Concurrent Program Session

Tech Assistance for Cutting Edge Communities

Thursday, April 7, 2016, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Colorado Convention Center, Room 405-407

Since the emergence of e-books and skyrocketing Wi-Fi usage, public libraries have seen an influx of customers seeking increasingly complex technology assistance. Hear about two different approaches to satisfy this need, one a community technology center and one a retail-inspired point of service within the library. Get tips and techniques from inception to implementation, staff and patron feedback, as well as how it might be replicated on a small or large scale at your library.

At the end of this session, participants will:

1: Learn how to take public library technology assistance further. 2: Improve technology assistance at your library. 3: Find different and varied ways to satiate patron technology needs.

The session organizer(s) identified this session as appropriate for:
Level 2: People with some knowledge, who want to increase their understanding.

This session will have: Low interaction: single speaker/panel with Q&A at the end of the program

Handouts: Download 1  

Track: Invent

Tags: Administration/Management, Innovation, Technology, Training, Transforming Libraries, Trends and Forecasting


Presenters

Oliver Sanidas, Director of Digital and Library Material Services
Arapahoe Library District, Englewood, CO

Oliver Sanidas is currently the Director of Digital & Library Material Services at the Arapahoe Library District. His professional roots start in Hollywood where he worked for several years in the entertainment industry. He was drawn to technology because of the creative potential in the field. In 2015 he was the recipient of the John Iliff Award for Innovation and named a Mover and Shaker by Library Journal.

Tracy Treece, Senior Librarian, Community Technology Center
Denver Public Library, Denver, CO

Tracy has been teaching technology in public libraries for nearly a decade. She is currently the Senior Librarian at Denver Public Library's Community Technology Center.

Nick Taylor, Supervisor, Tech Experience
Arapahoe Libraries, Englewood, CO

Nick Taylor is a technology advocate for public libraries, coffee connoisseur, and punk music reviewer, usually in that order. His career at Arapahoe Libraries has given him a number of stories to tell his yet extant grandchildren, from being a Google Glass explorer to recording a teenage death metal band in his library's media lab.

Derrick Mason, Idea Factory Librarian
Pueblo City-County Library District, ,

Derrick Mason is the Idea Factory Librarian at Pueblo City-County Library District. The Idea Factory is a Makerspace dedicated to STEM + Art Learning, Collaboration, and Creativity. Derrick has over ten years of experience working in Libraries specializing in Emerging Technologies, Genealogy, and Instruction. He holds a MLIS degree from Kent State University.

For questions about…

Cancellation Policy

Written cancellations, requests for refunds, and/or changes will be accepted until February 26, 2016, and are subject to a $30 handling fee. Refunds will be processed after April 25, 2016. According to PLA policy, all meal events require preregistration. The above cancellation/change information also applies to all preconferences, meal events, and tours.

The PLA 2016 Conference is offered on a cost-recovery basis. PLA reserves the right to cancel all or any part of this event if there is insufficient registration or for other reasons. Neither ALA nor PLA is responsible for cancellation charges assessed by the airlines or travel agencies, or other losses incurred due to the cancellation of the workshops. All information listed on this website is subject to change.


Accessibility

PLA has put in place features to ensure the conference is accessible to all.

Advertising

Special print and electronic advertising opportunities are available to reach PLA members and attendees both before and during the conference.

Appropriate Conduct

All participants are expected to observe the rules and behaviors described in the Statement of Appropriate Conduct in all conference venues, including online venues, and conference social events.

Attire

There is no formal dress code at the PLA Conference. What’s most important is to dress for comfort.

Conference Logo

The custom logos of the PLA 2016 Conference are the property of PLA. Anyone wishing to use the logos in their communications and promotional materials must: 1) Seek permission from PLA; and 2) Submit communication/artwork incorporating the logo to PLA for final approval. The logo may not be modified and must be reproduced in its entirety (i.e., no outlines, cropping). To request the use of the logo, companies should contact Carly DiVito at Corcoran Expositions at 312-541-0567 or carly@corcexpo.com; all others should contact PLA at 800-545-2433 x5PLA (x5752) or pla@ala.org.

Exhibits

Contact Carly DiVito, Corcoran Expositions, 312-541-0567 or carly@corcexpo.com.

Firearms

No carrying of firearms allowed in the Colorado Convention Center unless you’re on-duty law enforcement or off-duty and on payroll of the show or SMG (convention center management).

Hashtag

The official conference hashtag is #PLA2016.

Media

Contact Heather Cho, ALA Media Relations Specialist, 312-280-4020 or hcho@ala.org. Please review our conference media policy.

Membership

ALA and PLA membership is managed by the ALA Membership & Customer Service (MACS) unit. To join, renew, rejoin, or add to your membership, fill out a secure form online; or print and fill out a membership form and fax or mail it in; or call 800-545-2433 and press 5. Direct your membership questions to MACS at customerservice@ala.org or 800-545-2433 and press 5. MACS representatives are available Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM Central.

Mobile App

Attendees can access full event schedule, evaluate sessions, customize their own agenda, and compete in the Extraordinary Exhibits photo challenge game on the PLA 2016 mobile app. To request assistance with the mobile app, please e-mail pla2016app@ala.org.

PLA Office

The PLA Office is located in A Mezzanine in the Colorado Convention Center. You can access the A Mezzanine from any of the lobbies using Elevator A, across from registration, and press the MZ button to get to the Mezzanine. You can also access A Mezzanine from Exhibit Hall A using Stairwell 30. The office phone numbers are 303-228-8450 and 303-228-8451. Onsite office hours are Monday, April 4–Friday, April 8, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; Saturday, April 9, 8:00 AM–1:00 PM.

Registration & Housing

Onsite registration hours are Tuesday, April 5, 7:30 AM–5:00 PM; Wednesday, April 6, 7:30 AM–6:30 PM; Thursday, April 7, 7:30 AM–5:30 PM; Friday, April 8, 7:30 AM–4:00 PM; and Saturday, April 9, 8:00–10:00 AM. Conference registration and housing is managed by Experient. Call or e-mail your questions, 800-424-5249 (U.S. and Canada), 847-996-5829 (all other countries), or pla@experient-inc.com. Experient representatives are available Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM Eastern. PLA Conference is a professional event. It is not open to the public.

Sponsorships

Contact Corcoran Expositions, Mary Michalik at 312-265-9650, mary@corcexpo.com; or Matt McLaughlin at 312-265-9655, matt@corcexpo.com.

Thank you PLA Conference Sponsors!

Venues

Most conference events—including all preconferences and concurrent program sessions—will take place in the Colorado Convention Center (CCC), 700 14th Street, Denver, CO 80202. Additional events will be held at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, 650 15th Street, Denver, CO 80202, and other venues as indicated.

Other Questions

Contact PLA, 800-545-2433 x5PLA (x5752) or pla@ala.org; or find someone to help in the PLA Staff directory.