2015 KLA / MLA Conference

Theme: Libraries Without Borders

Date: September 30 - October 2, 2015

Location: Kansas City Convention Center, Kansas City, MO

Below you will find available information regarding the 2015 KLA Conference.

KLA & MLA Joining Forces for a Combined Fall Conference!

Join us on September 30 through October 2 at the KC Convention Center in downtown KC for the 2015 KLA/MLA Conference, Libraries Without Borders! For the first time in over 50 years, Kansas and Missouri will join forces in reaching across state borders for our 2015 Conference. The opening ceremony will take place on Wednesday evening at the Kansas City Public Library's Central Branch. Conference coordinators Kelly Fann (kfann@lawrence.lib.ks.us) of KLA and Dan Brower (dbrower@scenicregional.org) of MLA are working hard with the conference planning committee, along with an anticipated 100 vendors at our trade show. The joint Conference Committee has 23 members: 10 Kansas representatives, 10 Missouri representatives, 1 special libraries representative, and 1 Iowa representative. The cost for this 3 day conference will be $120 for members of both KLA and MLA, and early bird registration will open in mid-June. An Ambassadors Committee will pair up mentors with first-time attendees, and virtual conference sessions will be available for those who are unable to attend. The conference is still accepting proposals through May 15, particularly for table talks and poster sessions. Hotel arrangements have been made at the Crowne Plaza downtown, with additional accommodation options at the Hotel Phillips and the Aladdin. This year's conference promises a rare opportunity to meet and collaborate with librarians from both Kansas and Missouri!

Founded in 1900, both KLA and MLA organizations strive to promote library service, foster professional development and cooperation, and expand opportunities for the library community throughout Kansas and Missouri. With more events to choose from, and more people to connect with, we are bringing the features of a national conference home to the Midwest, while keeping that local spirit strong!

 -- Brian McCann Central Library, Black & Veatch Overland Park, KS mccannb@bv.com

A Conference to Remember!

This year introduces new and combined Kansas-Missouri events! MACRL has been coordinating with CULS to present a combined academic luncheon. The Youth Services Community of Interest has been working with the Youth Services Section of KLA to provide a combined Children's Literature Luncheon. And an author Breakfast will feature local author, Greg Kincaid. 

Opening Reception at the Central Library, Kansas City Public Library: Kick off the conference with style in downtown Kansas City. Explore the central branch of KCPL while enjoying local entertainment and Kansas City cuisine. The evening concludes with a rooftop view of the city! Join us at 7pm on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Sponsored by the University of Missouri's School of Information Science and Learning Technologies, this event will bring you inside one of America's most beautiful libraries. During the event, different floors will offer a wide variety of KC's food and entertainment. From jazz to spoken word, and BBQ to sliders, we hope to offer something for everyone. End the reception on the rooftop terrace overlooking the city at night. 

Opening Keynote Speaker: Peter Morville is one of the founders of the disciple of information architecture. His work has been covered by news outlets such as Business Week, The Economist, Fortune, and NPR. He promises to be an outstanding way to launch the conference. 

Closing Keynote Speaker: William Ottens is the creator of "Librarian Problems." Ottens graduated in 2010 with his MLA from Emporia State and is currently the director at the Oskaloosa Public Library in Oskaloosa, Iowa. His talk promises to be an enthralling close to the conference!

Member Meet and Greet: On Wednesday, Sept 30, from 3-4pm, join us on the Convention Center's south lawn for this year's Member Meet and Greet. Mingle with librarians from both sides of the border! Tap into the wisdom of longtime librarians or inspire and encourage new members. Attendees can win prizes and drink ticketsto be used at the Exhibitors Bash immediately following in the Exhibit Hall. 

Awards Reception: We are hosting this year's reception honoring those receiving awards from both Kansas and Missouri, open to all conference-goers. 

Trivia: Find some teammates and join us in the picturesque Salon Room at the Crowne Plaza for a trivia contest. All proceeds benefit the Bohley Scholarship and KLAEF.

MO State Librarian's Luncheon & KS State Librarian's Luncheon: Join Barbara Reading, Missouri State Librarian, for a special lunch engagement as she gives a roundup of recent events in Missouri libraries and the State Library. Or join Jo Budler, Kansas State Librarian, for a special lunch that discusses new events and programs at Kansas libraries and at the State Library. 

Session Tracks: This year, navigate the 100-plus sessions by examining their tracks. We are offering session in nine full tracks that include many aspects of library service: Academic, Career, Leadership, Programming and Outreach, Readers' Advisory, Technical Services, User Services, Youth Services and, of course, General Interest track. 

Professional Headshots: Need a professional headshot taken? Sign up onsite to take a 10-minute break and have one done for the discounted rate of $20. Refresh your online profile with a new photo from 2-4pm on Wednesday, Sept 30, or 1-5pm on Thursday, Oct. 1. Stop by Room 2500B to reserve your spot. 

Pre-Conferences: We believe this year's eight pre-conferences offer a wide range of topics with something for everyone:

• Genealogy Resources in the Heartland: Presentations from multiple Kansas and Missouri institutions will discuss genealogy resources available to librarians and their patrons. Come and question the experts!
• Reaching Reluctant Teen Readers: Learn what librarians can do through aspects of books designed to hook hesitant teenage readers. Presenter Patrick Jones is a lifetime achievement award recipient for his writing and speaking to promote teen services in school and public libraries and has spoken at library conferences worldwide.
• E-Resources Bootcamp: Becoming an Expert at E-Resources in Your Library: If the special skills to manage e-resources might seem out of reach, you can learn about training and the right tools to offer relevant digital resources. Find out how to effectively manage these helps to provide a better experience for your patrons and students. 
• Building Community Through the Art of the Story: See a demonstration of the Espresso Book Machine as you tour the Mid-Continent Public Library's Woodneath Branch! Afterwards, we will discuss the Story Center and its strategic efforts at building both a regional and national community of storytellers. 
• Transforming Communities Through Crisis: Scott Bonner (Ferguson Municipal Library) , Jacque Gage (Joplin Public Library), and Stephanie Bailey (Red Bridge Branch, Mid-Continent Public Library) join representatives from FEMA and CERT about the response of libraries to a crisis in their communities. 
• Taking the Library to the People: Bookmobiles & Outreach Services: The Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services invites you to a marketplace of outreach ideas, programming, and services which are happening at libraries across Kansas and Missouri. Learn about traditional and new outreach services while exploring programming partnerships in your community. 
• 50 Shades of Quit Judging: Readers' Advisory, Intellectual Freedom, & Personal Taste: Readers' Advisory provides a vital public service, despite books you may not like! Discover how and why to present these titles as we practice talking about books while learning Advisory tips and tricks. 
• Weave a Tale Workshop: Storytime librarians unite! Kendra Jones (Storytime Underground and Read, Sing, Play: Adventures in Early Literacy) is coming to KLA/MLA to present a free, hands-on preconference workshop for children's librarians.

Additional events to look forward to during the 2015 KLA/MLA Conference:

• Nearly 100 main conference presentations
• Poster Sessions and Table Talks
• Mentor/Mentee program
• Exhibitor's bash
• Vendor breakfast and vendor demonstrations
• CULS/MACRL luncheon
• Children's Literature luncheon
• Section meetings
• Performer's Showcase
• Annual business meetings
• Pub Crawl

Thank You Note from KLA & MLA Conference Coordinators

"I don't know what any individual should do about crossing her own borders. I only know that I live a happier, more adventurous life, by crossing borders." -- Sherman Alexie.

The lights have dimmed over Kansas City, and Libraries Without Borders has come to a close. Thank you to everyone who attended this year's joint conferenceof the Kansas and Missouri Library Associations! This conference could not have happened without the help of our army of volunteers! Thank you to the conference planning committee: Shelley Akins, Jodie Borgerding, Susan Burton, Beth Caldarello, Ashley Fick, Sarah Gil, Kim gile, Katie Gregory, Polli Kenn, Royce Kitts, Tiffany Mautino, Brian McCann, Elena McVicar, Sandy Moore, Seth Moses, Jennifer Peters, Chris Pryor, Helen Rigdon, April Roy, Katie Schneider, Jennifer Steinford, Mark Swails, Lindsey Warner, and Amber Wright. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help on any of our sub-committee, and thank you to those day-of volunteers that jumped in to help pull everything together. We'd like to give a very special thanks to the crew at Amigos Management Services. Amigos managed a lot of the behind-the-scenes work, and we couldn't have done it without them! Finally, we need to thank you. Without you attending the conference, it could not have been a success. You, along with around 900 other librarians, made this conference one to remember. Let us know what you thought about all of the sessions, social events, special events, and speakers by filling out our evaluation forms...We hope everyone enjoyed their time, and thank you to both organizations for allowing us to coordinate this memorable event. 

 --Your 2015 Conference Co-Coordinators, Dan Brower & Kelly Fann

Thank You Note from MLA President

"...I must also give a loud round of applause to our conference coordinator, Dan Brower and his Kansas counterpart, Kelly Fann. Over 800 Missouri and Kansas library professionals and friends attended the conference in Kansas City. We were treated to an opening reception that used the entire Central Library and featured two jazz bands. For the first time ever, we heard an opening AND a closing keynote talk. The committee waded through over 200 session proposals to produce nearly 100 high quality breakout sessions and numerous table talk and poster sessions. We held our first trivia night and had a lot of fun singing along with the "name the next lyric" round. We held an awards reception rather than a dinner and filled the room with people wishing the winners well. This conference had so many firsts, and they were all capably implemented by our illustrious coordinators. Thank you, Dan, Kelly, and your entire committee for your efforts. You did an outstanding job! None of us can thank Amigos enough for their services. Without them, our conference registration would not run smoothly, our finances would not be so-well cared for, and our lives as officers and volunteers for MLA would not be so easy. This fine group of people keeps us running and I owe them immeasurable thanks..."

 --Christina Prucha, MLA President