*Cross posted to multiple lists*
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Core E-forum: "We've GOT to be Sillier": Approachability in Academic Libraries
July 15-16, 2025
Moderated by Mary Elizabeth Schiavone, Tristan M.K. Draper and Easton Brundage
Please join us for an e-forum discussion. It’s free and open to everyone!
Registration information is at the end of the message.
Each day, discussion begins and ends at:
Pacific: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Mountain: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Central: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Eastern: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
We as a profession have worked hard to make libraries places “for all,” but our roles are inherently designed to filter information in ways that can intimidate patrons. The higher education ecosystem complicates librarians’ roles further, as we can be isolated from both students and other staff and faculty, while also trying to serve their needs. Focusing on increased approachability efforts, even in small steps, can combat the overarching pressures of higher education and increase student success.
This e-forum will introduce participants to the theory behind approachability efforts in our own librarianship practices and give them opportunities to practice applying these concepts to real-world-inspired scenarios, so that they feel empowered to advocate for applying approachability concepts in their own practice.
If your students' eyes glaze over when you teach, if no one is coming to your programs, if your professional identity is a performance that you are no longer enjoying…we’ve been there! Join us for an e-forum that will help you make your librarianship fun, again or for the first time, and help you feel less alone.
Learning Outcomes:
Participants will…
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Assess current library resources, spaces, and services to identify opportunities for improvement within realistic bounds
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Practice applying approachability to real-world-inspired scenarios
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Develop skills to advocate for the necessity of active steps toward approachability
Who Should Attend:
Academic librarians who are invested in making libraries a more welcoming, silly, fun place.
Hosts
Mary Elizabeth Schiavone (she/her) is a Student Success and Engagement Librarian and the Federal Depository Coordinator at Beloit College. Mary’s primary research focuses are increasing approachability in academic libraries and contextualizing government information. Mary is a co-host of the podcast Librarians Spill the Tea and loves exploring scholarly drama and research ethics. She spends her free time surrounded by her three dogs, webcomics, and increasingly ridiculous craft projects.
Tristan M.K. Draper (she/her) is a Student Success & Engagement Librarian at Beloit College and Chair of the Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians. Tristan’s research focuses on accessible instructional technology and gamifying library instruction. Tristan is a co-host of the podcast Librarians Spill the Tea, which discusses scholarly drama and research ethics. She spends her free time playing Dungeons & Dragons and board games, knitting an array of silly animals, and reading graphic novels.
Easton Brundage (he/they) is a Research & Learning Librarian and the liaison to STEM departments at Loyola University Chicago. Easton’s research interests include accessibility and inclusivity in librarianship, art in the sciences, and student success in STEM disciplines. He is currently working on a project to bring STEM zines into the library. In his free time, Easton loves trying new crafts, learning new animal facts, and reading gay books.
What Is an e-Forum?
A Core e-forum provides an opportunity for librarians to discuss matters of interest, led by a moderator, through the e-forum discussion list. The e-forum discussion list works like an email listserv: register your email address with the list, and then you will receive messages and communicate with other participants through an email discussion. Most e-forums last two to three days. Registration is necessary to participate, but it's free.
How to Register
You must register your email address to subscribe to or access an electronic discussion list on ALA's Mailing List Service. Once you have registered for one e-forum, you do not need to register again, unless you choose to leave the list. Find instructions for subscribing and unsubscribing online. (http://www.ala.org/core/continuing-education/e-forum-instructions)
For more information: https://www.ala.org/events/successes-and-challenges-putting-integration-integrated-library-systems
If you have any problems, please contact core-eforum+help@groups.io.
*Posted on behalf of the Core Continuing Education Committee.*
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Jen Montavon-Green
Head of Electronic Resources
University of Kentucky
She/Her/Hers
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