2019 Pacific Northwest Library Association Conference

The Archive of our Own (A03) fanfiction database has been operation in the last 10 years and has over 1.6 million members creating and reading works of fanfiction.  In A03, anyone can be an author, editor, book marketer, publisher or content creator.  With the myriad of digital social media platforms writers and readers of fanfiction can interact directly and immediately.  The digital content being produced is dynamic and readily available for free to anyone with a smartphone or computer.  In this session, we will explore the global and digital ecology behind fanfiction.  This includes the creative autonomy of fanfiction writers, the ways in which they can produce a story rich in multimodal content and how their interactions with their readers can engage readers in curating and creating digital content as well.  We will also discuss some ideas and engagement strategies for libraries might think about when engaging with fanfiction readers and writers in their communities.
 
The way that digital platforms for fanfiction are growing, and the incredible content that’s free and readily available to anyone with digital access, it is in the best interest of libraries to be an active participant in the rich digital ecology of fanfiction.  In attending this session, we hope to:
1) Raise awareness about fanfiction and how it impacts traditional print readership
2) Inspire folks to reimagine programming for their libraries that is focused on digital content and its possibilities
3) share information about new ways digital fiction content is being produced and disseminated
View and reflect on the presentation at: bit.ly/beyondfandoms.  Thank you all for your feedback!

Information literacy is more crucial than ever in our divided “post truth” world, but finding time to teach it is difficult. Though librarians are information literacy experts, we are most often asked to provide “one shot” instruction sessions which focus on the technical aspects of database searching, with only a cursory look, if any, at information literacy. Deeper engagement is possible, but usually requires collaboration with highly motivated professors through embedded courses or other, time-consuming programs that limit reach.

I developed a method at Gonzaga University to transform the one shot into a "double shot” via a flipped, pre-class online component. This allows me to sneak information literacy concepts into the one shot without extra work for the content professor, and with manageable, front-loaded work for the librarian. This session will outline the process of creating the flipped portion using LibGuides and Google Forms. It will explain how the program was pitched to content professors of Gonzaga’s new First Year Seminars. It will include tips for ensuring a lively in-class discussion. Finally, it will cover the lessons learned via informal feedback and formal assessment of the program. 

At the conclusion off this presentation, attendees will understand how to:
- recognize the challenges and benefits of flipped instruction
- use LibGuides and Google Forms to create an online guide and exercise
- effectively pitch a flipped instruction session to faculty 

Data analytics are everywhere, it seems, and libraries face increasing pressure to use data to tell their stories. Unfortunately, many libraries don’t have a dedicated data analyst on staff. If this has become part of your job, either formally or informally, you’re not alone. This session will introduce key concepts in data analysis, discuss specifics about working with data in the library environment, share resources and learning tools, and connect you with others doing library data work. We will use real-world examples and hands-on exercises to delve into the numbers in a fun and engaging way. If you never thought of yourself as a numbers person, this session might change your mind! 

Participants will understand key concepts in data analysis, know how the library environment influences the use of data, and identify resources and learning tools that they can use to improve their data fluency and analysis skills. 

This is a Power Point presentation for libraries to support their communities for the 2020 Census - ensuring continued resources of federally funded programs.  The timing of this conference is perfect for this once-a-decade population and housing count that is mandated by congress.  The purpose of the 2020 Census is to conduct a census of population and housing and disseminate the results to the President, the states, and the American people. The goal of the 2020 Census is to count everyone once, only once, and in the right place. The decennial census, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, is the country’s largest nonmilitary mobilization of a workforce and its data are of paramount importance to the nation, determining each state’s number of representatives in Congress and the allocation of billions of dollars in funding for many federal programs, the boundaries for voting and school districts, and countless other decisions that benefit local governments in all 50 states and the territories. Businesses of all sizes depend on census data to make decisions about where to locate, hire, and invest. The widespread availability of data through the internet, as well as through third‐party entities that often repackage Census Bureau data, has been important for entrepreneurs who need to make data‐driven decisions to benefit their businesses. 

1. Outreach/education to underrepresented, rural and hard-to-count populations.  2.  Support innovative technology with internet response opportunities for the first time in Census history.  3.  Support resources of federally funded programs for local communities. 

The role of libraries in community economic development is evolving beyond jobseeker support to more formal engagement with workforce development systems.  Washington libraries are engaged with community partners at the state and local level in projects and activities that are truly moving the bar for jobseekers and business, allowing them to make real, impactful contributions in their communities.  In this session you’ll learn about the structure of the workforce development system, which government and community organizations share common audiences and goals – and are likely to welcome libraries as partners, and gain insight into specific areas where the ‘traditional’ workforce development system struggles, but where libraries excel.

Some of the programs we’ll highlight include adult high school completion (degree and GED) partnerships and initiatives, certification test proctoring, workshops for budding apprentices and  entrepreneurs and small business, libraries certified in the American Job Center network, and a very successful community business library. Throughout the program we’ll be taking a thoughtful look at the many ways to approach community partnerships, and ways to make our workforce development activities more equitable, diverse, and inclusive. 

Attendees will gain a better understanding of the structure of the workforce development system – federal, state, and local.
Attendees will leave with at least 2 ideas for how they can leverage their library’s current goals or services to engage in their workforce development system.
Attendees will gain new insight into the partnership spectrum and incorporating principles of equitability, diversity, and inclusion.