NCAAL

Balancing personal responsibilities with an ever-growing list of professional responsibilities is likely perplexing for many academic librarians. For urban, tenure-track academic librarians, achieving a suitable work life balance may be the key to meeting their scholarly obligations and reaching a greater level of career success. This presentaton will highlight the major findings of a study on work-life balance, share successful strategies for practicing librarians, discuss some of the specific challenges for minority populations, and offer workshop participants an opportunity to share their own strategies for executing workplace flexibility through benefits and policies.

Librarian-author Roland Barksdale-Hall, recipient of the 2015 BCALA National Leadership Award and the county's public housing authority library director, wrote "Leadership Under Fire Communicating, Teaching and Setting Communities at Liberty"(Amber Books, 2016) because of gunfire, policing and the pain of our youth. Today's youth ran up and asked. "What are you going to do?" He struggled with what to do and changed in the process. He chose to act under fire, inspire hope and will tell the story of a library modernization,collaboration and community engagement.  Quinby Street Resource Center identifies needs, develops innovative intergenerational programming and offers the following information services:

·         Employment—find a better job, plan an exciting career

·         Career planning—help in applying to college or technical schools

·         Computer training—assistance in using computers, writing letters

·         Community programming & cultural celebrations—storytelling, tours, courses about nutrition to workshops about tracing your roots.

This session will explore the role of the school library and its responsibility in supporting students and families through creative collaborations, partnerships and services. The literacy and information needs of students and families extend beyond the school day and often require intervention and support from schools, governments and community agencies. Opportunities for strengthening student learning, family literacy and social engagement will be explored through successful models and initiatives. Group discussions and interactions will provide opportunities for sharing best practices and program innovations.

The academic library landscape has changed. Hear how four HBCU libraries are approaching the change with innovation and creativity using 3D printing. Learn about getting started, funding, identifying space, establishing policies and building a S.T.E.M./STEAM learning entrepreneurship program for your library. Presenters will discuss how 3D printing is connecting the library to teaching and learning with selected academic disciplines.

The use of African American picture books to assist with motivating ways to foster creativity, critically thinking skills and peer collaboration.  These books will also lend themselves to hands on activities, and collaboration with interactivity between students.  A substantial list of African American picture book titles, authors and award winners will be provided, along with a brief description of the academic area it targets best.

President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2015 as a bill that provides support for STEM education for K-12 in the U.S. In the near future there will be a need to fill jobs in all areas of STEM. Will our youth be prepared? This session will discuss how a public library engages youth with science, technology, engineering, math and even art (STEAM).

Budget and Program development for the grant awardees are often complicated and convoluted. Our workshop will demonstrate best practices, as it relates to post award activities such as developing grant timelines, budget modifications and justifications. How to properly understand your Time and Effort reporting, annual performance report and close-out activities?

Authors Tonya Bolden, Zetta Elliott and Renee Watson use words and actions to reach young people. By developing concepts that reveal the political and social nature of institutions their writings engage young people's minds and spirits, urging them to become literate and active community members. Yet, why is it so difficult for them and other marginalized authors to be published? This panel will discuss why decolonization of children's literature is so critical and their work to promote and protect our history. Their projects include promoting self-publishing, restoring Langston Hughes home and writing about the National African American Museum.