What's Happening at the 2013 Missouri Library Association Conference #molib2013

This time next week, I'll be getting my things together and heading into St. Louis for the 2013 Missouri Library Association Conference. I'm looking forward to a number of things at the conference, both the professional learning opportunities and networking with friends and colleagues. I'll be participating in the conference as facilitator and presenter at two events:

Wednesday, October 2, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
GUERRILLA STORY TIME
Location: Zermatt
Join fellow conference attendees for impromptu challenges and demonstrations as librarians get to show off their mad story time skills. The purpose of Guerrilla Story Time is twofold: 1) allow youth services librarians to get advice, new ideas, and inspiration from peers; and 2) demonstrate to non-youth services librarians that story time is much more than “just reading to kids.” Everyone is welcome to watch, and participation is encouraged!
Facilitators: Sarah Bean Thompson and Amy Koester
Sponsored By: YSCI

Thursday, October 3, 2:00–2:45 p.m.
DIGITAL STORY TIMES: ADDING TABLET TECHNOLOGY TO EARLY LITERACY PROGRAMS
Location: Lugano
Have you considered adding digital elements to your story times? Are you looking for research to justify purchasing a programming tablet for your library? Tablets are a story time tool just like a puppet or a ukulele; they allow library staff to develop children’s early literacy skills while engaging them and their caregivers in new ways. This session will explore the benefits of adding tablet technology to programs for preschool children. Participants will see demonstrations of ways to add digital elements to the story time programs they already offer, including creating and using digital felt stories, sharing books and apps with interactive elements, supplementing themed programs with non-fiction resources, and making songs and rhymes more accessible to audiences. The session will also highlight some of the exciting new programs libraries can offer when tablets are added to the story time toolbox.
Speaker: Amy Koester, Children’s Librarian, St. Charles City–County Library District
Sponsored By: YSCI

If you'll be at MLA, I hope you'll say hello!