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Join Dr. Christopher Villarreal for an inspiring keynote journey from his childhood days finding refuge in a small Kansas library to his current role as Director of Communications for Papillion La Vista Community Schools. Through weaving personal experience with professional expertise, Dr. Villarreal demonstrates how authentic communication transforms library impact. This keynote offers insights into crafting meaningful messages, navigating challenging conversations, and sharing your school library's story in ways that resonate with stakeholders while deepening community connections. Join us for a celebration of the vital role librarians play in creating welcoming spaces for all, while approaching complex community conversations with grace and purpose.
Session Resources (Includes both Keynote & Follow Up Resources)
In this hands-on workshop, build upon keynote insights to develop practical communication strategies for your school library. Participants will work through real-world scenarios, craft response templates, and practice messaging that maintains both professional standards and human connection. Leave with customizable frameworks and communication tools that will help you share your library's impact while fostering a welcoming, responsive environment for all stakeholders.
Session Resources (Includes both Keynote & Follow Up Resources)
This session examines how artificial intelligence (AI) impacts our ability to consume, create, and ethically participate in digital spaces. Given the abundance of new AI technologies emerging, we'll share new activities that help students practice the same digital citizenship dispositions they always have and apply them to new AI dilemmas. How do students believe what they see, create with integrity, and promote their mental health and values? How do educators best guide them with curious, open minds to navigate AI thoughtfully and safely? Join us to explore ready-to-use lesson plans on AI literacy from Common Sense Education.
Learn more about the award and the process of becoming a reader or member of the state-wide committee.
In the chaotic and hectic time where librarians are being relied on more and more to do more and more, how can we possibly get it all done...WITHOUT A TA?? I don't have a magic wand, but I do have some strategies that have worked well in my library to share to help put time back in your day. Join us as we discuss solutions to the ever-growing problem at "But I don't have a TA?"
In this session, you will hear from 3 Millard Elementary librarians on how books list are created, clubs are run and hosting a successful Quiz Bowl.
Teach students how to find books in your library and other engaging games that make library skills fun. Presenters teach both elementary and middle school aged students and will provide many options and ideas to engage a variety of ages.
If you want to enjoy a shortened lunch time, we have NEW mini sessions for the last 25 minutes of the lunch block.
**This session will also be repeated during the mini session time at the end of the day.**
Feel like a design expert in a few easy steps! This hands-on session will help you understand design basics including finding color pallets, font selection, and image manipulation to create professional level images and projects.
**This session will also be repeated during the mini session time at the end of the day.**
ESU3's Battle of the Books is about creating products that demonstrate an understanding of the themes found in selected books. This flexible competition strives to hook students that love to read into a competition that asks them to flex their creativity muscles. Come to this session to learn how the competition is structured and how you can hold something similar in your district!
One of the best parts of being a librarian is reading books to share amazing titles with students. Join us as we share the best elementary titles we've read in the last year. Please bring your favorites to share with the group as well. This is a great opportunity to learn and share. {A list of books discussed will be curated during the session & shared with all event participants!}
One of the best parts of being a librarian is reading books to share amazing titles with students. Join us as we share the best secondary titles we've read in the last year. Please bring your favorites to share with the group as well. This is a great opportunity to learn and share. {A list of books discussed will be curated during the session & shared with all event participants!}
Join us to explore ideas on how to run a book club at your school and on how to enhance your current book club
**This session also has a hands-on follow up session during the mini session block at the end of the day!**
Discover how our libraries can become vibrant community hubs through engaging events and celebrations. This session explores innovative ideas and practical tips for hosting events that captivate audiences, promote literacy, and build meaningful connections within our school.
Join us in the lab to explore new ways to engage your students in maker challenges! Get tips, tricks, and ideas to keep your makerspace fresh and engaging.
Looking for creative ways to level up your lessons by collaborating with classroom teachers in their content areas? Join us as we work together to equip teacher librarians with practical strategies to integrate computer science concepts into the elementary classroom curriculum across various content areas. Participants will explore the use of innovative digital tools to enhance student learning, foster critical thinking, and develop computational skills. Come explore as we level up beyond basic coding and dive into the world of robots, 3D printing, drones and more!
**This session also has a hands-on follow up session during the mini session block at the end of the day!**
Introduce your students to STEM skills that are most relevant to local industries, career opportunities, and innovation needs using the Nebraska Library Commission's Tech Kits Through the Mail and curated support resources. This session will start with an overview of the tech and innovation landscape in Nebraska, then dive into the specific tools and resources available to help you access educational technology for free, and build custom learning plans tailored to both the student and your community.
Recorded Session Content (from the Nebraska Library Commission NCompass Live Archive)
**This session will also be repeated during the lunch break mini session time.**
Feel like a design expert in a few easy steps! This hands-on session will help you understand design basics including finding color pallets, font selection, and image manipulation to create professional level images and projects.
Come join us for a hands-on follow-up session to the Engaging Experiences session from the previous breakout session!
**This session will also be repeated during the lunch break mini session time.**
ESU3's Battle of the Books is about creating products that demonstrate an understanding of the themes found in selected books. This flexible competition strives to hook students that love to read into a competition that asks them to flex their creativity muscles. Come to this session to learn how the competition is structured and how you can hold something similar in your district!
Want to get some hands-on exploration with some Nebraska Library Commission resources and kits? Join us for this mini session to dig into what's available!