Keynote: 20 Ideas to Spawn Innovation for 2020

With the ever-changing landscape of technology, what can libraries do to foster more creativity, spur innovation, build better inclusive spaces, and offer services beyond the physical building through remote or virtual services? Libraries are in a unique position to accelerate growth within their communities. For this fun and cat meme filled opening keynote, Brian Pichman of the Evolve Project will showcase the latest tech gadgets and services for your makerspaces and provide 20 ideas that use technology, partnerships, and services to create dynamic and inviting learning opportunities for any type of library.

Brian is the Director of Strategic Innovation at the Evolve Project. Much of Evolve’s work includes building innovative works geared towards interaction and collaboration and helping libraries bridge the digital divide, break away from traditional library views and become trendsetters. Brian is dedicated to bringing libraries into the future using cost-effective measures and strategies. He often presents on innovative technology and loves collaborating with both libraries and companies. In his work with start-up companies around the world, he promotes libraries and encourages people to work closer with libraries when developing new ideas and concepts.

As State Librarian and Director of Library Services at the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, a division of the Arizona Secretary of State, Holly Henley currently oversees four branches: the Arizona Talking Book Library, E-Rate Administration, Library Development, and the State of Arizona Research Library. Prior to her current position, Holly was the Deputy Director of Library Services, Director of Library Development, and Youth Services Consultant at the State Library.

A native of Virginia, Holly received her B.A. from Westhampton College at the University of Richmond and her M.L.S. from the University of Maryland in College Park. Before joining the State Library in 2004, Holly held positions as a Children’s Librarian and a Bookmobile Manager in public library systems, as a Teacher-Librarian overseeing a large school Library/Media Center, and as an elementary school Assistant Principal.

This program will explore actionable insights from BookBrowse’s report, "The Inner Lives of Book Clubs", based on two surveys of more than 5,000 book clubbers. Topics include: How the world of book groups is much broader than many perceive it to be, the factors most successful groups have in common, what book clubs look for in their books, what people want from a book group and how well-placed public libraries are to meet this need. We will also look at how to run multiple, diverse book clubs with minimal staff involvement by partnering with the community; how to engage book clubs even when library buildings are closed; and how to create an inclusive and welcoming environment.

The program is relevant to librarians whether running book groups or providing readers’ advisory to those in groups. All attendees will receive a free PDF of the full 60-page report. More about the report at https://bookbrowse.com/innerlives

Davina Morgan-Witts is the publisher of BookBrowse.com, one of the internet’s leading resources for inquiring readers. BookBrowse offers a curated readers' advisory service recommending books that entertain, engage and inform with a focus on book club members and those who read to expand their horizons. BookBrowse has researched book clubs and readers in general for more than fifteen years, during which time it has surveyed more than 20,000 readers. More information about BookBrowse for Libraries at https://bookbrowse.com/lib, and about the report at https://bookbrowse.com/innnerlives