Dear colleagues,
At ALA Annual 2019 in Washington, D.C., the Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT) will host a preconference exploring how libraries of all types can best serve adult learners. We are seeking volunteer panelists for this program. Three sessions will explore different aspects of libraries’ service to this community. If you are interested in presenting, please submit an abstract (of no more than 150 words) indicating in which session you would be interested in participating and explaining what you would plan to present. Please also include the name of the library location where you work. Please submit your abstract by January 25th, 2019 via email to the respective committee member indicated below.
Session #1: Secret Lives of Online Learners. Panel of 2 librarians who support online/distance learners, as well as 2 actual adult learners enrolled in online courses. Please submit abstract to Mark Robison (mark.robison@nd.edu).
Session #2: Designing Instruction That’s Right for Adults. Panel of 3 librarians and/or instructional designers who can speak to specific lesson plans and activities that they have used with adult learners. Will also include a workshop component, where participants can get feedback on real lesson plans or instruction ideas. Please submit abstract to Ted Intarabumrung (tintarabumrung@rcc.mass.edu).
Session #3: TREMENDOUS! 3 Big Ideas for Marketing Library Services to Adults. Panel of 3 librarians (outreach librarians; subject liaisons; etc.) who can talk about engaging adult patrons with successful programming or about marketing strategies. Please submit abstract to Bridget Farrell (Bridget.Farrell@du.edu)
Abstracts will be reviewed by the LIRT Adult Learners Committee. Finalists will be notified by February 15th, 2019.
Further details about the preconference are provided below.
Supporting Lifelong Learning: How Your Library Can Better Serve Adult Learners (LIRT Preconference)
Fri, June 21, 2019 – 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Libraries of all types are seeing increased usage from adult learners. As these numbers continue to rise, cultivating effective information literacy practices in these learners is becoming increasingly critical. In this preconference, you will learn how libraries can best support adult learners.
Over the course of this half-day workshop participants will learn:
- First-hand perspectives of adult learners in digital learning environments as well as strategies librarians can employ to develop these learners’ research skills
- Methods for designing lesson plans and learning activities for adult learners
- Tactics for engaging adult patrons through successful programming and marketing strategies.
This preconference will be of interest to librarians in both public and academic libraries as well as librarians working in any setting with adult learners. The preconference will include speakers from a variety of library settings, sharing their perspective on supporting adult learners. Refreshments will be provided.
This preconference is presented by the LIRT Adult Learners Committee.
