Session Details
October 13th-14th, 2023
Exact Session Titles, Speakers, and Details are Subject to Change
Full Schedule of Events Available Here
Session 1 Options
10:20-11:10 AM
Weeding Without Worries - Miranda Doyle & Carrie Light
Description: Why should we weed our collections? How do you dispose of shabby and outdated materials without sparking controversy? In our session, you’ll learn about the benefits of weeding, as well as how to train and support library staff to deselect library materials. We will role-play some important conversations to have with administrators, school staff, and other community members about the benefits of weeding. This session is for new library staff as well as anyone who supports collection development at multiple libraries. Join us for this session, learn the basics, and get to know your collection. Don’t be afraid to weed!
Target Audience: All
Location: Room 220 - Jameson
Book Creator: Creating, Collaborating, and Sharing Reading - Amy Page
Description: Book Creator is an engaging, creative, simple, and collaborative tool that allows educators and their students to create multimedia ebooks based on classroom assignments and topics. Students from kindergarten all the way to 12th grade can utilize this tool to create content to share with their learning community and beyond. Though Book Creator has been around a while, it has some great new features and is still FREE. This is a hands-on session, so come with a device as participants will learn as they go.
Target Audience: All
Location: Community Room
Creating Library Units Curriculum: Overview Continuum Chart - Jayme Wilkins
Description: Before writing a library unit it is helpful to work with a couple people to develop an overview chart for how the unit will look by grade level. After the chart is completed unit plans would be created by grade level. An example of how this would look in practice will be shared featuring a research unit.
Target Audience: Elementary
Resources and Slide Deck: bit.ly/libraryplanning
Location: Room 213 - Bedingfield
OSLIS / Gale Resources Unleashed: Mastering the Basics and Exploring Extra Tools - Stacey Knibloe (Gale Trainer for statewide OSLIS/Gale resources)
Description: Join us for an enlightening training session that delves into the essentials of your Gale databases while also uncovering a treasure trove of extra tools. Learn how to navigate, find valuable content, and effectively share it. Dive deeper into the array of ready-to-go activities, promotional materials, and more to enhance your instructional practices. This session will empower you with the knowledge and skills to harness and share the full potential of OSLIS/Gale resources.
Target Audience: All
Location: Room 219 - LeSage
DEMCO Book Repair - TBD
Description: Experienced book conservators from DEMCO will guide attendees through the art of book repair. Attendees will learn essential techniques to mend damaged pages, preserve precious volumes, and enhance the lifespan of their library collections. All materials are provided. Feel free to bring along a damaged book to repair to practice with!
Target Audience: All
Location: Library
Session 2 Options
11:15-12:05 PM
BCCCA, ORCA & OBOB: Engaging & Building Your Community of Readers Through OASL Reading Programs - Carrie Light (Teacher Librarian Lake Oswego School District), Elaine Ferrell-Burns (Teacher-Librarian, semi-retired) and Libby Hamler-Dupras (WESD Teacher-Librarian Consultant)
Description: Carrie Light, Co-Chair for ORCA (Oregon Reader's Choice Award) will present this fun reading program to engage all Oregon youth in grades 3rd - 12th and explain how you can get involved. Elaine Ferrell-Burns, OBOB Liaison, will present ideas on how to promote OBOB (Oregon Battle of the Books) and involve 3rd -12th grade students who are participating in their schools and public libraries. Libby Hamler-Dupras, BCCCA (Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award) Chair, will share how this contest promotes a wide variety of books in honor of Beverly Cleary with a focus on kindergarten through fifth grade readers.
Target Audience: All
Location: Room 220 - Jameson
Energize Your Library (or Classroom) with Read Alouds and Storytelling - David Lougee
Description: In this workshop, we will explore methods, materials and means to bring library visits alive with storytelling and read alouds. During this interactive workshop, we will discuss, and experience, how to turn a story into a memorable event. We will talk about age-old performance strategies, as well as new technologies. And of course, we will enjoy some really great stories, old and new.
Target Audience: Elementary
Location: Room 213 - Bedingfield
DEMCO Book Repair - TBD
Description: A repeat of session 1 - Experienced book conservators from DEMCO will guide attendees through the art of book repair. Attendees will learn essential techniques to mend damaged pages, preserve precious volumes, and enhance the lifespan of their library collections. All materials are provided. Feel free to bring along a damaged book to repair to practice with!
Target Audience: All
Location: Library
Sadly, Breena cannot join us due to illness. Her session will be canceled.
Graphic Novels vs. Climate Change - Breena Bard, author of Wildfire
Description: Join author and illustrator Breena Bard for a discussion of how graphic novels and other stories can make difficult topics like climate change more accessible to young readers, and empower them to fight for a better future.
Target Audience: All
10 Ways to Get More from Your Gale / OSLIS Databases - Stacey Knibloe (Gale Trainer for statewide OSLIS/Gale resources)
Description: Join us for an engaging session to maximize your use of Gale databases available through OSLIS. This training will empower you to go beyond the basics and discover innovative ways to leverage the content and features. Explore how Gale databases can enhance research projects, promote media literacy, support struggling readers, and much more. Unlock the full potential of your OSLIS/Gale databases; then share the information to take your school’s instructional practices to the next level.
Target Audience: All
Location: Room 219 - LeSage
Session 3 Options
1:30-2:20 PM
AI and Libraries - Ayn Frazee & Laura Axon
Description: Ayn & Laura share their experiences integrating AI technology into their libraries, empowering both educators and students. Attendees will discover practical applications, collaborative initiatives, and the transformative impact of AI on education.
Target Audience: Middle School, High School
Location: Library
YA Books - Aiden Thomas, author of Cemetery Boys and more!
Description: Aiden Thomas invites attendees on a personal journey through his literary world, sharing insights into his books and the dynamic publishing industry. Engage in a lively Q&A session, where you can explore the creative process, storytelling techniques, and gain valuable industry perspectives directly from the author himself.
Target Audience: Middle School, High School
Location: Community Room
Podcasts as PD - Amy Hermon
Description: "Knowledge Up" listening to podcasts. Podcasts are free, customizable, and a convenient form of PD. Learn how to fill gaps in your education and experience, prepare for interviews, transition to new jobs, implement new programming and, most importantly, raise your profile all through listening to podcasts. Better still, HR departments are discovering the value of utilizing podcasts to support teacher agency and choice when it comes to PD!
Target Audience: All
Location: Room 213 - Bedingfield
Statewide Screening for Dyslexia is Here. Now what? Creating an Inviting and Accessible Library for ALL Students - Danielle Melilli & Claire Elam
Description: Most states are now screening students for dyslexia. For many educators, training about supporting students with dyslexia is incomplete. However, we know that dyslexia and other language-based learning differences (LBLDs) affect almost 20% of all learners, often making the library a daunting space. Presented by two librarians from Hamlin Robinson School, a school which exclusively serves students with Dyslexia and other LBLDs, this session will provide an overview of dyslexia, discuss how you can best support ALL your students in your teaching and library space, and provide resources to guide you and your school as the state screening begins to identify these learners in Washington.
Target Audience: All
Location: Room 219 - LeSage
Session 4 Options
2:30-3:20 PM
9/11 Never Forget. But Did We? - Andee Zomerman
Description: Students born before the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks are out of college. How do we teach today’s students about the lasting devastation and the unity we demonstrated 9/12 and after?
Target Audience: All
Location: Room 213 - Bedingfield
Unveiling Creativity: The Art of Collaboration with Aida Salazar and Molly Mendoza
Description: Dive into the creative realm with acclaimed author Aida Salazar and talented illustrator Molly Mendoza. Together, they unravel the fascinating journey behind their collaboration on the picture book 'Jovita Wore Pants,' offering profound insights into their creative process. Explore the intricacies of writing, illustrating, and publishing books as they share valuable tips and engage in a dynamic discussion on crafting compelling stories and visually captivating narratives.
Target Audience: All
Location: Community Room
Dealing with Book Challenges in Oregon School Libraries - Miranda Doyle, Conor Greaney, Grace Krueger, Steve Silver, & Marie Felgentrager
Description: Oregon schools and librarians, like those in other states, are in the spotlight fending off book challenges again this year. Defending intellectual freedom is difficult, emotionally taxing work. In this panel discussion, you'll hear from school librarians who have seen through book challenges in their schools, and their tips for handling them. Members of the Oregon Intellectual Freedom Committee will also provide pointers and materials - for example, how to check your school board policies and procedures. This is an important topic during these difficult times.
Target Audience: All
Location: Library
Oregon’s Early Literacy Framework and the Early Literacy Success Initiative (HB 3198): Overview & Discussion - Ken Greenbaum, Tina Roberts
Description: Join ODE staff in learning about two important and exciting initiatives to improve early literacy statewide: Oregon’s Early Literacy Framework and the recently passed Early Literacy Success Initiative (HB 3198). Together they provide vision, funding, and opportunity to improve early literacy learning and experiences throughout Oregon. Come for an overview and discussion of both and their connections to the important work of school librarians.
Target Audience: Elementary
Location: Room 219 - LeSage
10.6 Ways to Grow STEM in Your Elementary Library - Brian Cleary
Description: Almost eleven different, easy, engaging, repeatable, and book oriented way to pull STEM into your library. Just like real life learning this will be hands on, it will be a bit messy, and it will create a connection between you, the people around you, and (If I do it right) the world outside the library.
Target Audience: Elementary, Middle School
Location: Room 220 - Jameson
Session 5 Options
3:30-4:20 PM
Curating Empathy: School Libraries at the Heart of Diversity and Accurate Representations in the Social Studies Classroom - Mary-Catherine McElroy & Shana Ferguson
Description: As underfunded schools look for ways to support social studies instruction and support classroom efforts to better represent their communities, school libraries are a powerful ally for students, families, staff and teachers. Join two school librarians who have worked closely with social studies teachers, experts and advocates to improve the cultural representation within their libraries and classrooms. Be prepared to engage in interactive lesson ideas as we share best practices and resources with one another.
Target Audience: All
Location: Room 213 - Bedingfield
You've Landed in a School Library! Now What? - Jen Maurer
Description: In Oregon it is common for a new hire to be tossed into a school library with little or no experience or background. That can be exciting but overwhelming! Come learn some basic library best practices and about resources to help set you up for success. During our time together, we’ll cover such topics as core library tenets, reading engagement, library rules, circulation policies, call numbers, how to handle donations, and where to turn for help. Plus, learn about a support group just for you!
Target Audience: All
Location: Room 219 - LeSage
Student Helpers in Your Library - Gigi Michaels
Description: There is always something to do in a library. Student helpers are crucial to managing a library. In this session, you will learn how to recruit, train, and manage student helpers in a library environment. Links will be shared with forms for you to adapt to your site. Participants will be able to share and ask questions.
Target Audience: Elementary
Location: Room 220 - Jameson
Build Relationships by Sharing Your Story - Courtney Pentland, AASL President
Description: School librarians are continuing to face an issue that has challenged us for decades. Our stakeholders and the general public are not clear on what a school librarian actually does. The stakes are higher now as there are members of the public who are sharing false narratives about what happens in school libraries and what school librarians do.
One way to build advocates and allies is to share the true story of the learning opportunities, programming, and community building happening in your school libraries each and every day. This session will highlight a few of the ways to share your story, how to connect with specific community groups and decision makers, and leave you with a plan for what to do right now and in the future.
Target Audience: All
Location: Community Room
Learning Lab Demonstration / Discussion Panel - Bryan Freschi & Michelle Cottrell
Description: The "Learning Lab" was an idea born from a need for increased participation in the use of the media center (both books and tech resources). At Taft 7-12, the Learning Lab is a place where teachers can bring their classes for an immersive educational experience, no matter what content area they teach. Come learn how it works from the people that built it!
Target Audience: Middle School, High School
Location: Library