MLA/DLACon2023

A patron walks up to the information desk and says, “I need a form…” Confused about what to tell the patron and what information to give them? While some legal actions in Maryland have official forms, many do not. When patrons ask for legal forms, figuring out what to give them can be a challenge. This session will provide an overview of what might be considered a form, where to find forms, and where to find guidance for people trying to fill out or construct a form.

Learn how to improve the library's accessibility to customers with physical and mental disabilities. Discuss potential barriers to access—including using the library’s resources, navigating the library’s physical and digital spaces, and communicating with staff—and review best practices for providing high quality customer service to all. Discover resources that will help staff expand their knowledge and promote accessibility in library spaces.

How do you make the library the best it can be for everyone in your community? One important way we have found is to be sure you are including enjoyment for everyone. Increasing access to quality fun programming builds bridges with our whole community and breaks down the barriers to all the library has to offer. Join us as we discuss how Walkersville Library prioritized, planned, and implemented exciting library programming for this special population. Easy to implement, ready to use plans and utilizing a cross-section of all staff are the keys to success in making this special programming happen.

Janeites are everywhere and with more adaptations and spin offs, the 250th Anniversary of Austen’s birth and the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) Annual Meeting coming to Baltimore in 2025, now is the time to design a Jane Austen program for your library. Jennifer and Stephanee, Janeites, librarians, and Regional Coordinators for JASNA will discuss ways to create engaging library programming and partner with organizations like JASNA. From book discussions to elaborate conference-style events, Austen programs can draw in dedicated fans, foster a love of literature and lifelong learning, and provide opportunities to discuss difficult topics like race, class and human nature.

Prince George’s County Memorial Library System’s (MD) Book Crawl was a series of pop-up, outreach programs created to engage the millennial population, local businesses, and community partners in Prince George’s County. This brought drag bingo to breweries, crafting to coffee shops, and name that tune to bars with the hopes of creating new library users and advocates. Join us to learn about our triumphs, setbacks, and how to start a similar program at your library.

The public library is all about service to our communities, but what if we could also help our communities harness their interest in serving their peers? Since the pandemic, Discoveries: the Library at the Mall has become a conduit for customers to support their communities. Learn about the wildly successful Discoveries Community Pantry, our Teen Second Saturday Service Projects, our system partnership with the community service arm of our local school system and more. Apply the lessons we've learned to your own community and help your customers approach service with a smile!