Conference Sessions

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Conference at a Glance - PDF

THURSDAY CONFERENCE DETAILS AND SESSIONS

Excel: Conquer Your Fears and Tame the Beast
It's easy to learn this powerful spreadsheet application. You can use excel to create lists, track inventory or even to create a personal budget! You will learn to format spreadsheets, import and organize data, create formulas and produce charts. Note: This is a hands on session limited to 25. Presenter: Michelle Nash

Fee: Members - $50.00 Non-members - $75.00

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THURSDAY CONFERENCE DETAILS AND SESSIONS
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SATURDAY CONFERENCE DETAILS AND SESSIONS
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FRIDAY CONFERENCE DETAILS AND SESSIONS
May 2nd - Red Deer Lodge

9:00 am to 10:15 pm - Keynote Address
Michael Kusugak - Northern Canadian Literature
Michael will explore the availability of literature for schools and children about the north. What materials are used in schools for Social Studies programs? How do you know that the information you are reading truly reflects the culture of Inuit people? Michael will share his journey to bring accurate and valid information into classrooms and libraries in Canada.

10:45 am to 12:00 pm Sessions

1A Grandmother Please Tell Me A Story
Michael will share stories told to him by his grandmother in his childhood. After traveling all day by dog team on the sea ice, Michael would settle down on a bed of warm furs and ask his grandmother to tell him stories. Those stories were told to Inuit children for thousands of years. This is storytelling at its best. Thank you to Alberta Municipal Affairs and Housing for sponsoring this session! Presenter: Michael Kusugak

1B A Barcode on Steroids: RFID at the Edmonton Public Library
Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) is an emerging technology for libraries, augmenting or replacing barcodes with tags containing a microchip and an antenna. The tags, read via radio waves, allow multiple items to be processed simultaneously and do not require a line of sight to be read. Potentially reducing repetitive circulation tasks, RFID allows staff members to shift focus to value-added library activities such as reference, readers’ advisory, instruction, programming, and outreach. It can also lead to reduced physical handling of materials. Learn about RFID technology and the myths surrounding it, as well as Edmonton Public Library’s experiences with planning and implementation. Presenter: Adrienne Canty

1C What if You Couldn’t Fail?
Too often we spend much of our energy trying to alter our external, physical environment by working harder and longer, and never seeming to quite make it to where we desire to be. What if you Couldn’t Fail? is a brief adventure of discovery into understanding that the best way to change our external environment is to change the way we think and feel on the inside. All our perceived limitations do reside in-between our ears. Using a few simple tools, and realizing how powerful each one of us really is, opens up the doors of possibility and allows us to stretch into the impossible, which, by the way, we’ll discover is not only possible, but probable, and in actual fact inevitable. Presenter: Russ Littau

1D Ask Tony
Tony will respond to and elicit discussion of the questions, submitted by interested attendees in advance, regarding issues in descriptive cataloguing, classification and subject headings and any other aspects of technical services. Presenter: Tony Fell

1E Tour of Red Deer Regional Hospital Library, Media Services and Fred Vincett Wellness Centre
Situated in the new South Complex of the Red Deer Regional Hospital, the professional medical library serves the research and information needs of staff in a wide geographical area and in a variety of medical professions. Media Services supports medical initiatives in the region through graphic design and video production services as well as audio visual equipment maintenance and loans. In addition, Media Services provides assistance in the editing and production of Consumer Health Information. The Fred Vincett Wellness Centre is a new consumer health information resource library and part of a regional initiative to bring consumer health education to the residents of the David Thompson Health Region. (Tour is limited to 15.) Presenter: Dixie Anderson

FRIDAY CONFERENCE DETAILS AND SESSIONS

1:15 pm to 2:30 pm Sessions

2A Grandmother Please Tell Me A Story
Repeat of Session 1A. Thank you to Alberta Municipal Affairs and Housing for sponsoring this session! Presenter: Michael Kusugak

2B SAIT – Professional Development at Your Fingertips!
Whether you are looking to refresh your skill set or simply learn about some of the new practices and technologies in the library and information fields, then SAIT has the answer for you. This session will discuss the many different options and courses that SAIT currently offers online and ones that are being considered for the future. The best part is that you can participate in these courses from the comfort of your own home - definitely professional development at your fingertips! Presenter: Mike Parkinson

2C Speaking Out About Diversity and Bullying
Bullying happens to more people in more places than in a schoolyard. We need to understand it and have practical tools to stand up to it. This session is an upbeat, interactive workshop on connecting diversity and bullying issues, and looking at how they impact our communities. Learn the difficulties faced by immigrants regarding bullying in schools, public places and workplaces. Explore how bullying is connected to various kinds of discrimination and ways to help the victim, the witness and even the bully. Build awareness and empathy, and practice responding to bullying in a safe, proactive way with Anti-Discrimination Response Training. Presenters: Tabitha Phiri and Lucinda Sheardown

2D An introduction to RDA: Resource Description and Access
This session will introduce the background to, identify the key features of, and examine the structure and content of RDA, and its potential impact on information organization and retrieval. Presenter: Tony Fell

2E Red Deer College Library Information Common tour
Join one of the Red Deer College librarians for a tour of the Red Deer College Library Information Common. Explore our new facility, built in 2002, and learn about the leading edge, community-focused services we provide to central Alberta learners of all types.

2F Book Repair (NEW! Extra Session)
The session will teach you how to repair your books and to prepare your books for use. There will be hands-on instruction as well and I will be providing handouts to help you after you leave the course. Binding material and glue and brushes will be provided. (Session limited to 15.) Presenter: Lorna Fischer

FRIDAY CONFERENCE DETAILS AND SESSIONS

3:00 pm to 4:15 pm Sessions

3A Volunteer Centres and their Commitment to Assisting Volunteer Managers with Volunteer Recruitment, Retention and Recognition
Volunteer managers are asking “How do we find the volunteers to run our program or fundraiser?” “How do we encourage youth, new Canadians, seniors, and busy people to become involved?” Knowledge of Volunteer Recruitment, Retention, and Recognition are paramount in our search for and our maintaining our volunteer base. This session will be exploring the most effective or best practices to encourage and support community involvement. Thank you to Alberta Municipal Affairs and Housing for sponsoring this session! Presenter: Dawna Morey

3B eBlobs
eBlobs, formerly known as learning objects, are short multimedia clips that can be mixed and matched to support learning. eBlobs can be used for tutorials, community outreach, and for promoting your library services. This practical session will demonstrate how you can easily create your own audio and video eBlobs to add to your website, either for your staff or your patrons, using inexpensive or freely available online tools. Presenters: Sona Kothari and Kristine Plastow

3C The Art of Positive Caregiving
As your parents age, do you find yourself worrying about what the future holds for you? The responsibility of arranging or providing care for a senior can be challenging and rewarding as well as frustrating and bewildering. This session is designed to briefly explore the skills and strategies needed to provide compassionate care without losing yourself. Presenter Lesley Sutton

3D The Curious Career of a Records Manager
Wondering about records? Curious about a career path? Why are so many library technicians and librarians working in records? This session will provide an overview of Records Management as a discipline and as a working reality. The many facets of records work will be introduced and discussed. There is a definite cross-over of skills between the Library and Records professions and we will talk about the types of skills and continuing education options available that will lead to a successful career in Records Management. Practical information on career opportunities and tips on how to look for them will also be discussed. Presenters: Julie Hudak and Vicky Williams

3E Red Deer Public Library Tour
Join the staff from Red Deer Public Library to learn more about the library’s innovative programming and technology, as well as take a tour of the Downtown Library facility. Presenters: Cory Stier and the Red Deer Public Library Staff

FRIDAY CONFERENCE DETAILS AND SESSIONS

4:15 pm to 7:30 pm - FREE TIME

FRIDAY CONFERENCE DETAILS AND SESSIONS

7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Drumocracy Wellness Drum Circle Program
Research shows that group drumming may improve our health by boosting our immune system, lowering stress and anxiety and providing a social context for laughter and learning! Join Tanya for an interactive session of healthRHYTHMS™ drumming using a research based protocol that focuses on improved health. A conversation about whole health and what matters most will be included. Everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary. Drums are provided. For more about Drumocracy please visit www.drumocracy.com.
(Event is limited to 50 people.) Presenter: Tanya Schur, MA Leadership & Training

Self Guided - Ghost & Mural Walking Tour
Do You Believe in Ghosts?
Red Deer does! This self-guided tour of the ghosts and murals of Red Deer will introduce you to the city’s past, and the people and events that have shaped our community. As you wind your way through the downtown core, you will meet the City’s first mayor; a musical mentor; an intrepid little pig; rearing horses; and much more. So come on! Let’s explore the Ghosts of Red Deer. This self-guided tour takes approximately one to one and a half hours. (For more information or to pick up a tour handout, stop by the Conference Registration Desk.)

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THURSDAY CONFERENCE DETAILS AND SESSIONS
FRIDAY CONFERENCE DETAILS AND SESSIONS
SATURDAY CONFERENCE DETAILS AND SESSIONS
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SATURDAY CONFERENCE DETAILS AND SESSIONS

8:30 am to 9:45 am Sessions

4A Arts Programming for Your Community
artsparks is designed to connect persons with developmental disabilities in the Red Deer area with community artists and arts organizations. Through arts programming and other initiatives, the Red Deer Public Library, the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery, and the Kerry Wood Nature Centre have been learning to address the needs and interests of the PDD community more effectively. The result has been lots of programs, activities, and special events that are open to everyone in the community. Projects have included visual art classes, writing workshops, movie-making adventures, multi-media Adult Story Time programs, a nature-based “art in the park” program, and much more. In the session you will learn about Red Deer’s artsparks project, how arts programming can enrich your traditional library programming and where to find resources and information if you want to be part of starting an arts project in your library. Thank you to Alberta Municipal Affairs and Housing for sponsoring this session! Presenters: Tatiana Poliakevitch and Glynis Wilson-Boultbee

4B Mobile Technologies for Libraries
What are some of the common technologies that you might use as a librarian technician to enable users on the go to access your resources, what might you want to use to do the same? This presentation will explore technologies from pen based computers through to UMPCs. Presenter Raj Boora

4C Early Childhood Literature
Join Laural as she explores the qualities books and story times need in order to keep the attention of children from infants to 5 year olds.  She will be bringing samples of literature that are great for story time sessions and others that don’t work quite as well.   Drawing from her own experience, Laural will also discuss the world of self-publishing.  Presenter: Laural Grimes

4D Basics of Records Management - RIM Basics
Learn the difference between a record and a document, how to best manage systems whether they are paper or electronic, and the pros and cons to keeping information in hard copy or digital formats. We will talk about the various legal or tax requirements and about how long to keep different types of records and in what format. I will lead you through a hands-on exercise about how to take a list of files and create a classification system and apply some retention to this file series. RIM is the process of the Right Information at the Right Time in the Right Place!! Presenter: Terry-lyn Martin

4E Tour of the Red Deer Museum and Archives
Join us for a tour of the Red Deer and District Archives, the oldest and one of the largest municipal archives in Alberta. Delegates will also get a peek at the normally closed back areas of the Archives. Information will be provided on how the Archives is run, the electronic means that the Archives use to track the collections, and how information is provided to researchers. Special attention will be given to the Archives virtual image bank which contains thousands of historical images of the region. Presenter: Michael Dawe

SATURDAY CONFERENCE DETAILS AND SESSIONS

10:15 am to 11:30 am Sessions

5A Attracting Young Adults to Your Library
Young adults are an often overlooked demographic in libraries. How do you attract this age group to your library and make them feel welcome? Hints, tips and ideas that have worked. Thank you to Alberta Municipal Affairs and Housing for sponsoring this session!Presenter: Deborah Cryderman

5B The New Tools of Collaboration
This presentation will explore the different ways that individuals can make use of various current technologies to distribute their message, manage their teams and stay on top of their field. Raj will show in simple steps how to start using these tools such as Short Message Service (SMS). Presenter: Raj Boora

5C Making Cents of Retirement 
For many, retirement is the reward for a whole lifetime of work. After years of everyday effort, maybe you're dreaming of traveling, playing golf every day, or spending more time with your family. This session will help you to begin to make informed decisions about retirement. Presenter: Sam Withey

5D Book Repair
The session will teach you how to repair your books and to prepare your books for use. There will be hands-on instruction as well and I will be providing handouts to help you after you leave the course. Binding material and glue and brushes will be provided. (Session limited to 15.) Presenter: Lorna Fischer

SATURDAY CONFERENCE DETAILS AND SESSIONS

2:15 pm to 3:30 pm Super Sessions

6A: The Secret Lives of Guys
Often boys struggle with reading and writing because of gender issues that have larger consequences than realized. This presentation uses humour to discuss how to help all reluctant readers and writers, especially to boys. Special Thanks to Alberta Municipal Affairs and Housing for sponsoring this session! Presenter: Sigmund Brouwer

6B: Fraud Awareness/Identity Theft/Skimming
This presentation gives an overview of various scams that target Albertans including an overview of identity theft and debit and credit card skimming. Participation from the audience is appreciated.
Presenter: Cst. Lloyd Schoepp

SATURDAY CONFERENCE DETAILS AND SESSIONS

9:00 pm to 10:00 pm - Ben Crane - Western Singer/Songwriter, Entertainer and Cartoon Artist

10:15 pm - Storytime with Merle Harris

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© 2008 Alberta Association of Library Technicians
Last Update: April 28, 2008