Here's a sample of the sessions offered for our February online conference

At our February 11 online conference, Going Out of Bounds with Reference Services, we will discover how libraries have embedded reference services into their communities, bringing information assistance to information seekers in unique ways. We are offering a variety of experiences, including public, academic, and special libraries. Two examples of these offerings include Jennifer Walz' session "Free-Wheelin' Reference Desk," and Carrie Forbes and Jenny Bowers' "Collaborative Reference: The Research Consultation as a Learning Partnership."

In "Free-Wheelin' Reference Desk," Walz will discuss how, in the interest of providing their students a more visible, accessible, and friendly level of service, library staff made some significant changes to their physical situation. They are now fully mobile and completely wireless – even for power.

In spring of 2014, a new mobile reference desk was added to replace the stationary desk, allowing the reference librarians to be more visible and accessible to students. The mobile desk is the biggest change they have made to their service.

In "Collaborative Reference: The Research Consultation as a Learning Partnership," Forbes and Bowers will discuss how research consultation provides an excellent opportunity for librarians and students to explore complex research processes, such as those described in the new Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. Forbes and Bowers will provide best practices for research consultations that create a collaborative learning environment to enhance student understanding of core research concepts within a discipline, as well as within the broader information climate. They will also provide tips for adjusting consultation techniques for phone or Skype consultations.

Each session will run 45 minutes. The deadline for Early Bird discounted registration is January 29, 2016. As an added benefit of Amigos membership, all Amigos online conferences are free of charge to the staff of Amigos member institutions.

For the schedule, speaker bios, and pricing, visit the conference webpage or contact Kyla Hunt, hunt@amigos.org or 800-843-8482, ext. 2867.