OLA Conference 2018

Did you know that each county in Oregon is statutorily required to “operate a free law library…or provide free law library services at one or more locations that are convenient and available at reasonable hours?” However, what those libraries look like and the depth of resources they offer vary dramatically among the state’s 36 counties.

This session will showcase specific ways that small and rural counties are striving to provide public law library services via county law libraries, public libraries, and/or partnerships with other agencies. A panel of speakers will share their efforts to help further “access to justice” goals – that is, the endeavor to promote accessibility and ensure fairness within the justice system. Attendees will learn about “Lawyer in the Law Library” events in Columbia County, the Access to Justice Committee in Deschutes County, the Law Library Advisory Committee and legal education programs in Klamath County, and the public library-county law library working relationship in Josephine County. Supplemental materials will provide additional examples of outreach, marketing, and training strategies that promote community access to legal information. Allowing for sufficient Q&A time, attendees will leave enlightened and inspired to investigate how their county can enhance legal information services to the public.

Learn how to use Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) to STEAM up your library programs, intrigue your patrons, market your collection and provide your patrons with access to the technology resources of the future. VR and AR can enhance programming for all ages, let your patrons experience a whole new world of learning, and even help them locate the materials they need. Learn how to make story time pop, when kids create their own interactive 3D virtual dragon. Create new ways for patrons to browse or wayfind using AR signage and information. Let your patrons explore, create, and learn in a virtual world with AR apps, HTC Vive and other VR systems. This session will cover what is possible now and how this new technology could transform libraries in the future.

You know ‘community engagement’ is important, but what do those outdated, old-fashioned service organizations have to do with that? Hear what several library directors have learned from serving in their local Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs. Learn why they encourage involvement in community service organizations for other library staff in addition to library directors.