Join Us at MLA

Reference Outreach& Instruction will be at MLA in Mankato October 8^th and 9^th. If you plan to attend, stop by the Minitex booth in the exhibit hall and say “Hi!” We always enjoy talking with folks from around Minnesota and catching up on what is happening at your library. ROI and CPERS librarians are also presenting at MLA. Anne Hatinen and cohorts return with another installment of the popular Live Banned Books. Look for them in their costumes! Catch us in the following sessions: Tips, Tools, and Tricks: Increasing Usage and Improving Value of the User Experience in Virtual Reference Services

Greg Argo, Associate Director and Systems Librarian, Concordia University, St. Paul | Merrie Davidson, Research and Instruction Librarian, University of St. Thomas | Karen Pundsack, Associate Director of Patron Services, Great River Regional Library; Adjunct Reference Librarian, St. Cloud State University | Jill Smith, Adult Services Manager, Anoka County Library | Carla Pfahl, Reference Outreach & Instruction Librarian, Minitex

Wednesday, October 8, 10:00-11:00am

Whether your library is thinking of starting a virtual reference service, is new to virtual reference, or has had a service for several years, capturing a patron's point and time of need is key to the viability of the service. Join seasoned librarians as they share their experiences in enhancing their virtual reference service to increase usage and encourage an exceptional virtual reference experience for their patrons. Librarians will review service and technical options, marketing techniques, widget placements, and assessment procedures that have made a positive effect on their virtual reference services.

Check Urself B4 U Wreck Urself: Best Practices for Video Conferencing

Jennifer Hootman, Minitex Reference Outreach & Instruction Librarian | Rita Baladad, Minitex, Electronic Resources Librarian | Dan Reeves, Rasmussen College, Blaine Campus Librarian and Instructor

Thursday, October 9, 9:15-10:15am

Video has become an engaging and dynamic way to deliver instruction, convey messages, and foster collaboration. With just a webcam, anybody can set up a video meeting in just a few minutes. However, delivering meaningful content that grabs the attention of your audience via the web requires thoughtful planning and practice. In this session, you'll learn about video conferencing software; applications for using video as a communication tool; and tips on video etiquette. Join us as we share our approaches, best practices, and experiences using this growingly pervasive medium.

Living Banned Books

Jennifer Turner, Instructional Services Librarian, Minnesota State University, Mankato | Anne Hatinen, Electronic Resources Librarian, Minitex | Heidi Southworth, Digital Initiatives Librarian, Minnesota State University, Mankato | Alyssa Inniger, Interim Director and eResources & Reference Librarian, Bethany Lutheran College | Ramsey Turner, Circulation and Inter-library Loan Coordinator, Bethany Lutheran College

Thursday, October 9, 10:15-11:15am

Learn about banned books from the books themselves! Celebrate intellectual freedom at this "living banned books" session, where books come to life to explain what they're about, who wrote them, and why they've been banned.  Attendees will be encouraged to stroll through the session and visit with the "books." Additionally, each "book" will provide participants with take-away information to use as inspiration for banned book events in their own communities.  This session has rocked with past two conferences with different books each year and will enliven the 2014 conference with a fresh ensemble of banned books and new ideas for take-aways participants can share with audiences of all ages at libraries across the state.

View the full MLA Conference schedule here.