

Please join us from 9-9:45 a.m. for coffee, refreshments, and networking ahead of the presentation.

Register now to attend

Let’s face it, the amount and scope of metadata we deal with grows every day and is often even beyond the scope of our ILS. From project management of diversity audits to digital collection management to every day record cleanup, we have vast amounts of metadata from multiple places to clean, transform and analyze.

This program will be a split session on two tools for managing and transforming your metadata: OpenRefine and MarcEdit. Each section will feature a quick introduction to the basics followed by a live demo using the tools featuring some more intermediate features and techniques.

Presenters: Tyler Works, Data and Technology Librarian, Evanston Public Library, Evanston, IL. Elliot Williams, Metadata Strategist, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, Mike Monaco, Coordinator, Cataloging Services and Associate Professor of Bibliography, University of Akron, Akron, OH.

Register here

Adult gaming programs at your library can establish your library as a “third place,” a space that is separate from home and work where we seek conversation, neutral ground, and comfort in feeling connected. Register Here for this Virual Program

During this webinar we’ll share examples from three libraries who are successfully offering adult gaming programs that attract patrons with a common interest and provide opportunity to socialize for a hard-to-reach demographic.

Dungeons & Dragons - Discover how Naperville Public Library creates a genuine Dungeons and Dragons experience for adult library users with Meagan Kellerman, adult services librarian. Players make friends, problem solve, story tell, and improvise, while playing in a safe and welcoming environment.

Laser Tag - It’s not just for kids! Courtney Tedrick, community engagement department head at Wheaton Library, hosts a popular laser tag program that attracts a loyal group of 20-40 year old patrons.

Trivia Night - Learn tips for running a successful trivia night program where patrons are challenged as teams or individuals with Christy Palangattil and Nicole Stachnik, adult services librarians at Naperville Library.

Games for Grownups - A game of Settlers of Catan, Crokinole, Ticket to Ride, or Apples to Apples provides camaraderie and challenge at the Vernon Area Library’s long-time gaming program. Learn how these board games and others create a dynamic community with program facilitator Robert Krause.

The LACONI Trustee Banquet is an evening of networking with other Illinois Library Trustees at the Nineteenth Century Club in Oak Park. Featuring a conversation between Cyndi Robinson, the Executive Director of the Illinois Library Association and Joseph Filapek, ILA Trustee of the Year 2022 about the latest issues facing libraries.

A plated dinner will be served with a cash bar available. Meal options include:

• Panko Herb Crusted Salmon

• Pasta Pomodoro with Oven Dried Tomatoes

• Seared Pork Chop with Cherry Compote

Please note your meal selection by purchasing the ticket for the meal you would like. Tickets must be purchased by Sunday May 14, 2023. Refunds are available up to 7 days in advance of the event. 

Questions? Contact Suzy Wulf, swulf@phpl.info.

Purchase Tickets Here

Digital collections are popular and necessary. Information previously only accessible to the few, is now available with limited barriers or none. This program will cover how to think about, describe, and finally bring your digital collection to the world. Learn how to create and refine a Metadata Application Profile (MAP) to evaluate your collection and build your metadata workflow. Additionally, the State of Illinois Library will present on the Illinois Digital Archives and the process of publishing your digital collection to the internet.

Presenters: Jill Walker, Cataloging Librarian for Wheaton College; State of Illinois Library.

There will be a brief Business Meeting at 9:30 before the program.

Registration is required for everyone attending.

This is a Zoom meeting and the link will be emailed directly to registrants 2 days prior to the meeting/program via Eventbrite. This program will be recorded for possible sharing on our website. Any programs recording audience interactions will allow for customers to opt-out of video or audio participation.

LACONI CSS and POP would like you to join us for a 3-part series of programming from Michelle Petersen. The first program will be Not Who But How: Creating a Solution Centered Team. Using examples from her real-life experiences, Michelle shares some of her life and work philosophy in the context of the different ways staff members work differently and how they can work together to better serve patrons and each other.

Look out for the second part of the series "Delivering on Yes" coming in September 2023!

Register Here

The LACONI TSS & POP sections invite you to join Michael Stephens and Stacie Ledden for this participatory session all about finding ways to instill joy in folks as they return to our libraries and cultural institutions. Participants will engage around creating joyful adventures focused on: Learning, Experience, and Story.

Note: This is virtual event

Register Here

Cataloging AV materials -- Ugh! Learn about core elements for media, work on practical examples, and look at subject headings for AV.

This program is divided into three sessions. Session 1 will address core elements needed for the descriptive cataloging of audiovisual materials (other than videorecordings and audio books) and their encoding with the MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data. Session 2 will demonstrate application of descriptive cataloging core elements with examples including video and board games, publisher and library-created kits such as STEM/STEAM kits, Arduino and Raspberry Pi, virtual reality kits, and media such as Playaway’s Wonderbook and Launchpad products. Session 3 will provide a brief look at aspects of subject cataloging with faceted vocabularies related to the form and genre of media resources.

Presenter: Bobby Bothmann is a professor and the Metadata &Emerging Technology Librarian for the Minnesota State University Mankato. He has extensive experience cataloging books, electronic resources, and audiovisual material. He is a member of the editorial board for Cataloging & Classification Quarterly and a delegate of the OCLC Global Council.

There will be a brief Business Meeting at 9:30 before the program.

Registration is required for everyone attending.

This is a Zoom meeting and the link will be emailed directly to registrants 2 days prior to the meeting/program via Eventbrite. This program will be recorded for possible sharing on our website. Any programs recording audience interactions will allow for customers to opt-out of video or audio participation.

Get ready to work your storytime muscles with LACONI Youth Services Section! Build your storytime fundamentals with storyteller/librarian Celeste Emanuel (Eisenhower Public Library District). Discover the ins and outs of storytime puppetry with Mandy O’Brien (Skokie Public Library). Learn how to add theatrical flair beyond the books with Sam Mauceri from Chicago Children’s Theatre. Their Red Kite Project creates interactive theatrical and educational programming for youth on the autism spectrum.

We also want to hear from YOU, our experts in the field. We encourage participants to bring one fingerplay, action song, felt board, rhyme, or morsel of storytime wisdom to share with the group in an open mic-style show-and-tell at the end of the day.

Lunch will be provided.

Register here!

Please contact Rebecca Bartlett or Joy Anhalt is interested in participating the Technical Services Planning Committee.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this program is canceled. As soon as a new date is chosen, registered attendees and waitlist participants will be notified. Thank you for your understanding.

As managers, we are in charge of creating work environments for our staff to grow and be successful. However, there are learned biases we bring to work with us–some subtle, and some more overt. How can we, in libraries, move beyond our personal biases to become more people-centric, authentic leaders? In this program, library leader Fobazi Ettarh (website) will discuss the impact that manager-held biases have on our staff, and how we can work to recognize, accept and adjust our mentality to improve our professional spaces.

This 90 minute workshop will take place via Zoom. It will be interactive, so please come prepared to participate. The link will be shared with participants prior to the event.

Register Here

Join LACONI-POP for an afternoon dedicated to exploring and improving our methods of program evaluation. Many libraries struggle to find the best fitting ways to measure the success of our programs beyond attendance numbers. This has become increasingly complex in virtual, hybrid, and passive program environments. This highly interactive event is designed for library staff at all levels who interact with program delivery, evaluation, and reporting. We invite libraries of every size, budget, and volume of programming to the table to come together on this topic with the goal of learning more about possible methods, best practices, and even a stronger understanding of that pesky required state reporting.

Come prepared to work in small groups as we examine and share on the following topics:

• Overview of topic – how to evaluate programs

• Learning vs. Outcomes vs. Impact

• All about IPLAR requirements

• Survey design

Mid-afternoon refreshments will be served!

Register here

This event is open to library staff at LACONI member libraries. If space remains available, it will open to non-members on November 30.

About the Program

Libraries are long standing anchor institutions for digital equity. The pandemic highlighted the need for these essential services, and libraries have been quick to respond. This program will cover an introduction to digital inclusion and the Digital Navigator Toolkit created by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance and the Salt Lake City Public Library.

About Our Presenter

Shauna Edson is the Technology and Digital Equity manager at The Salt Lake City Public Library. She leads the Library’s digital inclusion initiative and works with library staff and community partners to create long-term digital inclusion programming in the communities the Library’s eight locations serve. Shauna served as the project director for the City Library, National Digital Inclusion Alliance, and Urban Libraries Council Digital Navigator Pilot Project from December 2020-July 2021. 

Register Here

LACONI is excited to present its first in-person Networking Meet & Greet Mixer for Circulation Staff. This event is free and open to all interested in talking about circ! It is a chance to learn from other individuals in the circulation realm about what works, what isn’t working, what goals they have for their department and library, and overall just meet each other and form connections. This event will also provide refreshments, snacks, interactive games to break the ice, and more! Reserve your space today, as there are limited slots available.

Register Here

Join LACONI YSS for a day of professional development focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in our libraries. Librarian Rosie Camargo (Niles-Main District Library) will present on inclusive and authentic multicultural family programming. Acclaimed author Hena Khan (Amina's Voice, Under My Hijab, Power Forward) will virtually speak with us about the importance of diverse representation in literature, and how librarians can be allies. Dr. Adrienne Coleman (Candid Conversations Matter, LLC; Director of Equity and Inclusion at the Illinois Math and Science Academy) will discuss how DEI-centered practices impact student STEM success.

Lunch will be provided.

Register Here

You've opened your library's makerspace, planned some programs, purchased equipment- now what? After the initial excitement over the new space, how do you keep momentum going? Sarah van der Heyden (she/her), Cathleen Doyle (she/her), and Jenn Hovanec (she/her) join us for a short presentation and panel discussion on how to manage your makerspace and plan for continued success. Topics include how a manager can motivate staff to apply librarian-like principles to makerspaces, promoting the makerspace, assessing community needs, planning programs, and maintaining and selecting new equipment, along with creating a plan for future equipment purchases.

This will be an in-person program at the Prospect Heights Public Library. Please register as seats are limited!

Register Here

RDA has been a part of our cataloging universe for over 20 years and has gone through many changes. In 2021, RDA and the RDA Toolkit were completely revised and reorganized. The revised RDA is now aligned with international standards (IFLA Library Reference Model) and the Library of Congress is preparing to adopt. In this session the speakers will present on RDA providing an overview with context, introduction to the new RDA Toolkit, and discuss the international standardization of the description model.

Presenters: Chris Oliver is the head of Metadata and Processing at the University of Ottawa Library. She has over 25 years of experience, much of it contributing to the development of RDA. She is also the author of the Introduction to RDA: A Guide to the Basics after 3R.

Bobby Bothmann is a professor and the Metadata &Emerging Technology Librarian for the Minnesota State University Mankato. He has extensive experience cataloging books, electronic resources, and audiovisual material. He is a member of the editorial board for Cataloging & Classification Quarterly and a delegate of the OCLC Global Council.

There will be a brief Business Meeting at 9:45 before the program and a lunch break.

Registration is required for everyone attending.

This is a Zoom meeting and the link will be emailed directly to registrants 2 days prior to the meeting/program via Eventbrite. This program will be recorded for possible sharing on our website. Any programs recording audience interactions will allow for customers to opt-out of video or audio participation.

Register here