Sessions at 2016 Maryland Library Association & Delaware Library Association Joint Annual Conference on Wednesday 4th May

Location: Room 3

RDA catalog records are increasingly the norm in our everyday work.
Though grounded in AACR2, many of the concepts and terms in RDA are different and new. This session will cover the basics of RDA, with the goal of helping participants understand and create RDA records on their own. We will begin with the basic principles in FRBR that shape RDA, which account for many of the differences from AACR2. We will then look at how RDA handles the description of monographic resources, highlighting the variations from descriptions created using AACR2. Aided by the use of examples, sample title pages, and hands-on exercises,participants will create MARC encoded bibliographic descriptions using RDA as our content standard. Participants should have prior cataloging experience using MARC Bibliographic Formats and AACR2.

Location: Room 1

You've heard your colleagues talking about it - "Google Analytics told us [x]", "We decided to do [y] after looking at Google Analytics". Now it's time for you to find out exactly what they're looking at and what Google Analytics can tell you! Used effectively, Google Analytics is a powerful tool that can help you better understand your users' behaviors on your website. This hands-on workshop will introduce the data that is available in Google Analytics, as well as concepts and techniques for getting the most out of your data. You'll get to explore the Google Analytics interface using data from real library usage, including websites, discovery tools, and digital collections. Together we'll discuss what metrics might be important for your library, leaving you overflowing with ideas about how Google Analytics can be put to work to assess the effectiveness of your library's web presence. Whether you're responsible for administering your library's website, involved in discussions about improving the website, or just trying to get into the web conversation, this session is for you!

Location: Room 6

This lively workshop takes attendees through some current trends and basic training on: Customer Service, Reference Service, and Serving Patrons through Technology. It is intended for library staff who are new to these services or anyone who would like a refresher! Participants will begin the workshop learning foundations of a service culture and how
to shape the service culture through an understanding of Service Principles. Then we’ll move into best practices for question-answering in various environments and cover the components of a reference conversation/interview, and review top resources for new library staff for commonly-asked questions. The workshop will combine these with ideas for serving patrons using technology with the use of ‘your
smartphone’ and the incorporation of the first two modules’ learning objectives into a hands-on activity.

Location: Room 4

Have you had some great adult programs at your library that you’d love to share? Are you looking for new ideas? Do you want to talk to other library staff members about what makes a successful adult program? If so, the Adult Programming Unconference is for you! Come discuss adult programming in a flexible, conversational format, with staff from around Maryland and Delaware. The agenda is set by the participants, and the day is designed to encourage the sharing and development of innovative and effective ideas.

Location: Room 6

Homelessness in America is a serious issue, one that many libraries struggle to properly understand. Speakers will discuss the issues involved with homelessness and how libraries can become part of the solution. This panel will include two librarians from urban areas as well as advocate David Pirtle. Once homeless himself, Pirtle now fights for the rights of people experiencing homelessness in Washington, D.C.

Location: 2A

Promoting Play in Your Library is a facilitated learning process that uses research-based practices
around the importance of play in early childhood. This pre-conference will define play, and explain
how to intentionally promote play in library programs through the use of picture books, adultdirected
play, and child-centered play opportunities. Participants will leave with skills, strategies,
and techniques to set the stage and stimulate different kinds of play, provide time for open-ended
play, make home connections to ensure all children have access to play opportunities, and provide
family support

Location: Room 2

Ever want to give a great presentation but you’ve never tried? Are you someone who has done presentations but never felt comfortable with the process? The Virginia Library Association has created a Presentation Academy to work with library staff of all kinds to be better prepared to give well thought out and engaging presentations. This pre-conference will discuss generating ideas, choosing the type of presentation most appropriate for your topic, and preparing excellent presentation proposals.