ITS Annual Conference

Join us for a presentation that teaches how to transform a physical Makerspace into a Virtual Makerspace website. After we demo examples of virtual Makerspaces, we will walk through a specific web design process to build your own innovative space where patrons can practice being creative online. This presentation will also explore how to transform other physical spaces such as learning commons and innovation labs into interactive virtual spaces. You will leave the presentation with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to start designing and developing a creative virtual world where creativity, learning, and innovation will flourish.

Information literacy depends on libraries bridging the digital divide effectively. This is especially true during a pandemic when the Library’s service model virtualizes. This presentation will answer how the COVID19 disruption has changed the mobile usage patterns on a community college library’s website in light of a recent Pew Poll that showed many “smartphone only” internet users in low income, urban centers. Data from Google Analytics and Springshare CMS will identify the pattern of mobile usage before and during the COVID19 disruption. The goal is to offer helpful data that directs change to support online library learning support going forward.

THE SPEAKER IS NO LONGER ABLE TO PRESENT THIS PROGRAM LIVE, BUT WILL BE RECORDING FOR US TO POST ONLINE FOR ON DEMAND VIEWING.  My presentation will aim to give librarians an insight on the popular messaging web app Discord, a service incredibly popular with teens. I will discuss how the Fall River Public Library has created several ongoing teen programs using Discord, as well as answer some of the more pressing questions many people have regarding the service.

This session will explore a variety of approaches for incorporating virtual library visits to allow for equitable access for students to experience the academic library and its resources. Applying best practices learned from experience and available literature, this presentation will explore ways to plan and host successful college library visits. Participants will be able to apply discussed strategies and technologies in their instruction sessions for students.

Join us for an insightful presentation about how to develop a strategic social media marketing and web design plan that promotes and fosters racial justice online. You will learn the tools and strategies to create a virtual presence that will not only fight against racism but will also build a virtual place where minority groups can feel more comfortable visiting. We will also challenge you to fight harder against inequities, prejudices, and racism online and in real world situations.

Let the world see how invaluable a school library can be for the school, as well as the community, and that a library involves more than just checking out books. Join 2020 Louisiana School Librarian of the year, Amanda Jones, as we examine how to use social media, apps, and free website builders to your advantage to showcase your library, keep your students and parents informed, and advocate for community partnerships. It’s important to advocate for your library, but first you have to put your self(ie) out there.

Many library workers have been providing education and advocacy for online privacy in their communities for years. The rapid shift to online working and learning during COVID-19 has created new privacy issues throughout society and given even more power and control to tech companies that do not share ethical and practical common grounds with libraries. In this talk, we will discuss how library workers can support each other and their patrons as we navigate these impacts together.

Driving community outcomes with virtual outreach tools, school eContent sharing, and multi-use access - including PressReader, Virtual Book Club, the Indie Author Project Select, and Highlights Activity Bingo - in the time of Covid-19.  Presented by Travis Kelley, field sales consultant for Connecticut, and Katy White, MLS, digital content solutions.

The cybersecurity industry is not at a loss when it comes to cheesy castle analogies or quoting Sun Tzu whenever it gets the chance (keys to the kingdom, crown jewels, the art of war); you name it we’ve butchered it. But what if we took some time to look at the whole of medieval warfare a little differently. ARE there actually lessons we CAN learn from all those who’ve gone before? Do we have something to use today that was true on the battlefield of yesteryear?

I'd argue that taking some time to study the techniques used by the Vikings, Mongols, Huns, and so on IS something we want to do. From an adversarial perspective, as well as those charged with defending the enterprise and those most prized digital assets, we CAN learn something from our hairy warmongering ancestors.

Throughout the ages we’ve spent time, effort and plenty of money defending our castles from all manner of intruders, and arguably with each passing year new tactics, weapons and techniques were (and continue to be) employed against our efforts...unfortunately, often to good effect despite our best efforts.

Join me for an unconventional workshop where we'll chat about new and emerging cyberattacks without actually talking about "cyber" at all. We'll be making parallels between the Medieval world and our own to learn something, hopefully. Or, at the very least we’ll end up working out how far we can throw a Cisco or Palo Alto firewall with a trebuchet.