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.
Program Schedule
All presentations are being held in the Callicutt Life Skills Theater in Congdon Hall, High Point University
9:00am-9:15am: Registration and Light Continental Breakfast located outside Callicutt Theater
9:15am-9:30am: Welcome and introductions
9:30am-10:30am: “From Floundering to Flourishing” presented by Dr. Jennifer Whitney
Burnout among higher education professionals is truly a hot topic. Articles in the Chronicle of Higher Education have highlighted the “great disillusionment” for student affairs professionals (Ellis, L, August 25, 2021), increased faculty burnout (Pettit,E, February 25, 2021) as well as high levels of burnout among college counseling center staff (Kafka, A, November 25, 2021). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic of racist violence and of the US culture wars on our personal and professional lives has been jarring, depleting, and at times transformational. Higher education professionals have faced the challenge of steadfastly supporting our students as we navigate our own stress, exhaustion and burnout. In this presentation, we will define burnout, help to identify early signs and help to identify what heals and motivates us. Through discussion, we will construct an individualized plan to promote our own well-being.
10:30am-10:45am- Break
10:45am- 12:00pm: “The Power of Community and Creative Reflection: Nurturing Sustainable Care for Ourselves and Others” presented by Jewel Davis
In this workshop participants will explore using creative reflection as a sustainable care practice and learn how a community of care can support personal and professional development. Participants will see examples of ways to practice visual journaling as self-care, as a form of reflective play and experimentation, and as a way to make creative meaning of the world around us. Prompts will be offered throughout the workshop for participants to practice creative reflection and journaling. The session will close with a list of resources and practical suggestions for participants to use in their personal and professional practice.
12:15pm-2:00pm: Lunch
Lunch will be held in in the Congdon Ballroom, located upstairs in Congdon Hall.
2:00pm-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 the UNC School of the Arts.