Library 2.021 Mini-Conference: Libraries as Community Anchors

Registration Free - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/library-2021-libraries-as-community-anchors-registration-165258497615  See https://www.library20.com/ for full details on recordings and sessions.

The third Library 2.021 mini-conference: "Libraries as Community Anchors," will be held online (and for free) on Thursday, October 21st, 2021.

Libraries are increasingly addressing challenges associated with digital equity, access, and inclusion, as well as issues of security and privacy.

For many years, community members have looked to public libraries to provide baseline, public, computer and internet access. In this way, libraries exist as important Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs), defined by the FCC “as schools, libraries, hospitals and other medical providers, public safety entities, institutions of higher education, and community support organizations that facilitate greater use of broadband by vulnerable populations, including low-income, the unemployed, and the aged” (FCC, 2011, p. 38).

In light of the recent Covid-19 pandemic and other natural disasters such as floods, drought, firestorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes, universal access to the internet has never been more important. Libraries increasingly have an important role to play: as second responders in large scale events via the development and deployment of collaborative connectivity projects; in developing strategies to bridge technological digital divides; and to promote digital access, equity, opportunity, and inclusion.

This event is being organized in partnership with Don Means, Director of the GIGABIT LIBRARIES NETWORK, and Kristen Radsliff Rebmann, Professor in the School of Information at San José State University.

Full Agenda below and online. Times listed are Pacific time.

• OPENING KEYNOTE PANEL (speakers listed below)

1:00 PM (US-Pacific Time)
30-minute concurrent sessions

• “Disaster Strikes! Locating Government Resources During Crisis” - Jennifer Castle, Reference and Government Documents Librarian, Tennessee State University and Arkansas State University | Dominique Hallett (full description)
• “Measuring the Digital Divide: Libraries Role in Digital Access” - Betsey Suchanic (Senior Program Manager) Urban Libraries Council | Lourdes Aceves (Director, Edge) (full description)
• “Use the Free Toward Gigabit Libraries Toolkit to Understand & Solve Your Library Tech and Broadband Challenges” - Stephanie Stenberg, Director, Internet2 Community Anchor Program, Internet2 | Carson Block, Library Technologist, Carson Block Consulting, Inc. (full description)
• “Using Outreach Vehicles to Provide Internet Access” - Mary Beth Adams, Outreach Coordinator | Library, School, or Organization Name: Alamance County Public Libraries (full description)

1:30 PM (US-Pacific Time)
30-minute concurrent sessions

• “From Plan to Practice: Interorganizational Response Networks Based on Emergency Management Plans, Situational Reports, and Tweets About Four Major Hurricane Events” - Ly Dinh (full description)
• “Leveraging Library Services to Provide Access to Justice” - Laura Francabandera, Adult Services Supervisor, Maricopa County Library District | Kacie Nickel, Deputy Public Defender Specialty Group (full description)
• “Libraries as Community Anchors” - Mr. Hayford Siaw (Chief Executive Officer), Ghana Library Authority | Co-Presenter Name(s): Mr. Edward Addo-Yobo (full description)
• “Senior Care Calls” - Brent Bloechle, Library Manager | Bethany Ross, Public Services Librarian, Sr. (full description)
• “The COVID-19 Learning Pack” - Yusuf Ganyana - THE COVID-19 LEARNING PACK, LAIBU MKONONI (full description)

2:00 PM (US-Pacific Time)
30-minute concurrent sessions

• “Launching a Digital Navigators Program at the Library” - Audrey Barbakoff, Ed.D., MLIS; Community Engagement & Economic Development Manager, King County Library System | Sabrina Roach, National Digital Inclusion Alliance (full description)
• “LEO: Low Earth Orbit (Satellite) Broadband for Libraries.” - Don Means, Director. Gigabit Libraries Network (full description)
• “On the potential for television whitespace (TVWS) wireless Internet in U.S. libraries to increase connectivity across America.” - Esther Showalter, PhD Candidate, Computer Science, UC Santa Barbara | Kristen Rebmann | Elizabeth Belding (full description)
• “The First Statewide Library-Led Telehealth Initiative in the First State” - Nick Martin - Telehealth Coordinator, Delaware Libraries (full description)

2:30 PM (US-Pacific Time)
30-minutes

• CLOSING KEYNOTE: Kristen Rebmann and Don Means on "Future Directions for Libraries as Community Anchors."

Shannon White
Library of Michigan, 702 W. Kalamazoo, Lansing, MI 48909
Whites29@michigan.gov  517-335-1507 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan
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