Tech Days East @ Appleton registration form

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Tech Days East Workshop: Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve, Appleton

We're offering a variety of technology sessions, all in one day!  You, your staff, and trustees are invited to attend.

Date: Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Time: 8:30am - 3:30pm
Location: Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve, 4815 N Lynndale Drive, Appleton (map)

This workshop is full of good stuff for you to learn & take back to your library.  Here's the schedule:

8:30 - 9:20am — sign in, and light refreshments (coffee, juice, milk, and pastries)
9:25 - 9:30am — welcome, orientation, and introductions

9:30 - Noon — Extending the Third Place

photo of Chris WilleyShould public libraries put any energy into Extended Reality or Artificial Intelligence (or other technologies) right now?
Are there core skills and characteristics that citizens of the 21st century need?

Join Chris Willey as he shares ideas on these questions, and moderates a lively discussion that includes your perspective on the future of technology. The purpose of this presentation is about "sharing focus" on our future, together. Additionally, Willey will share the mission, methods, and recent outcomes of the Immersive Media Lab at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee so that you may adopt any/all for your own libraries and communities. He will share what it means to be antidisciplinary, the role of creativity in a "3rd Space" learning environment, and why this is important for our shared technological trajectory.

About our guest presenter: Chris Willey is the Director of the Immersive Media Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The lab is an antidisciplinary collaborative that conducts research within emerging technologies. The research aligns the spheres of science, culture, and technology through the lens of creativity. He's a Lecturer at UW-Milwaukee where he is tasked to present all freshmen Peck School of the Arts, Art and Design students the connections between culture, technology, and critical theory. Chris is also the coordinator of an international program with the Hubei University of Technology in Wuhan, China, and is a published author, curator, and internationally-exhibited artist.

12:15 - 1pm — catered lunch: $12 payable onsite the day of the workshop.  We'll have Wisconsin-style brats, grilled chicken breast, veggie burgers, potato salad, baked beans, fresh fruit salad, dessert bars, lemonade, and iced tea.

1:15 - 2:15pm — choose one of these breakout sessions:

Intro to Computational Thinking & Connected Learning in Youth Services.
You've heard having coding, STEM, and maker programs are important, but has anyone told you why? Computational Thinking (CT) is an important 21st century skill and you might already be using it in your library services and programs without realizing it. Learn how you can use Connected Learning to intentionally create programs that kids and teens want that just happens to include CT. Presenters: Tessa Michaelson Schmidt (Public Library Youth & Inclusive Services Consultant, Wisconsin DPI, Madison) and Angela Meyers (Coordinator of Youth & Inclusive Services, Bridges Library System, Waukesha). [ youth services interest ]

• Tech Mix – Two Topics in One Hour:
1) DPI Scanning Kits.
A look into scanning kits being provided to participating library systems by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) through a WISElearn grant. We will demonstrate the equipment in the kits and give an overview of how they can be used for your local history digitization projects. Presenters: Craig Ellefson (IT Support Specialist, South Central Library System, Madison) and Tamara Ramski (Digitization Specialist, South Central Library System, Madison).
2) PlayStation Virtual Reality Demo: Bring VR to Your Library.
Have you thought about bringing Virtual Reality to your library for youth or adult programs? If you're not quite familiar with PlayStation 4, does it seem a bit overwhelming to learn how to use? Have no fear! It can be a very simple process with exciting results. Join Chris Baker from the Portage Public Library as he gives a brief demonstration of how easy it can be to set up one of the PlayStation 4 Virtual Reality Kits that the South Central Library System offers, and relays some of his experiences successfully integrating VR into his Teen Programs. Learn some ways in which you share this popular modern technology with your community. Presenter: Chris Baker (Teen Services & Technology Coordinator, Portage Public Library).

Help Your Patrons Cut the Cable Cord.
Cable Cutting continues to be a big trend as many consumers face ever-increasing charges to have cable TV in their homes.  Many of our patrons may need guidance on this issue, and we can help!  Learn how to help them find answers to questions like: How do I get Netflix, Hulu or another streaming service on my TV? What about live events like sports and news? What exactly is Sling TV?  You could use this info to construct your own Cut the Cable Cord class, or to inform yourself just in case you get these questions at your service desks. Presenter: Leah Gentry (Cataloger/Reference Librarian, Menomonee Falls Public Library).

2:30 - 3:30pm — choose one of these breakout sessions:

Tech ‘n Scouts.
Hear about an exciting new partnership of Girl Scouts, coding and the library featuring unplugged activities, tech toys and critical thinking skills. Participate in workshop activities and robot demonstrations including R2D2, Ozobots and more! Presenters: Lisa Pike (Teen Librarian, Manitowoc Public Library) and Susie Menk (Youth Librarian, Manitowoc Public Library). [ youth services interest ]

From Virtual To Reality.
Find out how to use VR and Google Expeditions in both in-house and outreach programming. We will review what concerns and issues to be aware of, as well as tips to make "trips" easy going. Attendees will have a chance to play with and go on an expedition. Attendees will leave the program with an idea of cost and investment, introduction of use, and program ideas. Presenters: Rebbecca Barry (Assistant Director, Chilton Public Library) and Glenny Whitcomb (Director, Chilton Public Library).

• Tech Mix – Two Topics in One Hour:
1) Track Your Contacts with CRM Software.
Do you wish that you had one place to keep all track of all of your favorite performers, experts, local contacts and more? The Brown County Library has used free Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software to gather our contacts and easily share them across our system. Learn how to try free software, modify it to fit your needs and leave with ideas for implementation at your library! Presenters: Andrea West (Library Manager, Brown County Library, Green Bay) and Francis Beaumier (IT Specialist, Brown County Library, Green Bay).
2) The Future of Public Library System Technology.
Public library systems in Wisconsin have been collaborating on technology infrastructure, with an end goal of offering uniform network and PC support to Wisconsin public libraries. This is an opportunity to hear what this may mean for your public library. Presenters: Vicki Teal Lovely (Technology Services Coordinator South Central Library System, Madison) and Dan Jacobson (Technology Solutions Architect, South Central Library System, Madison).

Continuing education contact hours for the full day:
- Technology-related contact hours: 6
- Total contact hours: 6

There is no charge to attend any of the Tech Days East workshops, thanks to sponsorship by the Northeastern Wisconsin CE Partnership (NEWI) — Winnefox Library System, Outagamie-Waupaca Library System, Manitowoc-Calumet Library System, Nicolet Federated Library System — South Central Library System, the Southeastern Wisconsin (SEWI) library systems — Arrowhead Library System, Bridges Library System, Kenosha County Library System, Lakeshores Library System, Milwaukee County Federated Library System, Monarch Library System — and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Public Library Development Team, with funding support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Register using the form below: