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Power Up: A Leadership Conference for Youth Services Managers and Staff will be held in Madison March 28-29, 2019. This is a great conference, and several of your IFLS-land colleagues participated last time it was offered. A few of them loved it so much, they agreed to write short testimonials about it. Once you read them, you’ll probably want to register, or at least apply for a scholarship to attend. Here’s where to get more information on the upcoming conference.
Here are some words from your colleagues:
I attended the first Power Up conference nearly two years ago and I thought it was tremendously worthwhile. I feel that way because it was specifically for Youth Services staff and there just are not many opportunities to get that focused during most conferences I’ve attended. The topics were relevant to what is happening on a daily basis in my world and it is always helpful to hear others who are experiencing the same good and bad that you are. There were staff who were new to YS or new to libraries but there were also seasoned YS librarians so the mix was fantastic – a lot of great topics but also a lot of wonderful conversations between sessions getting to know people from all over the country. I especially appreciated the really positive energy from both presenters and attendees. Some of that positive energy COULD have come from the stellar treats they had out on breaks and the GOOD coffee. So in summary, let me say this: Relevant topics, good coffee, fun treats, positive energy, YS staff and Madison. Who could ask for more? –Shelly Collins Fuerbringer, LEPMPL
I highly recommend attending the Power Up conference! It was awesome to be at a conference that was totally focused on youth issues and the empowerment of youth services staff. The conference was very balanced between programming ideas you could take back to your own library and thoughtful conversations and reflection on where you want to go with your own career. I haven’t found that at any other conference I’ve been to, I usually feel overwhelmed or frustrated that there isn’t anything happening in a time slot that I actually want to go to – not at Power Up. I was often torn between multiple sessions, so I also recommend finding a buddy and reporting back to each other on different sessions. It’s also rewarding to be able to speak with librarians from across the country, not just Wisconsin about all the library things. The price tag is a little overwhelming, but I’d say that the experience is definitely worth it, and APPLY for a scholarship! I was a lucky recipient of one last year, and I encourage everyone to apply, it can’t be more than 300 words! –Claire Parrish, Rice Lake Public Library