Every other year, CLiF offers its Rural LIbrary Conference – a gathering for Vermont and New Hampshire librarians to learn from each other and to gain practical advice on programming, collection developments, grant writing, policy creation, outreach, and more. This year, CLiF will move to a virtual format. This three-day event, held November 30 – December 2 from 8:30am – 10am each day, allowed us to bring in some different voices and experts and to retain our intention of librarians sharing their successes, challenges, and questions. CLiF recognizes many libraries are strapped for time, staff, and resources, but hope these three manageable and practical sessions will invite participation, inspiration, and excitement.
REGISTER HERE! Registration is required to receive the zoom links. Registration will close November 29 at 12pm.
Date: November 30-December 2, 8:30-10 a.m.
Cost: Free
Sessions:
Tuesday, November 30, 8:30-10 a.m.
Diversity to Inclusion – Kymberlee Powe (she/her) Children’s and YA Consultant for Connecticut State Library
Join Kymberlee Powe as she dives into the makeup of the publishing industry. You will learn how to identify the difference between a diverse collection and an inclusive one, and walk through the logistics of performing a diversity audit of your collection. The examples and resources provided in this session will focus on youth collections; however, the methodology of performing a diversity audit, and the reasons to do so, are universal to all collections.
Wednesday, December 1, 8:30-10am
Singing a Story, Telling a Song: Tips for Creating Language-Rich Storytimes with Jenifer Straus, storybetold.com
Join Storytelling, Speaker and Narrative Coach, Jen Strauss for a workshop filled with ideas for adding story, song, puppets, props, and movement to your storytimes for young patrons and their families. Jen will review early childhood brain science and emphasize the ALA Every Child Ready to Read Five Practices as a guide for what every storytime needs. This interactive workshop will include demonstrations on storytelling, singing, prop and puppet-making, and methods for adding writing and pre-writing activities to theme-based storytimes. Jen will also offer extension ideas and ways to use picture books for programming with older children.
Thursday, December 2, 8:30-10 a.m.
Moving Forward Virtually with Family Initiatives during COVID – Simon Brooks and Guest CLiF Presenters
Virtual programming is here to stay (at least for a while longer)! Learn from CLiF Presenter and Storyteller Simon Brooks on how to put your best virtual foot forward. He will give strategies for building comfort when presenting online and for managing the environment and technology. He will answer questions about setting up programs – from storytimes, to meetings, to author presentations. Afterwards, CLiF will surprise you with a fun round of presenter updates so you can learn more about what some local authors, illustrators, and storytellers have on the horizon. The session will wrap up with a discussion on how to move forward through COVID this winter, and beyond. CLiF is interested to learn of ways to support your initiatives.
Additional Resources:
Books: CLiF will send a bundle of books to all VT and NH library representatives who log in and recognize themselves in the chat.
Certificate of Attendance: We can offer these for each session to those who log in and recognize themselves in the chat.
Recordings of sessions: Available to people who register and attend one session.
