Join with other CLC members to build a shared academic digital collection from Overdrive. Discounted annual participation fee is based on FTE.
Michael Wells – 7/2023
Describe yourself using a book title: The Power of a Praying Parent
What’s the best thing about being a librarian? For me, the best thing about being a librarian is the ability to work with a variety of people and to learn (both good and bad) from the experiences. Having worked at a variety of libraries over the years, I have been blessed to work with many great colleagues and customers and have loved learning about their lives and sharing my life with them.
Lauren Denny – 6/2023
Describe yourself using a book title: Christ’s Servant Librarian Dancing on an International Tightrope
What’s the best thing about being a librarian? Connecting people with resources (people, print, electronic, counseling, training, etc.) to help them go beyond what they envisioned for their areas of interest or expertise. Be a sounding board to people see ways they could expand or enhance their ministry/mission.
The Least of These
While working in the public library my understanding of who the “least of these” were grew as I daily interacted with those who are marginalized in society: the homeless, those who are technologically challenged, those who aren’t comfortable speaking English, the recently released from prison, and those whom society seems to have forgotten for whatever reason.
Waiting
In our lives we want to accomplish things as quickly as possible. The same is true with our library systems; we want to receive information sources immediately. As Christians, we pray and receive promises from the Lord, but most of the time, we want those promises right away. Sometimes we find it hard to wait. My wife and I know this firsthand. In January 2021, we traveled to Nigeria. As we were preparing for our return trip to the States, our COVID-19 tests came back positive. We had to wait for 14 days for additional tests, which came back negative. The waiting was hard for us and for our kids, who were in the U.S., waiting for our return.
Introducing ACL-Pro Plenary Workshops
What’s better than gaining knowledge and fellowship through the ACL Conference each year? You guessed it – it’s earning continuing education units while you’re there too!
Each year, ACL provides opportunities for professional development and continuing education in the form of ACL-Pro workshops, which are included as part of your conference registration whether you’re joining us in-person or virtually. ACL-Pro is the arm of the Association of Christian Librarians that offers continuing education units, or CEUs, for qualifying continuing education and training activities.
We’re excited to announce two fascinating ACL-Pro workshops at this year’s conference:
Embedding Librarians & Libraries into the Campus LMS
Panelists: Robert Burgess, Mississippi College; Miriam Liethen, Grace College; Taylor Vanlandingham, John Brown University // Moderator: Kirsten Setzkorn, Cedarville University
Discover how librarians creatively practice embedded librarianship in the context of their campus’ learning management system. Learn from each panelist’s unique experience establishing and growing an embedded program, as well as the greatest benefits and challenges they faced along the way. Discussion will include the many forms embedded librarianship can take. Participants will come away inspired with tangible ideas on how to implement their own embedded program to the benefit of their students and institutions.
Creative Roles: How to Use Student Workers in Unique Ways
Panelists: Leslie Starasta, Lincoln Christian University; Gary Fitsimmons, Bryan College; Jean Waldrop, Harding University; Crystal Whitham, Allegheny Wesleyan College // Moderator: Kari Siders, Cedarville University
Many libraries use or place students in standard roles such as circulation or book processing, yet to fulfill the needs of the library, students can be trained and trusted to accomplish so much more. Students in these libraries were placed in roles that included tasks such as libguide creation, ILLs, social media, archives, cataloging, and more. This workshop will expand your idea of the typical student worker role and encourage you to consider how you can utilize students more fully at your library.
ACL-Pro workshops cover innovative topics in librarianship with a focus on actionable steps that you can implement at your library. Through the practical application of these concepts, you will be better equipped to take your library to the next level.
Participation in these workshops (in person or online) makes you eligible to receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs). To obtain CEUs for attendance at one or both ACL-Pro workshops participants will be asked to complete an evaluation form after the session.
The Cross and the Cup
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord, rather than for men. (Colossians 3:23 NASB)
A trip to Israel makes the Bible come alive. Nowhere else does the sacred and the secular mix together so completely. During my husband’s and my trip to the Holy Land, I witnessed this mix on our walk down the Via Dolorosa. Our tour traced the fourteen Stations of the Cross from the Church of the Flagellation to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional
Rodney Birch – 3/2023
Conference Spotlight: Workshop Presentations
We hope you can join us June 6-8 at Cedarville University in Ohio. If you are unable to attend in person, we hope you’ll join us at the virtual conference on June 26-27.
As the Presentation Coordinator, I am excited about the schedule of workshops. The line-up is wide-ranging and strong. We are pleased to offer 21 in-person workshops and 9 workshops online with Live Q&A sessions.
The conference planning team has chosen presentations covering a variety of library topics, including:
- Faith Integration
- Information Literacy & Teaching
- Leadership & Management
- Outreach
- Public or Technical Services
In-Person Workshops (June 6-8)
Virtual Workshops (June 26-27)
| A | B | C | |
| Workshop #V1 Monday 11:30 AM-12:30 PM |
#socialmediaplan: Serving Patrons via Social Media Robert Oliverio |
Collabs with People and Robots Krissy Nichols, Tina Craft, Shannon Buckler, Deborah McConkey |
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| Workshop #V2 Monday 2-3 PM |
How I F.E.L.L. (Faith, Epilepsy, Librarian, and Leadership): Romans 8:28 Applied Garrett Trott |
Outsourcing Info Lit to OER: in Service to Ourselves and Others Erin McCoy |
Open for Service: Migration to an Open-Source Library Services Platform Rusty Tryon |
| Workshop #V3 Tuesday 11:30 am-12:30 PM |
Library Space as Service: How Do Our Spaces Serve Patrons, and How Do We Know When We’ve Hit the Mark? Rachelle Waldon |
The Heart of Student Success: The ACRL Framework, Writing Frameworks, and First-Year Research Writing Amy Rice & Ruth McGuire |
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| Workshop #V4 Tuesday 1:15-2:15 PM |
Let’s Have a Difficult Conversation! Jeremy Labosier |
Serving Beyond: The Library as Student Heartbeat Monitor for the Rest of the Institution Karina Dunn |
Check out the Speakers page on the conference webpage to meet this year’s workshop presenters and read workshop descriptions.
I hope you are as excited as I am about the 2023 ACL Conference and these great presentations. Be sure to register soon (early bird registration ends March 15th). I look forward to seeing you in June, either at Cedarville University or Online. Together, I hope we’ll reconnect, grow professionally, and be inspired.
Kind regards,
Ruth McGuire
ACL Presentation Coordinator
conferenceprezo@acl.org
Registration is now open!
We are excited to announce that registration for the 2023 ACL Annual Conference is now open! Joshua Michael, the 2023 Host Librarian, and the librarians at Cedarville University are eager to welcome you to a great week of learning and encouragement as we explore this year’s conference theme: Service, the Heart of It All.
Our hope is that as many as possible would attend the in-person conference at Cedarville University in Cedarville, OH, June 6-8, which will include all of the traditional elements of our annual conference. We know that not all can come in person with budgets and time constraints, so we will continue to offer a virtual streamlined option for 2023, but at a different time than our in-person event. Please note the differences below.
June 6-8, 2023
IN-PERSON at Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio
Please join us once again for a time of in-person professional development and rich fellowship at Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio. You’ll enjoy the traditional ACL conference experience with a keynote address, two plenary ACL-Pro Workshops, 21 concurrent workshops presented by librarian colleagues, section meetings, daily devotional time, poster sessions, vendor showcase, and many opportunities to collaborate and network with like-minded librarians. Virtual participation also comes with in-person conference regisration. Explore the full in-person conference agenda here.
REGISTER for Annual ConferenceJune 26 & 27, 2023
ONLINE via Whova
If you are unable to travel to Ohio, please be sure to join us online June 26 and 27. This option is less expensive since there are no travel expenses, but will be a robust program with opportunity for lively interaction and engagement. The two days of online content will be broadcast live according to the schedule. There will be nine workshops presented by librarian colleagues and the added opportunity to participate in live Q & A sessions with the presenters. View virtual posters, interact with library-related sponsors and exhibitors, and participate in the many networking opportunities. Virtual content will be available for all conference participant for 6 months post conference. Explore the online participation agenda here.
REGISTER for Virtual ConferenceProgram Highlights
Keynote Address: Living the Life of a Servant Leader
Scott Livingston
The servant leader is one who is seen as servant first, whose focus is the growth and well-being of the people in the communities to which they belong. However, without proper self-care, even the most well-intentioned leader can become depleted and unable to serve at their fullest potential. Join us for a dynamic and transformative keynote experience as we explore the value and virtue of living the life of a resilient servant leader.
ACL-Pro Plenary Workshop: Embedding Libraries & Librarians into the Campus LMS
Panel: Kirsten Setzkorn, Cedarville University; Robert Burgess, Mississippi College; Taylor Vanlandingham, John Brown University; Miriam Liethen, Grace College & Theological Seminary
In this panel session, discover how librarians from three different institutions creatively practice embedded librarianship in the context of their campus’ learning management system. As more institutions of higher learning adopt LMS platforms and the number of distance learners continues to rise, librarians can capitalize on new opportunities to embed their services and resources into these online learning environments. Learn from each panelist’s unique experience establishing and growing an embedded program, as well as the greatest benefits and challenges they faced along the way. Discussion will include the many forms embedded librarianship can take – from integrating LibGuides into LMS courses, to creating a research course in the LMS, to librarians taking an active role in classes in the LMS context. Participants will come away inspired with tangible ideas on how to implement their own embedded program to the benefit of their students and institutions.
ACL-Pro Plenary Workshop: How to Use Student Workers in Unique Ways
Panel:Kari Siders, Cedarville University; Leslie Starasta, Lincoln Christian University; Gary Fitsimmons, Bryan College; Jean Waldrop, Harding University; Crystal Whitham, Allegheny Wesleyan College
During this ACL Pro-Workshop panelists from four libraries will reveal how they have created unique roles for student workers in their library. Many libraries use or place students in standard roles such as circulation or book processing, yet to fulfill the needs of the library, students can be trained and trusted to accomplish so much more. Students in these libraries were placed in roles that included tasks such as LibGuide creation, ILLs, social media, archives, cataloging, and more. This workshop will expand your idea of the typical student worker role and encourage you to consider how you can utilize students more fully at your library.
We know that budgets are tight! For the greatest cost savings, take advantage of the early bird discount by registering by March 15. No one offers a conference experience like ACL’s in a similar price range so your professional development budget earns more value.
ACL strives to provide conference programming to help you thrive in your profession, so please join us!
Please feel free to contact me with your conference questions. I hope to see you either in person or online in June!
With joy,
April McKinion
Conference Manager and Outreach Coordinator
937-766-2255