Conference Takeaways: Computers in Libraries (CIL) 2017

Conference: The 32nd annual Computers in Libraries (CIL) conference, “Upping Our Game: Taking Libraries to New Heights with Technology” in Arlington, VA

Attendee: Jen Bort, Research & Development Librarian, Central NY Library Resources Council (CLRC)

The Sessions

On Day 1, after the inspiring keynote by Gina Millsap, I attended a few sessions on user experience (UX) and web redesign. Customer Journey Mapping (Darlene Fichter and Jeff Wisniewski) was about mapping each step of the process as patrons use a library’s website. It’s about tracking the ease (or lack thereof) of the process and users’ emotions as they go through the steps. This is as opposed to the more task-based testing that’s done through usability tests.

In UX Research Leads to Richer Websites,Iain Lowe brought up the idea that library sites should feel like the rest of the web. He touts contextual inquiry, focus groups, open feedback and tools such as Chalkmark as ways to conduct different types of usability tests to get a better picture of how people are actually using (and want to be using) a library’s site.

Metropolitan State librarian Nathan Carlson used Optimal Workshop’s card sorting tool during their website redesign to see where staff and users would place different categories and subcategories. He also capitalized on in-library student users who had their own mobile devices to complete mobile site testing. Carlson also mentioned that it’s important to “Think Outside Your Domain” — when Metropolitan wanted to make sure their library was showing up when users searched for it on Google, they created a Wikipedia page for their library along with a Google Business Page. This helps them to be where their users are online.

In the Web Redesign session (Roy Degler, Emily Mitchell, and Dana Haugh), standouts included the following tips:

• Consider an agile design approach (make small changes incrementally; this can help users adjust to what might otherwise seem like an abrupt change)
• Create and embrace documentation (think about the true goals of your site; your audience; standards that must be met; procedures that must be followed; and document all of this)
• Inform your redesign with surveys, first-click tests, card sorting, think-aloud tests, and reference desk data
• Frame the discussion in a way that will help you gain buy-in (e.g., you might consider saying, “I’d like to make this page easier to read” rather than “I’m going to remove some content”)

In the session Directors Speak Out, Jessamyn C. West moderated a discussion about surprises, issues, and war stories from library directors from very different small libraries. A common thread was that small libraries are great testing grounds; the challenge of promoting and facilitating inclusivity vs. local needs is also shared. One director recalls a patron commenting on the “Race in America” theme of a reading program. The patron said, “We’re 97% white in this community, why do we need to read about race in America?” The director’s response: “We’re 97% white.”

In Finding Funds for Libraries: Visualizing, Kate Tkacik from the Funding Information Network spoke about the importance of professionalizing grant-seeking, especially as government funding has become less certain. Check out Libraries.FoundationCenter.org for a map that shows how much funding has been given to libraries in the U.S. and explore new/underexplored funding opportunities in your region. Keep an eye out for an e-Learning course that should launch soon, too.

Highlights & Tips from Other Notable Sessions

• Funding Opps for Digital Library Initiatives: When applying for funding opportunities, assemble a dream team of consultants, scholars, and community liaisons. Think about all stakeholders. Talk to program officers, don’t just pitch them (they have a good sense of what’s happening across the board and are there to help). Last but not least, be sure to map out how your mission aligns with the organizations providing the funding.
• Marketing Plans for Success: Too often marketing is brought in at the end of the process of creating a new program, organizing an event, etc.; instead, it needs to be integrated from the very beginning.
• Rocking the Small Screen: Video and Libraries: Armed with the statistic that 78% of Internet users watch videos, David Lee King talked about how libraries can get involved. Think trainer and explainer videos, promotional videos, storytime videos, series videos, live videos, and more. Remember that you have the first 15 seconds to hook the viewer.

Lessons Learned

The audience seemed so knowledgeable in the various sessions I attended that I just knew we had much to learn from each other in addition to what the speakers were sharing. Next time I attend CIL, I’ll consider attending one of the pre-conference workshops to try to gain more session interaction time.

After Hours & Networking

The trees were in bloom in Arlington and on the first night of the conference I ventured out for some fresh air and one of the CIL-organized “dine-around” dinners, at which I met several public and academic librarians from across the country.

A couple of chance encounters and a mutual enthusiasm for documentation led to tapas, drinks, a find-the-nearest-library expedition (it was an underground Arlington city branch pop-up), and conversations about library antics, tea, music and Pokemon at the airport (thanks to a shared, and as we discovered, delayed flight) with new librarian friends. These connections speak to that intangible yet invaluable part of attending a conference, especially on one’s own.

You can view and download presentations from CIL 2017 here: http://computersinlibraries.infotoday.com/2017/Presentations.aspx

Interested in attending a conference or event and in need of funding? Learn about CLRC’s Professional Development Awards here. Did you recently attend a conference/professional development opportunity and would like to share your experience? Contact Jen Bort, CLRC Research and Development Librarian.