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SWAN invites members and non-members alike to join us for our SWANx annual conference. This all day event features a variety of speakers, sessions, and library vendors. A wonderful opportunity to network with library colleagues. We hope to see you there!
Pay by credit card, PayPal, or select to have your library sent an invoice. You will make your lunch selection during the registration. Look for an email after registration to help us see the sessions you are interested in (it will help us gauge proper room size, etc.).
We are offering the option to register and have an invoice sent to your library. This invoice will be sent by SWAN to the library for all library staff registered. Library staff who register but do not attend will still result in your library being invoiced.
| Time | Room A (160 Seats) | Room B (160 Seats) | Room C (160 Seats) | 2nd Flr Room 1 (32 Seats) | 2nd Flr Room 2 (64 Seats) | 2nd Flr Room 3 (32 Seats) | 2nd Flr Room 4 (64 Seats) |
| 8:30-9:15 | Check-in & Breakfast | ||||||
| 9:15-9:45 | Opening Session: The State of SWAN | ||||||
| 9:45-10:45 | Keynote Speaker: What They Hear is What They'll Fund | ||||||
| 1:00-11:45 | All "Things" Welcome: Library of Things | Confronting the Opioid Crisis in the Stacks: Narcan in Libraries | Confronting and Overcoming the 8 Reasons Libraries Lose | RFID, Libraries, & SWAN: Understanding the Basics of this Technology in a Consortium | Library Libations: Special Events and Liquor Licensing | School Districts & Public Libraries: Two Great Things that Go Together! | Readers Advisory Rethink: Flip the Script and Think Like A Reader |
| 12:00-12:45 | Lunch & Sponsor Tables | ||||||
| 1:00-1:45 | Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund: IMRF Update | Top 10 Things a New Manager Needs to Know | YOUmedia: Transforming Teen Spaces Big & Small | Haunted Library Tour: Youth Programming | Let's Talk About the F-Word... Facilities! | Organization of the Month: Public Library Partnership Program | What is BLUEcloud? (SWAN presentation) |
| 2:00-2:45 | Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund: IMRF Update (Repeat) | Top 10 Things a New Manager Needs to Know (Repeat) | YOUmedia: Transforming Teen Spaces Big & Small (Repeat) | Using iPads in Youth Services | Microsoft Licensing and Your Library | Let's Talk About Holds (SWAN presentation) | |
| 3:00-3:30 | Closing Session & Giveaways | ||||||
SWAN Executive Director Aaron Skog will review the new products and initiatives launched in the past year, and share the plans for the next year.
Libraries help build more interesting, thriving, and prosperous communities. But local decision makers and elected officials may not give you "credit" for the work you do. Join EveryLibrary executive director John Chrastka for a session on how to reframe the messaging about the work you do every day. He'll also share about 11 new and emerging trends for library services he's seen from around the country.
EveryLibrary’s founder is John Chrastka, a long-time library trustee, supporter, and advocate. Mr. Chrastka is a former partner in AssociaDirect, a Chicago-based consultancy focused on supporting associations in membership recruitment, conference, and governance activities. He is a former president and member of the Board of Trustees for the Berwyn Public Library (2006 – 2015) and is a former board president of the Reaching Across Illinois Libraries System (RAILS). Prior to his work at AssociaDirect, he was Director for Membership Development at the American Library Association (ALA). He is a member of ALA as well as the Illinois Library Association (ILA), and the American Political Sciences Association (APSA). He as named a 2014 Mover & Shaker by Library Journal and tweets @mrchrastka.
Presented by Sandra Leyva, Patron and Technical Services Manager, Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library District
Kathleen Alberts, Technical Services Assistant, Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library District
Sharon Hrycewicz, Children's Reference and Technology Coordinator, Downers Grove Public Library
Help your patrons learn, play and grow! Why buy gaming consoles, sewing machines, and fishing rods when they can borrow? Join Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library District staff and Downers Grove Public Library staff for tips and tricks on adding, processing, and circulating unusual items.
Presented by DuPage County Health Department & Amy Franco, Adult Department Assistant Director, Glen Ellyn Public Library
Did you know Narcan, the opioid overdose treatment medication, is available for free to each public library location? Join us to learn about how we created awareness of this resource to staff, trained them on how to use it, and talked with community stakeholders on the importance of having it in libraries. Presented by the Glen Ellyn Public Library & the DuPage County Health Department.
Presented by John Chrastka, EveryLibrary
As the only national political action committee for libraries, EveryLibrary has helped libraries win in both "red" and "blue" counties and has failed in towns that should have been easier to win. In this session, EveryLibrary executive director John Chrastka will share key insights about the political, policy, and personality challenges that make it hard for libraries to win new funding and provide actionable tips for overcoming internal and external challenges.
Presented by Ian Nosek, System Administrator, SWAN
Amy Prechel, Downers Grove Public Library
Brian Dunk, St. Charles Public Library
Rebecca Bartlett, La Grange Public Library
Representative panelists from the SWAN RFID Users Group will provide a brief overview of their current RFID installations, shed light on common misconceptions, and answer your questions about potential RFID solutions for your library.
Presented by Amy Franco, Adult Department Assistant Director, Glen Ellyn Public Library
Sarah Kleiva, Outreach Librarian, Glen Ellyn Public Library
Have you ever wanted to host a book club at a bar or whiskey tasting at your library? Unsure about liquor licensing and insurance? This session will show you how to successfully apply for an Illinois class E liquor license! Learn tips and techniques for hosting special events, and considerations for negotiating with caterers, vendors, and contractors.
Presented by Sue Feddersen, Material Services Coordinator, Bensenville Public Library
David Sieffert, Library Director, Bensenville Public Library
Erin Linsenmeyer, Children's Librarian, Downers Grove Public Library
Anne Bensfield, Youth Technology Integration Consultant
Helen Pinder, Resource Sharing Consultant, SWAN
Join this panel in discussing how we work with local schools and school districts to provide resources and services to our shared consistency. David and Sue from Bensenville Public Library will share their collaboration story with Bensenville School District #2. Erin will share her initiatives in school outreach programs and services. And Anne will share how she worked with the Oak Park Public Library and School District 97 to incorporate library cards into the online school registration process enabling student access to digital resources.
Presented by Becky Spratford, Readers’ Advisory Specialist, Illinois Library Luminary
Readers Advisory belongs in every library, no matter its budget. Using her “Ten Rules of Basic RA Service,” Becky Spratford of Illinois Library Luminary will show you how to use your love of books to help any patron find their next great read. Quit worrying about finding the perfect book for your patrons and recover the joy of sharing books with readers instead!
Presented by Paul Parise, Member Services Representative, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund
Back by popular demand, our IMRF representative will cover the all essential information regarding your pension plan, future planning, and answer any questions that you might have.
Presented by Kelly Hayden, Chief Legal Counsel, HR Source
You’ve been recently promoted or perhaps you’ve been a manager for a while. You know your job and you’re good at it, but do you know about employment laws that affect the decisions you make and the way you make them? Employment laws are complicated and learning the ins and outs can be time consuming. And even though you have a LOT to do, ignorance is not bliss when it comes to employment law. But don’t let that keep you up at night. At this session, participants will learn some of the most important things to know about employment law as a manager as well as some recent developments. You might not go back to your job ready to practice law, but you’ll feel more confident in your decision making and know when to ask for help.
Presented by Yvette Garcia, YOUmedia Manager, Harold Washington Library, Chicago Public Library
Daniel Thorson, YOUmedia Assistant Manager, Harold Washington Library, Chicago Public Library
YOUmedia at Chicago Public Library celebrates its 10 year anniversary this summer and will soon open its 20th location in Chicago! Join us as we discuss how YOUmedia and the philosophy of HOMAGO has been scaled to meet community needs and fit within the many different types of library spaces across Chicago and the nation. Discover ways to foster HOMAGO, connected learning and digital skill building in any space and learn what’s new in YOUmedia, from pop-up Virtual Reality programming to DIY recording studios.
Presented by Natalie Djordjevic, Youth Programming Librarian, Green Hills Public Library District
The Green Hills Public Library will discuss their most celebrated program, Haunted Library Tour! GHPL staff will walk you through the process of creating and executing an unforgettable after-hours event your patrons will be dying to attend! Topics include planning, budget, props & design, staff training, and overall experience.
Presented by Ian Knorr, Building Operations Director, Downers Grove Public Library
Have facility concerns but don’t know where to start? DGPL facilities manager, Ian Knorr, is here to help! Topics include rebate & partnership programs, service contracts, building inspections, hiring qualified staff, and safety in the library.
Presented by Aaron Skog, Executive Director, SWAN
Dawne Tortorella, Assistant Director, SWAN
Tara Wood, User Experience Manager, SWAN
SirsiDynix' BLUEcloud platform is named based on their goal of creating the Best Library User Experience (BLUE) for library staff. With everything named "BLUEcloud" it can be confusing knowing how these products overlap, what their primary functions are, and how SWAN libraries are using portions of the BLUEcloud suite now. We will also highlight some of the work underway by SWAN research partner libraries to assess readiness of BLUEcloud Acquisition, BLUEcloud Cataloging, and BLUEcloud Circulation.
Presented by Cindy Khatri, Public Relations Manager, Downers Grove Public Library
Organization of the Month is a new program launched by Downers Grove Public Library in 2019. DGPL staff will show how any library can put in place this low-effort, high-impact program that connects patrons with local services and volunteer opportunities.
Presented by Paul Parise, Member Services Representative, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund
Back by popular demand, our IMRF representative will cover the all essential information regarding your pension plan, future planning, and answer any questions that you might have.
Presented by Kelly Hayden, Chief Legal Counsel, HR Source
You’ve been recently promoted or perhaps you’ve been a manager for a while. You know your job and you’re good at it, but do you know about employment laws that affect the decisions you make and the way you make them? Employment laws are complicated and learning the ins and outs can be time consuming. And even though you have a LOT to do, ignorance is not bliss when it comes to employment law. But don’t let that keep you up at night. At this session, participants will learn some of the most important things to know about employment law as a manager as well as some recent developments. You might not go back to your job ready to practice law, but you’ll feel more confident in your decision making and know when to ask for help.
Presented by Yvette Garcia, YOUmedia Manager, Harold Washington Library, Chicago Public Library
Daniel Thorson, YOUmedia Assistant Manager, Harold Washington Library, Chicago Public Library
YOUmedia at Chicago Public Library celebrates its 10 year anniversary this summer and will soon open its 20th location in Chicago! Join us as we discuss how YOUmedia and the philosophy of HOMAGO has been scaled to meet community needs and fit within the many different types of library spaces across Chicago and the nation. Discover ways to foster HOMAGO, connected learning and digital skill building in any space and learn what’s new in YOUmedia, from pop-up Virtual Reality programming to DIY recording studios.
Presented by Madeleine Belk, Youth Services Librarian, Tinley Park Public Library
Looking for a new way to engage patrons young and old alike? There’s an app for that! The Tinley Park Public Library will discuss the ingenuity of using iPads for a variety of patron and programming needs. Topics include creative programming, safety and security, and how to integrate apps into everyday library use.
Presented by Bailey Stickney, Giga-Green Technologies
Microsoft licensing is a point of confusion from library administrators to even the most seasoned veterans of Microsoft software. Representing Microsoft, Giga-Green will introduce SWAN libraries to special Microsoft Academic programs that are available to all libraries, dive into licensing options (including no-cost solutions), expand hidden costs (maintenance, one-time fees), and ultimately send libraries home with a basic plan for understanding their own Microsoft partnerships.
Presented by Dawne Tortorella, Assistant Director, SWAN
This will be a deep dive into how holds work within the SWAN consortium as configured in the Symphony integrated library system. Dawne Tortorella will review the way SWAN has configured the settings within Symphony and explain the impact of these settings. Some planned changes to holds processing within SWAN will be outlined, with some questions and answers at the end of the session.
