All children deserve access to library programs and services that will help them reach their potential. In this workshop participants will learn from 30 year veteran Wendy Kirschner how to structure storytimes and other programs for children with special needs. Topics include technologies to assist children with physical disabilities, practical activities for students on the autism spectrum, and tips for librarians on collaborating with experts to better serve these patrons in our libraries.

This workshop is part of the Media Smart Libraries program which was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services Grant # LG-07-14-0045-14 and awarded to the URI Graduate School of Library and Information Studies. Attendance at this workshop could be applied to the Access & Use, Analyze & Evaluate, Create & Collaborate, Reflect, or Take Action digital badge.

Registration required.

Intended Audience: Children's Librarians, School Librarians

Quite often in our field it seems as though you are working a desk one minute and the next you are running it. While this is great for our personal development, professionally it can sometimes feel overwhelming. The Multi-type Reference Group will host a panel discussion of librarians who have made it past the terrifying part of management 101 and are now enjoying the benefits of being able to help guide their library's path to success!

Registration required.

Intended Audience: Library Staff

Looking for fresh ideas for programming that helps bridge the gap between preschool and kindergarten? From Every Child Ready to Read to 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, we'll discuss programs and ideas for helping kids develop skills needed for success in school.

Please come prepared to share at least one idea and bring along any flyers or PR materials that helped make your program a success.

Feel free to bring your lunch to enjoy during our discussion!

Registration required.

Intended Audience: Children's Librarians

Do you have young adults who are constantly "problem patrons"? We will be hearing from an expert on how to best identify behavioral and mental health issues and ways to best deal with these teens who are disruptive but deserve to have a positive library experience.

Registration required.

Intended Audience: Youth Service Librarians

You have toddler dance parties and pre-k storytimes. And maybe you have a tween afterschool group and a teen library lock-in. But what about the kids who have aged out of storytime but are a few years away from middle school? We’ll discuss fresh ideas for serving kids ages 6-10 and will share our favorite programs for this age group.

Please come prepared to share at least one idea and bring along any flyers or PR materials that helped make your program a success.

Feel free to bring your lunch to enjoy during our discussion!

Registration required.

Intended Audience: Children's Librarians

We'll be discussing the newest in YA fiction. By May 11th, please submit titles you'd like to discuss to Brandi Fong (use subject line New Fiction) so they can be included on the reading list, which will be posted on the YART Reading and Resource page. Read as many of the books as you like and come prepared to share your own personal critique.

Registration required.

Intended Audience: Youth Service Librarians

Reach out to those in your community who may have physical disabilities, visual impairments or other challenges. Join OLIS Talking Books Plus staff as well as other presenters to discuss how to make sure your programs are inclusive and meet the needs of a broader audience.

Registration required.

Intended Audience: Library staff

This group discussion focuses on what has gone well in the past year and what we would like to discuss in the coming year. Please come with ideas for the 2017/2018 year.

Registration required.

Intended Audience: Youth Service Librarians