Birds of a Feather Sessions

BoaF sessions give participants the opportunity to exchange ideas in a group discussion setting. Topics range from making the most of KLAS features to exploring broader service-related ideas. These sessions are not formal presentations with slides or software demonstrations. Instead, the format is casual and open. Moderators launch the discussion and keep the conversation on topic but do not have workstation access. Participants are asked to come prepared to share and learn.

Registration is not required, but is recommended. Space is not limited by room size.

Birds of a Feather Session Descriptions:

• KLAS Administrators Meeting
• Outreach & Marketing — These days, outreach and marketing can be done on multimedia levels instead of just "in-person" interaction. Tips and tricks for culling information from the KLAS database, and idea sharing for what to do with the information once you have it will be openly discussed in this Birds of a Feather session.
• Best Practices in Patron Collection, & Equipment Management — At the KLAS Users' Conference, many good ideas are shared in-between sessions. This Birds of a Feather break out session will give Users' a chance to showcase their efforts in the Patron, Collection, and Equipment arenas with plenty of time for questions and answers.
• KLAS 102 — You took the plunge and got KLAS. You did your research and made the choices you thought were best to setup you system. But how do you know you may the right choices? Maybe there's a better way to do things? This is a chance for all to share both good and bad experiences and allow us to learn from each other. Not everyone's setup may work everywhere, but there are some things you're doing now that maybe could be improved. Come learn from your colleagues how they do it.
• Social Media for Your Library — Social media is about engagement and connecting with people through popular tools such as Facebook, Twitter and blogs. In the 21st century, maintaining presence on these social networking sites has become essential to remaining relevant to many realms of the populace. Nationwide libraries are leveraging social networks to increase opportunities to connect with their patrons and the public. Join the discussion and discover how NLS network libraries can use these platforms for public relations and marketing.

Seminar Sessions

Seminars sessions are presented by a Keystone instructor in a small group setting. These in-depth presentations of particular KLAS functions or topics make use of slides, live examples, and customer experiences to explore the defined topic. Seminar attendees are encouraged to ask questions throughout the session but only the instructor has workstation access.

Registration is not required, but is recommended. Space is limited by the number of classroom seats.

Seminar Session Descriptions:

• Query — How to find what you're looking for in KLAS using appropriate search terms.
• New Features in KLAS — In depth discussion and demonstration of features released in KLAS this year.
• Weeding & XESS — A discussion of the various techniques libraries are using to clean up their collection.
• RS Queue Best Practices - Do You RS Queue? — Sometimes patrons mistakenly fall off the radar and become victim to a lack of service for months on end. Discover how libraries are effectively utilizing one of the best features of the KLAS system to help combat underserved patrons and assist readers’ advisors manage their workload. Expert panelists explain their RS Queue best practices.
• Checking on Your Catalogue — Cataloguing anomalies can regulate good books to dusty corners of the database or cause strange titles to be sent to unsuspecting patrons.  Will present useful queries and techniques for finding cataloguing anomalies.
• Consolidation Considerations - Success Among the Ruins — Many libraries have been experiencing tough budgetary times these past several years. By consolidating some functions in a central location, the Georgia library system has been able to transform some former branches to patron outreach centers. A discussion of how this change can enhance the patron experience.
• Checking on Your Patron Records — Having a clean patron records database is paramount to efficient customer service, collection management, and circulation. Will present ideas on how to get the most out of the query and reports function to keep your patron records neat and tidy.
• Is there an App for that? — This is a look at where we are going with technology. Inspired by a project to consolidate our Braille annex and the hassle with having to hook up laptops, tether barcode scanners and just trying to organize things to be able to import them into KLAS which was over in another building. I found over this past year an app called Barcode to File for my smartphone that would allow us to do these kinds of projects and inventory in general in an easier more efficient way. This is intended for us to look at how we can use smartphone apps to extend what we can do with KLAS. The tools may be out there already or with tools like Google's App builder may be created. This is intended to spur thought about what's possible.
• Serving Special Populations (Institutions, Foreign Language Users, & Youth) — It is widely accepted that the majority of users in any given LBPH library is made up of individual, English-speaking adults over the age of 60. But what about everyone else? This seminar will focus on: serving foreign language users, younger readers, and programming for institutions.
• Using KLAS to Track Outreach — Reports and queries can do more that provide a list of numbers. Track which outreach events generates more new applications, where in the state do we need to concentrate on outreach. It can be found in KLAS if we know what to ask.
• Duplication on Demand — Discussion of features and techniques in KLAS to support workflow for Duplication on Demand (DoD).

Hands-on Training

Hands-On Training sessions allow participants to use a workstation to independently explore a specific function, task, or feature in KLAS. After a brief introduction to the topic, participants will proceed through guided practice worksheets. Keystone trainers will be available to answer questions and provide feedback.

Registration is required. Space is limited by how many students an instructor can effectively teach.

If all the slots are filled, waiting list order is determined by your pre-registration request date. Session confirmations will be sent after Friday, March 16.

Hands-on Training Session Descriptions:

• Ask Keystone Experts — A chance to meet Keystone staff and ask questions.
• Catalogue Spring Cleaning — Step-by-step techniques for cleaning up catalog records.
• OPAC in Depth — An opportunity to explore features of the new WebOPAC in Depth.
• RA Search Skills — Discover techniques and resources for providing effective readers’ advisory service to your patrons. Learn search strategies using KLAS “book search” that will aid in serving patrons with specific and narrow reading interest.
• Tips & Tricks from Keystone — Techniques for using KLAS efficiently.