2024 American Library Association Conference Report-Back

Posted by benniefinch on July 22nd, 2024 Posted in: Blog, Graphic Medicine, Instructional Design
Tags: accessibility, professional development, public libraries, workforce development, workshop

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I had the opportunity to attend the 2024 American Library Association Conference in beautiful San Diego! It was a wonderful time to connect with other libraries, librarians, and NNLM staff and partners from around the country.

NNLM was well represented with two poster presentations and two invited presentations in addition to funded partner presentations.

 

I was able to represent a group of NNLM staff who developed the CHIS on Demand learning modules which support the Medical Library Association’s Consumer Health Information Specialization. To learn more about CHIS, the expansion of CHIS on demand to include modules for both levels I and II, and how NNLM can support you in obtaining the Consumer Health Information Specialization, check out this article from Region 6 Announcing New CHIS Level 2 Classes: Elevate Your Skills and Make a Difference – Midwest Matters (nnlm.gov)

Tiffany Chavis (R1) and George Strawley (R4) were at the conference presenting the work of the Telehealth Interest Group.

Margie Sheppard (R3) gave two conference presentations.

While NNLM staff from across Regional Medical Libraries, Offices, and Centers work together frequently, we rarely have the opportunity to interact in person, so this was a wonderful chance to connect with colleagues. In addition to meeting with those mentioned above, I also met Dr. Shannon Jones, Director of Libraries for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston and Director of NNLM Region 2, and MLA past-president.

With over 13,000 attendees at the Opening Ceremony alone, attending the ALA Conference for the first-time can be rather overwhelming.

I was able to gather ideas and make the acquaintance of other libraries and library service providers throughout the conference. It is always so helpful to hear about the great work in libraries such as creating programming for student parents, bringing telehealth to the library or book wagons to the community, and learning about how others are approaching staff professional development. I was also excited to connect with others interested in Graphic Medicine.  Sessions highlighting community building and community conversations, DEI, and accessibility in libraries for staff and patrons, helped me consider how to best serve library audiences and the potential for this work to build social connection to address the health impacts of Loneliness and Social Isolation which has been outlined by the U. S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy. I am excited to consider how to apply these new concepts.