Date: Friday, February 24, 2023 Time: 10-11:00am Location: Zoom
Has your library struggled to find a security strategy that balances compassion for unhoused populations with the need to create a safe space for all patrons and library staff? This panel discussion will feature staff from Chicagoland libraries sharing how their institution has addressed these issues.
Presenters:
Robert Simmons, Director of Social Services and Public Safety, Oak Park Public Library
Brent Lipinski, District Chief, Chicago Public Library
Date: Thursday, November 10, 2022 Time: 10-11:30am Location: Zoom
What makes meetings not suck? Good facilitation! How do you become a good facilitator? By learning the tools and skills needed to effectively manage groups and increase engagement. In this session, we’ll discuss how to prepare for and facilitate meetings by reviewing how to develop an agenda, tools to ensure all voices are heard, and what to do when there’s conflict. You’ll leave this session feeling confident that your next meeting will rock!
This is the third program in our Level Up series on recharging your career.
About our presenter, Amanda Standerfer:
Amanda Standerfer’s passion is helping libraries and nonprofit organizations advance so they can create meaningful impact in their communities. Since 2002, Amanda’s consulting practice Fast Forward Libraries has worked with libraries and nonprofits on strategic planning, fundraising, organizational development, and capacity building. Amanda has 15 years of experience at various positions in public libraries, most recently as the Director of Community Engagement for The Urbana (IL) Free Library. She also has 7 years of experience working in the philanthropy sector. She has a BA and MA in History from Eastern Illinois University and a MLIS from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
This event is intended for library staff, library professionals, and library school students.
Date: Friday, September 16, 2022 Time: 10-11:30am Location: Zoom
Curious how the budget gets made? Learn about budget planning and the budget process from administrators who have experience in district and local libraries in Illinois. Have burning questions about all things budget? Submit them when you register for the program!
This program will be recorded. This is the second program in our Level Up series on recharging your career.
Presenters:
Julie Milavec, Library Director, Downers Grove Public Library
Brooke Sievers, Assistant Director, Addison Public Library
Alexander C. Todd, Executive Director, Prospect Heights Public Library District
Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2022 Time: 10-11am Location: Zoom
Are you ready to take the next step in your library career? Does that new job sound like the perfect fit for you? Are you ready to explore new opportunities altogether?
In this program you will hear from job career and library professionals on what it takes to ace your next interview. You’ll learn how to prepare for the interview, build your confidence in highlighting the skills you already have and craft your interview answers to ensure that you will stand out in your next interview.
This is the first program in a new series developed by the Recharge Committee on Leveling Up your career.
Presenters:
Brittany Coleman, Info Services Librarian at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library
Date: Thursday, October 28, 2021 Time: 10-11:30 am Location: Zoom
Do you sometimes feel like you have to manage your manager? This program will explore the ups and downs of working relationships, whether in one-on-one supervision or a multilayered bureaucracy. Presenters will share the lessons they’ve learned from both sides of management, including how to accommodate conflicting communication styles, navigate generational differences, adjust to role changes, and make your work time better no matter who is in charge. Bring your own questions and wisdom to share. (Due to the nature of the discussion, this program will NOT be recorded.)
Presenters:
Kelly Durov, Assistant Director, Northbrook Library
Becca Ruidl, Branch Manager, Chicago Public Library
Alejandra Santana, Adult Librarian, Chicago Public Library
Cost: Free!
This event is intended for library staff, library professionals, and library school students.
11 libraries will show off their stuff for our first ever virtual field trip. Libraries will highlight a special service, space, program, collection, staff member position or a combination of all of the above. Following the video presentations, all libraries will be present to answer your questions about their cool stuff. This program will be recorded and posted on YouTube.
What is unique about how your library meets community needs? What are you especially proud of? Showcase a special service, space, program, collection, staff member position or a combination of all of the above at your library through a 5-minute video. Videos should be informative and inspiring. No professional video editing necessary, nor are there specific format requirements. Be creative!
Attendance at the live program on August 19 is not required, but highly encouraged. Our goal is to have at least one person from each library submitting a video available to answer questions. If you cannot attend live, we ask you allow us to provide your email address to attendees so they can contact you with any questions.
This event is intended for library staff, library professionals, and library school students.
Date: Friday, May 28, 2021 Time: 10-11:30 am Location: Zoom
Feeling exhausted and burnt out? Emotional labor, or the internal work required to regulate one’s emotions when dealing with patrons and co-workers, may be partially to blame. In this Zoom presentation, a panel of library professionals will share strategies staff can utilize to combat the negative effects of emotional labor in a library setting. Learn from your peers, and come ready for discussion!
Presenters:
Britta Krabill, Head of Adult Services, DeKalb Public Library
Yvette Garcia, Branch Manager, Lozano Branch, Chicago Public Library
Jackie Moreno, Info Service Supervisor, Arlington Heights Memorial Library
Date: Thursday, January 28, 2021 Time: 10 am – 12 pm Location: Zoom
As library employees, we all love organization; it is the root of our profession! Want to hear about apps and processes to help you stay even more organized? Hear a series of short “spark talks” on apps and productivity processes that help keep our work and libraries organized.
We are asking for fellow library workers (YOU!) to submit to present on your favorite apps and processes too. Examples include Microsoft Planner, Bullet Journaling, WorkFlowy, and more. If you’re interested in speaking for a few minutes on tool you love, fill out this brief form and stay tuned to see if your proposal is accepted.
Personality tests can be helpful for self-discovery and reflection, but what about as a tool for library staff development? In this Zoom presentation, we’ll hear from library staff who have used the SELF, Color Code, and StrengthsFinder tests about how they work and what they learned. (We encourage registrants to take the Color Code test before the program, but it’s not required for participation.)
This event will be online. Information for connecting to the meeting via Zoom will be sent after registration.
Speakers
Shannon Distel, Deputy Director at Arlington Heights Memorial Library
Ryann Uden, Deputy Director at Indian Trails Public Library District
Billie Jo Moffett, Director of Studio 270 at Gail Borden Public Library District
Cost: FREE
This event is intended for library staff, library professionals, and library school students.
What is a positive outcome from working in this new environment? What is one thing that has helped you improve your work? What ways have you found to adapt to provide new services? We will focus on small group breakout sessions to share ideas and recharge together. This event will be online. Information for connecting to the meeting via Zoom will be sent after registration.
Recharge 