This free one-day online conference is aimed at librarians from small libraries; the smaller the better! Each of our speakers is from a library serving fewer than 10,000 people, or directly works with small libraries. Topics range from technology to programming to new roles for the library. This event is a great opportunity to learn about the innovative things your colleagues are doing in their small libraries. Everyone is welcome to register and attend, regardless of how big or small your library. But, if your library serves a few hundred to a few thousand people, this is the day for you! Free Registration: http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk/registration/ Date and Times: Friday, February 22, 2019, 7:45 am to 4:00 pm Eastern Visit the site to learn more or view session descriptions below. This year's Big Talk from Small Libraries features one of our own Michigan library directors, Amber Alexander, Director of the Presque Isle District Library in Rogers City. Be sure to join in on this great online opportunity crafted especially for libraries serving less than 10,000 people. Schedule: 8:45-9:00am Welcome to the Conference & Introductions - Christa Porter, Library Development Director, Nebraska Library Commission; Kieran Hixon, Association for Rural and Small Libraries Past President; Jennifer Pearson, Association for Rural and Small Libraries Vice President/President Elect. 9:00-9:50am Accreditation, Grants, and Seed Library all in One Year Debra Fairbanks<http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk/speakers/#DebFairbanks>, Director, and Mandy Koperski<http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk/speakers/#MandyKoperski>, Library Assistant, Maltman Memorial Library, Wood River, NE (Population served: 1,354) Typically, Nebraska libraries and librarians take up to three years to do it, but Maltman Memorial Library earned their Nebraska Public Library Accreditation and the librarians earned their Public Librarian Certifications all within one year. We will talk about how our library became accredited at the Silver level and how our librarians became certified. This also opened up a whole new door with grants that helped us grow. And we will share about the new seed library that is helping to feed the community. 10:00-10:50am Teaching iPad and iPhone to Seniors Barbara Friedman<http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk/speakers/#BarbaraFriedman>, Library Director, Erving Public Library, Erving, MA (Population served: 1,776) Seniors are highly motivated to learn to use devices, but have few opportunities to attend classes that address their needs to use. Most are unaware of how these devices can connect them to the free library services of Hoopla, Freegal, Libby (Overdrive) and their local online catalogs. The presentation will include an outline of what can be taught in five 90-minute classes. Highlighted will be the 20 apps every senior needs to know and practical advice on such topics as: offering classes outside of the library, fee-based classes and limiting class sizes. 11:00-11:50am Best Small Library in America 2018: Madison County Public Libraries Shawna Bryce<http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk/speakers/#ShawnaBryce>, Technology Instructor, Madison County Public Libraries, Mars Hill, NC (Population served: 21,746) Madison County Public Libraries<http://www.madisoncountylibrary.net/> has been named the 2018 Best Small Library in America<https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=ljx180902BestSmall> by Library Journal. Library Journal's annual award, with the support of sustaining sponsor Baker & Taylor (B&T), was originally created in 2005 to encourage and showcase the exemplary work of libraries serving populations under 25,000. 12:00-12:50pm Lightning Round! Library @ the Theater Amber Alexander<http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk/speakers/#AmberAlexander>, Library Director, Presque Isle District Library, Rogers City, MI (Population served: 14,878) Presque Isle District Library was gifted a historical theater owned and operated since 1937. The historic art deco building is host to new and classic movies, film festivals, visiting authors, live music, presentations, stand-up comedy, and live plays presented by Rogers City Community Theatre. The district library collaborates with other entities on programming and enables the library to provide creative and unique programming. We kept an open mind about the possibilities and potential of the theater owned by the library. Libraries are diverse and growing, we must think outside of the box. In this case, a whole theater box office. Marketing Out Loud: How Small Libraries Can Make Marketing Fun & Interactive Courtney Hicks<http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk/speakers/#CourtneyHicks>, Instruction and Outreach Librarian, Northwest Mississippi Community College, Southhaven, MS (FTE: 7,400) Marketing isn't always a joyful experience. But with a smaller student population, it can be a fun and interactive experience that puts us face-to-face with our patrons. This lightening round will discuss several different ways to create marketing opportunities while also interacting with patrons and getting the word out about all the library has to offer. Building New Services from Scratch: Lessons Learned from Startup Library Cultures Raymond Pun<http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk/speakers/#RaymondPun>, Instruction/Research Librarian, Alder Graduate School of Education, Redwood City, CA and Jennifer Shimada<http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk/speakers/#JenniferShimada>, Library Director, Relay Graduate School of Education, New York City, NY (Population served: 150) In this lightning presentation, the presenters will share their experiences as solo librarians in starting and organizing new library services from scratch for a new startup graduate school of education in California and hybrid services in New York. The students and faculty are based throughout the U.S. Students from both programs are graduate students interested in becoming public school teachers and educators in accelerated programs. This talk will highlight best practices and lessons learned from distance-learning service models, open educational resources and outreach and communication methods to support a growing number of remote learners. SAT Bootcamp Patricia Smith<http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk/speakers/#PatriciaSmith>, Director, Robert W. Rowe Public Library District, Serhidan, IL (Population served: 5000) We host an SAT Bootcamp every Wednesday night starting in October and running until March when the juniors and seniors are scheduled to take their SAT Exams. We invite all the local high school students form surrounding communities to participate. Students who are proficient in one area assist those who may need a little extra help in another area they are weak in. Students can come and go as their schedule allows. Tiny Library Inside Small Library Rossella Tesch<http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk/speakers/#RossellaTesch>, Director, Chadron Public Library, Chadron, NE (Population served: 5800) The story of the development of Indigenous People of North America Collection at Chadron Public Library. 1:00-1:50pm Make a Mini Makerspace Britney Musial<http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk/speakers/#BritneyMusial>, Teen/Tween Librarian, and Lizzy Boden<http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk/speakers/#LizzyBoden>, Adult Services Librarian, North Riverside Public Library, North Riverside, IL (Population served: 7,000) Under the staircase, an old study room, an accessible storage closet... anywhere can become a mini makerspace! The North Riverside Public Library, a small library outside Chicago, was able to cobble together funding using our budget and grants to create mini makerspaces in small nooks around our library. We will talk about our process, research on materials and space design, and how we solicited valuable feedback from patrons. We'll also discuss our failures and successes throughout the planning and implementation process, including budgetary constraints and unique workarounds that we discovered. This talk will be applicable to any small or rural library willing to get creative. 2:00-2:50pm Small Library, Big Partnerships Leah Hamilton<http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk/speakers/#LeahHamilton>, Executive Director, Phelps Library and STEAM Lab Makerspace, Phelps, NY (Population served: 7,100) In 2025, three million job openings will go unfilled due to technical skills gaps, an inability to pass drug tests, and a lack of awareness that these opportunities exist. Small libraries have the power to change these statistics by developing strategic alliances and providing innovative educational opportunities to meet the social, technical, and economic needs of our communities. Hear how one small library nurtured unique partnerships, designed new marketing strategies, and expanded STEAM and technical classes to connect people to educational and workforce opportunities, while simultaneously increasing the library's visibility and community impact. 3:00-3:50pm But We Don't Have an OA Librarian: Open Education with No Budget Shanna Hollich<http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk/speakers/#ShannaHollich>, Collections Management Librarian, Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA (FTE: 1,030) Open Access, Open Educational Materials, and Open Pedagogy are becoming increasingly important in higher education. But how can you learn about, fund, and promote open initiatives on a small campus with a correspondingly small budget and small number of staff? Presenter will discuss the free and low-cost training opportunities available to librarians at small institutions and also show how she was able to begin educating faculty and staff about open initiatives with no dedicated budget. Specific content covered will include: copyright, licensing, and open licensing resources; how to perform a campus culture survey; how to talk to faculty about open education; strategies for integrating open educational resources into the classroom. 4:00-4:50pm Improving Graphics Workflow for Efficient, Consistent Service: SRSU Case Study Betsy Evans<http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk/speakers/#BetsyEvans>, Education and Outreach Librarian, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX (FTE: 2,400) Sul Ross State University is Texas' smallest publicly funded university. Following the University's lead in rebranding to present a more cohesive university across four campuses in far West Texas - a huge undertaking to say the least - Library staff are working to increase efficiency in outreach and promotion while maintaining high quality service and style consistent with the updated aesthetic. In doing so, the Education and Outreach Librarian is piloting a template-based graphics workflow using accessible and/or free software like Canva and PowerPoint to tie together print promotion, social media posts, and in-house signage. This talk will cover simple best practices for the creation and storage of digital assets that translate well between different mediums including LCD screen advertisement, print publication, and social media. Participants, especially those responsible for outreach or marketing for their small library, will leave thinking more about how they can make the most of their creative time by maximizing the use of graphics and other promotions. Shannon White Library of Michigan www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan> 517.335.1507 Whites29@michigan.gov