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August 2024 |
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Adult Services Notes |
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Library of Virginia Training |
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Getting Up to Speed with Generative AI |
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The landscape around artificial intelligence seems to be changing daily, and libraries are increasingly seeing questions about what AI is, how it works, what can one do with it, how to use it ethically, and is it going to take over the world.
To address at least the first four questions, we have put together a series of programs that will offer attendees an introduction to generative AI, look at ethical questions around using AI, examine how to use AI safely, and explore some potential programming opportunities using AI.
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Presenters include Rebecca Schneider, Jessica Beavers, and Sonya Coleman from the Library of Virginia and Reed Hepler from the College of Southern Idaho. See program descriptions, dates, and registration links below.
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An Introduction to Generative AI in Public Libraries
Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024 01:00 PM ET
Library of Virginia reference librarian Becky Schneider will provide an overview of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and DALL-E. She will discuss the strengths and limitations of generative AI, as well as the key information literacy competencies to aid library staff and users in their encounters with these new technologies. |
| Register |
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The Three C's of AI-Generated Content: Copyright, Citation, and Circumspection
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 01:00 PM
Reed Hepler, digital initiatives librarian, instructional designer, artificial intelligence practitioner and consultant, will discuss the implications of copyright on AI; the need for, and implications of, citation or acknowledgment of AI use, and the importance of being circumspect about data privacy, confidentiality, and quality control and other issues. Reed has been called by some "the most 'anti-AI' AI proponent." His goal in this discussion is help you become the same by taking about both benefits and hazards. |
| Register |
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AI Ethics in a Digital World
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024 01:00 PM
Jessica Beavers, Information Security, Risk, and Compliance Manager at the Library of Virginia will examine ethical implications and cybersecurity challenges surrounding the use of AI in today's digital landscape. In this eye-opening presentation we delve into real-life examples, discuss regulatory frameworks, and explore best practices for ensuring responsible and secure AI implementation. |
| Register |
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Using AI in Library Programming
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 01:00 PM
Join Sonya Coleman, Digital Engagement Coordinator at LVA, to explore new programming ideas that demonstrate artificial intelligence tools and provide hands-on instruction. By pairing historical descriptions and AI image generation tools, participants learn to create potential images based on historical resources. Through using these generative AI tools, participants can better understand the limitations as well as possibilities of new technology, thereby becoming more savvy consumers of information in the digital world. |
| Register |
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News from Library Development & Networking
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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. So far this spring, we have awarded 13 seats in RUSA online training classes.
Scholarship recipients are asked to report out on key points or topics. Read the reports below.
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| Canva and Design for Libraries: Page Layout and Social Media Design
Kristin Wheeler, Smyth County Public Library
Working in a small rural library has employees two people makes it hard to find time to create events and flyers for our upcoming programs. While we constantly use Canva as a support system for these projects, I was not aware the reach and capabilities that it offers.
While watching the training, it made it clear how many other library systems use Canva in a professional manner. Throughout the training it became clear that Canva offers so much more than meets the eye. The training gave tips and tricks that will make my job easier.
Among the tips and tricks I took away from the training were showing how to give "mood" to your flyers and social media post. We also learned how to overlay images and text.This technique gives life to the flyer and creates a multi-dimensional look. I have attached a couple of the flyers I have created for summer programs using what I learned in the training.
I can’t wait to put what I learned to use and with summer reading starting I will be able to use my time effectively.
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Sample promotional materials from Smyth County Public Library |
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| Quiet Leadership: Foster your identity as an introverted or quiet leader to inspire beyond words
Mary Ann Hayden, Amherst County Library
I learned several useful things through this webinar. But the biggest thing that I took away from it is, that even though our society has ingrained in us that introverts are not seen as good leaders, having introvert traits can actually be an asset. Most people think that a good leader needs to be loud, and constantly barking orders at their workers. Introverts may not be loud and quick to act but they can still communicate effectively on a quieter level and get results. Introverted people also tend to be thinkers and usually give careful thought to decisions they make, which would make them good problem solvers and consequently good leaders.
Overall, I felt that this webinar gave me a good explanation of what being an introvert is all about. Introverts gain energy by being alone and extroverts by being around people. Because of this fundamental difference, our society perpetuates the stereotype that being an introvert is negative. To help navigate dealing with adverse attitudes, Ninah Moore, the presenter, gave suggestions on how to address people that might interrupt introverted people when they are speaking or by saying things like, “Speak up” when they might pause to answer a question. The suggestion might be to say, “Do you have a problem with that?” Being prepared with ways to address daily negative feedback also helps to empower introverted leaders.
Next the presenter suggested two resources, the Myers-Briggs test and the Clifton Strengths Finder for introverts to assess their personality strengths and weaknesses. The first resource is a self-administered test that evaluates your preference toward four different dichotomies: Introversion-extroversion, sensing-intuition, thinking-feeling and judging-perceiving. The second resource measures your unique talents or your natural patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. Using either or both of these tests can help you learn to harness your talents to become an effective leader.
Ms Moore also explained that there are differences between introverts and extrovert brains. They each think differently. Introverts do not need much stimuli to come up with ideas since their focus is inward. Extroverts, on the other hand, need more detail to come up with thoughts and that stimulus comes from outside of them. She even gave suggestions on how introverts can structure work related scenarios so that those thinking differences can work for them instead of against them. One suggestion would be to take notes on your ideas before a meeting or ask for more time to prepare answers to questions.
Lastly, the presenter explained that the ideals on what makes an effective leader are out of date. Basically, ideas generated on the spot are not necessarily better. Introverts can be effective because they have attributes like listening, thinking, transparency, high sensitivity and empathy that can make a great leader. In fact, they tend to be great problem solvers because they tend to think things through.
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School Success with Find It VA
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It's August, and another school year will be starting soon. This is a great time to reach out to your local school system to let them know about how the Find It Virginia resources and other digital content you license directly support students from K-12 doing research and projects. It is also a great time to refresh your knowledge of the digital resources that your library offers for students.
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Here are some resources you should be sure to get familiar with to help students with their school projects:
Gale in Context Elementary meets the research needs of students in kindergarten through grade 5, with content from magazines, newspapers, and reference materials, covering current events, the arts, science, health, people, government, history, and more. Explora Secondary Schools supports both student research and classroom instruction with content for middle and high school learners with an easy-to-use interface and great accessibility tools, including translation and text to sound. Homework HelpNow connects K-12 students with live, certified tutors, seven days a week between 2 and 11 pm, for assistance with assignments, research and writing. Also find grade-leveled refresher lessons in science, math, social studies, and more. Tutoring is available in English and Spanish. Transparent Language offers lessons in over 120 foreign languages including over 20 indigenous languages, American Sign Language, and Citizenship Prep, and also includes ESL/ELL materials for speakers of 34 different languages. Transparent Language is perfect for supplementing classroom lessons for students.
If you have any questions about the Find It VA collection or getting these resources set up on your library website, please contact Barry Trott. You can also check out the Niche Academy pathways on Find It VA and Marketing Find It VA for information and ideas.
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Answering Difficult Patron Questions
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Serving users with legal, medical, and financial questions can be a challenge for many reasons. Library staff generally do not have a background in law, medicine, or finance, and these types of questions can get complex quickly. Fortunately, there are some great resources out there from specialists in these areas that can help library staff and patrons in a variety of ways.
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LDND's summer training series on answering difficult patron questions is now available as a pathway in the LVA Niche Academy. This pathway features guest speakers from the Network for the National Library of Medicine, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Central Rappahannock Regional Library, and the Virginia State Law Library, Richmond Public Library Law Library, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, who share ideas on how they and their colleagues provide resources, programming ideas, and assistance to public libraries and their users.
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| Access the Pathway
| 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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I Partner with My Public Library Awards |
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It's not too late to submit nominations for the 2nd Annual I Partner with My Public Library Awards, sponsored by Let's Move in Libraries.
The awards are an opportunity for a public library to celebrate a local partner with whom they have worked to improve their community.
Last year, the Norfolk Public Library partner Stop the Violence won for their collaborative effort with NPL to "provide positive outlets for youth to engage and interact through library programs and community-enriching programs." |
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Find out more about the award process and submit a nomination. Nominations are accepted through the end of August, 2024.
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Readers' Advisory Tips and Tricks
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What's New in NoveList Plus |
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As part of the Find It Virginia collection, all public libraries have access to NoveList Plus and NoveList K-8 Plus, the premiere readers' advisory resource for both library staff and library users.
NoveList just announced an exciting and thoughful update to their Appeals Vocabulary. If you are not familiar with Appeal, it it is one of the most valuable tools for both working with readers and building displays and booklists. Appeal focuses on how a readers responds to a book, what draws them in, and what ultimately makes an encounter with a book successful for a reader.
You can find out more about how to use appeal in your RA work in the NoveList Help section of EBSCO Connect. |
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As NoveList notes in announcing their update to the language of Appeal, "[The] appeal vocabulary was developed almost 15 years ago to help library staff connect with readers and give them great reading suggestions. The terms we have created have evolved since then, keeping pace with the ebb and flow of reading trends. But with all this growth, we realized it was time to redefine how our terms relate to each other, and other story elements like subjects, genres, or themes."
Read more about how NoveList is updating, replacing, combining, and enhancing Appeal terms to make it easier for librarians to connect readers with stories that will enrich their lives. |
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The Value of In-library Yoga Programs |
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Have you thought about offering yoga programs in your library but didn't know where to start? From kids to seniors, yoga offers a range of benefits and can be a valuable part of the library's support of community health initiatives.
Check out this podcast from Library 2.0 on the "The Value of In-library Yoga Programs for All Types of Patrons" from Jenn Carson, director of the public library in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada. |
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Featured Virginia Programs
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Fairfax County Public Library
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Community members were invited to a 2-hour Fix-It Clinic, in which they were encouraged to try their hand at repairing and reusing their broken items and avoid sending them to a landfill. Participants brought in small household appliances, electronics, clothing, or jewelry and received guided assistance from handy volunteers. They learned how to disassemble, troubleshoot, and if possible, repair their items. Workspace and basic tools were provided.
Volunteers brought more complex tools such as voltage meters and sewing machines, and were able to fix a myriad of household items, including a lamp, a portable Bluetooth speaker, and clothing.
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For more info, contact Gabi Kim Huesca, gabi.huesca@fairfaxcounty.gov
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Community Non-Profit Superheroes |
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As part of the popular CulpeperCon (www.culpepercon.org) initiative, Culpeper County Library is partnering with local non-profits to create their own organization's superhero.
This has helped us reestablish connections to the library for the people we serve and for our community partners.
Featured this year are are Aging Together's Supreme Sage, SAFE's Empatia the Advocate, and our nemesis Cen-Sor from the Rotary.
For more info, contact Andrew DiNicola, adenicola@cclva.org
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Gloucester County Public Library
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Gloucester County Public LIbrary offers a new take on book clubs--"A book club with a tasty twist! If you enjoy reading cookbooks, trying new recipes and sharing good food with friends, this club is for you."
Our Library Chef provides education on food and cooking techniques and demonstrates recipes. Guest chefs from the community also provide demonstrations.
The program is aimed at adults 18+. |
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For more info, contact Lisa Thomas, lthomas@gloucesterva.info
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| Recent articles on topics of interest to Adult Services |
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This newsletter is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. It is published by the Library of Virginia Library Development and Networking Division.
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