Training & Networking

For the first time this year, Keystone held the KLAS Users' Conference virtually. Nearly 300 attendees and presenters from organizations across the country who use KLAS came together June 7-10 to share and learn. We used PheedLoop as our event platform and all session video recordings are still available to paid conference attendees via their PheedLoop log-in. Now, we're sharing all KLAS UC 2021 session slidedecks and handout files available with the rest of the KLAS Users' Community. 

Note: You must be logged in to access these files.

For the first time this year, Keystone held the KLAS Users' Conference virtually. Nearly 300 attendees and presenters from organizations across the country who use KLAS came together June 7-10 to share and learn. We used PheedLoop as our event platform and all session video recordings are still available to paid conference attendees via their PheedLoop log-in. Now, we're sharing all KLAS UC 2021 session slidedecks and handout files available with the rest of the KLAS Users' Community. 

Note: You must be logged in to access these files.

As announced in an earlier Keynotes Blog Post, Keystone staff and the KLAS Users' Group Program Committee are teaming up to bring you an online KLAS Users mini-conference the afternoons of May 3-4. Today, we're sharing a bit more info about what we have planned.

Sessions with interest for all KLAS Users will be held on both days, and we hope you can join us for this free online training and networking event!

• Dates: Tuesday, May 3 - Wednesday, May 4, 2022
• Time: 1:00-5:00 PM Eastern / 10:00 AM-2:00 PM Pacific
• Format: All sessions will be held via Zoom with a dial-in for audio option provided. Also, concurrent Birds-of-a-Feather sessions will be held in 3 separate Zoom breakout rooms.
• Access: Zoom links will be emailed to registered attendees approximately a week prior and posted on this page a day or so before the event.
• Session Recording: All Tuesday sessions as well as the KLAS Users' Group business meeting will be recorded. Birds-of-a-Feather sessions will not.

Agenda:

Tuesday, May 3

Tuesday sessions will be Keystone presented and focused on sharing Keystone company and service updates and new KLAS features and functionality for LBPD, IRC, and others.

• Zoom Meeting Link for all Tuesday sessions - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88138984215?pwd=RGVIdkEzS1IyRzJXSytIVFVVODB3QT09
• Meeting ID: 881 3898 4215
• Passcode: 667394

Wednesday, May 4

Wednesday features a KLAS Users' Group Business Meeting followed by user-moderated Birds-of-a-Feather sessions. Birds of a Feather (BoaF) sessions are an opportunity to exchange ideas in a casual, group discussion setting. Topics range from making the most of KLAS features to exploring broader service-related ideas. These sessions are not formal presentations with slides or software demonstrations. Instead, moderators launch the discussion and keep the conversation on topic.

Each of Wednesday's concurrent Birds-of-a-Feather sessions will be accessed via one Zoom link. Once you enter the meeting, there will be 3 breakout rooms you can choose to join (one for each topic).

Dial-in Audio for ALL sessions:

Registration:

Registration is not required, but it will give us an idea of how many attendees plan to attend. Also, persons who register will receive an email approximately one week before the mini-conference with the agenda, Zoom links, and dial-in for audio numbers.

Below are the recordings, presentations, and other resources shared in the instructional resource / materials center (IRC / IMC) track of the 2024 KLAS Users' Mini-Conference.

Note: You must be logged in to view / access content.

Below are the recordings, presentations, and other resources shared in the library for the blind and print disabled track of the 2024 KLAS Users' Mini-Conference.

Note: You must be logged in to view / access content.

Below are the recordings, presentations, and other resources shared in the library for the blind and print disabled track of the 2024 KLAS Users' Mini-Conference.

Note: You must be logged in to view / access content.

In May of 2022, we held the first KLASUsers' Mini-Conference to provide space and time for Keystone Staff and KLAS Users' to connect and learn from one another as well as share / discuss Keystone company updates and KLAS new features, tips & tricks, and new development suggestions. 2024's Mini-Conference will offer all of that and MORE! 

The 2024 KLASUsers' Mini-Conference will be a free, online event accessible via Zoom held:

• Tuesday, May 14 - 1:00-5:00 PM Eastern Time / 10:00 AM-2:00 PM Pacific
• Wednesday, May 15 - 1:00-5:00 PM Eastern Time / 10:00 AM-2:00 PM Pacific

Add the event to your calendar now, then review the initial schedule, and submit your registration form. Seminar date has passed. 

Sessions

This year will again feature sessions with topics of interest for all KLAS Users, as well as more specific Instructional Resource Center (IRC) and Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) sessions. New for 2024 will be two sessions featuring updates from staff of the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) and from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). 

Session Types:

General sessions will share information and updates relevant to  all KLAS Users, and no conflicting sessions will be scheduled at the same time they are offered. During these sessions, there will limited time for questions and answers.

Workshop sessions are presented by Keystone staff member or a guest speaker. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions throughout the session. These in-depth presentations share information via different tools such as slides, live examples, and / or user experiences.

Birds-of-a-Feather (BoaF) sessions give participants the opportunity to exchange ideas in a group discussion setting. All KLAS Users are invited to participate in the BoaF sessions they feel are relevant to them. However, we do indicate for each session whether an IRC or LBPD audience might find it more applicable. Topics range from making the most of KLAS features to exploring broader service-related ideas. These sessions are not formal presentations with slides or software demonstrations. Instead, the format is casual and open. Moderators launch the discussion and keep the conversation on topic; participants are asked to come prepared to share and learn.

Tuesday, May 14

This is an initial schedule, and sessions are subject to change. Want to get more involved with the Users' group? Volunteering to moderate a BoaF session is a great way to get started!

Wednesday, May 15 

Registration

Registration is not required, but doing so helps us know approximately how many persons to plan on for each session. You will automatically be emailed a copy of your registration upon submission.

In 2025, Keystone will partner with the Indiana State Library, Talking Book and Braille Library Service to bring the KLAS Users' Conference to Indianapolis, Indiana.

The KLAS User' Group planning committees have already been hard at work, and are excited to share more specifics about our second hybrid conference. Also, they need your help! Whether you plan to attend the conference or not at this point,or aren't sure at all, please complete the KLAS UC2025 Pre-Conference Survey by Friday, May 24.

We know everyone gets tired of endless surveys, but this is a huge help to your Logistics and Program committees as they start narrowing down what topics need to be discussed, locations and types of sessions to offer, speakers to invite, and so on.

Now, on to all the details you need to start planning your 2025 KLAS Users' Conference attendance:

• Dates: March 17-20, 2025
• Location:Indianapolis, IN
• Theme: Driving Innovative Inclusion in Libraries - Start Your Engines!
• Proposed Conference Schedule

Conference Hotel:

Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis Downtown
110 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

Rate & Reservations:

Conference Rate: $129.00 / night + tax (or the prevailing government rate at time of booking + tax)

Online Reservation Link: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/indwwes-91o-381ce6ea-9ca2-42bc-8149-729006e1a780/

If you prefer to call to make your reservation, dial 317-236-1800 and ask for reservations. Provide the arrival/departure dates of your stay and mention group code 91O. The group name is "KLAS USERS CON".

Amenities

• Free WiFi
• Hot Breakfast Buffet with made-to-order omelets, eggs, and other items
• Free evening reception
• Suite style rooms with separate bedroom and sitting room with microwave and mini-fridge in each
• $44 parking / night (valet only)
• Indoor pool and hot tub
• Workout facilities
• Lobby bar and room service serves light dinner options

Conference Sessions Location:

The Embassy Suites is approximately .3 miles from the Indiana State Library where all conference sessions will be held. The walk from the hotel to the library is via relatively flat sidewalks with well-marked crosswalks at each intersection.

Indiana State Library
315 W. Ohio St.,
Indianapolis, IN 46202

Conference Registration Deadlines & Costs:

Registration is not yet open. Announcements will be included in the KLAS Users' Weekly Wrap-up and sent to the KLASUsers listservs when it is. Until then, here are the planned registration deadlines and costs.

Online Attendees:

• Before December 17, 2024 = $85 with Early-Bird discount
• After December 18, 2024 = $100 per attendee

In-Person Attendees:

• Before December 17, 2024 = $200 with Early-Bird discount
• December 18, 2024 - February 16, 2025 = $250 per attendee
• After February 16, 2025 = $300 with late fee

During this session, Katy Patrick discussed features and functionality in KLAS, including machine management and duplication workflows, as well as tips & tricks to help KLAS libraries prepare for and / or better manage their e-Braille Circulation.

The recording from 3/14/2024 is now available:

During this session, Katy Patrick discussed features and functionality in KLAS, including machine management and duplication workflows, as well as tips & tricks to help KLAS libraries prepare for and / or better manage their e-Braille Circulation.

The recording from 3/14/2024 is now available:

Are you looking forward to circulating electronic braille for your patrons? Curious about braille Duplication but not sure where to start?

On  April 13, James Gleason, Deputy Director, Perkins Library, and Katy Patrick, Technical Writer, Keystone Systems, discussed some cleanup you may want to work on, settings to check on or think about, and the setup Keystone can do for you.

Below are the slide deck in PowerPoint and PDF format, chat transcript, and webinar recording:

• Preparing for eBraille.pptx
• Preparing for eBraille.pdf
• Preparing for eBraille Chat Transcript.txt 

Are you looking forward to circulating electronic braille for your patrons? Curious about braille Duplication but not sure where to start?

On  April 13, James Gleason, Deputy Director, Perkins Library, and Katy Patrick, Technical Writer, Keystone Systems, discussed some cleanup you may want to work on, settings to check on or think about, and the setup Keystone can do for you.

Below are the slide deck in PowerPoint and PDF format, chat transcript, and webinar recording:

• Preparing for eBraille.pptx
• Preparing for eBraille.pdf
• Preparing for eBraille Chat Transcript.txt 

On May 1, 2025 we got together and talked magazines on cartridge (MoC)! We shared the current status and coming improvements, answered questions, and did our best to start you out on the right foot. As usual, this session was recorded for those who can't join us live.

• What: Issuing Magazines on Cartridge (MoC) Webinar
• Presenter: Katy Patrick,Technical Writer, Keystone Systems

5/1/24 Issuing Magazines on Cartridge (MoC) Webinar Part 2 

5/1/24 Issuing Magazines on Cartridge (MoC) Webinar Part 1  

Query to find BARD Only Patrons with Active Subscriptions

Here's the query Erin, AZ, requested during the webinar to find BARD Only patrons with active subscriptions:

Quick Search-

• Main Status | Equals | a

Advanced Search-

• Media | Pat Medium | Equals | db
• Media | ServeCode | Equals | bard [or "ob" or whatever code is used for "BARD only" patrons]
• Subscription | KLAS ID | [see below]
• Subscription | End Date | Is Blank

For the subscription IDs, either use "In" and a comma-separated list of all MoC Serials
OR
use "Not In" and a list of the most common non-MoC serials, ex: SER-TBT2,SER-TBT4,SER-TBN2,SER-TBN9,SER-DDB9,SER-NWL8,SER-CAW1,SER-CAP1,SER-VET9,SER-CAL2

This query is not perfect, but it should give you a reasonable list of BARD-only patrons with active subscriptions (which may or may not be MoC serials) for you to review.

Bear in mind that these patrons have been receiving MoC Direct serials despite their BARD Only status, and may want to continue receiving them.

On May 1, 2025 we got together and talked magazines on cartridge (MoC)! We shared the current status and coming improvements, answered questions, and did our best to start you out on the right foot. As usual, this session was recorded for those who can't join us live.

• What: Issuing Magazines on Cartridge (MoC) Webinar
• Presenter: Katy Patrick,Technical Writer, Keystone Systems

5/1/24 Issuing Magazines on Cartridge (MoC) Webinar Part 2 

5/1/24 Issuing Magazines on Cartridge (MoC) Webinar Part 1  

Query to find BARD Only Patrons with Active Subscriptions

Here's the query Erin, AZ, requested during the webinar to find BARD Only patrons with active subscriptions:

Quick Search-

• Main Status | Equals | a

Advanced Search-

• Media | Pat Medium | Equals | db
• Media | ServeCode | Equals | bard [or "ob" or whatever code is used for "BARD only" patrons]
• Subscription | KLAS ID | [see below]
• Subscription | End Date | Is Blank

For the subscription IDs, either use "In" and a comma-separated list of all MoC Serials
OR
use "Not In" and a list of the most common non-MoC serials, ex: SER-TBT2,SER-TBT4,SER-TBN2,SER-TBN9,SER-DDB9,SER-NWL8,SER-CAW1,SER-CAP1,SER-VET9,SER-CAL2

This query is not perfect, but it should give you a reasonable list of BARD-only patrons with active subscriptions (which may or may not be MoC serials) for you to review.

Bear in mind that these patrons have been receiving MoC Direct serials despite their BARD Only status, and may want to continue receiving them.

Below is the recording and chat transcript for our KLAS Users' Roundtable: Duplication on Demand Tips & Tricks for Serving Patrons that was held on Thursday, May 20, 2021. (57:24 Run Time)

Chat Transcript

Below is the recording and chat transcript for our KLAS Users' Roundtable: Duplication on Demand Tips & Tricks for Serving Patrons that was held on Thursday, May 20, 2021. (57:24 Run Time)

Chat Transcript

On Wednesday, June 21 at 3:00 PM Eastern / Noon Pacific we held our most recent KLAS Users' Roundtable: KDAC Q&A.

During this online session KLAS Users had opportunity to meet KLAS Development Advisory Committee (KDAC) representatives, ask them questions about being on the committee and / or how it operates, share ideas for improvements to KLAS, and more!

Current KDAC Members include:

• Dan Malosh, Committee Chair, Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library
• Traci Timmons, KLAS Users' Group Officers' Liaison, Washington Talking Book and Braille Library
• Barnaby Camp, Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled
• Christina Quintana, Arizona Instructional Resource Center
• Donald Salvato, Xavier Society for the Blind
• Dorothy Hughes, Maryland School for the Blind
• Jesse McGarity, Virginia Beach Public Library, Accessible Resources and Services
• Pepper Watson, Oklahoma Accessible Instructional Materials Center
• Sally Shreck, Maryland Instructional Resource Center
• Sarah Smedley, Palm Beach County Library Talking Books
• Zoelinna Schar, Nevada Talking Book Services

KLAS Users' Roundtable: KDAC Q&A Chat Transcript & Recording

• 06-21-2023_KDAC_Q&A_Chat_Transcript.txt

Follow-up notes from Katy: The instructions for changing font size in KLAS are now available in the Knowledge Base!

However, to add or remove stopwords, you must contact customer support so that the appropriate indexing can be done after the change. Additionally, we believe all libraries are set up with the usual stopwords (a, an, the)--if that does not seem to be the case for your library, please contact customer support with example screenshots.

The recording of our August 24, 2021 KLAS New Features webinar is now available. The webinar covers the features and functionality added to KLAS since the 2021 KLAS Users' Conference.

PowerPoint & Chat Transcript

• 8/24/2021 KLAS New Features PowerPoint - 9.7 MB
• 8/24/2021 KLAS New Features Chat Transcript - 21 KB

The recording of our August 24, 2021 KLAS New Features webinar is now available. The webinar covers the features and functionality added to KLAS since the 2021 KLAS Users' Conference.

PowerPoint & Chat Transcript

• 8/24/2021 KLAS New Features PowerPoint - 9.7 MB
• 8/24/2021 KLAS New Features Chat Transcript - 21 KB

Below is the recording from our August 25, 2022 KLAS LBPD Users' Roundtable on Talking Book Topics.

Description: With the recent loss of the physical Large Print Talking Book Topics from our Reader Advisory Tool Box, libraries are crafting new strategies to keep readers informed about new titles being added to the collection. Our August roundtable explored how other libraries are addressing these changes and share your own successes in addressing the changes with TBT. 

Host: Michael Lang, Kansas Talking Books Service

Panelists:

• Maureen Dorosinki, Florida Braille & Talking Book Libraries
• Crystal Grimes, Oregon Talking Book & Braille Library

Chat Transcript: 08-25-2022_KLAS_Roundtable_Chat.txt