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October 2023 |
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Adult Services Notes |
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Library of Virginia Training |
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The Library of Virginia offers a robust collection of resources to support genealogists, local historians, students, and scholars. Many of these collections can be accessed online without coming to Richmond.
The fall/winter Get the Most Out of LVA series connects you with the resources you need to help your patrons access and use LVA collections from their homes or local library.
Find all the program descriptions and registration information on the LDND Info Center's CE pages. |
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News from Library Development & Networking
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Virginia libraries are seeing more and more users for whom English is not their primary language. And it can be challenging to provide needed resources to these new Virginians.
Did you know that Find It VA has some great accessibility tools for non-native English speakers that can improve access to these resources?
EBSCO (via Explora or in MasterFILE) and Gale both offer translation tools that convert the results into a wide range of languages. In both resources, once you have accessed an article, there is a translate tool in the top toolbar that offers a dropdown menu of language choices.
Gale Legal Forms now offers a selection of legal documents are available in Spanish-language and Spanish-English bilingual versions. Look for the * signifier in your search results.
Brainfuse HelpNow offers live tutoring in Spanish as well as English for students K-12 and college students as well as offering live FAFSA assistance. Just check the tutoría en español box when setting up a session.
Transparent Language Online offers English language learning classes in 45 languages, so learners can get the teaching in their native language, making it easy to get started learning English.
Universal Class offers a wide variety of ESL classes and other self-paced language learning that are great for refreshing skills or supplementing in-person ESL classes. |
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Recent Training: Generative AI in Libraries
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What will generative AI mean for those of us in the library profession? In this timely and thoughtful session, Lauren Hays explores the current state of generative AI (i.e. ChatGPT) and leads a discussion about how this technology will impact libraries, how to incorporate AI effectively into library work, and how to address challenges that it creates.
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Niche Academy is open to all Virginia library staff members and library associates such as trustees and Friends board members. If you do not have a Niche Academy account, please use your library email address to sign up. If you do not have a library work email, you may register with a personal email, and we will contact you to confirm that you are affiliated with a Virginia library.
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RUSA Online Training Reports
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In partnership with ALA's Reference and User Services Association, LDND is delighted to offer training opportunities for Virginia library staff. This year, we awarded 50 seats in RUSA online training classes.
Scholarship recipients are asked to report out on key points or topics. Read the most recent reports below.
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Using Backward Design for More Effective Teaching
Carrie Whitlock, Staunton Public Library; Shelli Robertson, Lancaster Community Library
I have been doing library programming for years, but instruction definitely takes me outside of my comfort zone. Backwards Design invites the instructor to build a program/instruction by starting first with determining the outcomes that we wish the learners to achieve, not with planning activities. After deciding on the desired learning outcomes (usually three), instructors then decide what evidence will demonstrate that that that the desired learning was achieved (quizzes, performance tasks, surveys etc.). Finally, instructors plan their activities/instruction around what will help the students best achieve the desired results. Often, I feel like the work of instruction in public libraries is doing the best we can with limited time, training and resources, but having taken this class, I now have an evidence-based template that will lead to more effective learning experiences for my patrons.
I applied for this class to help me better be able to teach my classes and seminars to my older patrons, so that they will get the most benefit from them. I found the backward design approach very enlightening. The processes of determining the desired outcome and results from the teachings rather than focusing on what/how I would present the classes resonated quite soundly with me, as I feel this will make the classes much easier to comprehend for my older patrons. I used my seminar on Online/Texting Phishing Scams Aimed At Seniors for my class project, and the new ideas brought forth in the course on how to present the seminar will be very helpful to my patrons. Using the process of first determining the desired learning outcome, then working backwards to figuring out how well a different approach would work by identifying acceptable evidence as back up data to then going into planning how to present the seminar/class was very interesting and a different way to approach teaching to older patrons. Overall I found the class to be quite beneficial in figuring out how I will present my upcoming classes.
Libraries and Aging 101
Cari Wood, Jefferson-Madison Regional Library; Amanda Bloodgood, Hampton Public Library; Shelli Robertson, Lancaster Community Library; Teshawna Threat, Henrico County Public Library; Megan Arlett, Loudoun County Public Library
This class was very informative and helpful and I have already planned an event using what I learned in the class. Some of the topics covered were:
who is considered an older adult and how to find the statistics for our area
resources to determine how to gauge the needs of older adults in our specific community
how to plan and execute a program that can be duplicated by others
to connect with other community groups to support the aging population
ways to secure funding for the programs
I got from this class, "Libraries and Aging 101," some valuable information regarding the library programming for seniors that I will put into use at my library. I probably will not try the grant writing, but I am interested in surveying our population for programming ideas that would draw them into the library and keep their interest. I appreciate the programming matrix. I think that will be quite helpful in making sure we are designing and pursuing the right kinds of programming. Thank you very much!
I applied for this class to help me in better understanding what resources my older patrons would benefit from. I found the class to be full of beneficial ideas, both in resources that would be educational to my patrons and in ideas of community partnerships. My final project was a seminar on Online/Texting Phishing Scams Aimed At Seniors. The Logic Model template we were required to complete for our project allowed me to break my idea into sections and better expand my ideas and how I will get them across to my patrons. Also giving a Program Description and receiving feedback on both of these assignments has helped me decide to consolidate some aspects and also to expand others into multiple seminars. The exercise on gathering info on our local Agency on Agings and other institutions similar to that was beneficial in that I now know who to reach out to to hopefully get the word out to seniors in the community for these upcoming seminars I will be teaching. Overall I found this course to be beneficial to me in my role as Technology Specialist at my library in the teaching aspect of my job.
As I reflect back on the training, I synthesized that the efforts to connect older adults to library resources and information requires intention. When curating programs, the approach requires understanding and alignment to the needs of older adults. As a targeted audience, older adults deserve programs that are designed and structured to their abilities and interest to ensure effectivity. One great aspect of the training included entailing stereotypical information of older adults and incorrect assumptions individuals associate with mature individuals. It allowed for me to disregard what I “believed “ about older adults and identify a better understanding of what the specific age group actually feel or endure when it comes to representation in their community, specifically libraries. Lastly, the training uniquely shared the appropriateness of having a healthy connection with local agencies and organizations who cater to older adults. By building a strong relationship with such establishments, the library has the opportunity to sustain positive relationships with older adults aside from the normal amenities of libraries (i.e. checking out material and access to computers). The training instilled the importance of understanding older adults, their challenges, and interest by conducting periodic research of their needs in efforts to maintaining an inclusive environment for all to enjoy including those of an older age. Again, thank you for this opportunity to utilize the information and techniques to influence the older adults within my library community.
Demographics
This is something that I have been reluctant to look into, and so I had not researched this before. Although the numbers for seniors in this town is not a large percentage of the population, I still feel that providing programs to them is important. And I enjoy working with this population, specifically at our local Senior Center where I host both a technology program and a book discussion monthly. Loudoun County, where I work, is growing and we will continue to have an aging population. We do have an agency that focus on this age group, the Area Agency on Aging (this organization falls under the Parks and Recreation department with Loudoun County Government), as well as multiple senior centers.
Finding out what seniors would like to see/learn/know/do is important. I need to make more of an effort to get this information during my programs at the Senior Center as well as the possibility of conducting surveys. I was not familiar with Older Americans Month, and will now look at supporting this next year. I will reach out to our Area Agency on Aging and discover whether they have the recent results of findings from one of their major roles to “assess community needs and develop and fund programs.”
It was wonderful to hear what others are offering at their branch, what worked and didn’t work, as well as thinking outside the box for program ideas (programs that are typically thought of as children’s programs.) And partnering or sponsorship by a local business; Fatima mentioned local health clubs, community colleges, Senior Core of Retired Executives, Cooperative Extensions, High Schools, Banks, Food Banks, Social Security Office, Hospitals/Clinics, and Quilters. Others suggested were museums and the National Park Service. There are so many here that I have never thought of before. It can be overwhelming to try and be the expert when thinking of new programs to try, so utilizing the expertise of those in the field would alleviate time in the process for planning.
Some new ideas and examples:
Storytime – Themed i.e., scary
Book Sales – Partnering with a local eatery and/or bookstore.
Local Businesses – Having a lawyer speak on Estate Planning, etc.
Karaoke
Re-Careering |
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Accessible Small and Rural Communities Grants |
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ALA is seeking applications for a new round of grants for small and rural libraries. The Libraries Transforming Communities grants program "is an initiative of ALA that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities.
Community engagement is the process of working collaboratively with community members — be they library patrons, residents, faculty, students, or partner organizations — to address issues for the betterment of the community." |
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"Libraries selected will receive $10,000 or $20,000 to support costs related to their community engagement project; virtual training to assist project directors in developing their community engagement, facilitation, and disability service skills; a suite of online resources developed to support local programs; and technical and project support from the ALA Public Programs Office throughout the grant term."
Find more information and apply. The application process closes on 12/11/23. |
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Readers' Advisory Tips and Tricks
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Supporting Book Groups
Fall is a great time to think about how your library can support book groups--either library-sponsored or community groups. In either instance, NoveList has some great resources to manage and re-vitalize book groups.
From Book Discussion Guides to Best Practices to my favorite series of articles, "But My Book Club Doesn't Read . . ." you can find lots of ideas for engaging your community of readers.
You can also find reading lists, author information, and lots more for book clubs in NoveList.
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Oregon Trail Live-Action Simulation
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Who remembers playing Oregon Trail? Teen librarians at the Memorial Library of Nazareth & Vicinity developed a live-action version of the popular computer game that debuted in 1971, took off in the early 1980s, and saw a revivial in a cellphone version in the early 2010s.
"The goal of this program was to challenge teens and young adults to use financial planning skills such as budgeting and emergency preparedness to traverse a scaled-down version of the Oregon Trail."
Read more about this innovative project. |
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Featured Virginia Programs
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Gloucester County Public Library
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That 70s Night |
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Adult patrons grabbed their love beads and dusted off their bell bottoms for a groovy evening of trivia, education and games inspired by the "Me Decade". The evening included a special performance by Bayside Youth Ballet.
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For more info, contact Lisa Thomas, lthomas@gloucesterva.info
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J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library
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Library for All
| The J. Robert Jameson Memorial Library does a program called "Library For All", it is for all ages, and all skill levels, but we do try and encourage adults to attend as we try to gear it for adults with special needs and the elderly.
It is a safe gentle socialization program that features crafts, tea parties, snacks, educational classes, movies or other such venues. We try host this event on the second Tuesday of most months (except June and July due to Summer Reading events). |
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For more info, contact Kathy Bloodworth, katharine@jrjml.org
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Newport News Public Library
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Business and Community Day |
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The Business & Community Day event at the Pearl Bailey Library was an opportunity for local businesses and organizations to come together and showcase the resources they had to offer on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The event was well-received by attendees who took advantage of the chance to learn more about the resources available to them.
Local businesses and organizations from a range of industries were present, including healthcare, education, home ownership, and finance. Attendees were able to network and make connections with local professionals in their area of interest.
The event included a range of informative talks and presentations, covering topics such as business development and community outreach. The Newport News Public Library staff was on hand to answer questions and provide guidance to attendees about the resources available through the library. |
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| Recent articles on topics of interest to Adult Services |
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