Presentations

I speak regularly at national and regional conferences on topics ranging from open source systems to strategic planning and innovation in libraries and higher education. If you are interested in having me speak at your event or workshop, please take a look at my Speaking page and if interested, get in touch with me at vacekrae@gmail.com. 

The links in the citations below go to copies of the presentations that are preserved in institutional repositories. You can also see many of the actual presentations on my SlideShare page.

Keynote Presentations

  1. Vacek, Rachel. Keynote. “Re-Imagining the Library Website.” Re-Imagining the Library!, Oklahoma Chapter of the Association of College & Research Libraries Annual Conference, Oklahoma State University, Tulsa, OK, November 6, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1310
  2. Vacek, Rachel. Keynote. “Preparing for Technological Changes within Academic Libraries.” Library Futures Series, Oklahoma State University Library, Stillwater, OK, November 13, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1370
  3. Vacek, Rachel. Keynote. “New Technologies that Could Affect Libraries.” North Texas Conference on Library Technology, Decatur, TX, August 3, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1326
  4. Vacek, Rachel. Keynote. “Funding Mobile Innovation in the Library: The Why and How.” Consortium of Academic Libraries and Learning Resources Spring Meeting, Houston, TX, April 29, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1353
  5. Vacek, Rachel. Keynote. “The Current Landscape of Mobile Libraries.” Central Texas Library System Annual Technology Conference, Georgetown, TX, December 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1355

Invited Presentations

  1. Vacek, Rachel, Peter Murray, Josh Weisman, Janetta Waterhouse, Scott Bernier, and Christopher Spalding. “Workflows across Systems: Innovation.” Webinar sponsored by NISO. October 13, 2021.
  2. Vacek, Rachel, and Krista Godfrey. “Transforming Organizational Culture using UX Strategies.” Webinar by Reference and User Services Association. December 11, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/152462
  3. Vacek, Rachel. “Challenges and Opportunities in Library Discovery” Big Ten Academic Alliance Conference on Discovery, Urbana-Champaign, IL, May 30-31, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/143855
  4. Vacek, Rachel. “Challenges and Opportunities in Customizing Library Repository User Interfaces.” Webinar by NISO and NASIG. March 14, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/142785
  5. Vacek, Rachel, Kat Palmer, and Iris Bierlein. “Smoothing the Path of the Research Journey: Designing for User Experience Excellence in Academic Libraries.” Webinar by Library Journal and Emerald Publishing. September 27, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/138151
  6. Vacek, Rachel. “The Changing Nature of Web Design and User Expectations and How Libraries Can Respond.” Houston Area Law Librarians Annual Meeting, South Texas College of Law, Houston, TX, April 8, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1306
  7. Vacek, Rachel. “Library Websites of the Future.”  Special Library Association Texas Chapter Annual Meeting, Rice University, Houston, TX, November 13, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1315
  8. Vacek, Rachel, Ken Varnum, Victoria Estrada, and Annemarie Haar. “Content Management and Technical Infrastructure.” New Media Consortium Virtual Symposium on the Future of Libraries, Online, November 12, 2014.
  9. Vacek, Rachel. “Assessing Your Library Website Using User Research Methods and Other Tools.” Re-Imagining the Library!, Oklahoma Chapter of the Association of College & Research Libraries Annual Conference, Oklahoma State University, Tulsa, OK, November 6, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1318
  10. Vacek, Rachel, and Richard Guajardo. “Web-Scale Discovery: Post Implementation.” Texas Library Association Annual Conference, Houston, TX, April 20, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1317
  11. Vacek, Rachel. “Considerations for Your Mobile Library.” Texas Library Association Annual Conference, Houston, TX, April 17, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1319
  12. Vacek, Rachel. “Overcoming the Challenges to Creating a Single Online User Experience.” Amigos Online Conference: Technology: Unexpected Consequences of Legislation and Policies in Libraries, February 8, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1320
  13. Vacek, Rachel. “Considerations for Your Mobile Library.” North Texas Conference on Library Technology, Decatur, TX, August 3, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1327
  14. Vacek, Rachel. “Giving Your CMS Users a Content Strategy and a Positive UX.” North Texas Conference on Library Technology, Decatur, TX, August 3, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1328
  15. Vacek, Rachel. “The Future of Academic Libraries.” Scholarly Communications Forum: The Future of Libraries, Rice University, Houston, TX, July 21, 2010.

Presentations

  1. Vacek, Rachel, Nabeela Jaffer, and Richard Adler. “From Siloed to Connected: Using Engagement as a Means to Improve the Culture of a Library Division.” Conference on Academic Library Management (CALM), Online, April 29, 2022. https://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/172234
  2. Vacek, Rachel, Craig Smith, and Ken Varnum. “Search, Report, Wherever You Are: A Novel Approach to Assessing User Satisfaction with a Library Discovery Interface.” Library Assessment Conference, Online, January 21, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/163532
  3. Vacek, Rachel, Josh Boyer, and Ashley Brewer. “Personal README Files: User Manuals for Library Staff.”  Designing for Digital, Online, March 9, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/154114
  4. Vacek, Rachel. “Our Website Redesign Project and the Creation of a DEIA Statement.” UX Leadership in Academic Libraries Meetup, Raleigh, NC, November 4, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/151933
  5. Vacek, Rachel, and Heidi Burkhardt. “Practicing intentionality in team and project work.” Advancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility in Libraries & Archives (IDEAL), Columbus, OH, August 7, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/150634
  6. Vacek, Rachel, and Ben Howell. “Transforming library culture with a Digital Accessibility Team.” Advancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility in Libraries & Archives (IDEAL), Columbus, OH, August 6, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/150635
  7. Vacek, Rachel, Meghan Sitar, and Emily Puckett Rodgers. “Diffusing Organizational Change through Service Design and Iterative Assessment.” Library Assessment Conference, Houston, TX, December 6, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/146754
  8. Vacek, Rachel, and Ken Varnum. “Service Design: Thinking Holistically about Services & Technology.”  Library & Information Technology Association Forum, Minneapolis, MN, November 10, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/146184
  9. Vacek, Rachel, Meghan Sitar, and Emily Puckett Rodgers. “Transforming an Organization through Service and Space Design Strategy.” Designing for Digital, Austin, TX, March 7, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/142413
  10. Vacek, Rachel, Zoe Chao, and Carrie Moran. “Fostering Great Experiences for UX-Tasked Student Workers.” Designing for Digital, Austin, TX, March 5, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/142412
  11. Vacek, Rachel, and Ken Varnum. “Customizing Discovery Interfaces: Understanding Users’ Behaviors and Providing Better Service.” Electronic Resources & Libraries, Austin, TX, March 5, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/142719
  12. Vacek, Rachel, Meghan Sitar, and Emily Puckett Rodgers. “Fostering Organizational Change through Service and Space Design Strategy.” Coalition for Networked Information Fall Membership Meeting, Washington DC, December 12, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/139883
  13. Vacek, Rachel, and Ken Varnum. “Own the User Experience: Provide Discovery for Your Users.” Library & Information Technology Association Forum, Denver, CO, November 10, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/139049
  14. Vacek, Rachel, Eddie Neuwirth, Jesse Koennecke, and Jacquie Samples. Panelist. “It’s Personal! One-size Discovery Does Not Fit All: Customizing Discovery at Michigan.” Electronic Resources & Libraries, Austin, TX, April 4, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/136222
  15. Vacek, Rachel, Josh Boyer, Debra Kolah, Courtney McDonald, and Nadaleen Tempelman-Kluit. Panel Moderator.  “Can a UX Department Really Make a Difference?” Designing for Digital, Austin, TX, April 3, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/136223
  16. Vacek, Rachel. “Contextual Inquiry: How Ethnographic Research Can Impact the UX of Your Website.” Library & Information Technology Association Forum, Minneapolis, MN, November 14, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1311
  17. Vacek, Rachel. “Impact the UX of Your Website with a Contextual Inquiry.” Library 2.015 Worldwide Virtual Conference, October 20, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1312
  18. Vacek, Rachel. “Impact Your Library UX with Contextual Inquiry.” Texas Library Association District 8 Fall Conference, Houston, TX, September 26, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1313
  19. Vacek, Rachel, and Louis Rosenfeld. Interview.  “LITA President’s Program: An Interview with Lou Rosenfeld.” American Library Association Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA, June 28, 2015.
  20. Vacek, Rachel, Santi Thompson, Annie Wu, Andy Weidner, and Sean Watkins. “Hitting the Road Towards a Greater Digital Destination.” Texas Conference on Digital Libraries, Austin, TX, April 27, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1314
  21. Vacek, Rachel, and R. Nicole Westbrook. “How to Rock the Planning Process for your Next Digital Library Web Project.” Texas Conference on Digital Libraries, Austin, TX, May 7. 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1316
  22. Vacek, Rachel, Jeannie Castro, and Kelsey Brett. “How to Build a Better Mousetrap or Developing an Easy, Functional ERM.” Charleston Conference, Charleston, SC, November 10, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1371
  23. Vacek, Rachel, and Berika Williams. “Library Mobile Web Design: Tips, Tricks and Resources.” Texas Library Association District 8 Fall Conference, Houston, TX, October 22, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1321
  24. Vacek, Rachel, Jason Battles, and Nina McHale. “Building a Single User Experience.” Internet Librarian, Monterey, CA, October 18, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1322
  25. Vacek, Rachel. “Discovery at the University of Houston Libraries.” Part of larger program, “The Age of Discovery: Understanding Discovery Services, Federated Search, and Web-scale.” American Library Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, June 26, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1349
  26. Vacek, Rachel, Jason Battles, Chris Evjy, and Nina McHale. “Drupal Fail Panel & Group Therapy Session.” American Library Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, June 27, 2011.
  27. Vacek, Rachel, and Anita Riley. “Seeing the Library through the Terminator’s Eyes: Augmented Reality.” Amigos Member Online Conference, May 18, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1329
  28. Vacek, Rachel. “Therapy for Your CMS: Improving the User Experience.”  J. Boye Conference, Philadelphia, PA, May 4, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1350
  29. Vacek, Rachel, and Anita Riley. “QR Codes and Augmented Reality Help Libraries Extend Services.” Trendy Topics Online Conference, March 16, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1351
  30. Vacek, Rachel, and Anita Riley. “Bridging the Gap Between Print and Digital Environments.” Innovations in Teaching and Learning Conference, Lee College, Baytown, TX, November 11, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1352
  31. Vacek, Rachel. “Cool Tools to Help Libraries Bridge the Gap Between Print and Digital Environments.” Texas Library Association District 8 Fall Conference, Friendswood, TX, October 30, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1354
  32. Vacek, Rachel, Catherine Essinger, Rosalind Alexander, and Christina Gola. “The Importance of Politics.” Association of Research Libraries Leadership Fellows Program, University of Houston Libraries, Houston, TX, September 21, 2010.
  33. Vacek, Rachel, Christina Gola, Robin Dasler, and Billy Hoya. “Mobile Innovations in the UH Libraries.” Handheld Librarian Online Conference II, February 18. 2010.  http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1330
  34. Vacek, Rachel, and Robin Dasler. “Get Your Game On in Instruction.” Innovations in Teaching and Learning Conference, Lee College, Baytown, TX, November 12, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1332
  35. Vacek, Rachel, Christina Gola, and Robin Dasler. “The Current Landscape of Mobile Devices.” Texas Library Association District 8 Fall Conference, Sugar Land, TX, October 17, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1331
  36. Vacek, Rachel, and Anna Creech. “Collaborating in the Clouds: The Tools.” Internet Librarian, Monterey, CA, October 26, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1334
  37. Vacek, Rachel, and Robin Dasler. “iTouch and Go: Funding Innovation in the UH Libraries.” Internet Librarian, Monterey, CA, October 27, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1333
  38. Vacek, Rachel, and Michael Porter. “Content Contribution & Distribution.” Internet Librarian, Monterey, CA, October 28, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1356
  39. Vacek, Rachel. “Libraries Using Mobile Devices.” Unconference, American Library Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, July 10, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1357
  40. Vacek, Rachel, and Michele Reilly. “Digital Libraries & Institutional Repositories.” Scholarly Communication Forum: The Future of Scholarly Communication, University of Houston, Houston, TX, June 2009.
  41. Vacek, Rachel, Veronica Arellano, and Robin Dasler. “Research Where You Learn: Incorporating Research and Information Literacy Modules into WebCT.” University of Houston System ACE Conference on Student Success, Houston, TX, March 27, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1346
  42. Vacek, Rachel, and Karen Coombs. “Mashing Up and Remixing the Library Website.” Internet Librarian, Monterey, CA, October 20, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1348
  43. Vacek, Rachel. “Putting the Library Website in Their Hands: The Advantages and Challenges of a Homegrown Content Management System.” Library & Information Technology Association Forum, Cincinnati, OH, October 18, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1358
  44. Vacek, Rachel. “Apps in Facebook & Google OpenSocial: Why Librarians Should Pay Attention.” BIGWIG Social Software Showcase, American Library Association Annual Conference, Anaheim, CA, June 25, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1359

Poster Presentations

  1. Vacek, Rachel, Veronica Arellano, Miranda Bennett, Karen Coombs, and Robin Dasler. “The Library Makes Its Small Screen Debut: Using the iPod Touch to Trial Library Services on Mobile Devices.” Association of College & Research Libraries National Conference, Seattle, WA, March 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1347
  2. Vacek, Rachel, Sandra Besselson, Chris Harris, Katy Herrick, and Wanda Nesbit. “Making the Library Workplace More Millennial Friendly.” American Library Association Annual Conference, Washington, D.C., June 2007.

Workshops & Preconferences

  1. Vacek, Rachel. “Examples of What You Can Do with the DPLA API.” Part of the Preconference, Hacking the Digital Public Library of America. Texas Conference on Digital Libraries, Austin, TX, April 27, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1360
  2. Vacek, Rachel. “Drupal 101.” Texas Library Association Annual Conference, Houston, TX, April 17, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1361
  3. Vacek, Rachel, and Nina McHale. “Getting Started with Drupal.” LITA Preconference, American Library Association Midwinter Meeting, Dallas, TX, January 20, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1323
  4. Vacek, Rachel, and Sean Watkins. “Managing Projects & Communication.” Internet Librarian, Monterey, CA, October 15, 2011.
  5. Vacek, Rachel, Jason Battles, and Sean Watkins. “Streamlining Data for Cross-Platform Web Delivery.” Internet Librarian, Monterey, CA, October 16, 2011.
  6. Vacek, Rachel, and Nina McHale. “Getting Started with Drupal.” LITA Preconference, American Library Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, June 24, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1324
  7. Vacek, Rachel, Jason Battles, Catherine Baird, and Nina McHale. “Migrating to Drupal: Open Source Library Intranets.” Internet Librarian, Monterey, CA, October 23, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10657/1362

Web Courses

  1. Vacek, Rachel, and Donna Lanclos. “Contextual Inquiry: Using Ethnographic Research to Impact Your Library UX.” LITA Web Course, 6 weeks, September-October 2018.
  2. Vacek, Rachel, and Deirdre Costello. “Contextual Inquiry: Using Ethnographic Research to Impact Your Library UX.” LITA Web Course, 6 weeks, July-August 2017.
  3. Vacek, Rachel. Course facilitator. “Digital UX Workshop: Crafting Exceptional Digital Experiences for the User-Centered Library.” Library Journal Online Course, 5 weeks, October-November 2015.