Participatory Sessions

What are participatory sessions?

To put it simply, participatory sessions are sessions that are focused on audience involvement around a specific topic.  The speed-dating of workshop types, participatory sessions allow attendees to interact with session leaders to shape and lead a 90 minute conversation, and in some cases hands-on activities.

This year’s roster of participatory sessions is extremely rich and varied, offering a little something for everyone!

Tuesday

To kick off your RBMS conference adventure you can work with fellow RBMSers and the Bur Oak Land Trust on an afternoon of habitat restoration and maintenance (please note sign up is required).

Wednesday

There will be sessions on outreach through storytelling, special collections security, and instruction.

Thursday

Actively learn about integrating primary sources into K-12 instruction in the morning, have a lunch-time discussion about diversity recruitment and representation in Special Collections led by IMLS-RBS Fellowship for Early-Career Librarians recipients, and then learn some strategies for success and self-care applicable to all levels and at any point of your career in special collections.

Friday

Rest up because on we’re topping off the week with a participatory session on how to advocate for special collections through instruction and outreach!
On behalf of the participatory subcommittee of the 2017 RBMS Conference Planning Committee, we hope you find these sessions as energizing, innovative, and interactive as we did during the selection process!

–Elizabeth Call
Public Services Librarian
Burke Library
Columbia University