Registration/Networking
and Continental Breakfast

Introduction and Welcome

Keynote Speaker: Michael Stephens
Hyperlinked Library Services for Everyone
Michael Stephens, Ph.D., (Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois) has a passion for the practical application of technology in libraries and how it extends the core mission of what libraries have always done. He teaches classes on library technology, speaks to all kinds of library groups, and uses social networking in his work and personal life.

Michael Stephens sometimes thinks he’s the poster boy for the emerging digital consumer: iTunes TV shows, newsfeeds from his hometown, and NetFlix delivered to the mailbox. He recently canceled his newspaper subscription because he is getting all his news online. According to his blog, he wishes he received more news from his library online.

What emerging trends are changing library services? What does a connected world of continuous computing mean for 21st century libraries? Michael's presentation provides a roadmap toward becoming the hyperlinked library: transparent, participatory, playful, user-centered, and human while still grounded in our foundations and values.

“The most wonderful think about emerging technologies is many of them bring the library staff right to wherever the user happens to be online,” he said in an interview.
Sponsored by Today's Business Solutions

10:00 – 10:30 AM

Author Book Signing & Exhibitor
No-Conflict Time

Special Session
10:30 AM – 12:45 PM

Go, Go Gadgets
Jim DiDonato, Round Lake
Area Public Library, and Irene Scherer, Librarian
Kindles, Flips, Flashdrives, iPods, MP3s, smart phones, PDAs: What are all those gadgets patrons are bringing to your library? What are you supposed to do with them? See these devices and more during a live demonstration, and discover how they can be used to improve the library experience.

What Color Is Your Personality?
Patricia Faughn, University of Illinois
Patricia Faughn demonstrates different color perspectives and preferences as they relate to your personality. All participants complete an assessment tool. She discusses strengths and weaknesses of each color and how they apply to our life. Limit: 30 first come, first served.

10:30 – 11:30 AM

Emerging Technologies: Tools, Trends, and Transparency
Jenny Levine, American Library Association
Michael Stephens, Dominican University

The Resiliency Formula for Stress and Change
Diane C. Decker, Quality Transitions
Have you ever noticed how some people are able to bounce back after difficult times? Participants in this session learn the characteristics of resiliency and ways to improve their ability to respond to stress and change.

J.A. Konrath

Author Library Events: What Authors Want J.A. Konrath, Author Joe (J.A.) Konrath has spoken at more than 100 library events, talks, and presentations. He will discuss how to host an author event at your library that is well attended, fun, and easy on the budget. Joe is an author, editor, speaker, blogger, and teacher. If you missed Joe's presentation last year, it should be on your list this year!

Got Game? We Do and Our Teens Love It
Melissa Willer, Bloomingdale Public Library
Teens and gaming go together like peanut butter and jelly. You don’t see one without the other. Learn about gaming from a librarian and about the teens who participate.

Office Wellness: How to Be Healthy When Work Requires Sitting and Standing All Day
Jill Popovich, All Things in Motion
How we work in our libraries has changed substantially in recent years. Our body is built to move and yet we spend hours sitting, standing, and keyboarding. By improving your work area and performing simple exercises, you can help prevent aches, pains, and injuries common to this work environment. Also important to health is nutrition. There are simple things you can do starting today to become healthier.

Diversity PRISM
Chris Medjo-Me-Zengue, Indian Trails Public Library District
Learn basic cultural competency skills. Leave with tips and ideas for improved service to multi-cultural populations in the areas of collections, programming, service, outreach, and staffing.

Chris Medjo Me Zengue
Bridging_Cultural Gaps.ppt
Diversity_Prism.ppt

May I Please Blow Up This Reference Desk?
Tracie D. Hall, GoodSeed Consulting Group
Tracie Hall will offer a lively analysis of the nation’s deep demographic and societal shifts and the challenge posed to staff to re-imagine library services as we know them—the ten social trends that should change the way libraries can and should do business.

The Beach Ball Hypothesis or Step Away from the Ping Pong Ball
Kelly Krieg-Sigman, LaCrosse (Wisc.) Public Library
For most of us, it is and has always been part of our human nature to yearn for that which is stable and unchanging. In fact, much of the energy we expend in the workplace is specifically designed to try and achieve that state. However, change happens. All is not without hope, as this highly
interactive presentation will demonstrate. Bring your stories: prizes for the best ones!

Internet Safety
Detective Alan Krok, Chicago Police Department
Detective Alan Krok shares information to assist staff in providing patrons of all ages with a safe Internet environment. Issues addressed include cyberbullying, sexual predators, and social networking sites.
Program repeated at 11:45 AM.

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM

Self-service Strategies in a Sophisticated World
Marge Fay, Chris Murray, Carla Nolidis, Naperville Public Library

In response to increasing time demands on patrons and staff, libraries are exploring ways to empower patrons to manage library needs. For example, having patrons place and pick up their holds or check out their materials. This program will analyze the effects and benefits of various aspects of self-service.

Dealing with Difficult People: Why Is No One as Nice as I Am?
Diane C. Decker, Quality Transitions
Every day we have countless interactions, yet the negative ones tend to be memorable and can lead to stress and reduced productivity. In this presentation, participants will learn practical solutions for interacting with difficult people.

Girls Fight Back!
Erin Weed, Erin Weed and Co. LLC
Two weeks after the murder of her good friend, Erin Weed was inspired to create a self-defense program that was practical, empowering, yet not intimidating, and even fun. By combining these attributes with the most effective violence prevention and self-defense strategies in existence, the
Girls Fight Back program was born.
Sponsored by LACONI
Program repeated at 2:15 PM.

Library Gaming for Adults: Who Says Kids Get to Have All the Fun?
Toby Greenwalt, Skokie Public Library
Gaming has become an increasingly important part of the library’s body of services, but the activities shouldn’t be limited just to children. In this program, learn how to use gaming to attract new patrons, bridge social gaps, and have a lot of fun. There will be plenty of ideas for both electronic
and nonelectronic gaming fans.

When a Coworker Is Grieving…
Mary Pergander, Deerfield Public Library
We spend as much time with some of our coworkers as with our families, yet we feel powerless to help when a tragedy or death occurs. There are ways you can be supportive and respectful of their individual needs. When the rollercoaster of emotions affects the workplace, here’s how YOU can cope. Learn about resources to help you and your library support a grieving coworker.

What’s Certification Have to Do with Me? Am I Missing Something?
Jenifer Grady, American Library Association
Voluntary certification through the Library Support Staff Certification Program will redefines how you think about yourself. Expand your perspective and your skill sets beyond your immediate place in your library. This discussion describes the program’s inspiration, development, and progress.

Talkin’ Books with Tweens
Linda Zeilstra-Sawyer, Skokie Public Library, and Karen Grost, Ravinia School
There are strategies that can help invite 9-12 year olds into your library. What are some of the most popular fiction and nonfiction books for this age range? Come and find out.

My World-Famous Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
Kelly Krieg-Sigman, LaCrosse (Wisc.) Public Library
Next to death and public speaking, job interviews are among the top ten fears of most adults. This session offers some insights and practice opportunities on this most-dreaded aspect of library management.

Internet Safety
Detective Alan Krok, Chicago Police Department
Repeat of 10:30 AM program.

12:45 – 2:00 PM

Lunch in the main ballroom
Awards Presentation

Elizabeth Berg
Reaching Forward is delighted to welcome New York Times bestselling author, Elizabeth Berg as our luncheon speaker!

Ms. Berg’s books include Dream When You’re Feeling Blue, We Are All Welcome Here, The Year of Pleasures, The Art of Mending, Say When, True to Form, Never Change, and Open House, which was an Oprah’s Book Club selection in 2000. Durable Goods and Joy School were selected as ALA Best Books of the Year, and Talk Before Sleep was short-listed for the ABBY Award in 1996. The winner of the 1997 New England Booksellers Award for her body of work, Berg is also the author of a nonfiction work, Escaping into the Open: The Art of Writing True. Ms. Berg shares with us how libraries helped make her a writer and how they sustain her as an individual. She will also read a passage from her new book, Home Safe, which will be published on April 28.

2:15 – 3:15 PM

Web Design 101
John Schuster, Yourlink Web Services Inc.

Power Point Presentation

What are the most important elements on the home page of your site? How should these
elements be arranged for easy user access? Understand common stumbling points in Web design and ways to get around them. Learn how to brainstorm, design, and set up a Web site quickly.

Beyond the Walls: Taking Library Services into the Community
Rebecca Teasdale, Schaumburg Township District Library
Libraries are engaging their communities in new and exciting ways. This session explores creative methods that libraries are using to take their services into the community—both the local neighborhood and the virtual world. Participants will leave with new ideas and the tools to implement them.

Girls Fight Back!
Erin Weed, Erin Weed and Co. LLC
Repeat of 11:45 A.M. program.

Family Zone
Cathy Maassen, Skokie Public, Library, and Erin Maassen, Cook Memorial
Public Library District
This dynamic mother-daughter duo teaches you how to market and promote programs for the entire family. From program tips to marketing additional services, they show you how to turn the whole family into regular library users.

Family Zone

What Color Is Your Personality?
Patricia Faughn, University of Illinois
Patricia Faughn demonstrates different color perspectives and preferences as they relate to your personality. All participants complete an assessment tool. She discusses strengths and weaknesses of each color and how they apply to our life. Limit: 30 first come, first served.

Going, Going Green
Melissa Jones, Schaumburg Township District Library
The library is an example of an original recycler and a community resource. Learn how to combine efforts and involve staff and patrons in a Going, Going Green initiative.

Champagne Displays on a Beer Budget
Joyce Brantner, Mount Prospect Public Library
Looking for creative display ideas that won’t break your budget? Discover how to create eye-catching displays; where to find great, inexpensive display items; ideas that coordinate fiction, nonfiction, and multimedia collections; and fun ideas for genre displays.

Hershey’s Is My Psychological Oxygen
Kelly Krieg-Sigman, LaCrosse (Wisc.) Public Library
Employee motivation has been the topic of countless books, essays, articles, and lists; but what does it mean in practical terms? This session examines the definition of motivation and provides challenges to many commonly held notions about what drives us, both personally and professionally. Warning: Chocolate Is Served!

Bridging Cultural Gaps: Serving Children in Diverse Communities
Chris Medjo-Me-Zengue, Indian Trails Public Library District
Many children in our diverse communities live dual existences, embracing the pop culture of their peers at school and following the proud traditions of their native culture at home. Often multilingual, they may speak or read English more fluently than their parents and serve as the family translator in many situations. Learn how to improve service to these children and their families as they bridge
the multicultural gaps in their lives

Creating a Presence in Your Community
Susan Westgate, Bartlett Public Library District, and Megan Heligas, Flossmoor Public Library
Are there ways to get involved with other groups in your community? Discover ways to create relationships not only with your local government but also with businesses and other groups in your community.

pdf of my presentation at Reaching Forward.