MIX Conference 2022
MIX Conference 2022
Friday, July 29, 2022
Time: 9am-4pm (optional tour of Zhang Legacy Collections Center from 4-5pm)
Location: Swain Education Library (new Sangren Hall, 2nd floor) at Western Michigan University, in Kalamazoo, MI
Cost: $15
Registration is capped at 80 participants due to space / logistical considerations
After a four-year hiatus (thanks, COVID), the Michigan Instruction Exchange (MIX) is back!
This event is a one-day, low-cost, informal learning opportunity for librarians across Michigan who engage in, are interested in, or are curious about library instruction. Join colleagues from academic, public, school, and special libraries to gather, connect, and discuss our instructional strategies, issues, and ideas.
This year, MIX will focus on facilitating conversations and collaborations around how we can increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in library instruction.
We encourage professionals from all disciplines to attend – and consider whether you are interested in leading your library colleagues in discussing these topics!
WMU Land Acknowledgement Statement: We would like to recognize that Western Michigan University is located on lands historically occupied by Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodewadmi nations. Please take a moment to acknowledge and honor this ancestral land of the Three Fires Confederacy, the sacred lands of all indigenous peoples, and their continued presence.
Final Schedule
9-9:30am: Registration
9:30-10:00am: Welcome, land acknowledgement, group agreements
10:00-11:00 Plenary speaker – Mary O'Kelly, Western Michigan University
11:15-12:00 pm: Breakout 1
1a - Leveraging your library instruction journey to inform your intentional practice, Rick Stoddard, Michigan State University
1b - Breaking it Down: What Are You Really Asking Students to do? Chana Kraus-Friedberg, Michigan State University
1c - Library Instruction - Is It Really Accessible To All? Dianna Sachs, Western Michigan University
12:00 pm-1:30 pm: Lunch and informal conversations
1:30-2:15 pm: Breakout 2
2a - Incorporating DEIA into instruction: What's holding you back? Amy F. Fyn, Eastern Michigan University
2b - IDEA Activities & Outreach, Kelly Frost, Kalamazoo College
2c - Participant Driven Discussion
2:15 - 2:30 pm: break
2:30-3:15 pm: Breakout 3
3a - Identity and positionality in asynchronous instructional materials, Kim Ranger, Grand Valley State University
3b - Evolving the Classroom - Actionable Practices, Lexi Smith, Western Michigan University
3c - Participant Driven Discussion
3:15-3:30 Conference wrap-up
4-5 pm: Zhang Legacy Collections Center tour (optional)
Please contact Dianna Sachs, dianna.sachs@wmich.edu, with any questions.
Submission Deadline: June 24, 2022
Acceptance Notification: By July 1, 2022
The planning group for MIX 2022 invites you to submit proposals for facilitating discussions on Friday, July 29, 2022. This year’s format is designed to encourage conversations among attendees.
MIX invites you to engage colleagues from around the state by facilitating conversations and activities centered around topics related to increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in library instruction. Ideas and activities that have been presented before are welcome, as are new ideas, provided the focus is on interactivity or practical experience. MIX seeks proposals that encourage active participation from attendees and will also result in a shareable final product (examples include collaborative Google docs or photos). Proposals can focus on facilitated group discussion or activities that are set up and run once by the facilitator and can be continued through the rest of the day without facilitation for subsequent groups. Conversations are expected to last for 45 minutes.
*Please note: Because of the nature of this grassroots event, we are unable to waive the $12 registration fees for presenters.
Expertise in a topic is not necessary to facilitate a session - feel free to propose a topic that you are interested in learning more about through discussion and activities with your colleagues.
All proposals will be blind reviewed by the MIX Conference Planning Committee. To apply, complete the proposal form. We look forward to hearing from you!
Acceptance Notification: By July 1, 2022
The planning group for MIX 2022 invites you to submit proposals for facilitating discussions on Friday, July 29, 2022. This year’s format is designed to encourage conversations among attendees.
MIX invites you to engage colleagues from around the state by facilitating conversations and activities centered around topics related to increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in library instruction. Ideas and activities that have been presented before are welcome, as are new ideas, provided the focus is on interactivity or practical experience. MIX seeks proposals that encourage active participation from attendees and will also result in a shareable final product (examples include collaborative Google docs or photos). Proposals can focus on facilitated group discussion or activities that are set up and run once by the facilitator and can be continued through the rest of the day without facilitation for subsequent groups. Conversations are expected to last for 45 minutes.
*Please note: Because of the nature of this grassroots event, we are unable to waive the $12 registration fees for presenters.
Expertise in a topic is not necessary to facilitate a session - feel free to propose a topic that you are interested in learning more about through discussion and activities with your colleagues.
All proposals will be blind reviewed by the MIX Conference Planning Committee. To apply, complete the proposal form. We look forward to hearing from you!
- Will there be a remote option?
- Right now, our plan is to hold MIX 2022 in person. We have all experienced successful virtual professional development experiences in the last two years, but the connection and collaboration opportunities that in-person engagement offers are core to the value of MIX as a learning experience. There will be no hybrid / hyflex option at this time.
- Will food be provided?
- Yes - more information coming soon.
- Will sessions be recorded for later viewing?
- MIX 2022 will center on collaboration and learning through discussions rather than presentations – as such, we will not be recording these sessions. We will, however, provide handouts that provide resources, ideas, suggestions, and notes from these discussions after the event concludes.
- Is there a discount if multiple people from one institution agree to come?
- We have worked to keep the registration cost low enough so that anyone who is interested can attend! If the cost is prohibitive, though, please contact the event organizers.
- Is there a student discount?
- We have tried to keep the registration cost low enough so that anyone interested can attend! If the cost is prohibitive, though, please contact the event organizers.
- Do presenters get a discounted conference rate?
- Because of the nature of this grassroots event, we are unable to waive the $15 registration fees for presenters. If the cost is prohibitive, though, please contact the event organizers.
- Can I present remotely?
- Because of the conference’s format and emphasis on conversation and engagement, presenting remotely is not an option at this time.
- What COVID-related safety requirements will there be?
- Based on recommendations from public health officials and industry best practices, the MIX planning committee is requiring that all participants provide either:
- Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and a booster dose or
- A negative COVID-19 test result from a lab (not an at-home test) within 24 hours of Friday, July 29, 2022 in order to participate in the event.
- We will provide additional guidance on safety measures closer to the event date in order to ensure we are employing the most timely recommendations
- Based on recommendations from public health officials and industry best practices, the MIX planning committee is requiring that all participants provide either:
Want to start off fresh for next school year? Are you ready to clear out previous years’ promo material (swag) and bring back some new-to-you treasures?
MIX is hosting a Swag Swap during the 2022 Conference.
Drop off your items at the Swag Swap table (near the registration table) and return during the conference to choose new ones.
To Do list:
MIX is hosting a Swag Swap during the 2022 Conference.
Drop off your items at the Swag Swap table (near the registration table) and return during the conference to choose new ones.
To Do list:
- Gather 5-50 promotional swag items to bring to the conference
- Drop off your swag at the table during the conference
- Stop by the table between sessions to pick out your new swag
- Enjoy your new items
Examples of library swag include cups or mugs, koozies, keychains, magnets, mini-flashlights, pens and pencils, pins, post-its, sports bottles.
Items left behind will be donated to a local charity. Feel free to contact Amy Fyn, afyn@emich.edu, with any questions!