Every year, the annual FLA (Florida Library Association) conference brings together library professionals from across the state for three days full of learning and fellowship. This year’s event was no different. From May 15 to 17, FSU School of Information (iSchool) students, alumni, and faculty traveled to the conference in Orlando to connect with old and new friends in the library field. The schedule of events included many presenters with ties to the iSchool speaking about topics from libraries’ hurricane preparedness to neurodiversity in academic libraries.
One alumna, Raychell Harris (’18 M.S. Information), received FLA’s Outstanding Paraprofessional award at the conference. As Library Assistant II at Palm Beach State College, Harris produced a monthly web show that showcased news and programming at the Lake Worth Campus Library for Palm Beach State College. FLA’s award program reads, “Raychell, a natural born leader and team player, utilized her technology and communication skills to not only promote professional growth and solidarity among her campuses’ library professionals and support staff, the web show has introduced the library and its services, tools and friendly staff to students who might not ordinarily become library users. Raychell demonstrates her expertise in customer relations, digital literacy, social media and social networking. Her initiative has united library employees and created a fan base of students.”
Deanna Evans, a current student pursing a Master of Science in Information was selected for an FLA Scholarship. FLA awards three scholarships of $2,000 each year to minority graduate students from FSU and the University of South Florida who are committed to working in a Florida library for one year after graduation. “Nothing has spoken to me like librarianship has,” Evans says. “Being able to attend FSU with the assistance of the FLA scholarship is allowing me to provide library patrons with current, well-informed, and personalized service. I absolutely love what I do.”
Curtis Tenney, an iSchool doctoral student, shared his work in twice during the conference. His presentations was titled, “Hurricane Preparedness: Strengthening Libraries’ Resiliency,” and lightning talk, “Hurricane Preparedness: Public Libraries Strengthen Community Resiliency.”
iSchool professor Dr. Nancy Everhart represented FSU with Michael Meth, Associate Dean, Research and Learning Services, at FSU Libraries. They presented “Supporting Neurodiversity in the Academic Library: Research, Best Practices, and Personal Experiences.”
