“ALA’s Excellence in Library Programming Award Presents: Creating a Civic Engagement Series about Race”
Sept. 6, 2016
2 p.m.

Learn about the popular and award-winning Voices of Race series, winner of the 2016 ALA Excellence in Library Programming Award. In 2015 a coalition of Illinois libraries, schools and community organizations hosted more than 70 events as part of Voices of Race, a program series grounded in building knowledge of and appreciation for the diversity represented in Niles Township. More than 8,000 people participated in the activities of Voices of Race; many more attended a related traveling exhibition, Race: Are We So Different? In this webinar, program leaders from the Skokie (Ill.) Public Library and Lincolnwood (Ill.) Public Library will discuss how the series came to be and what they learned about libraries supporting public dialogue around race and racism. They will also discuss how they worked with organizations and partners in the community to provide well-rounded enriching experiences for participants.



“Pokemon! How Two Libraries Scored Major Points with a Game Craze”
Sept. 14, 2016
2 p.m.

Wondering how you can use your library’s status as a Pokéstop or gym to your advantage? Two librarians share how they’re using the excitement around “Pokémon Go” to revitalize programming and introduce new patrons to the library. For 10 years, the Prince George Public Library (PGPL) in British Columbia, Canada, has hosted downtown walking tours highlighting historic buildings and landmarks. The recent “Pokémon Go” phenomenon has led to an increase in downtown foot traffic, drawing Pokémon players to these historic sites, many of which are Pokéstops. Seeing an opportunity for outreach, PGPL began guided “’Pokémon Go’ Walking Tours,” in which players can learn about the history of Prince George while battling for gyms, collecting Pokémon and hatching their eggs. This presentation will share how PGPL was able to work this unique mobile app into a thriving, educational program.

Through simple social media posts, traditional paper marketing and some of the silliest conversations of their careers, the staff of the Pryor (Okla.) Public Library used “Pokémon Go” to reach new library users and increase their “street cred” among current users. Learn how your library can use the game’s augmented reality feature to engage patrons on social media, place lures to draw patrons and Pokémon to the library, and create fun in-house marketing to let your patrons know that your library knows what’s up.