Thursday Opening Keynote
Outreach in a Time of Uprising
Julie Jergens
While outreach is a long-standing library service, its use and value is often misunderstood, and it is often one of the first things to go when budgets are tight and staffing is at a premium. While doing this can make sure the desk is always covered, by eliminating outreach you effectively eliminate access for those in your community who are most at risk. By briefly examining the history of library outreach and sharing stories of successful outreach practices, community engagement, and partnerships, you’ll be inspired to get outside of the library and into your community. After all, the desk will still be there when you get back.
Julie has eighteen years of experience working with children and their families. She began her career as an early childhood educator before getting an MLIS from Dominican University (River Forest, IL) in 2008. She has worked in most aspects of youth services in libraries, including as a teen librarian and early literacy coordinator, and has spent the last five years as the primary outreach staffer for nineteen K-8 schools, while also providing outreach support to high schools and community partners. She has presented on various topics at local, regional, and national conferences, including using music in storytime, how comedy can improve your library work, booktalking, outreach, and advocacy. You can learn more at himissjulie.com or by following her on twitter @himissjulie.