Tuesday, October 3, 2023
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
(Morning refreshments served 8:30 am)

Location:
San Francisco Public Library, Koret Auditorium
100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Registration
$31.59 registration fee (includes $1.59 credit card convenience fee)
Register at: https://fs28.formsite.com/plpadmin/o0fg0c2e9i/index

Talks and Panels

Artificial Intelligence and the Library: The Current Landscape (9:15 a.m.)

Even as artificial intelligence continues to develop as a technology, its influence can already be felt in libraries. Nick Tanzi will explore the basics of AI, the present state of the technology specific to libraries, and popular applications ChatGPT, Midjourney, AI-powered search engines, and their potential uses. He will also address ethical concerns; privacy, intellectual property rights, bias and considerations for libraries using AI (policy, procedure), before preparing attendees for what advancements lie ahead.
Speaker: Nick Tanzi

Navigating First Amendment Audits (11:00 a.m.)

Are you prepared for a 1st Amendment Audit? Learn from the experiences of library leadership who have recently encountered and mitigated issues incited by auditors. Topics of discussion will include best practices around policy and enforcement, effective communications, the role of security and local law enforcement in these interactions, and how to prepare your staff.
Moderator: Kara Sheetz. Panelists: Anh Tran, Bill Kolb

Strategies for Successful Programming (1:00 p.m.)

Join us for a lively and timely discussion on library programming in a post-pandemic frame. Our panel of programming specialists will bring examples of programming successes and discuss the current community needs of library programming.
Moderator: Chris Ota. Panelists: Nick Tanzi, Caitlyn Lung, Ben Fernandez

Price is Right: Negotiating Prices to Reduce Performer and Speaker Rates (1:45 p.m.)

Programming budgets are continuously shrinking, and library staff need to be able to adapt with less money. Libraries rely on popular speakers and performers to entice more visitors into the library. Learn how to negotiate prices with presenters and speakers to effectively manage programming budgets.
Panelists: Kyle Hval, Cheryl Lee

Responding to Hate: Lessons Learned about LGBTQIA+ Programming (2:30 p.m.)

In June 2022, San Lorenzo Library’s Drag Story Time, planned in honor of LGBTQ Pride Month, was disrupted by the Proud Boys, a known hate group. Unfortunately, such disruptions are increasingly common in public libraries around the country. Join us as we share our experience of that day, the impacts on our staff and community, lessons learned from this attack, and how we continue to reclaim our space for our community. We will examine and explore how this event became a catalyst for rethinking our LGBTQ-centered programming throughout our library system.
Panelists: Yosmay del Mazo, Molly Hitchings

Policy Enforcement Through An Equity Lens (3:15 p.m.)

Libraries increasingly find themselves on the front lines of addressing growing needs around homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use and more in our communities. In 2009, San Francisco Public Library hired a social worker and Health and Safety Associates (HaSAs) to assist in responding to the challenges within our libraries. Leah Esguerra, SFPL’s social worker and supervisor, will speak about best practices, particularly in the realm of working with HaSAs who have lived experience that reflect the community that we serve. She will discuss community partnerships and resources to better equip libraries to serve staff and patrons experiencing life challenges.
Panelists: Leah Esguerra, John Cunha

Registration closes on October 1, 2023.
Email Kyle Hval at Kyle.Hval@mountainview.gov for questions about the conference.

Questions about billing and registration, please call (650) 349-5538, or send an email, PLPadmin01@plpinfo.org.