2013 RFS Conference Sessions


CONFERENCE KICKOFF! Thursday, September 19th, 2013:


  • Afternoon: Join us to learn all about library safety! With this practical, and interactive evening instruction in self-defense by Rick Fiems 4-6 followed by wine, cheese, and conversation with your library peers from 6-7 at the Northfield Inn!!

    Doors open at 3:30.


  • Evening: Thursday Night Wine and Cheese, 6:00 - 7:00 pm

    • Friday, September 20, 2013:

  • Keynote

  • Featured Speaker

    • The Art of the Up-Sell: Personal Selling Techniques for Library Marketing
    • Joanna Kluever and Wayne Finley
    • When it comes to marketing, academic and public librarians, alike, often place a heavy emphasis on advertising and promotion. Not only are these elements of the promotional mix relatively expensive, they are also easily lost on patrons who are constantly inundated with marketing and media every day. What many librarians don't realize, however, is that one of the cheapest forms of promotion, personal selling, is also one of the most effective. By thinking like salespersons and using personal selling techniques, librarians can better demonstrate the benefits of libraries for users, increase circulation and programming attendance, and build stronger library-user relationships in the process - and it's free. This workshop will explain personal selling techniques including up-selling, cross-selling, and cold calling, and teach librarians how to apply them to everyday patron encounters. In addition, attendees will hear actual examples of personal selling techniques at work in libraries, and through role playing exercises, will practice sales techniques in a hands-on and entertaining workshop.

      • Wayne Finley, Business Librarian/Assistant Professor at Northern Illinois University Libraries (DeKalb, IL), earned his MLIS from the University of Illinois and his MBA from Western Illinois University. Wayne's research and public service interests include the application of marketing and management theory, such as strategic planning and personal selling, in public library settings. Prior to working at Northern Illinois University, he was the Assistant Director of a public library district in northern Illinois. Wayne's most recent writing on library marketing was featured in the book Marketing Your Library: Tips and Tools That Work. Joanna Kluever, Director of Julia Hull District Library (Stillman Valley, IL) earned her MLIS from University of Illinois and her MA from Western Illinois University. In her current position she has expanded library programming for specific user groups, increased patron attendance, and helped re-define the library's role in the community by re-writing its strategic plan. Her most recent publication includes a chapter from The Frugal Librarian: Thriving In Tough Economic Times entitled "Creating & Sustaining Community-Focused Programs."

  • Breakout Sessions

    • "It's an Issue of Respect"
    • Julie Benedict,Training & Development Specialist, Eastern Illinois University
    • A positive workplace begins with each of us. When we treat one another or the customer we serve with disrespect, the result is a stressful, hurtful and, possibly, illegal workplace. We'll explore ideas and learn skills that will help us provide a more positive and safer workplace.

      • Julie,provides professional and personal development for Eastern Illinois University's staff and faculty. She has worked at EIU for 16 years and received her Bachelors of Science degree in Organizational Development. Julie provides programs for leadership, communication, healthy lifestyles, caregiver's, and many more. Julie's efforts have improved the work environment at EIU and her common sense approach to how we treat one another will prove helpful.
    • "Late Night Finals Study Sessions"
    • Dawn Bussey, Director, Glenn Ellyn Public Library
    • The teenager... considered to be the most elusive of all library programming participants. Unbeknownst to many librarians, there are simple ways to attract teenagers from their natural habitat into the library. Drawing examples from her library's "Late Night Study Sessions" for high school students, Dawn Bussy shows you how providing space and something to eat can bring high school teens to the public library.
    • "Staff Safety"
    • Rick Fiems, Professor Emeritus, Black Hawk College
    • In March of this year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security funded a shooter simulation on the Alamance Community College Campus in North Carolina. Safety has become a concern not only on college campuses across the U.S., but for everyone. Have budget cuts and/or lean budgets caused staff to work alone late hours, to check a seemingly empty library & close late at night? Are there people who frequent your library that make you uncomfortable? What do you look for? What do you do if there is a threat at YOUR library? What do you do when help arrives? Rick Fiems former Chief of Police at Black Hawk College has faced an active shooter and facilitated a shooter simulation. He has some tips for you.

    • "New Technology in Libraries: Tips and Tools to Transform Library Services"
    • Rebecca Hodson, Reference Assistant, Kishwaukee College
    • Build your own virtual "library-tech toolkit" as you learn about some of the most interesting and effective uses of new technology in libraries today. With a focus on Web 2.0 technologies and user-centered services, this session gives a broad survey of different programs and services utilizing new technology. Beginners, technology wizards and everyone in between are encouraged to attend.

      • Rebecca Hodson has always been fascinated by people, culture and everything that goes on in the world. Naturally, she decided to become a librarian. After a cultural exchange to Ecuador in 2008, living and volunteering in rural communities and attending classes, she brought her knowledge of the Spanish language back with her and received her BA in History from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2009. She then pursued her MSLIS from UIUC via the online education program known as LEEP. Graduating in May 2013, Rebecca is launching her career as a technology-savvy bilingual librarian.
    • "Stress Release Tools"
    • Teresa McGrath, Holistic Life Coach
    • Our emotional well-being can have a great impact on our work environment and effect the way in which we treat both our co-workers and our patrons. If you have a situation or person that causes you to be stressed or upset, have beliefs that prevent you from reaching your goals, or would like to feel more at ease, confident, and joyful, this session is for you. You'll be taught ways to release your negative emotions, overcome personal stumbling blocks, and how to live your best life.

      • Teresa McGrath is a Holistic Life Coach certified in several techniques to release limiting beliefs and subconscious blocks in the way of healing a stress, attaining a goal, or healing physical dis-ease. She incorporates many healing modalities and decades of experience. After years of searching to find the best tools to heal her own stresses and challenges, she can now do the same for you. Then, you can move on to living your highest and best life. Teresa put herself through the University of Illinois and graduated with Honors in Organizational Behavior. She spent 10 years working for AT&T, most of them in Human Resources, responsible for Career Counseling, Interdepartmental Negotiations, Balancing Work and Family Projects, and more. Since then, she has continued her education and practice in Life Coaching and has raised two children that are now thriving and following their passions. She has a private practice in Woodridge, IL where she assists clients over the phone, skype, or in person. She can be reached at: tmlifecoach@aol.com
    • "Intellectual Freedom: What it is, Why it's Important"
    • Sally Decker Smith, Independent Library Consultant
    • Front-line staff in any library bears the greatest responsibility for protecting their users' intellectual freedom. But these same staff members often get little or no training on the subject and may not know what to do when intellectual freedom is challenged. This session will provide an overview of intellectual freedom (what it is and why it's important to libraries and patrons alike) and will offer suggestions for further exploration and action.
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