Every beginning genealogist knows that Federal Census records are a great place to start searching for our ancestral history. However, we can learn more from records than just the places, dates, and names listed. Knowing the history and historical importance of data collected by census records is a necessary tool in every genealogist's kit. Gleaning information not indexed in a database can lead to major breakthroughs in your research. Learn how to sift through and interpret enumerator’s abbreviations as well as your ancestor's historical data.

Where do we come from? Researching our family history is becoming more popular with subscription services such as Ancestry.com and 23andMe ancestry kits. But what if we don’t want to spend a fortune answering this question? How can we find our ancestors without costly subscriptions? How can I confirm that my ancestors were from (insert country) or that the stories my great aunt tells are true? Knowing about free genealogy resources, both digital and physical, is one way to get started researching your genealogy.

Collaboration with faculty is a key component of librarians' jobs. Working with faculty on assignment design, instruction, student, support, programming initiatives, and research projects are a few of the ways in which librarians and faculty partner for student success. In this session, attendees will be introduced to best practices for working with faculty. Dr. Lauren Hays will share practical examples of how to approach collaboration and how to keep the momentum for collaborative projects.

Successful library signage brings new patrons into the library and assists them in finding needed information. Unsuccessful library signage is often unclear, cluttered, or ineffective. Improve patrons' experiences with guidance for evaluating library signage from the context of user experience and customer service.

All first-year college students are not the same—far from it actually! Starting with the understanding of the unique backgrounds of each student is necessary for developing effective instruction. At the same time, if you know your student body, there are research and trends that can be useful in the development of information literacy lessons. Information literacy expert Lauren Hays, will introduce attendees to pedagogical methods that recognize the differences of each learner.

Many times, a project fails due to a lack of organization, communication, and planning. Instead of hiring a certified project manager, discover tools and apps designed to keep a project on track. Learn several free(ish) project management tools that can help a team successfully complete the project.

Infographics effectively and efficiently convey data and information and are increasingly used in library instruction, advocacy, and marketing and communications. With an understanding of what makes infographics effective and how libraries and other fields are currently using them, attendees will explore some of the easy-to-use resources to create their own.

Providing equitable access for all patrons is the aspirational mission of libraries - but it can be intimidating for those unfamiliar with accessibility. Understanding the fundamentals of accessibility can help shift how we think about design, equity, and creating community. Learn how minor changes to any library environment can make a major difference to users. Understand accessibility basics and leave with actionable steps to improve the experience of patrons and library staff.

Library staff leverage customer service skills to address a range of information needs. This review of retail customer service skills and techniques will support any interaction with a patron, whether in-person, on the phone, or virtually. Identify barriers to effectively communicating with patrons and develop a strategy for staff to practice their customer service skills.