Training Opportunities

The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness core training purchased by the State Library in 2019 was recently renewed for another year (access through August 2021). Subsequent archived webinars are now available as separate modules in Niche Academy. The online training, authored by Ryan Dowd, is now available for all Ohio public and academic library staff. The four-part training is an empathy-driven approach that provides best practices for library staff on how to understand the homeless population and serve them better. There are also practical tips on how to deal with and de-escalate common situations and issues, and make staff feel empowered and safe.

A former director of a Chicago homeless shelter, Ryan Dowd is the author of The Librarians Guide to Homelessness: An Empathy-Driven Approach to Solving Problems, Preventing Conflict, and Serving Everyone. He travels all over the United States speaking to libraries about how to best help homeless patrons using empathy and respect. He also provides training to police departments, nonprofits and other organizations on how to compassionately manage problematic behavior from troubled individuals.

To access the training, go to the State Library of Ohio’s Training and Professional Development page and click the homelessness training link. Once in Niche Academy, you will be prompted to create an account. Certificates will be issued within Niche Academy after the completion of the core training or webinar.

Title: Homeless Children and Libraries: Special Presentation with Lydia Sigwarth (author of the new book Dear Librarian)

This special presentation will include:

A reading of Dear Librarian by the author, Lydia Sigwarth.
An interview of Lydia by Ryan about Lydia’s experiences as a child experiencing homelessness.
Tips, tools, and tricks for how libraries can better serve children experiencing homelessness.
Q&A

When: Thursday, July 8 at 2:00 PM eastern time

Length: 1 Hour

Pre-Registration Required: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3015832712254/WN_IPqJkL3CT9qFymnQj7v8UQ

About Lydia Sigwarth
Lydia M. Sigwarth is a children’s librarian and author of the autobiographical picture book Dear Librarian. Dear Librarian is the story of how Lydia’s family found a home at the local public library when they were homeless and how a special friendship with the children’s librarian inspired her.
Being a librarian has been Lydia’s dream job since she was little—well, either that or a time-traveling girl detective/ballerina. Lydia lives in Platteville, Wisconsin with her fluffy puppy Agatha. Her absolute favorite thing to do is talk books with budding bookworms. Dear Librarian is her debut picture book. She’s been featured on This American Life, Fuse 8, LitHub, Story Monsters Ink. and more. You can find her online @LibraryLydia

Email Erin Kelsey, Library Consultant at the State Library of Ohio if there are problems accessing the webinar.

2021 ALAO Conference Registration Open! Register Today.
Building Bridges: Dialogue, Deliberation & Connection in Academic Libraries-
October 27-29, 2021
The 2021 conference will take place online and consist of a selection of engaging workshops, live keynote sessions, pre-recorded presentations, and interactive poster sessions. As in years’ past, a pre-conference will kick off the event. All conference activities will occur October 27-29, 2021.

Register by August 27 on the conference website for early-bird pricing - only $25 for members and free for LIS students! Conference registration deadline is October 15.

Pre-Conference (Oct. 27th):
• A free afternoon workshop led by Fobazi Ettarh focusing on vocational awe and its impact on library work during a time of change.
• New members welcome!

Conference (Oct. 28th & 29th):
• Opening keynote address by Sofia Leung, a librarian, facilitator, and educator who works towards fulfilling the promise of social justice in libraries and higher education.
• Closing keynote address by Nicole Cooke, associate professor at the University of South Carolina, presenting on Re-Envisioning LIS: Activating Social Justice.
• A choice of 18 pre-recorded, informative, and inspirational breakout sessions from your colleagues in Ohio and surrounding states (program available soon).
• Approximately 20 virtual poster sessions to browse.
• 10 lightning talk sessions.
• Conference social event!
• Opportunities to network and connect with colleagues virtually.

ALAO thanks our conference sponsors for allowing us to keep registration costs low!

Registration Rates:

Early Bird (until August 27):
• $25 ALAO/MiALA Members
• $30 Non ALAO Members
• $10 ALAO Retirees
• FREE Current LIS students

Regular Rates (August 28-October 15):
• $30 ALAO/MiALA Members
• $35 Non ALAO Members
• $15 ALAO Retirees
• FREE Current LIS students

More information is available on the ALAO website.


Training Opportunities The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness core training purchased by the State Library in 2019 was recently renewed for another year (access through August 2021). Subsequent archived webinars are now available as separate modules in Niche Academy. The online training, authored by Ryan Dowd, is now available for all Ohio public and academic library staff. The four-part training is an empathy-driven approach that provides best practices for library staff on how to understand the homeless population and serve them better. There are also practical tips on how to deal with and de-escalate common situations and issues, and make staff feel empowered and safe. A former director of a Chicago homeless shelter, Ryan Dowd is the author of The Librarians Guide to Homelessness: An Empathy-Driven Approach to Solving Problems, Preventing Conflict, and Serving Everyone. He travels all over the United States speaking to libraries about how to best help homeless patrons using empathy and respect. He also provides training to police departments, nonprofits and other organizations on how to compassionately manage problematic behavior from troubled individuals. To access the training, go to the State Library of Ohio’s Training and Professional Development page and click the homelessness training link. Once in Niche Academy, you will be prompted to create an account. Certificates will be issued within Niche Academy after the completion of the core training or webinar. Title: Homeless Children and Libraries: Special Presentation with Lydia Sigwarth (author of the new book Dear Librarian) This special presentation will include: A reading of Dear Librarian by the author, Lydia Sigwarth. An interview of Lydia by Ryan about Lydia’s experiences as a child experiencing homelessness. Tips, tools, and tricks for how libraries can better serve children experiencing homelessness. Q&A When: Thursday, July 8 at 2:00 PM eastern time Length: 1 Hour Pre-Registration Required: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3015832712254/WN_IPqJkL3CT9qFymnQj7v8UQ About Lydia Sigwarth Lydia M. Sigwarth is a children’s librarian and author of the autobiographical picture book Dear Librarian. Dear Librarian is the story of how Lydia’s family found a home at the local public library when they were homeless and how a special friendship with the children’s librarian inspired her. Being a librarian has been Lydia’s dream job since she was little—well, either that or a time-traveling girl detective/ballerina. Lydia lives in Platteville, Wisconsin with her fluffy puppy Agatha. Her absolute favorite thing to do is talk books with budding bookworms. Dear Librarian is her debut picture book. She’s been featured on This American Life, Fuse 8, LitHub, Story Monsters Ink. and more. You can find her online @LibraryLydia Email Erin Kelsey, Library Consultant at the State Library of Ohio if there are problems accessing the webinar. 2021 ALAO Conference Registration Open! Register Today. Building Bridges: Dialogue, Deliberation & Connection in Academic Libraries- October 27-29, 2021 The 2021 conference will take place online and consist of a selection of engaging workshops, live keynote sessions, pre-recorded presentations, and interactive poster sessions. As in years’ past, a pre-conference will kick off the event. All conference activities will occur October 27-29, 2021. Register by August 27 on the conference website for early-bird pricing - only $25 for members and free for LIS students! Conference registration deadline is October 15. Pre-Conference (Oct. 27th): • A free afternoon workshop led by Fobazi Ettarh focusing on vocational awe and its impact on library work during a time of change. • New members welcome! Conference (Oct. 28th & 29th): • Opening keynote address by Sofia Leung, a librarian, facilitator, and educator who works towards fulfilling the promise of social justice in libraries and higher education. • Closing keynote address by Nicole Cooke, associate professor at the University of South Carolina, presenting on Re-Envisioning LIS: Activating Social Justice. • A choice of 18 pre-recorded, informative, and inspirational breakout sessions from your colleagues in Ohio and surrounding states (program available soon). • Approximately 20 virtual poster sessions to browse. • 10 lightning talk sessions. • Conference social event! • Opportunities to network and connect with colleagues virtually. ALAO thanks our conference sponsors for allowing us to keep registration costs low! Registration Rates: Early Bird (until August 27): • $25 ALAO/MiALA Members • $30 Non ALAO Members • $10 ALAO Retirees • FREE Current LIS students Regular Rates (August 28-October 15): • $30 ALAO/MiALA Members • $35 Non ALAO Members • $15 ALAO Retirees • FREE Current LIS students More information is available on the ALAO website.
Template 11 - NEO-RLS News-July 6, 2021