Day two of LibLearnX 2022 has been full of so many engrossing sessions! The day kicked off with U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono in discussion with ALA President Patty Wong. They discovered they had much in common, and Senator Hirono also discussed her memoir Heart of Fire, which I immediately placed on hold at my library.
I spent this day jumping around from Theater Speakers (which functioned like the Main Stage at an in-person conference) and several different really engaging educational sessions. I had double-booked myself in many of them, so I am once again grateful for the ability to replay sessions later!
I was able to attend amazing sessions on Anti-Racism pedagogies, how to get audiences engaged and excited before a workshop or presentation, tips on virtual programming, gaming and patron engagement, and copyright Fair-Use. I have tons of new great info that I am excited to incorporate into my own library programs.
I especially enjoyed hearing Angeline Boulley discussing her Ojibwe community in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She also talked about her experience writing her debut novel Firekeeper’s Daughter, which immediately hit the bestseller lists and was named one of Time’s top 100 YA books of all time just a few months after it was released. Amazing!! (And, another of a list of books I placed on hold while watching presentations.) I love that she also encouraged all people who are “looking for direction.” She said it took her 10 years to write her first novel, and she became a new bestselling novelist in her 50’s.
The day closed out with the I Love My Librarian awards, and it was so inspiring to hear about all of the amazing things people in our profession are doing. It made my heart happy. I can’t wait for day three!
Conference Blogger Rebecca Ballard is Regional Children’s Services Coordinator for the Athens Regional Library System. An ALA and ALSC member for the past 7 years, Rebecca is really looking forward to the huge number and variety of educational sessions at the conference, having already made a spreadsheet of sessions to attend. (There aren’t enough hours in the day.) Rebecca will be drinking lots of coffee and getting excited about all the stuff to learn and share.
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.