2009 Empowerment Conference

The 2009 Empowerment Conference for Library Support Staff will be held during the 2009 Annual Conference
in Chicago, IL, Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12, 2009.  

Registration for Empowerment 2009 is automatically included with a full Annual Conference registration. Separate registration is also available. Registration for LSSIRT members is $135 in advance, or $160 on-site.  ALA members and anyone else can register for this two day conference for $185 by March 6 and for $210 after the March 6 deadline and on-site. Co-sponsors: ALA Library Support Staff Interests Round Table (LSSIRT) and the ALA Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment (HRDR).

Register online for the Empowerment Conference, just click on online registration for the Conference and after you enter the site you will be able to choose the Empowerment Conference as a registration type, but remember it is included automatically with a full Annual Conference Registration.

 Schedule of Events

Saturday, July 11, 2009

7:30 – 9:00 a.m.

Welcome Breakfast and Conference Kickoff

Kickoff the 2009 Empowerment Conference with a breakfast, served from 7:30 to 8 a.m., followed by the keynote address, “Lincoln’s Ten Critical Tasks of Leadership,” delivered by Professor Al Gini.

Lincoln’s Ten Critical Tasks of Leadership

Beyond the legend and myth, Lincoln was a man of reason, reflection, and deeply held moral values. His election was, in some sense, a political accident, but his leadership turned out to be practical, principled, and geared toward protecting the rights of all those who shared the American experience. Come journey with Professor Gini and take a look behind the myth of Lincoln. Learn about Lincoln as a thinker, writer, and as the unexpected, gifted moral leader.

Keynote: Al Gini, Professor of Business Ethics, Graduate School of Business, Loyola University Chicago.

9:15 – 10:15 a.m.

Feeling Good, Becoming Healthier, Increased Energy and More – At Work and At Home

How we work in our library has changed substantially in recent years. Our body is built to move and yet hours are spent sitting and standing. When your office environment has been ergonomically arranged as best as it can, what else can you do? THANKFULLY… A LOT! This program will teach you easy and effective ways to improve your sitting, standing, and how to

stretch and strengthen your body at the office. We will review exercises for both home and the office that include stretching, strengthening, and balancing. You deserve to feel better, be

healthier, and have increased energy and more.

Speaker: Jill S. Popovich, M.P.T., Physical Therapist & Certified Pilates Instructor

Leadership = Vision + Communication + Empowerment an Overview

Leadership is a term so often used and so frequently misunderstood. By attending this session, you will learn the meaning of leadership and why it is so very important to the strength of all libraries. More importantly, however, you will learn why communication is an important skill needed to become a strong leader, and how your unique communication style is of value.

Speaker: Alexis H. Sarkisian, Library Marketing Consultant/Adjunct Instructor, Dominican University

The Library, the First Amendment, and You: Understanding, Valuing, and Protecting First Amendment Freedoms

This presentation will address a myriad of First Amendment-related issues affecting public libraries in the United States. Topics include censorship of library collections, the legality of Internet filters on computers housed in public libraries, and the degree to which library patrons’ records are protected from the scrutiny of criminal investigations. Intellectual freedom in public libraries is premised on the notion that we must understand, value, and protect the five freedoms of the First Amendment.

Speaker: Shawn Healy, Resident Scholar, McCormick Freedom Museum

What Does Certification Have to Do With Me? Am I Missing Something?

Voluntary certification through the Library Support Staff Certification Program (LSSCP) will redefine how you think about yourself by expanding your perspective and your skill sets beyond your immediate place in your library. The LSSCP program will address your current and future professional development needs and the service needs of your employers and communities by preparing you to better understand and participates in the broader issues that are affecting your work. This discussion will describe the program’s inspiration, development and progress. Throughout our conversation, you will be encouraged to begin thinking about whether this opportunity should be part of your professional goals.

Speaker: Jenifer Grady, Director, American Library Association- Allied Professional Association

10:30 a.m. – Noon

Leading From Any Position: Opportunities to Contribute to Your Library’s Success

What is Leadership? A definition and distinction: how informal leadership contributes to a library’s effectiveness. Ms. Sullivan will share an overview of the basic principles, practices and  core competencies of effective leadership. She will help you realize your current capacity for leadership through a self-assessment of strengths and areas for development. Included in the  presentation will be practical steps for your leadership development.

Speaker: Maureen Sullivan, Organization Development Consultant, Maureen Sullivan Associates

Leadership = Vision + Communication + Empowerment

Leadership is a term so often used and so frequently misunderstood. By attending this session, you will learn the meaning of leadership and why it is so very important to the strength of all libraries. More importantly, however, you will learn about your unique communication style, how to develop your vision and how to become empowered to implement your vision. In other words, this session is about you, and how you can develop or fine tune your leadership style.

Speaker: Alexis H. Sarkisian, Library Marketing Consultant/Adjunct Instructor, Dominican University

Leadership for Library Support Staff

Every member of a library team has the potential to be a leader. This workshop will clarify this  distinction between managing and leading. It will identify the skills and behaviors of good leaders and provide practical ideas for library support staff to develop theses qualities.

Speaker: Kevin Dudeney

First and Last Impressions

You have only one opportunity to make a FIRST impression on a patron. What does your building, signage, and furniture placement say? Does the placement of signs, furniture, service desk, and collection make sense TO THE PATRON? Are you meeting or exceeding expectations? Learn how to look at things with a critical eye, how to see your building as your patrons do, and what are your patrons’ expectations.

Speaker: Tom Rich, Tom Rich Consulting

Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Exhibit No Conflict Time

(Lunch Break on Your Own)

1:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Leading From Any Position: Opportunities to

Contribute to Your Library’s Success

What is Leadership? A definition and distinction: how informal leadership contributes to a library’s effectiveness. Ms. Sullivan will share an overview of the basic principles, practices and core competencies of effective leadership. She will help you realize your current capacity for leadership through a self-assessment of strengths and areas for development. Included in the presentation will be practical steps for your leadership development.

Speaker: Maureen Sullivan, Organization Development Consultant, Maureen Sullivan Associates

Leadership = Vision + Communication + Empowerment

Leadership is a term so often used and so frequently misunderstood. By attending this session, you will learn the meaning of leadership and why it is so very important to the strength of all libraries. More importantly, however, you will learn about your unique communication style, how to develop your vision and how to become empowered to implement your vision. In other words, this session is about you, and how you can develop or fine tune your leadership style.

Speaker: Alexis H. Sarkisian, Library Marketing Consultant/Adjunct Instructor, Dominican University

What Color is Your Personality?

Do you have trouble getting along with some people? Do you wonder how your child, boss, partner, or co-worker can respond so differently to things than you? What does research tell us about personality differences? This workshop looks at different personality styles and helps you understand yourself and others in a fun way. Come learn how to better interact, understand and support those with whom you work and live. Seating is limited. Contact Kimberly Sanders at ksanders@ala.org to reserve your place today.

Speaker: Patti Faughn, Family Life Educator, University of Illinois Extension

Community Outreach

The Web is a big place, and library users can be found almost anywhere. In this presentation, we’ll talk about ways to develop an active online service model, using a variety of Web tools to identify patron needs and build new connections. We’ll talk about ways for staff at all levels to participate, and give your library some online personality. Your patrons are out there, even if they don’t know it yet.

Speaker: Toby Greenwalt, Virtual Services Coordinator, Skokie Public Library

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

ALA Opening Session

The speaker for the Opening General Session is still being finalized. Please check the Annual Conference web site at www.ala.org/annual for details.

7:00 p.m.

ALA/ProQuest Scholarship Bash

ALA will rock the Art Institute of Chicago for the 10^th Anniversary Scholarship Bash. This is your chance to discover new works of art and visit your favorites without fighting the crowds because the building will only open to those who buy a ticket to the Bash.  Don’t miss this fun interactive evening with music, food and the most acclaimed French Impressionist collection in the US, among other great exhibits…and more.  There is fun for all ages, so bring your family. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 onsite and all proceeds go towards scholarships for ALA Library School Scholarships including the Spectrum Scholarships. 

Sunday, July 12, 2009

9:00 a.m. – Noon

Management: When Bad Things Happen to Good People

We’ll have fun together as we cover the what-ifs, the how’s that happen, and the why-me’s of daily life in library management. This workshop will inspire you to go back to your library firedup about management and the impact you have on your staff. During this engaging and interactive program we will explore, in depth, the concepts of accountability, communication, empowerment, staff development, and influence.

Speaker: Gail Johnson, President/CEO; and Pam Parr, Senior Consultant, Face to Face Communications

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.

Lunch with the Famous First Ladies : Mary Todd Lincoln, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Kennedy, and Hilary Clinton

We Americans have always been fascinated by the White House—a symbol of the power and

prestige of our country. We know so much about the Presidents and the families who lived there from our history books, and more recently movies and television. Unfortunately, most of what we read or see is about the public personas of those people. Join Jenny Riddle as she dramatizes, in character, the personal lives of three remarkable First Ladies. (Hilary Clinton makes a surprise visit at the end and even sings a song.)

Jenny Riddle is an accomplished actress, singer, and writer. She has created a wide range of performances from book dramatizations to musical revues. Ms. Riddle’s performances arise from her love of literature, theatre, and music and appeal to a variety of audiences. She received her M.A. in English from DePaul University and her undergraduate degree in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana. She has taught English, speech, and drama at the high school and college levels and has been active in music and theatre since she was a young girl.