The San José State University School of Information organized three Library 2.0 web conferences during 2020, the 10th year of the Library 2.0 Worldwide Virtual Conference series.

Who Should Attend: Library professionals, employers, LIS students, and educators

Library 2.020 Wholehearted Libraries: Soft Skills for 21st Century Information Professionals – Recordings Available

The series of three mini-conferences began on March 10, 2020, with a “wholehearted attitude” as we explored the human side of 21st Century information work. Sessions focused on how we can nurture a positive mindset in our employees, use the power of stories to promote understanding, and extend our reach into our global communities. As Associate Professor Michael Stephens puts it, “Soft skills are heart skills.” The conference sessions were recorded and can be accessed on the Library 2.0 site.

This conference was organized in partnership with iSchool Associate Professor Michael Stephens.

Library 2.020 Small, Rural and Independent Libraries – Recordings Available

In June, we focused on innovations to address challenges often faced by rural, independent, tribal, and other small libraries. A diverse array of topics was discussed, such as:

• Methods to provide Internet access and training to rural patrons;
• New ways that small libraries can offer services that the big urban libraries offer;
• How to take community partnerships to the next level;
• Tools available to foster idea exchange among employees from small and rural libraries;
• Novel ways to fund special programs;
• Unique “Internet of Things” offers that are tailored to specific communities;
• How to deal with emergencies when the sheriff’s department is far away.

The conference sessions were recorded and can be accessed on the Library 2.0 site.

This conference was organized in partnership with Jim Lynch from TechSoup for Libraries and Kate Laughlin from the Association for Rural & Small Libraries.

Library 2.020 Sustainability in Libraries – Recordings Available

The final and third web conference for 2020 was held on October 14, 2020 and focused on sustainable thinking and practices for libraries. Sessions included topics related to:

• how libraries may provide leadership and serve as a model for sustainable practices through facility stewardship, innovative service design, and outreach and partnership practices;
• how libraries work collaboratively through visionary partnerships to facilitate collective impact work to address existing challenges and opportunities with a focus on community well-being and self-reliance;
• how libraries contribute to future community resilience from disaster preparedness and response, and recovery efforts that contribute to creating a culture of respect, understanding, and empathy in the library’s service area.

The conference sessions were recorded and can be accessed on the Library 2.0 site.

This conference was organized in partnership with Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, the executive director of the Mid-Hudson Library System and co-chair of the American Library Association’s Special Task Force on Sustainability.

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