MLA 2024 Conference

Since earning my group fitness instructor certification to start a fitness and health literacy program in 2019, my program and knowledge have evolved far beyond what I had initially imagined. I’ve increased my knowledge of health and fitness for older adults (my target audience) and created a popular set of programs with a core group of regular students and library users. I use these classes as a platform to help people know their bodies and empower them when speaking to their healthcare providers about their health. Just as importantly, I have learned how to do this on a budget. In this presentation, I will discuss lessons learned and how you, too, can develop a sustainable health and fitness program in your public library.

With innovative forms of journalism, The New York Times informs readers about the
changing world through a digital experience that enables understanding, improves media literacy and combats misinformation.

With more than 250 stories a day, The New York Times goes beyond the news with visual media, cutting edge infographics, audio podcasts. Take a journey through NYTimes.com and discover the stories that fuel the passions of readers and learners of all ages.

Learn how to:
Navigate The New York Times
Access resources for the classroom, curriculum and professional development with the Learning Network and NYT inEducation.
Take a step back in time with NYT historical
Feed wanderlust with our global coverage

Test your word skills with NYT Games
Give college students a tool for learning how to cook with NYT Cooking
Increase sports literacy and feed team spirit with with The Athletic
and so much more…

This session is for anyone who struggles to explain "why libraries" to non-library people. We tend to "info dump" when given the opportunity, losing the attention of our audience. In this session, the participant will be challenged to think about their library's mission and their own work in the structure of an elevator speech. Participants will produce their own elevator speech using a template, and will then practice their elevator speeches in front of their colleagues in small groups.

Most of our users now start their library experience with an online visit. How do your users experience that initial contact?
UX is frequently used as a phrase for discussing the design of interfaces and is often linked to the computer science world. But what the UX process exposes about your users can radically change your approach to how you explain your services. What UX information is useful for teachers, managers, and front-line staff to consider when teaching or helping with reference? We will have an Academic Librarian and a County Public Library Systems Analyst to describe ways to use UX to make the library seem more human.
Come away from this session with some takeaway ideas for identifying user information that will inform the services offered to your patrons or improve your teaching practice. Better understanding how your users interact with your online interfaces doesn’t require you to be a systems expert, it just requires you to listen with empathy.