Colleen Foy’s Experience

This year’s conference was my first at HPU and as a TALA committee member. I attended the session, “It is Within You: How Adobe Can Change Your Perspective” with Winston-Salem State University O’Kelly Library’s Technical Services Reference Librarian, India Page. As a library course instructor in the midst of redesigning assignments that intend to combine student science research and data visualization skills, I couldn’t have asked for better timing of this session. The Adobe Creative Cloud offers a suite of tools available to WFU students, faculty, and staff via software@WFU and provides options similar to, but just a bit beyond (particularly with video and audio editing), what the free version of Canva offers. Lastly, I was able to catch up with some former HPU Libraries colleagues at the Remote Work Networking table just before lunch!

Claire Nyles Suer’s Experience

I had a great experience at TALA this year– this was my third year attending, and second year hosted at High Point University. The spaces were beautiful and comfortable– truly, it makes sense that the furniture capital of the world has a university with the most comfortable seating I’ve experienced yet in an academic setting! I especially enjoyed the keynote by Dr. Zelda Lockhart, who led us through some activities to think about how we can bring our real passions into the workplace. It sounds cheesy, but she really knew her stuff, and took us into some relatively deep spaces (what are your “internal saboteurs”? etc.). Her session really got me thinking and I think it did for many others, as well. Another highlight was the session on A.I. tools by our own Denice Lewis!! But I suspect others will be writing about that, so I’ll skip ahead and say I also found the “networking hour” a really valuable moment to connect with other Triad library staff around specific topics, like “student workers” and “staff engagement.” Each year, I get something new out of TALA, and that was an activity I hope they continue next year. All that said… my favorite part of TALA is always the opportunity to hang with my ZSR colleagues, some of whom I don’t get a chance to just chat with very often—y’all always make my day.

Jemma Johnson’s Experience

Another year, another TALA Conference! As a repeat attendee, I was excited to head back to High Point University’s gorgeous campus for the second time around. The highlight of the conference for me was definitely Dr. Zelda Lockhart’s keynote speech. Her words of wisdom resonated with me, especially her emphasis on finding those unstructured spaces and inserting yourself to share your ideas. It was fantastic to see her speak again after her event on campus, and I left feeling inspired and motivated. I’m always looking for new productivity tools, so I jumped at the chance to attend Denice’s session “Using AI to Improve Productivity.” She demoed a lot of cool new software like Research Rabbit and Goblin Tools that I can’t wait to try out as part of my work at ZSR. Of course, I have to mention that HPU always puts on an amazing spread. Lunch was delicious (mac and cheese anybody?) and I even got to network with library staff from my alma mater, Winston-Salem State University.

Denice Lewis’s Experience

This was my first time back at TALA in a number of years. Although I visited the High Point University campus before for one of my nephew’s track meets when he was at North Carolina A & T, this was my first proper visit to the campus. The campus presented a gorgeous view as I wove my way from one of the front gates to the Congdon School of Health Sciences. I presented the workshop “Utilizing AI to improve your productivity” and shared my experiences using Goblin Tools, Perplexity.ai, Adobe Firefly, Insightful.xyz, and a list of others. The roundtable discussion was an excellent time to meet new librarians at High Point and UNC Greensboro. After the conference, I had a great time fellowshipping with REMCO members at Stock and Grain Assembly Food Hall. The make-your-own poke bowl at Yuma was mouthwatering-I’ll-be-back good!!!!

Erin Jones’s Experience

This was both my first time attending TALA, and my first time visiting HPU’s campus, and I hope it will not be the last for either. I enjoyed the keynote speech by Dr. Zelda Lockheart, which made me do some deep thinking about the things I would like to do in life, and those obstacles that are sabotaging and preventing me from accomplishing them. It helped me realize how far I have come in my life and career, since I get to do so many things I enjoy at my job right now.

I also attended the ‘How Adobe Can Change Your Perspective’ panel with WSSU’s India Page. I’m always looking for new and creative ways to make graphics and signage for book displays, so this was very informative for me.

ZSR colleagues had hyped up the food, and it did not disappoint. The baked mac and cheese was the best. I also enjoyed the networking tables, and had some great discussions about late-night library work with fellow colleagues from WSSU and UNC-G. Overall I had a great time at TALA, and I’m looking forward to next year.

Kristen Morgan’s Experience

I had a great time at the 10th annual TALA conference at High Point University. HPU is a great venue and I appreciate their hospitality and the exceptionally hard work of the TALA conference planning committee (Tara Hauser and Colleen Foy are ZSR Library’s Reps). My favorite part was Denice Lewis’ presentation “Utilizing AI to improve your productivity”. Denice showed us a ton of tips and tricks! It was fun and informative. Dr. Zelda Lockhart’s keynote entitled “Living and Learning after the Lockdown” was very enlightening. I also enjoyed spending time with my ZSR Library colleagues who I don’t usually get to see in our daily library lives. Looking forward to next year.

Tara Hauser’s Experience

At this year’s TALA conference, we celebrated our 10th year. I was on the TALA committee. I really enjoyed visiting High Point University Campus. The conference began with the keynote speaker Dr. Zelda Lockhart. Her presentation was quite engaging about our mental health and the tools that are needed to better ourselves.