It’s Time to Register for the Youth Services Retreat!

WEDNESDAY (August 27). Option of evening arrival.

THURSDAY (August 28)

9:00 Introductory Remarks

9:10 – 11:00 Building Hope in Yourself and Others. (Dr. Suzi Yokley-Busby)  Everyone is born resilient. Even more so, anyone can learn to adapt better, bounce back stronger, and rebound healthier than ever. It’s not an easy thing to rebuild after trauma, and it’s a different journey for every individual. But with the right amount of support, time, and hope, survival is not only possible, it’s within sight.

11:10 am – 11:50  Booktalk Your Successes.  (Retreat Participants) This session allows you to inspire others by sharing successful programs, fun crafts, helpful websites, or any other exciting finds or experiences from the past year. The goal is to provide each other with ideas and resources. 

Lunch

1:00 pm – 1:50 pm Inspiring Hope through Young Adult Literature (Dr. Melissa Cast-Brede) Research has linked students’ sense of hope to positive outcomes such as academic success, physical health, and overall well-being. However, findings from a Gallup poll reveal that students’ levels of hope tend to decline progressively with each advancing grade level. This presentation explores the potential of young adult literature as a tool for fostering and sustaining hope during the often stressful and formative adolescent years.

2:00 pm – 2:50 pm Great New Books for Teens (Kris Cram) This presentation will include brief book talks about a variety of recently published young adult titles including graphic novels and crossover reads that could interest both teens and adults.  Several ways to promote your teen collection will also be discussed. 

3:00 pm – 3:50 pm What in the World is D&D? And What Does it Have to Do With My Library? (Liz Hittle) Have you been hearing all the rage about this “new” old game, Dungeons & Dragons? Turns out that it’s pretty fun and educational! AND it’s great for libraries, in many different ways!! From teaching empathy, to being a cathartic way of unwinding, to letting your and your patrons’ imaginations run wild – D&D is a wonderful addition to any environment!

4:00-5:55 Examples of Activity Possibilities:

  • Boating (New this year!)
  • D & D
  • Walk or jog
  • Board games, Puzzles, etc. (Bring your favorite along!)
  • Networking

Supper for those staying overnight

7:00 After Supper Activities, if you wish:

S’mores (dependent on interest), Boating available from 7-8, other activity examples from above, downtime, etc.

FRIDAY (August 29)

9:00 – 9:50 Say Something: Empowering Your Community to Help Share Your Library Story. (Mitchell Roush) Tell your story or someone else will. Why can’t we have it both ways?! This session will explore the power of capturing your library story and empowering your community to help carry that positive message along the way. The workshop will provide sustainable strategies, templates, and ideas to boldly share your vision on a budget.  Because a community is only as strong as its public library and vice versa.

10:00 – 10:25 Talking Book and Braille Service: Improving Accessibility to Books. (Miranda Shreves) Reading is for everyone, which is why Nebraska’s Talking Book and Braille Service (TBBS) provides free audiobooks, audio magazines, and braille to individuals with a visual or physical impairment, or reading disability. Join Marketing and Outreach Coordinator Miranda Shreves to learn about the service’s history, upcoming partnerships with Nebraska public libraries, and new efforts to reach more youth across the state in the coming months.

 10:35 – 11:50 Tapping into Collective Wisdom. (Retreat Participants) In this session, we’ll exchange perspectives on tackling challenging situations. As part of your registration, you’ll submit a problem you’re facing at your library. Systems staff will categorize these into broad topics. At the retreat, we’ll form small groups where you’ll briefly present your issue and receive feedback from your peers. Finally, each group will share some fresh ideas and new approaches with the large group. (If you desire to continue the discussion with your group at lunch, feel free to do so!)

Lunch

1:00 – 1:25  Powerful Partnerships Are Easier Than You Think. (Sam Rundle) The Hastings Public Library has developed a model of providing outreach services through building partnerships. In doing so, programming has been elevated to a higher level and allows us to offer engaging programs that promote learning, create social connections, and stir up fun in several areas across the county.

1:35 – 2:10 One Book for Nebraska Kids/Teens. (Sally Snyder) Wouldn’t it be great if kids all over Nebraska were talking about books? The Nebraska Library Commission & the Regional Library Systems have a program where kids can all read and discuss the same book. Learn more of how this program came to be, what is involved, and how your library can participate.

2:20 – 2:45 Collaboration Station: The Partnership Between School and Public Libraries (Justine Ridder and Dana Fontaine) Justine Ridder is the Youth Services Librarian at Keene Memorial Library. She will discuss working with the elementary schools and high schools in the Fremont community. Dana Fontaine is the Media Specialist at Fremont High School. Dana has a thriving high school book club and will share her secrets (failures and successes). Join Justine Ridder and Dana Fontaine as they discuss how they joined forces with Fremont’s public library and public high school and how it has benefited their community.

2:45-3:15 Time to finish evaluations & say farewell!

Please let us know if you need accommodations of any kind or have any concerns.

Fees:*

Registration for both days, including a single occupancy room for Thursday night, Thursday lunch and supper, and Friday breakfast and lunch – $190

Registration for both days, including a double occupancy room for Thursday night, Thursday lunch and supper, Friday breakfast and lunch – $165

Registration for both days, no overnight, includes lunch both days – $120

Registration for Thursday only, includes lunch – $60

Registration for Friday only, includes lunch – $60

Add-on option: Arrival on Wednesday night after 6 pm, includes breakfast Thursday morning – $100

*Please note that each system awards scholarships for Continuing Education. For details, contact or email your system director. The information may also be on the system web site.

SELS Training Extravaganza and PLTS Eastern Spring Meeting on May 9

On May 9 at Seward Memorial Library, Southeast Library System and the NLA’s Public Library and Trustee Section are joining to hold the SELS Training Extravaganza/PLTS Eastern Spring Meeting.

This is a day of learning designed for all library staff, as well as board members. The cost is $25.

You can REGISTER HERE until April 30.

For a complete agenda for the day, see the following:

9:30 – 10:00 Registration and Refreshments

10:00 – 10:10 Announcements and Introductory Remarks (Scott Childers & Monica Tidyman)

10:10 – 11:00 Opening Session with Jessica Chamberlain: Communicating Your Library’s Value and Getting your Board “On Board” to Help!

How do you let your community know how valuable your library is? Come hear some ideas for communicating your value and how to encourage your library board to be involved in your efforts. There will be time for Q&A as well as for sharing your own examples of what has worked well in your community.

11:10 – 12:00 Breakouts

With GROW Nebraska. Boost Your Library’s Presence: Marketing Tips, Tools, and Tactics to Engage Your Community

In this session, discover powerful tools and strategies to increase your library’s visibility and engage your community effectively. Learn how to optimize your Google Business Profile, master social media best practices, leverage AI tools like ChatGPT, and harness the power of word-of-mouth marketing. Walk away with actionable tips and tricks to elevate your library’s marketing efforts.

With Denise Harders: “Cricut Design Space” Tips & Tricks

All the Cricut cutting machines can do amazing things because of the free app Cricut Design Space. It is pretty easy and user-friendly, but I have tips & tricks that will help you make things faster, easier, and more. fun!

12:10 Lunch

Chicken Salad on a Croissant, Apple Slaw, and salt and vinegar chips.

1:00 Breakouts

With Kelly Kenny: Return of the Canvaholic

Hi, my name is Kelly Kenny, and I am still a Canvaholic. Truly. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s website, “-aholic” means one who likes (something) to excess. There are chocoholics, workaholics, shopaholics, bookaholics—the list goes on. While all of those still describe me, Canvaholic remains the best fit. I still use Canva daily—whether it’s for worksheets, flyers, research organizers, library signage, posters, or even birthday party invitations for my now five-year-old. Canva’s had my back for years, and it just keeps getting better. In this session, I’ll share exciting updates to Canva, explore how Canva and AI are changing the game, and introduce new tips and tricks to level up your designs. Whether you’re a longtime Canva fan or just getting started, come geek out with me on all things Canva! 

With Tammi Thiem: Reader’s Advisory

Helping to match the reader with the book is a rewarding part of being a librarian.
Librarians know that they cannot possibly read every single book in the library, but there
are tricks to identifying the perfect suggestions for patrons. Join this discussion to
explore tools and techniques to help with the process.

2:00 Closing Session with Tom Rolfes: The Role of a Nebraska Library Commissioner

In this session Commissioner Tom Rolfes will be providing information about the role of the commissioners. After that, there will be a time for discussion.

2:50 – 3:00 Wrap up and Completion of Evaluations

Fleshing Out Your Summer Reading Plans

Part of being a librarian is sharing and borrowing ideas. At this point in the year, some of you have basically completed all your summer reading plans. Others, whether because you are new, don’t have much planning time, or are simply still looking for ideas, have a bit of preparation left. Whatever category you fall into – or somewhere in between – we invite you to participate!

April 4, 10 – 11:30

via Zoom

REGISTER HERE!

Reimagining Your Library’s WordPress Website

Join us on March 14 with Amanda Sweet to learn how to give your library’s WordPress website a fresh look! Also, find out about updates to WordPress, explore Amanda’s new Elementor templates, newly added plugins, as well as some items to consider in the design of your website. This workshop is for those who have already worked with WordPress and want to find out how to use it more effectively.

Place: Crete Public Library

Time: Friday, March 14, 9:30 – 12:30

Also, when filling out the registration, you will be asked if you prefer to bring a laptop or have a laptop provided for you.

Summer Reading Workshop on December 13!

Southeast Library System invites you to attend our free summer reading workshop at the Walt Branch Library of Lincoln City Libraries
December 13.

REGISTER HERE for this free workshop!

A few details:

Registration and Refreshments begin at 9:40

Sessions go from 10 am to 3:15 with a break for lunch. (There are many restaurant choices!)

We have a lineup of sessions designed to help you prepare for a memorable summer!

  • Enhancing Summer Programming at Your Library with Nebraska Artists. One way to incorporate artists into your programming this summer is to work with the Nebraska Arts Council. This session will give you a brief overview of a NAC grant program designed to help you host a Nebraska artist at your library. In addition, you will hear a few short presentations by individual teaching artists to explain what they do at library programs—different in each case!
  • 4-H Reading Connections – Tying in with “Color Our World”. This isn’t just any set of reading program resources—it’s packed with STEM activities, interactive storytelling, and hands-on learning designed to ignite young minds.
  • Some of the Best Books to “Color Our World”. We will hear about a wide variety of books for the upcoming summer. These brief book recommendations cover titles suitable for readers ranging from preschool to high school, offering potential new additions to your library’s collection.
  • Crafting Engaging Summer Storytimes. Discover the art of creating unforgettable summer storytime experiences that captivate and inspire young audiences. We will explore some of the essential elements of sharing engaging stories and creating interactive programs. Learn effective techniques to incorporate music, movement, creative use of props, and interactive activities.

Annual Joint Youth Services Retreat Reaches 30 Years!

Wednesday (August 28). Option of evening arrival.

Thursday (August 29)

8:30 Sign-in

9:00-10:50  Collaborate2Create with Dr. Lisa Smith

Gathering from her experiences in education and mental health & wellness, Lisa Smith has designed a series of explorations into the habits that foster creative community and cultivate growth mindset. A seasoned group motivator, Lisa anticipates that engaging with these ideas while in community will feed your collaborative spirit and add depth to your retreat experience. 

11:00- 11:50 Fantastic New Reads for Children with Aura Sewell

Discover a treasure trove of enchanting new books that could be the perfect addition to your library’s collection. These gems are also ideal for eye-catching displays and captivating story times.

12:00 Lunch

1:15-2:05 Programs & How I Plan ‘Em with Liz Hittle

Despite its very small size, the Snyder Public Library is a busy and bustlin’ place! How is that, may you ask? Why, because Liz the Librarian is constantly running all kinds of programs for patrons to do! Attend her session to hear about all of her different kinds of programs, how she plans them, and tips and tricks she has for different age groups!

2:15-3:05 “Booktalk” Your Favorites (But Not Books). 

This session allows you to inspire others by sharing successful programs, fun crafts, helpful websites, or any other exciting finds or experiences from the past year. Each person gets around 5 minutes to “booktalk” their favorite, though the time may vary depending on the number of presenters. The goal is to provide each other with fresh ideas.

3:15-4:05 Board Games IRL with Elaine Bleisch

Board games have seen a resurgence in popularity in the last few years and libraries are jumping on the trend by starting board game clubs, having board games available to play in the library, and even circulating board games. We have taken the trend a step further by offering live-action board game events, played on life-sized boards, with the players themselves as the tokens. These games are surprisingly simple to set up and run and are easily adaptable to most library spaces. They are also adaptable for different age groups or for families. Walk through the creation and execution of three board games: Monopoly, Candyland, and Jumanji and learn how they can be adapted for various audiences and spaces.

4:10 Lending Non-Traditional Material – Is it worth the aggravation? with Denise Harders

Experience Kits are one way to loan non-traditional material. Each kit contains everything a patron needs to try something new and complete a project. These versatile kits can be circulated or used as passive programming in the library.

4:20-5:50 Activities and/or Downtime

6:00-7:00 Supper

7:00-10:00 Activities and/or Downtime

Friday (August 30)

8:30 Sign-in (for Friday-only participants)

9:00-9:50 Title: “Great New Books for Teens” with Kris Cram

This presentation will include brief book talks about a variety of recently published young adult titles including graphic novels and crossover reads that could interest both teens and adults.  Several ways to promote your teen collection will also be discussed.

10:00-10:30 Dream Chasing with Brody Kelley. 

A Nebraska author describes how he took a leap of faith and accomplished a dream he’s had since he was in the second grade. 

10:40-11:50  Tapping into Collective Wisdom. 

In this session, we’ll exchange perspectives on tackling challenging situations. As part of your registration, you’ll submit a problem you’re facing at your library. Systems staff will categorize these into broad topics. At the retreat, we’ll form small groups where you’ll briefly present your issue and receive feedback from your peers. Finally, each group will share some  fresh ideas and new approaches with the large group.

If you desire to continue the discussion with your group at lunch, feel free to do so!

12:00 Lunch

1:15-1:40  Grant Applications…Are Too Much!  Some Tips for Success with Sally Snyder

How to help ensure your grant application gets the hearing it deserves.

1:50-2:40 Family and Community Programming- Major Successes & Epic Fails with Jennifer Norton & Rossy Casanova

Family programs are a staple at the Lexington Public Library. Join us as we describe program themes, community partnerships, and program staffing. We are excited to share some of our great successes along with some epic fails.

2:45-3:15 Time to finish evaluations & say farewell!

Please let us know if you need accommodations of any kind or have any concerns.

2024 SELS Training Extravaganza on May 10

Join us for the SELS Training Extravaganza at Seward Memorial Library! The 10:00 keynote is by the incredibly dynamic speaker Dr. Ferial Pearson. She will be adressing the topic of Building a Multicultural Library. Both library staff and board members are welcome. The cost is only $25, which includes refreshments and a catered lunch! Register here!

The agenda for day is as follows:

9:30-9:50
Registration and Refreshments

9:50-10:00
Housekeeping and Introductions

10:00-11:00
Keynote: Building a Multicultural Library
Learn how to identify and select authentic and powerful multicultural literature for children
and youth in order to build a balanced and diverse collection of picture books and novels.

11:10-12:00
Talking Book and Braille Service: Continuously Evolving
An informational session about Nebraska’s library for the blind and visually impaired. This
presentation will cover who qualifies, how to sign up for the service and how you can help,
and improvements and changes to the program.

or

AI Tools for Librarians with Todd Schlechte
Here are a few tools you might consider playing around with to see whether they could be
useful in your personal and work life.

12:05-12:50
Lunch
Lunch will include Roast Beef, Twice-baked potatoes, Salad, Green Beans, and a roll.
You can choose a vegetarian or gluten-free option on the registration form

1:00-1:50
Choosing Multicultural Books with Dr. Ferial Pearson
Participants will engage in activities to help them choose appropriate, authentic, and current
multicultural literature for children and youth that will fill in gaps that exist in their libraries.

or

Get Your Library Tech Ready for 2025 with Andrew Sherman
Come to this session for information about money for tech equipment and fast internet, the
new WIFI standard and how the NLC can assist you with adapting, getting ready for the
end of support to Windows 10, and more.

2:00-2:50
The Thing About Teens… with Mari Vasquez Trying to connect and understand teenagers can be difficult and overwhelming at times. So how do you attract teens to the library and keep them engaged? This presentation will offer tips on how to connect with teens, build relationships, along with programming ideas to keep them coming back. Maybe they’ll even bring their friends!

or

Think Outside the Box: Transformative Training with Breakout Challenges with Tammi Thiem You have all likely heard of breakout boxes. Join me to learn and discuss creative ways this tool can help make learning fun. These can be used for children and for adults, and the possibilities are endless. I will share what ideas I have explored, and it will be exciting to hear of any suggestions others have to offer!

3:00 Closing Announcements

This activity is supported with funding from the State of Nebraska and from the Institute
of Museum and Library Services under the provision of the Library Services and Technology
Act as administered by the Nebraska Library Commission.

Up Your Reader’s Advisory Game with NoveList Plus!

On Wednesday, March 27, at 11 am we invite you to join us virtually as we explore the capabilities of the database NoveList Plus with Susan Knisely.

This readers’ advisory database is available through NebraskAccess. Find out how it can help you identify book, author, and series read-alikes; familiarize yourself with diverse genres; and mix and match story elements (appeal terms, themes, and genres) to find just the right book for your patron. At the end of this session attendees should feel more confident in their ability to answer the patron question What should I read next?

REGISTER HERE and we will send you a Zoom link the day before the workshop. Worth 1 CE.

Occupational Wellness in a Service Profession

SELS is offering this special Zoom workshop on Tuesday, February 13, at 11 am. The description is below, and you can register here!

The pandemic is over and yet, mental health issues continue to plague our lives, increasing numbers of people deal with crippling anxiety, and many employees report feeling “angry, stressed, and disengaged” (Wall Street Journal, 2023). While thought leaders in corporate America are engaging in prolific discussions about “healthier work cultures”, it is much harder to find commentary geared towards those of us in service professions.  How do we, in libraries, work towards happiness, wholeness, and fulfillment as we constantly pour out and over others?  How do we foster work cultures that enable such things for our teams?

This presentation will offer a working definition of “occupational wellness” without dismissing accountability and excellence. It will also include strategies that can help nurture a work culture in which everyone is empowered to thrive.  How do we dedicate our lives in service to others AND protect our personal wellbeing?  Let’s start the discussion

Fuhrmans, V. and Ellis, L. (November 27, 2023). Why is everyone so unhappy at work right now? The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/workers-morale-pay-benefits-remote-52c4ab10