Welcome to the 2024 TALA Conference!

The Triad Area Library Association (TALA) Conference is an annual gathering of academic library staff from the North Carolina Triad area. The conference is a full day of informative relevant library topics led by staff and faculty from North Carolina universities. Attending the conference will provide an opportunity to paraprofessionals to converse with other library colleagues, network with presenters, and see the host institution’s library.

Download a PDF version of the conference information

Program Schedule

All presentations including lunch are being held at Congdon Hall, High Point University

8:15am-8:45am: Registration and Light Continental Breakfast

8:45am-9:00am: Welcome and historical overview

9:00am-10:15am: Keynote speaker in the Callicutt Life Skills Theater: Dr. Zelda Lockhart – “Living and Learning After the Lockdown”

10:15am-10:30am- Break

10:30am- 11:20am: Concurrent Session

1) “Utilizing AI to improve your productivity” presented by Denice Lewis

Although generative AI has been leveraged to personalize learning in higher ed, generative AI and other AI tools are being used in corporate America and academia to help individuals improve their productivity on the job. Whether it’s writing an email in a certain tone, generating an image to use in a flyer, creating a schedule on the fly, or finding a resource for an esoteric topic, let’s touch on different free tools that can help you save time and increase your efficiency on daily tasks.

2) “How Adobe Can Change Your Prospective” presented by India Page

This presentation provides an overview of entrepreneurship need to know, Adobe creative cloud, and how we can utilize this with our students in the library/ University. I will discuss the need to know as an Entrepreneur, Tools for success, Adobe software’s that are beneficial and marketing methods. Also, I will share both my experience teaching this lesson at Winston Salem State University, and as an entrepreneur, as well as the obstacles I may have faced, and growth both personal and professional. The Conference Theme: “Still Going Strong: A Decade of Library Impact,” relates to my presentation because students are creating new ways to build a legacy for themselves, and we as always want to be relatable to the students. I hope attendees will leave the conference with useful knowledge not only for themselves but for the students they encounter daily.

3) “Empowering Librarianship: Exploring Opportunities with NCLA and The Roundtable on Ethnic and Minority Concerns” presented by Carlos Grooms

Join us for an engaging session dedicated to exploring the numerous opportunities available through NCLA and The Roundtable on Ethnic and Minority Concerns (REMCo). Delve into the historical significance of REMCo and uncover the diverse outreach initiatives and engagement prospects we’ve embarked on together. Our aim is to inspire staff members to become active participants in NCLA, facilitating the enhancement of their professional capabilities and unveiling potential pathways to a fulfilling career in librarianship. With each of us bringing unique experiences and viewpoints from our work across North Carolina, this session serves as a platform for exchanging insights and fostering collaboration.

11:20am-11:30am: Break

11:30am-12:30pm: Networking tables discussion and share out

Topics include:
Student Workers, Staff Engagement, Remote Work, Public Services, Facilities, Late Night Operations, and other library subjects

12:30pm-2:00pm: Lunch

Lunch will be held in Anne Kerr Walker Ballroom on the 2nd floor.

2:00pm-2:30pm: Self-Guided Tour of library and campus at High Point University

1:30pm-2:30pm: Self-Guided Tour of library and campus at High Point University

After lunch, please stick around and tour the beautiful library and campus at High Point University