The MLA Conference offered a wide variety of practical sessions, an array of vendors, and time to mix, mingle, and discuss library related issues with others. In all, it was a good opportunity to learn, locate resources, and network. A brief summary follows.
Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Children's Book with Anita Silvey, the Wednesday Luncheon Keynote was excellent and inspiring. Anita interviewed Kirk Douglas, Maurice Sendak, Robert Kennedy Jr., Steve Wozniak, Steve Forbes and a host of other notable people who linked their career choices and accomplishments to specific children's books. Their interviews spoke to the significant power and influence of children's books and how lives were impacted. Dr. Scott Nicholson, Thursday's Dessert Keynote, presented Engagement Through Games: Reaching Library Users through Playful Ways. His goals included attracting teens and adults, establishing the Library as a Community Hub and source for Entertainment. Gaming improved the library's reputation, gamers used other services while in the library and returned for non-gaming services, and social connections were made.
Among the sessions I attended were Nick Lavely's History of Copyright (fast paced and info packed covering copyright from 1790 to present with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998), Organizing Your Ordering: Buying Materials for Children's Collections (an interactive exchange of useful info), Empowering Older Adults (research findings, best practices, and resources), Board@Your Library (hot board games to develop community with teens and families), and Growing Readers: Bringing Libraries, Nature, and Families Together (incorporating early literacy principles with nature play and creating family connections).
Benefits of attending the conference go beyond just the sessions. An evening was shared with several attendees, one, a presenter, shared a wealth of fascinating information during our dinner conversation. Also, vendors included architectural firms that deal with libraries. This was a great find as our Library Board has been looking for a person knowledgeable of lighting needs specific to libraries.
I will be revisiting my notes as there are great ideas and useful information to be put into practice.
Again, thank you for granting me the privilege of attending this conference.
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