Training
Online Resources
Events
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Let Freedom Read: How to Take a Stand for Intellectual Freedom and Support Fellow Library Workers in Illinois and Across the Nation
Intellectual freedom is the right of unrestricted access to information and ideas. U.S. library workers ensure that Free People Read Freely in our democracy by upholding the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read Statement, and the Freedom to View Statement. However, we are seeing attacks on intellectual freedom continue to escalate, not only through the rise of local material challenges by individuals and groups, but also through political pressure and through adverse state legislation that limits the work of librarians and causes fear for their job security and even criminal complaints.
In this webinar, learn the current state of the nation on these issues and reflect on the progress happening in Illinois with new legislation HB2789. Janice Del Negro and Betsy Gomez will discuss ways your institutions and you personally can take a stand for intellectual freedom as well as support your library colleagues and communities facing heightened censorship pressures.
Presenters:
Janice Del Negro, PhD, is a Professor at the School of Information Studies at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, where she teaches all things youth services related, including Materials for Young Adults, Fairy Tale Fantasy and Contemporary Media, and Storytelling. Her book, Folktales Aloud: Practical Advice for Playful Storytelling, was awarded a Storytelling World Resource Award in 2015. Her subsequent title, Engaging Teens with Story: How to Inspire and Educate Youth with Storytelling (With Melanie Kimball, PhD, 2017) was named SLC/ARBA’s “Best Professional Resource for School or Youth Librarians.” In 2017 Del Negro received the National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence Award, “presented to artists who are recognized by their peers to be master storytellers who set the standards for excellence and have demonstrated, over a significant period of time, a commitment and dedication to the art of storytelling.” Her most recent publication is the new edition of the classic storytelling text, Storytelling Art & Technique (ABC/CLIO, 2021) which received the 2022 Storytelling World Resource Award.
Betsy Gomez, Assistant Director of Communications & Outreach, is a program officer for ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, coordinator for Unite Against Book Bans and the Banned Books Week Coalition, and former coalition and editorial director for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, an advocacy organization dedicated to the First Amendment rights of the comics community. Gomez edited and designed the award-winning publication CBLDF Presents: She Changed Comics, which profiles more than 60 groundbreaking women who expanded the expressive possibilities of the comics medium. With more than a decade of professional experience defending intellectual freedom, Gomez also has an extensive background in educational publishing as a content developer and editor for several companies, including Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Pearson Education.An Introduction To Social Explorer
Are you curious about the diverse demographic landscapes of your neighborhood or interested in exploring historical trends in population dynamics? Look no further! Social Explorer offers a treasure trove of data at your fingertips, and this webinar will show you how to harness its potential.
This resource will be part of our new NC LIVE resource cycle, starting January 1st. Join us for this captivating sneak peek and learn how patrons and librarians alike can leverage this powerful tool to make informed decisions.Leveling Up: Navigating Career Growth Through Informal Leadership in Libraries
Embracing informal leadership roles is a strategic step toward career enrichment and professional growth. This workshop brings together dynamic librarians who have taken on these roles to drive change and create impact. Through engaging presentations, interactive discussions, and real-world examples, you'll gain invaluable wisdom on navigating the intricate landscape of informal leadership. Learn how they harnessed communication skills, built strong alliances, and effectively influenced peers. Don't miss the chance to learn from those who have not just followed the path but paved it themselves. Whether you're a librarian aspiring to amplify your influence or a library professional aiming to create positive change, this workshop promises to equip you with the tools and inspiration to thrive. Don't miss the chance to learn from those who have not just followed the path but paved it themselves.
Schedule:
9 - 9:45am - Introduction to NC LIVE/LAMS
10 - 11am - Leveraging Service in Professional Library Organizations to Reach Your Career Goals
Panelists: Dawn Behrend (NCLA Vice-President/President-Elect, incoming Vice-Chair of ACRL’s College Library Section), Wanda Brown (Past President of ALA and NCLA), LaJuan Pringle (Chair of NCLA Library Advocacy and Legislation Section, MLA At-Large Board Member), and Morgan Ritchie-Baum (Chair of NCLA Business Librarianship in NC).
Service in professional organizations is essential for those seeking to advance their careers in librarianship. Involvement in professional organizations at either the state or national level has a number of benefits such as networking, professional development, and demonstrating capacity for leadership. This panel is composed of three academic librarians (one of whom made the transition from public librarianship to academic librarianship) and a public librarian, all of whom have served in leadership roles in professional organizations. These panelists will share their experiences serving in professional library organizations and how this has better enabled them to progress in their career goals. Topics covered will include selecting professional organizations, seeking out leadership opportunities, and balancing service with one’s job duties.
11:15am - 12:15pm - Networking: More than Just Who You Know
Presenter: Dacy Shute, Community Engagement Librarian at Hickory Public Library
Networking is more than just hobnobbing at professional gatherings. In this session, we will explore creative methods to expand your professional social network, grow your resume, and get your name out to potential employers and partners. We will also discuss ways networking can strengthen your library’s relationship with your community and enhance your program offerings.
1 - 2pm - Skilling Up: Growing Your Career In Libraries & Beyond With Business Information Literacy
Presenter: Morgan Ritchie-Baum, Business & Social Science Librarian at Wake Forest University
This session will consider the surprising benefits and professional opportunities one reluctant business librarian experienced when she kicked imposter syndrome to the curb and embraced exploring and extolling the value and power of libraries through the lens of economic empowerment. Attendees will explore how developing proficiency in the "language of business" can persuasively and subversively reshape a community's understanding of what and who a library is for, opening new doors of opportunity both institutionally and professionally.