Register today for ACRL DVC Spring Programs!

The Delaware Valley Chapter of ACRL invites you to participate in our Spring 2022 Program Series, collectively titled “The Essential Work: Centering Our Values, Health, and Humanity”. This program series and our guiding questions were inspired by the ongoing uncertainty around and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past 22 months we have been asked to reinvent our work, (re)define what is “essential,” and negotiate the tension between our values and our responsibilities. This spring we invite you to join us as we explore our guiding questions.

The Essential Work: Centering Our Values, Health, and Humanity – Part I: Presentations – Friday April 22, 2022 from 10am-12pm ET | Registration Link

Shared learning is a fundamental part of our mission, and we have so much to learn from one another as we reflect on the past two years.  To support that continued learning, this first event in our series will feature “sparkler talk” (15min) presentations from a selection of our community members on topics relevant to our guiding questions. Following the presentations, there will be a short panel discussion and Q&A.

“Retooling Technical Services: Life After the Great Resignation”

Melissa Brooks, Head of Technical Services and Associate Professor at the University of Southern Mississippi 

“Treating Illness with Trust: How COVID-19  Changed Attitudes Toward Illness at Trexler Library”
Sarah Pelczynski-Kunda, Public Services Assistant at Muhlenberg College Trexler Library 

“Are Librarians Essential Workers?”

Allyson Wind, Electronic Resources Librarian, East Stroudsburg University

“The Essential Work: Centering Our Values, Health, and Humanity” – Part II: Keynote by Nisha Mody – Friday May 20, 2022 from 2-4pm ET | Registration Link

This virtual keynote address, from Feminist Healing Coach, Writer, and Library Advocate. Nisha Mody, will be on how we can become more trauma-informed in libraries by shifting toward a relational approach rather than a transactional one. She will address the questions: What forces subconsciously take us away from being relational? How can we be more relational leaders and colleagues as well as with patrons and ourselves? How does being relational reframe urgency along with other characteristics of white supremacy culture? 

“The Essential Work: Centering Our Values, Health, and Humanity” – Part III: Healing in Nature – Date in June TBD

While some parts of our work can be negotiated, the importance of our individual health cannot be questioned. Plan to join us this June as we learn to find strength and healing in nature. Date and Details coming soon.

We hope to see you there! Please direct questions to programs@acrldvc.org. For more, please visit our Events page: https://acrldvc.org/events/