On Friday, October 13th Southeast Library System will host a special “two for one” workshop at Ashland Public Library from 10 am to 3 pm. Attendees will receive 4 CE for attending sessions entitled “Pitch Decks for Librarians: How to Get Your Ideas Across Better,” and “Bystander Intervention Training.” You can examine a description of the day’s schedule below before you decide whether to use this registration link.

9:45 Registration and Refreshments

10:00 Introductions

10:05 “Pitch Decks for Librarians: How to Get Your Ideas Across Better” with Amanda Sweet, Nebraska Library Commission

Libraries think of new and innovative ideas all day, every day. New events, partnerships, outreach efforts, marketing changes, technology, and projects of all shapes and sizes. Long story short, when you want to try something different, you will have to convince people it’s the right thing to do. That’s where pitch decks come in handy. Pitch decks are most famously used by startups trying to get investors or get people to use their product. That’s pretty much what libraries want: funding and more “customers”.

In this workshop you will learn the process of building a convincing argument by combining data with storytelling, and how to format your pitch in a slide deck. After you learn the tricks of the trade, you will practice building your own pitch deck from a template, and present it to other librarians. You can use an idea you already have, or choose from an idea bucket just for this workshop. Trust me, it’s better to practice in front of your fellow librarians than with the powers that be in your community!

It’s time to make your ideas a reality!!

12:00 Catered Lunch

1:00 “Bystander Intervention Training” with Alexandra Pecoraro and Megan Heidenreich

Bystander Intervention Training teaches how to effectively identify a problem situation in or outside a library setting, recognize barriers of intervention, and effectively intervene utilizing the 5Ds of bystander intervention. Participants will practice taking an active role in building healthy communities and will receive information regarding supportive community and national resources.

3:00 Evaluations

You can register here until October 10!

August 31 & September 1

Swanson Center

Camp Carol Joy Holling (near Ashland)

Register Here!

The complete schedule for the retreat is as follows:

Thursday (August 31)

8:30 Sign-in

9:00-9:50  Fund Your Program with a Youth Grant for Excellence with Christa Porter

 Do you have an idea for a youth or teen program, but you lack the funds to make it happen? The Nebraska Library Commission’s Youth Grants for Excellence could be the answer! Christa Porter will provide an overview of the grant, including eligibility requirements and grant guidelines, the application process and grant review, timelines and deadlines. She will also share other youth and teen services grant opportunities that can make your programs and projects a success.

10:00-10:50  “Booktalk” Your Favorites (But Not Books).

We invite you to come to the retreat ready to share a favorite website, craft, resource, program, etc.  Usually we are able to allot about 5 minutes to each person who “booktalks,” depending on how many have something they would like to share.

11:00- 11:50 The Nebraska Golden Sower Award with Kelly Warehime and Aura Sewell.

This presentation will address the nature of the award, describe the award process, and provide updates.

12:00 Lunch

1:15-2:-05  Bring Your Creativity to Life…for Free. 

Central Plains Library System will show you how to find a plethora of free images, fonts and sublimation ideas to use in your makerspace for tween, teen and adult programming. Then Geneva Public Library will give us the downlow on how to use the Extension/UNL offices to your advantage when programming tween/teen food program activities as well as different games and activities they do for teen nights that won’t break the bank.  And finally, Ashland Public Library will help you harness the power of Canva to promote your library and your programs. Unlock Canva Pro for free as a non-profit.

2:15-3:05  Fun, Easy, and Inexpensive ways to Organize a Successful Teen Night with MaryJo Froid.

Fun, Easy, and Inexpensive ways to keep teens returning to your library again and again. Hopefully keeping your sanity all at the same time!

3:15-4:05 No Zombies Were Harmed in the Making of this Teen Event with Amanda Winkler and Chelsea Foust.

After Covid restrictions further beleaguered engagement with tweens and teens, we wanted to put on an event that would reach this demographic and strengthen the library’s relationship with the neighboring middle school. Enter zombie prom! We expected an attendance of around 50, but 120 teens showed up. Amanda and Chelsea will describe their highly successful experience and one of the retreat participants will get a Zombie makeup wound before our eyes.

4:10-5:50 Activity Possibilities:

Participate in a digital scavenger hunt at Ashland Public Library.

Get made up as a Zombie (limited to about 5 people)

Bring your favorite board game and rope some other librarians into playing it with you

Take a walk

Network

6:00 Supper (For those staying overnight)

Friday’s Schedule (September 1)

For those staying overnight, please check out of your room before 9 am

8:00 Breakfast (for those who stayed overnight)

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

9:00-10:50 Taking STEM off the Shelf: Incorporating Informal STEM Learning Experiences into Library Programming with Dr. Ren Renke

Librarians will learn best practice for the seamless integration of STEM initiatives into their existing services. We’ll explore the value of STEM education, examine successful STEM library programs, discuss potential resources, and delve into the importance of inclusivity and accessibility

11:00-11:50   Creative Problem Solving with Group Brainstorming:

As part of your registration, you can submit one problem you struggle with at your library. At the retreat we will break into small groups and use submitted problems for small group brainstorming. Then the small groups would report back to the large group on possible solutions.

12:00: Lunch

1:15-2:45 Author Presentation and Discussion with Bidong Tot. 

Bidong recounts a portion of his childhood in the book A Boy in Akobo, South Sudan. He is working on an additional book about the 5 years he spent in a refugee camp in Ethiopia before immigrating to the United States. During his presentation, Bidong will read his book(s) and speak about his work, talk about his experiences, and answer questions. He will also be available for conversation and to sell and sign books (depending on his current supply) throughout the day on Friday.

2:45-3:15 Time to finish evaluations, last chance to buy books from, and talk to, Bidong.

June 7, 9 am to 12 pm, via Zoom

Join us for the following topics!

9:00 am: ChatGPT: Exploring Potential & Pitfalls of AI in Education with Tammy Lind and Adam Kurth

10:00 am: Promote Your Library by Maintaining a Meaningful Library Website and Engaging  through Social Media with Joy Harvey and Emily Jacobs

11:00 am: A Digital Studio in Your School Library: Creating Studio Space where Students can Practice Collaboration, Communication, and Creativity with Sara Friest

Register by June 5. Registrants will receive a Zoom link on June 6.

Sponsored by Southeast Library System, Lincoln Public Schools, and the Nebraska Library Association.

On March 7 at Beatrice Public Library Amanda Sweet will be conducting a workshop designed to acquaint participants with both tech kits and job skills. Read the details below and register here!

9:45 Registration begins

9:55 Anouncements and Introductions

10:00 – 12:00 Tech Kits (includes short break)
Did you know you can check out robots, drones, virtual reality headsets and other gadget goodness from the Nebraska Library Commission? Come to this workshop to play with some fun new tech, learn about some awesome resources, and get some activity ideas for when you check out a kit. There are several new kits available, so even if you know about the service, there is still cool stuff to try!

12:00 – 1:15 Lunch on your own

1:15 – 3:15 Job Skills (includes short break)
Libraries across the nation are getting more involved with workforce development and entrepreneurship programs. In this workshop, we will talk about the new resources available through the Nebraska Library Commission to help people find and prepare for jobs, promote career exploration, build in-demand skills, and create the jobs of the future. Explore new ways your library can add value to local job seekers and businesses.

3:15 Closing Remarks

Are you obsessed with stickers? Tired of those boring address labels? Do you want to learn about a fun teen program? Did you know you could make your own using Cricut? Join us as we explore all about sticker making in this fun workshop! The best part….you will never pay $4.99 again for stickers!

Friday, February 3

9:45—3:15

Geneva Public Library

Lunch on Your Own

Presenters: Denise Harders and Autumn Carlson

Register Here!

On December 9 at the Walt Branch Library in Lincoln, from 9:30-3:30, Southeast Library System will bring you a workshop to help you begin planning your programming next summer. While lunch will be on your own, a long list of restaurants in the area will be available. And light refreshments will be provided as well! The agenda is below:

9:30-9:55 Registration    

9:55 Introduction

10-10:50 All Together Now: Great Books for Summer Reading in 2023 with Sally Snyder

Get a list of, and hear about, a large number of titles you can use next summer!

11-11:20 Nebraska Extension Update

Quickly find out about the programs Nebraska Extension is planning for this coming summer.

11:25-12:45 Lunch on your own (list of restaurants provided)

12:45-1:15 Sharing and Brainstorming for Ideas for Summer Programming.

Do you already have some ideas for next summer? If you will be using the CSLP slogan "All Together Now," how will you implement that and what sort of activities are you beginning to plan? If you will have a different (or no) theme, can you share a little bit about what that will look like?

1:25-2:15 Basics of Escape Room Design for Libraries with Jacquelyn Schranz

You don't have to be a master sleuth or escape artist to host an epic escape room event at your library. Learn the basics as well as some tips and tricks for writing and hosting an escape room, puzzle and prop design, and training staff members how to be "gamemasters."

2:25-3:15 What Do We Do With That Theme? with Denise Harders and Autumn Carlson

Are you wondering what activities to do and how to decorate for the 2023 Summer Reading theme? Join Autumn and Denise from the Central Plains Library System for three hands-on crafts and a bunch of ideas related to unity, friendship, and kindness. 

3:15 Closing Announcements

No Charge!

Register Here!

This year the Nebraska Regional Library Systems will again be holding our retreat in person at Camp Carol Joy Holling near Ashland on September 1st and 2nd.  This time for learning, networking, and fun is designed expressly for librarians serving youth.

If you have never had the privilege of attending the retreat, make it your goal to attend this year! Meals and snacks are included with the registration.

Please register by August 17th! You can find a complete timeline and workshop descriptions for the retreat here.