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ARSL 2025 Program DescriptionsPlease Note: This is a draft schedule and is subject to change. Additional programs and updates will be added in the coming weeks. Jump to:Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Virtual Wednesday, September 17Morning Preconference Workshops | 8:30 AM-12:30 PMIn today's landscape, navigating difficult conversations is crucial, especially given the unique realities of rural and small libraries. In this workshop, participants will learn essential skills for planning and facilitating constructive dialogues on potentially polarizing topics. Through practical exercises and comprehensive materials, participants will learn to structure productive conversations, frame topics, and facilitate dialogue. They will practice developing conversation questions and group agreements, as well as addressing issues that may arise in the moment. Participants will leave the session with the skills and resources necessary to effectively organize and facilitate various gatherings such as board and public meetings, programs, and events. They will also gain strategies for managing controversial, contentious, or challenging conversations.
Led by: - Courtney Breese, Director Emeritus, National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation - Keiva Hummel, Executive Director, National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation - Tyler Hahn, Director, Cherokee Public Library - Samantha Oakley and/or Kaileen McGourty from the ALA Public Programs Office Do you find yourself wishing you had a better grasp of data and reporting? You are already collecting a lot of data. But, how do you use it to drive change for your library? Whether it's publicity, applying for grants or justifying a budget increase, this program will help you bring your data to life! Data storytelling is the art of blending data, visualizations, and a narrative into a document for change. This interactive session will blend practical, easy-to-implement tips and tricks with hands-on planning and practice. We’ll walk through the seven steps to effective data storytelling using real examples from your libraries. You will come away with resources to put your data to work.
Led by: - Sara Richter, Library Technician II, Lonsdale Public Library Afternoon Preconference Workshops | 2:00-5:00 PMIs the thought of creating a strategic plan overwhelming because the process is time-consuming, expensive, and pulls you away from your daily work? Or is your last strategic plan rotting in a drawer because things changed and the plan no longer applies? Learn to strategize instead. In just a few hours, with the right framework, you can draft and implement a strategy for any aspect of your library. You’ll learn why traditional strategic planning fails in our current environment, what components are needed for a successful strategy, and how to implement and iterate so your strategy stays useful for years. You’ll practice drafting a strategy for your library or department, examining your own assumptions and biases to strategize successfully, and using futurist thinking to imagine and plan for multiple outcomes. Leave with the knowledge and materials needed to immediately create useful strategies for your library.
Led by: - Amie Pilla, Library CEO, Berthoud Community Library District Attendees of this session will learn how to ethically and confidently respond to health-related questions in the library setting. Through three engaging lessons and interactive activities, participants will explore ethical guidelines from library associations, learn five essential steps of a health reference interview, and gain practical tips for protecting patrons’ health privacy and confidentiality. They will also build foundational knowledge to respond to common health topics such as drugs, cancer, and diabetes. Participants will leave with take-home tools and strategies they can immediately apply, ensuring they feel prepared to support their communities with accurate and ethical health information.
Led by: - Jamia Williams, Assistant Librarian, NNLM Training Office - Jessi Van Der Volgen, Assistant Director, NNLM Training Office What role might our libraries play in shaping a more inclusive, resilient, and engaged community? Join us for a dynamic workshop, tailored to inspire and empower librarians who are passionate about strengthening their communities. Instructors will lead attendees through innovative strategies, compelling case studies, hands-on activities, and actionable tools,this workshop will explore how to build trust and balance with staff and community, enhance civic engagement, foster inclusivity, and design spaces that reflect your community’s unique needs. Dive into meaningful conversations about how libraries can lead the way in shaping the future of democracy and community connection—because the work you do is vital to building a thriving, equitable society. This workshop is an opportunity to connect with peers, gain fresh insights, and leave inspired to amplify the impact of your work. Come ready to share, learn, and envision bold new possibilities for your library and your community. Let’s reimagine what libraries can achieve—together.
Led by: - Shamichael Hallman, Director of Civic Engagement and Economic Opportunity, Urban Library Council - Jennie Garner, Library Director, North Liberty Library Thursday, September 180Morning Sessions I | 9:45 AM-10:45 AMThis session will introduce participants to the digital collections of the Library of Congress, with a particular focus on their use in supporting local history and genealogical research. Library of Congress staff will highlight a range of valuable digital resources, including Chronicling America (historic newspapers), Sanborn and panoramic maps, the Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record/Historic American Landscapes Survey, and a variety of photographic collections. In addition, the session will include a demonstration of practical research strategies that feature tips and shortcuts to help participants efficiently navigate the Library of Congress website, www.loc.gov.
Led by: - Cheryl Lederle, Professional Learning and Outreach Initiatives, Educational Resources Specialist, Library of Congress - Lee Ann Potter, Director of Professional Learning and Outreach Initiatives, Library of Congress Even without a foundation or development staff, small and rural libraries can start attracting private support. This session breaks down practical, scalable steps any library can take—from launching a signature project that inspires donors to setting up the right foundation or Friends structure. Participants will leave with tested strategies for building early fundraising momentum, tips for strengthening partnerships with boards and civic groups, and simple tools to tell a compelling story about why private giving matters—even in small towns.
Led by: - Jonna Ward, Founder and CEO, Library Support Network Conferences can be intimidating with how many programs, exhibitors, and people there are. This group of five friends met at ARSL 2023 and mastered the most effective ways to handle the conference, and they want to share their secrets with you! Whether you’re introverted and need help talking to vendors or extroverted and need help to stop talking to anyone and everyone, whether you have too many programs you want to attend or don’t know where to start, we have all of the answers.
Led by: - Chantel Rindt, Director, Lillian Tear Library - Tanner Ames, Library Technician, Humbolt County Library - Robyn Gillenwaters, Library Director, Mooreland Public Library - Marissa Wilson, Library Director, Parnell Memorial Library - Rebecca Feightner, Executive Director, Bradford Area Public Library In a climate where immigration has been highly politicized, how do libraries play a central role as neutral spaces for convening and supporting New Americans and long-time residents alike? The desire to welcome newcomers isn’t limited to big cities—but is alive and well in small, tight-knit communities around the nation as well. How do small and rural libraries operationalize programming to connect diverse neighbors to one another and to the resources necessary to integrate and thrive? Hear a panel discussion with several library practitioners doing the critical work of belonging in several small and rural communities across the country. The session will also provide attendees time to network and learn best practices from others during breakout table discussions.
Led by: - Claire Holba, Immigration Policy Analyst, Niskanen Center - Nina Sufane, Executive Director, Libraries Without Borders - Kristin Shelley, Executive Director, Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library Great cataloging can spark a rise in circulation. Quality MARC records are at the heart of that mission. You will get a better understanding of what a MARC record is and how they relate to circulation.
Discover what makes a good MARC record. - Find opportunities and issues related to improving your catalog. - Copy catalog a record in less than three minutes. - Update multiple records at once. - Serve all patrons by keeping subject headings up-to-date. - Use different tools that facilitate cataloging. - Automate cataloging processes for different material types. - Learn how to outsource cataloging when needed. Led by: - Casandra Norin, Library Director, Seward County Community College Library Curious about libraries’ role in alcohol and substance use disorder (AUD/SUD) recovery and prevention? We will present materials and a toolkit developed during a two-day national forum that brought together experts and over fifty library staff to focus on understanding, augmenting, and expanding the role of libraries in this emerging area. You’ll leave inspired, informed and ready to use community learning, social connections, and bibliotherapy to address substance use in your community.
Led by: - Noah Lenstra, Associate Professor, University of North Carolina Greensboro - Bobbie Sartin Long, Assistant Professor, Emporia State University Library staff across this country are fighting efforts to ban books and defund their libraries. Hear about the wins, losses, and draws in Louisiana. Learn what has worked, what hasn't, and what new tactics are being used for and against libraries. Attendees will be able to
Led by: - Sonnet Ireland, Director, Washington Parish Library Morning Sessions II | 11:30 AM-12:30 PMThis session will prepare attendees to conduct their own accessibility audits of their library’s physical spaces to evaluate where they are and are not meeting the benchmark of “accessible” or “friendly,” with a focus on often-forgotten barriers to accessibility. Additionally, attendees will learn how to use their community’s individual needs to prioritize what fixes to make as well as discuss possible next steps after completing an audit of their physical space.
Led by: - Abi Avery, Assistant Library Director, Fennville District Library Think you need a big budget to build an engaging after-school program? Think again! In this session, discover how one librarian launched a thriving after-school program from the ground up with less than $100 a year. Serving a low-income community, this initiative brought in everything from coding and cooking classes to therapy animals, photography, sewing, music, and career exploration… all at little to no cost. Learn how to tap into community partnerships, think outside the box, and turn your library into the go-to after-school hub for enrichment, creativity, and connection. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your existing offerings, you’ll leave with ready-to-use ideas, tips for finding hidden resources, and inspiration to create long-lasting partnerships.
Led by: - Chelsea Price, Library Director, Meservey Public Library Learn how to turn your library’s website into a central hub for learning, access, and community connection. This session will explore how to design a site that’s user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and filled with free-to-use digital resources that support lifelong learning. You'll discover ways to make your website a true extension of your library’s mission, reaching patrons anytime, anywhere. The session also covers essential marketing strategies to promote your website and other digital offerings. Learn how to use tools like Meta Business Suite, Canva, and Google Business Profile; develop a simple marketing plan; and organize content with a social media calendar. Attendees will leave with practical, budget-friendly tips for boosting their library’s digital visibility and building stronger connections through technology.
Led by: - Danielle Herriman, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Okotoks Public Library - Nancy Ramirez, Librarian, Le Mars Public Library; Ruth DeSouza, Library Manager, Pawnee Nation College Discover resources for preparing older patrons for emerging challenges and opportunities related to technology, including topics like artificial intelligence (AI) and financial scams. The technology and information landscape is changing rapidly, and it can be challenging for everyone to keep up. This proposal will share programmatic resources that have been produced through a collaboration between the University of Washington and seven small and rural libraries across the United States. These resources are tailored to support older adults within rural communities to expand their digital and information literacy. Participants will leave the session being able to use these resources to run their own programs.
Led by: - Jason Young, Assistant Professor, University of Washington - Chris Jowaisas, Senior Research Scientist, University of Washington This hands-on series of programming offers library patrons the chance to explore essential homesteading skills such as starting a garden, fermenting, raising backyard chickens, vinegar making, canning, and more. Patrons gain practical knowledge for sustainable living in a modern world, from basic techniques to tips for successful practice at home. Homesteading sessions include interactive demonstrations led by knowledgeable staff, volunteers, or local experts, and provide take-home materials to help participants implement what they’ve learned. The homesteading program fosters community engagement and empowers individuals to embrace self-sufficiency in their everyday lives. Leave this session with ideas for implementing similar programs tailored to your own community’s needs.
Led by: - Erica Moses, Library Director, Genesee Area Library In small and rural libraries—where burnout, limited staffing, and political tension are common—kindness can be a revolutionary leadership tool. This session redefines kindness as a practice rooted in clarity, candor, and compassion towards ourselves, our co-workers, and our community. In this interactive session (including self-reflection prompts, role-play scenarios, and communication practice), participants will explore strategies for self-kindness, kindness within the library, and kindness beyond the library. Takeaways will also include a downloadable toolkit of best practices and resources to stay kind in a world that often feels unkind, without losing their mind or compromising their values.
Led by: - Jane Gagne, Learning and Staff Development Supervisor, Suffolk Public Library - Sammie Betler, Director, Casey County Public Library - Erin Coughlin, Circulation Manager, Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library - Rebecca Shelton, Librarian III, Lexington County Public Library Building on 2025-26 ALA President Sam Helmick’s popular “Choose Your Own Adventure: Intellectual Freedom Edition” presentation, presented with Jennie Garner at the last ARSL conference, this session introduces an engaging and interactive digital resource to support public libraries through scenario-based gameplay. Attendees will play the role of library staff as they navigate intellectual freedom issues and interact with patrons and staff in the online game. Following individual game play, participants will discuss options for local implementation of the open educational resource and supplemental training needs. Expect game-inspired swag giveaways as part of this interactive session!
Led by: - Michelle Reed, Director of Programs, Library Futures - Jennie Garner, Director, North Liberty Library Libraries are powerful spaces for cultural education and community engagement—but when it comes to acquiring and displaying Native American art and artifacts, care, respect, and collaboration are essential. This session will explore best practices for curating Indigenous materials with cultural sensitivity, legal awareness, and a commitment to honoring Native voices. Participants will learn how to establish partnerships with tribal communities, navigate legal and ethical guidelines for acquisitions, and design exhibits that authentically reflect Native perspectives. The session will also address common missteps and how to avoid perpetuating harm or misrepresentation through well-meaning displays. Whether your library is embarking on its first cultural exhibit or looking to improve existing collections, this session provides practical guidance for approaching Indigenous art and artifacts with care, collaboration, and respect.
Led by: - Cassandra Osterloh, Tribal Libraries Program Coordinator, New Mexico State Library I was hired as the Manager for the Alamosa Public Library in 2022. In 2023, I led the development of the library's first strategic plan. Strategic planning may seem complex and intimidating, but it can be accessible, even to small libraries, and is important to guiding your activities and making a real impact. In this session, I will lead participants through how the Alamosa Public Library composed our strategic plan, and how you can, too.
Led by: - Maria Kramer, Library Manager, Alamosa Public Library Pop-Up Program | 12:35 PM-12:55 PMFind out what’s truly important in your area with community mapping. We’ll share some ways to build a community outreach mindset through the landscape of places, resources, and people around you. You can organize a mapping program and build on your current connections! Whether your goal is to connect people with the local services they need or to host a story-map of local history, this scalable project will help you get to know your neighbors through story-telling, data gathering, and community collaboration.
Led by: - Jessica Ansari, Assistant Director, Nederland Community Library - Charlie Oribio, Public Services Coordinator, Columbia County Rural Library Pop-Up Program | 2:20 PM-2:40 PMCensus estimates show that the population of those age 65 and over will climb by 22 percent in the next 10 years, then grow at more or less slower rates for the rest of the century. That means health needs of older adults—both physical and mental—should be a key part of your library services now and in the relatively near future. So what resources are out there that provide reliable health information? We will look at some free federal resources with which you can help older patrons and their caregivers connect with reliable, readable health information.
Led by: - George Strawley, Associate Librarian / Engagement Specialist, University of Utah / Network of the National Library of Medicine Afternoon Sessions I | 2:45-3:45 PMAdd movement, improv games, readers’ theater, and more to your library programs for toddlers through 5th graders. Kids are creators: Take them on a book hunt, host book tastings, challenge them to relay races, and have them learn about literature through improv games. Attendees will learn:
Led by: - Anna Szczepanski, Colleague on Call Consultant, Colorado Library Consortium (CLiC) Members of our communities face deepening political divides and an epidemic of loneliness. Libraries have the calling and ability to help fix these issues by building resilient communities, bringing people together, and improving discourse. This presentation provides a roadmap for cultivating community in a divided and disconnected world through several easy-to-implement interventions in our programs and services.
Led by: - Nick Shimmin, Adult Services Librarian, North Liberty Library Hear the practical ways we can budget our time and energy while filling multiple roles in our libraries. For many in small and rural libraries, we are simultaneously director, acquisitions, children's or youth librarian, reference librarian, adult programming librarian, and more. You’ll hear examples and tips for performing all of these roles, then participants will have the opportunity to share their own experiences.
Led by: - Melanie Ollett, Director, Licia & Mason Beekley Community Library Explore the newly completed Open Data Toolkit for Libraries with panelists from participating libraries and learn about how changes to IMLS funding have impacted the project. In our data-driven world, libraries can play a key role in their communities by collecting and publishing local open data—data that is openly accessible and usable by anyone—and educating constituents in its use. The benefits of open data include greater government transparency, increased civic engagement, and the ability for organizations and individuals to make better decisions. The Toolkit has been designed to enable even the smallest to contribute to the open data infrastructure.
Led by: - Jennifer Ashby, Library Director, Asotin County Library - Mary Neuman, Retired Assistant Director, Asotin County Library - John Clexton, Library Director and ARSL President, Gladwin County District Library Management, teambuilding, customer service, and outreach all rely on interpersonal skills. Understanding how those skills fit into library services is essential. While many of these traits are already a part of you, they can also be coached and supported in a positive, proactive work environment. If you are currently in a position of leadership in your library, hope to advance in the future, or want to develop coaching skills for your team—this is for you! By the end of this session, participants will be able to acknowledge common interpersonal skills that contribute to effective library workplace culture and recognize the importance of soft skills in library services and your own work environment. You’ll practice mentorship techniques that you can use with colleagues and patrons and leave with the beginning of a framework for a skill-growth action plan for yourself and others.
Led by: - Kristi Chadwick, Director, Ballston Community Public Library Learn best practices for engaging with local, state, and federal lawmakers. This session will cover how to schedule meetings, present compelling stories, and build long-term relationships with decision-makers.
Led by: - Ashley Stewart, Campaign Strategist, EveryLibrary -- More information to come! --
Are you ready for a speed round? Hear lightning-fast presentations to spark new ideas about ways to enhance or level up your library’s digital collections and resources. More Spark Talks will be added soon!
Anyone, Anywhere: Information Access with the Queer Liberation Library
Expand your patrons’ access to LGBTQ+ information without spending a cent. The Queer Liberation Library (QLL) is a 100% free, digital, nonprofit, queer library accessible to anyone anywhere in the U.S. Attendees will learn what the library offers, how to get patrons set up with a membership, and will take a set of informational materials home with them. Showcasing library materials, outreach strategy, assessment of reach, and impact in rural communities so far, QLL looks forward to discussing how we can continue to grow our support of the information needs of rural LGBTQ+ Americans. Led by: - Amber Dierking, Team Lead: Collections Services, and founding member of the Steering Committee, Queer Liberation Library Digital Preservation Outreach & Education Network: Supporting Rural Libraries
Hear about the first four years of the Digital Preservation Outreach & Education Network (DPOE-N), a joint initiative run by Pratt Institute School of Information and New York University’s Moving Image Archiving and Preservation program. Since 2020, DPOE-N has made a tangible impact on digital preservation training and education in U.S. cultural heritage institutions, including small and rural libraries, through its professional development and emergency hardware microgrant programs. Learn about DPOE-N’s support programs, including microgrants of up to $2,500 for professional development in digital preservation, and free online workshops on topics such as climate change, disaster planning, emulation, anti-racist digital archiving practices, web archiving, and more. Led by: - Kirk Mudle, Program Manager, Digital Preservation Outreach & Education Network, Pratt Institute School of Information - Anthony Cocciolo, Dean, Pratt Institute School of Information ABLE to LiFT: Introducing Library Foundational Training
We know there is a significant need for high-quality, relevant, free training for library staff who are entering the profession. The Idaho Commission for Libraries and OCLC’s WebJunction have partnered to re-imagine and refresh the ABLE courses into a new program called LiFT: Library Foundational Training. In this session, attendees will be introduced to the first series of the training. Designed specifically with the needs of small and rural library staff in mind, these free courses focus on relevant, actionable learning that prepares staff for their workplace. The presenter will walk through the scope and sequence as well as features of the Collection Management series. For a deeper dive into the topic, check out the virtual, on-demand session in the Whova app. Led by: - Annie Gaines, Continuing Education Consultant, Idaho Commission for Libraries Friday, September 19Morning Sessions I | 10:00 AM-11:00 AMIf employee evaluations and reviews give you anxiety, hives, or worse—consider a different approach to supervision and evaluation of your most valuable resource (the people!) as a leader in a small and rural library. Ditch the “dread” element of performance reviews by establishing a strengths-based approach, aligning organization goals with employee goal setting, and using regular check-ins with purposeful and deliberate talking points to redirect less productive behaviors. This method does not rely on personality or on advanced training in human resource management, but it does rely on intention, on relationship, and on record-keeping. We will explore different timelines, policies, and documents for staff check-ins and evaluations, and we will also role play some specific challenging situations related to employee behaviors and performances. Participants will have access to our library’s attorney-approved and HR-approved documents.
Led by: - Miriam Sisson, Director, North Douglas Library District Libraries are for everyone, right? What happens when rural libraries are confronted with homelessness? Libraries must play to our strengths as community connectors and providers of trusted information. Homelessness prompted a group of community partners and library staff to think about how our library community could—and could not—respond. Participants will hear concrete examples of process, tools, and take-aways and will be invited to contribute their own ideas. It is vitally important to have this conversation in more rural communities. Think of this as a practical session on what you can do and how to be OK with what you can’t.
Led by: - Bree Drapa, Director, Westford Public Library Feeling overwhelmed when it comes to the hottest new reads for adults? Did you know many publishers have marketing teams devoted to libraries? This program will offer tips and resources to help you stay on top of current titles and trends. In this lively hour-long session, you'll learn how to read a book in five minutes (really!), how to get the most out of book reviews, and how to use the free assets from LibraryReads for collection development. We'll also feature information on how to get free advance reader copies and how to contact library marketing professionals to learn more about forthcoming titles of interest.
Led by: - Rebecca Vnuk, Executive Director, LibraryReads - Susan Maguire, Senior Editor, Collection Management & Library Outreach, Booklist - Annie Mazes, Associate Director, Library Marketing, Hachette Book Group Help relieve the burden on your front-line staff and empower patrons with our step-by-step guide for creating your own “How To Library” classes. Join us as we share how we developed a curriculum and engaged our entire staff in its implementation. These classes taught patrons about our catalog, online resources, website, and other lesser-known library features. We will also share successes and challenges from our experience, and attendees will leave the class with an action plan for creating a version of “How To Library” for their community.
Led by: - Anne Booker, Assistant Director, Central Skagit Library District - Millissa Macomber, ILS Administrator, Central Skagit Library District Public library building and renovation projects are often once-in-a-generation events. Staff and leaders may never have done a similar project and may never do one again, making it imperative for libraries to learn from one another. Our library opened the doors to its new building on April 1, 2024, after raising more than $3.3 million to help fund construction. After a brief overview of design goals and features of the new library, this presentation will share lessons learned through a successful fundraising campaign, and provide practical suggestions for how to manage input and expectations during the building process.
Led by: - Cari Cusick, Director, Newton Public Library Looking to boost your programming calendar without burning out? This high-energy, idea-packed session delivers a fast-paced mix of plug-and-play program ideas for children, families, and adults. Walk away with at least 20 creative, cost-effective, and easy-to-implement library programs you can launch with minimal prep and maximum community impact. By the end of this session, participants will
- Julie Elmore, Library Director, Oakland City - Columbia Township Public Library - Patty Collins, Consultant, Central Kansas Library System We believe that how we gather matters. This interactive session offers space to pause, reflect, and connect through small, facilitated conversations. We’ll explore strategies for meaningful communication, managing stress, and staying grounded in our core values. Together, we’ll discuss practical ways to build intentional connections, support one another, and reframe our roles in the community. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed or seeking renewal, this is a space to slow down, share ideas, and find the energy to move from surviving to thriving.
Led by: - Jennifer Peterson, Library Community Facilitator, Unemployed - Kieran Hixon, Senior Consultant, Library Development Office, Colorado Department of Education In today's ever-changing and often challenging political climate, small and rural libraries face unique challenges in advocating for services, networking, securing funding, and ensuring continued relevance in their communities. In this session we will explore strategies for elevating advocacy, collaboration, community engagement, and resource sharing. We will introduce resources for grant opportunities, best practices, and identifying partners and allies to help libraries thrive, even in the face of adversity. Attendees will leave empowered to rise to these challenges together and equipped with the tools, resources, and confidence to make their voices heard in the political arena and to foster long-term sustainability.
Led by: - Drew Wichterman, Library Director, Pickaway County Library (ARSL Advocacy Committee Co-Chair) Pop-Up Program | 11:05 AM-11:25 AMLearn how to extend your library superpowers with one simple act! Did you know there is a free, on-demand library service available to anyone in the United States who has low vision, dyslexia, or is blind? There is! This program from the National Library Service will tell you how to connect your patrons to one of the largest accessible recreational reading collections in the United States, filled with hundreds of thousands of books in audio and large print.
Led by: - Alice O'Reilly, Chief, Collections Division, National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress Morning Sessions II | 11:30 AM-12:30 AMIn an era where communities are striving to do more with less, collaboration and communication are more vital than ever. This presentation will showcase how a rural public library became a hub of community engagement by launching Scottdale All Together—a quarterly gathering of representatives from local nonprofits, businesses, organizations, and the school district. By offering a consistent space for sharing missions, updates, and initiatives, this group has fostered a spirit of cooperation, built bridges across sectors, and sparked meaningful partnerships that benefit the entire community. Attendees will learn how a public library can serve not only as a place for books, but as a connector and convener for community progress. Specific programs and collaborations will be discussed.
Led by: - Kristin Smith (Kristy), Director, Scottdale Public Library Have you ever noticed a staff member arrive at work carrying a heavy attitude or looking visibly down? What happens when no one stops to ask, “How are you?” As library professionals, we often focus on serving our patrons, but it’s just as crucial to care for the team serving alongside us. In this heartfelt and practical session, I will share my intentional morning practice, “Good Morning, How Are You?”—a simple yet powerful staff check-in ritual that creates space for empathy, connection, and a better workday. In a time when workplace stress is heightened by social, political, and economic pressures, these small, intentional acts of kindness and concern have never been more important. Creating a supportive, emotionally aware team culture can serve as a stabilizing force amid the noise.
Led by: - Wil'Lani A. Turner, Circulation & Career Services Coordinator, Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System This practical session equips rural and small library staff with essential tools to navigate patron privacy challenges unique to close-knit communities. We will explore legal requirements alongside the nuanced situations where local relationships and limited resources create privacy complexities. Through targeted scenario training, you will develop confidence in protecting patron information—including the gray area of youth services. By session end, you will know straightforward, implementable best practices with consideration for the distinct culture and constraints of your library.
Led by: - Chelsea Coleman, Colleague on Call, Colorado Library Consortium If you know more than the basics of cataloging and want to stop wasting time updating and fixing the errors in the catalog, this presentation is for you. Leverage your time and energy by advancing your cataloging skills. Start by diagnosing what is wrong with your catalog, deciding which of your local cataloging quirks to keep and which to ditch, determining how to improve your catalog using regular expressions, authority work, and how to fix your control fields. Save time by diagnosing, standardizing, and automating your cataloging with global updates. Don’t worry if you aren’t a professional cataloger—using tools and shortcuts will make cataloging a lot easier and quicker. In no time, your catalog will rise above and the results will impact all areas of your library.
Led by: - Casandra Norin, Library Director, Seward County Community College Library Explore how your library can become a hub for sustainability education by teaching the surprisingly simple, incredibly rewarding skill of mushroom cultivation. This session will guide you through the basics of growing mushrooms at home using low-waste, accessible materials—no green thumb required! We'll cover how to design a beginner-friendly workshop that empowers patrons to grow their own nutritious food while supporting environmental stewardship and lifelong learning. As part of the session, participants will take part in a hands-on activity to create mushroom grow kits using simple, sustainable materials—perfect for replicating in library programs or at home. You'll leave with practical knowledge of mushroom-growing techniques, ideas for hands-on programming, and tips for aligning these efforts with broader goals of sustainability, food security, and community engagement. Whether you’re a gardening novice or looking to expand your programming toolkit, come learn how teaching mushrooms can help your patrons grow more than just fungi—they’ll grow confidence, curiosity, and resilience.
Led by: - Skylar Dennis, Technology & Event Specialist, Destin Library - Sydney Schermerhorn, Librarian, Destin Library; Theresa Dennis, Library Technician, Mary Esther Library Perimenopause comes with changes to physical, mental, and emotional health that can impact an employee’s work performance and relationship with their workplace. While perimenopause will impact more than three-quarters of library workers, it continues to be a stigmatized topic, bringing embarrassment, shame, and frustration. This session will highlight the more than 100 perimenopause symptoms including the various physical discomforts, fatigue, and anxiety experienced during this life transition. Not only will information and resources provided educate and create awareness for all administration and staff, it will empower employees to stop suffering in silence and address their health needs. Learn how you can advocate for yourself, restore a sense of agency in the library workplace, and improve your quality of life and career.
Led by: - Suzanne Macaulay, Program Director, OWWL Library System Learn how to increase adult patron participation through consistent, accessible programming scheduled outside of traditional work hours. This session explores how to build impactful community partnerships, identify the best times and formats for adult programs, and tailor offerings to your community’s unique needs, from craft groups to anime and manga clubs. Additionally, we’ll discuss how directors and programmers can collaborate to create a flexible, non-traditional work schedule that supports the role of the programmer and facilitator while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Walk away with actionable strategies to expand reach and sustain adult programming in your library.
Led by: - Melissa Duncan, Community Engagement Coordinator, Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System Are you ready for a speed round? Hear lightning-fast presentations to spark new ideas about ways to serve your community. More Spark Talks will be added soon!
Using Boundaries in Customer Service
By implementing practices learned in this program, participants will learn how to protect themselves during hard conversations with patrons. Using these practices involves learning your own boundaries and knowing when they have been crossed. Learn where your boundaries lie and how to enforce them in the workplace with patrons and staff. Then, learn what can be said and done to make sure these boundaries are not crossed again. Led by: - Emily Ott, Marketing Specialist and Teen Services, St. Marys Community Public Library Yes, We Can Help You With That
Let us show you how we work with community partners to put the buzz words to work and provide several often overlooked services to our rural public library. From birth to senior citizens, our programming is focused on whatever our patrons need. Early literacy, home school, adult learning, HiSet Testing, help with government program applications... we try to cover it all. And how to pay for such things? We have an answer for that, too. We will talk about fundraising options, grants, and old-fashioned donations. Our library serves a town of 7,500 and a county of just over 20,000. We have to think inside the box, outside the box, without a box—and we want to share what we've learned with you. Led by: - Jeanette Kennedy, Director, Seminole Public Library - Starla Cullum, Inter-library Loan Specialist, Seminole Public Library - Kathryn Griffin, Benefit Trust Member, Seminole Public Library Unlocking Social Services: Navigating FindHelp.org
Libraries are crucial in connecting communities with vital social services. This session explores FindHelp.org®, a free platform that bridges this gap with an extensive database, user-friendly interface, and multilingual support. FindHelp.org® empowers libraries and community organizations to effectively inform individuals about essential services, fostering a more inclusive and supportive community. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of FindHelp, including insight into both its strengths and limitations. They will also see a live demonstration of the site. Led by: - George Strawley, Associate Librarian / Engagement Specialist, University of Utah / Network of the National Library of Medicine - Dana Abbey, Associate Professor / Engagement Specialist, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus / Network of the National Library of Medicine Stamped & Sealed: Bringing Government Services to Your Library
Learn how small and rural libraries can successfully implement notary, fingerprinting, and passport services to meet vital community needs. This session offers a practical roadmap for getting started, including legal requirements, staff training, workflow design, and tips for managing high demand with limited resources. Attendees will leave with templates, checklists, and promotional materials they can adapt for their own libraries. The session includes interactive discussion and real-world examples from a rural library that turned these services into trusted, revenue-generating offerings. Whether you're exploring new services or fine-tuning existing ones, you'll gain actionable strategies tailored to small library realities. Led by: - Dennis Andrejko, Service Specialist, Wilkinson Public Library - Oliver Henry, Service Specialist, Wilkinson Public Library Pop-Up Program | 12:35 PM-12:55 PMTherapy animals can be a low-barrier tool to promote mental health in library spaces. Learn the process of developing and implementing therapy animal visits designed to support patron needs such as relieving stress and reducing social isolation. Attendees will learn the science behind therapy animal visits and their mental health benefits, best practices for partnering with certified therapy animal organizations, and practical considerations like scheduling, risk management, staff training, and accessibility. Whether you're just curious or ready to launch your own program, this session offers actionable insights, inspiring examples, and a compassionate lens for how libraries can become healing-centered spaces. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with therapy animals during the presentation and will receive a guide on how to run a successful program.
Led by: - Tara Jankowski, Adult Services Manager, Worcester Public Library Afternoon Sessions I | 3:15 PM-4:15 PMDealing with difficult patrons can challenge even the most seasoned library staff. In this interactive session, we’ll explore the dos and don’ts of handling problem behaviors, uncover common pitfalls, and share strategies to overcome hesitation and doubt. Whether you’re a part of a team or managing a library solo, you’ll discover the value of building a supportive network to navigate tough situations with confidence and professionalism.
Led by: - Paige Crawford, Librarian, Shawano County Library - Claire O'Brien, Library Assistant, Shawano County Library - Nancy Bell, Library Director, Shawano County Library Social media platforms offer a great way to communicate and engage with patrons, but creating and posting content can seem overwhelming. What types of content should I share? How often should I post, and where? How do I make the most impact with my limited staff time? This fast-paced session will allow participants to share their successes, failures and ongoing challenges. Through guided conversation, the presenter will share some social media tips and tricks, then ask the audience to add theirs. At the end, participants will take home a full list of ideas, tips, and tricks. Come ready to share!
Led by: - Sara Richter, Library Technician II, Lonsdale Public Library This session explores artful and subtle strategies libraries use to uphold intellectual freedom and access, from overt examples like the 1939 Alexandria Library sit-in to more behind-the-scenes methods like inclusive cataloging and strategic marketing. Using the mathematics of game theory, we’ll examine the various outcomes of acquiescence versus action, equipping participants to defend the values of librarianship into their daily work while navigating institutional and personal stakes.
Led by: - Allyson Malik, Library Director, Oak Bluffs Public Library - Clayton Cheever, Library Director, Morrill Memorial Library In many of our communities, the library serves not only as a traditional library but also as a gathering place and community center. Our goal was to turn our library into a true destination for our patrons by building connections and increasing the fun! Learn how our library reenergized its programming efforts in 2024, ultimately doubling the number of programs offered and increasing our total patron count by nearly 20% in one year. You will leave with practical examples of inexpensive drop-in and passive programming that can lead to more visits and turn your library into a daily destination for your community.
Led by: - Melanie Weigel, Library Director, Forsyth Public Library Walk away with a well-organized list of program ideas taken straight from our sticky note-filled calendar. From wiggles and giggles to ASL and sensory storytime ideas, we hope to help make storytime fun—even for library staff! We will also touch on the ABCs of storytime and the children’s department to make storytime and beyond engaging and enriching for child and caregiver. We’d love to be a part of your library community, growing to be the best first library a child could have!
Led by: - Krystal Groneman, Program Coordinator, Canyon Area Library - Lizzy Beckett, Program Coordinator, Canyon Area Library Our patrons read and enjoy a wide variety of authors, subjects, and genres, and even the most well-read library professional can have trouble keeping up. By leveraging websites, apps, and AI to assist with readers’ advisory, we can save ourselves time, provide excellent customer service, and avoid attempting to read books we don't enjoy! These tools can help us assist patrons, make booklists, create displays, and much more. We can also teach patrons to use these tools to find that next great read for themselves. You’ll also hear tips for ensuring AI-assisted information and content is accurate and quality.
Led by: - Wendy Moulton, Director, Abilene Public Library Are you ready for a speed round? Hear lightning-fast presentations to spark new ideas to help you plan and prepare for everything that might come your way, from floods to book challenges. More Spark Talks will be added soon!
Beyond the Books: Strengthening Rural Communities Through Library Engagement
Attendees will gain practical strategies for fostering meaningful rural engagement through library programs, outreach, and partnerships. This session will explore innovative ways to connect with underserved populations, address community needs, and create sustainable impact. Participants will leave with actionable tools and real-world success stories. Shared resources will ensure attendees walk away with fresh ideas, ready-to-use templates, and the confidence to implement new initiatives. Whether you’re looking to expand services, strengthen partnerships, or enhance community impact, this session will equip you with the skills to succeed. Led by: - Dr. Greg Carter, Library Director, West Plains Public Library - Dianna Locke, Programming/Collection Development Librarian, West Plains Public Library Libraries as Cooling Centers: Every Library Can Be One!
Your library can be a cooling center, even if you don’t use that term! As extreme heat events become more common even where people worry more about snow or ice than heat waves, libraries are adapting to welcome people who require shelter from heat. Before inviting attendees to share tips from their libraries, we’ll discuss heat risks, who is most affected, and challenges encountered in this work. Attendees will get ideas about incorporating this into existing library services, staffing needs, buy-in, and publicity. Emphasis will be on creative, inexpensive strategies. Not every library is air-conditioned, but every library can do something to meet this increasing need in their community! Led by: - Joy Worland, Consultant for Continuing Education and Small and Rural Libraries, Vermont Department of Libraries - Kelly Metzger, State Data Coordinator, Office of Library & Information Services, State of Rhode Island Library Freedom Project: Information Democracy for All
Library Freedom Project (LFP) provides libraries with skills focused on privacy, intellectual freedom, and information democracy. By working collaboratively with partners and institutions, this group of information professionals seeks to educate stakeholders and enact change in the field. Through webinars, intensive trainings, and other learning opportunities, library workers learn to be privacy advocates, all through a lens of harm reduction and practical application. All resources created by this community of practice—including past workshops, toolkits, printable handouts, and more—are available for free to any library. Learn how you can work with LFP and how this organization can support you as you advocate for and with your own community! Led by: - Tess Wilson, Deputy Director, Library Freedom Project When You Find Yourself Underwater (Literally): Dealing with a Flood in a Small Library
On one of the coldest weekends of the year, a sprinkler head burst in our library breakroom and flooded the entire library. Overnight, our world was turned upside-down. And, unfortunately, we did not have a flood disaster plan. In this presentation, we will detail our response to the flood, discuss what went well and what did not at each stage of recovery, and highlight how we ultimately turned a disaster into opportunity. We will share our experience and the lessons learned along the way in each aspect of the process, including coordinating with multiple insurance companies, providing services when operating out of a limited space, maintaining clear communications with the public, fostering patron engagement with the library through social media, and using this opportunity to re-envision the library space and furniture needs. Attendees will leave with clear strategies on how to plan for disaster before it happens, how to cope when it does, and how to turn your worst experience into something positive. Led by: - Sara Richter, Library Technician II, Lonsdale Public Library - Marguerite Moran, Director, Lonsdale Public Library
Saturday, September 20Morning Sessions I | 8:30 AM-9:30 AMThis session offers practical, low-cost ideas to support cognitive wellness, healthy living, digital literacy, scam prevention, and stronger community connections for older adults. No extra staff or big budgets are needed. This session is designed for library staff at all levels, and it includes hands-on activities, scalable program models, and real-life success stories from small and rural communities. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use tools, adaptable materials, and fresh inspiration to strengthen services for seniors. Come ready to share ideas and discover new ways to help older adults learn, connect, and thrive.
Led by: - Melissa Shenk, Library Branch Manager, Horry County Memorial Library-Green Sea Floyds In small and rural communities, libraries are much more than book lenders—they are lifelines for connection, education, and services. Yet with limited staffing, funding, and resources, small libraries often struggle to meet growing community needs alone. This session explores how meaningful partnerships with schools, health providers, local businesses, and civic organizations can dramatically expand a library’s reach and impact—without overextending staff or budgets. Participants will hear real-world examples of successful collaborations: from hosting community health clinics with local providers, to co-creating arts programming with nonprofits, to launching book clubs in local bars that bring in new audiences. We’ll also highlight the power of working with Rotary Clubs and other civic groups to co-sponsor events, fundraise, and build awareness. Whether your library has one staff member or ten, smart partnerships can help you amplify your mission.
Led by: - Tara Filiatreau, Assistant Director, Nelson County Public Library Three library system directors share candid stories from their leadership journeys, revealing how decision-making driven by nostalgia and emotion can perpetuate problematic behaviors and create roadblocks even worse than the ones we tried to avoid. These real-world examples will show how failing to address problems directly and quickly can turn small issues into major obstacles. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to identify and address problem behaviors before they snowball into bigger challenges.
Led by: - Michael Hull, Executive Director, Southeast Oklahoma Library System - Tim Miller, Executive Director, Western Plains Library System - Gail Oehler, Executive Director, Southern Oklahoma Library System Imposter Syndrome runs rampant in the library world, especially in those of us who are “accidental librarians.” Two years ago, we took you along on our journey of overcoming our personal self doubts, but we think it is time to revisit. In a world of unknowns, one thing we can be certain about is the need for confident, resourceful information specialists across the country. You are not an imposter. You are already doing all the things. It is our hope that session attendees leave with a positive outlook regarding their ability and place in the library world.
Led by: - Amanda Doherty, Director, Mt. Pulaski Public Library District - Lisa Thompson, Assistant Manager, Jessie Peterman Memorial Library in Floyd Libraries play a vital role in the privacy journeys of our patrons, but teaching privacy with limited resources can be difficult! Library Freedom Project supports those who want to offer privacy programming in a way that recognizes both the comfort levels and tech literacy of their learners, at various scales to accommodate libraries of any size. We will share practical and easy-to-implement ways to offer impactful programming and resources about online privacy, the risks involved with sharing personal data, and more. Attendees will learn good practices and techniques for teaching privacy, and leave with several bite-sized lessons—adaptable for a range of ages and audiences—to take back to their institutions.
Led by: - Tess Wilson, Deputy Director, Library Freedom Project Participants will learn how our library’s staff collaborated on a strategic four-year model to completely rebrand the library from afterthought small-town book house to an anchor institution for Thomasville and beyond. The four-year model allowed the library to rise from a traditional small and rural library into a literacy-focused community center by emphasizing collaboration and low-cost dynamic, innovative programming. Attendees will be provided with tools and strategies to efficiently overhaul their own small and rural library model—such as specific examples of effective (award-winning) library programming, strategies for community visibility, and staff development.
Led by: - Keaton Toney, Library Manager III / Branch Manager, Thomasville Public Library - Cody Beck, Library Systems Support Technician, Thomasville Public Library This panel will focus on challenges and opportunities recent advances in technology present for libraries and library communities. Moderated by Library Futures, the session will emphasize strategies that promote a technology-forward future, fight against corporate consolidation, and advance fair digital rights for libraries. Questions for the panel will be solicited via social media prior to the event, as well as from the audience during a robust Q&A. Though audience interest will guide the discussion, we expect conversation to include large language models (i.e., generative artificial intelligence or AI), immersive technologies, and vendor-implemented censorship tools.
Led by: - Jennie Rose Halperin, Executive Director, Library Futures - Jason Griffey, Director, Strategic Initiatives, NISO Are you ready for a speed round? Hear lightning-fast presentations to spark new ideas for fun, fresh programs. More Spark Talks will be added soon!
How Your Library Can Rise Through the Solar System Ambassador Program
Looking for a unique and innovative way to make your library stand out for no cost? Come learn about the Solar System Ambassador program, a public engagement effort that increases awareness and excitement about science through NASA’s space exploration missions and discoveries with the people in their communities. Whether it is for storytime, teens, young adults, adults, or seniors, there is something for everyone who participates in this program. While this program has a far reach, it is perfect for library professionals in small and rural libraries. Led by: - Janine Jamison-Miller, Coordinator of Training & Development, Arkansas State Library Creating a Book Garden: Grow Young Readers, Cultivate New Writers, See Your Community Bloom
Our library partnered with Nebraska Growing Readers & Unite For Literacy to install five book stands in our town. Learn how we provided free print books for kids and also free access to a digital library that provided narration in a plethora of languages. Hosting a writing workshop for local authors and supporting them during the publication process will produce books with local content, showing your community reflected in their book stands. Led by: - Jenny White, Library Director, Schuyler Public Library Host a Pet Songwriting Workshop: A Joyful Library Program for All Ages
You don’t have to be a musician or a poet to incorporate writing pet songs into library programming! This talk will offer easy steps on how to lead a writing session that helps participants give new life to favorite melodies with lyrics celebrating their pets. Word play and music combine in this whimsical activity for both new and experienced songsters—purrfect for National Poetry Month. Imagine the fun when the library program culminates in a performance for those inclined to share their work. Furry muses could even attend if allowed in the library or the event is outside! Led by: - Joy Worland, Consultant for Continuing Education and Small and Rural Libraries, Vermont Department of Libraries Creating Confident Code Queens with Girls Who Code
We wanted to develop more STEM programs in our library, but weren't sure how to include coding and programming, since none of our staff are coders. Then we discovered Girls Who Code! This free online program was created to provide computer science training for girls, women, and nonbinary individuals in an attempt to narrow the hiring gap for women in tech. Learn how we started a GWC club with two 6th graders and built it into a thriving weekly program over the course of a school year, and how you can utilize the GWC curricula and other resources to build a club that fosters sisterhood and confidence in its members. Led by: - Shawn Bliss, Director, Smithfield Public Library Morning Sessions II | 10:00 AM-11:00 AMOur libraries have weathered many storms—attacks on funding, book bans, and so much more. How can we shore up our institutions when resources are scarce? How can we avoid the pitfalls of the scarcity mindset that might keep us from recognizing the ports in the storm? By taking small steps and making a few big moves, we will find abundance in our communities that can help us advocate for our libraries. A panel of library leaders will share their experiences advocating for their small libraries. From developing essential and long-lasting community support to strategies for fundraising and beyond, we’ll examine tested practices for library advocacy that emphasize abundance in even the most lean and trying of times. Topics of this session will include powermapping for influence, fundraising and foundations, and community organizing to build a strong foundation of support. Objectives will include understanding real-world examples of advocacy, recognizing ways to develop lasting community support and advocates for libraries, and applying strategies for finding abundance when it comes to advocating for our libraries.
Led by: - Betsy Gomez, Assistant Director, ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom - MacKenzie Ledley, Executive Director, Pulaski County Public Library - Patrick Bodily, Library Director, Independence Public Library - Sharon Amastae, Trustee, New Mexico Library Foundation Library Futures recently published a report on censorship efforts that analyzed content ban legislation, public hearings and reports, and interviews with information professionals from across the United States. Despite much conversation in our professional networks and in the news about the rise in book bans across the country, we found the censorship discussion in libraries often excludes the complex factors at play in the digital realm. This session presents key findings from our research study on digital censorship with new updates about changes in vendor policy plus the impact of federal executive orders and state legislation proposed since January.
Led by: - Michelle Reed, Director of Programs, Library Futures Discover what collection development is, what to know about policies, and how to handle complaints. Get ready to practice scenarios and hone your customer service techniques so that you're prepared should the time come. This session will leave you feeling empowered and better equipped to talk about collections with your colleagues and your communities. With book challenges increasing amid the political polarization nationwide, ensuring that your library has strong collection development policies and customer service practices helps to provide solid foundations to neutralize challenges.
Led by: - Chelsea Coleman, Colleague on Call, Colorado Library Consortium - Anna Szczepanski, Colleague on Call, Colorado Library Consortium As library staff, you can feel that you wear many hats and need to do all the things, completely and well and for many small libraries—you have to! However, effective delegation will not only free up time and energy for your highest priorities, but allow all staff to become more effective in working together as a team. Delegation can create better workflows and balanced responsibilities, as well as create accountability and buy-in, no matter your position in the library. By the end of this session, participants will be able to identify the differences between delegation and work direction, recognize challenges to delegation and how to overcome them, and create and maintain a delegation process in their library.
Led by: - Kristi Chadwick, Director, Ballston Community Public Library Hear from a panel of six different librarians who have used volunteer partnerships to build up their respective communities, each with a different program. Whether it is implementing a volunteer program for the library, educating youth to gain excitement for future opportunities, or beautifying a city, there are many ways in which libraries can bridge gaps with community partnerships.
Led by: - Tanner D Ames, Library Technician, Humboldt County Library - NV - Margarita Moore, Youth Services Assistant, Lillian DesMarias Youth Library - Andrea Eckerson, East Valley Branch Librarian, Lewis and Clark Library - Manuel Pasillas, Library Director, Gilbreath Memorial Library - Jean Markert, Library Director, La Conner Swinomish Library - Shone Ellis, Branch Manager, Butte Falls Jackson County Library Services Rural libraries have unique challenges, and one of those is finding ways to engage their community to design more relevant programs and services. Inclusive data practices offer an approach for rural libraries to talk with their community members about what is important and unique about the community and find ways to measure that. In this session, a panel of rural librarians will share their experiences on how community engagement strategies can help libraries gather and use data that more accurately reflects their communities. Panelists will share how they have begun to implement this approach in their own communities. Attendees will leave with a guide that will help them engage their community with these approaches.
Led by: - Brenda Hornsby Heindl, Branch Manager, Liberty Public Library, Liberty, NC - Amy Stone, Library Director, Bridgton Public Library - Tamara Evans, Adult Services Librarian, Beaumont Library District - Beaumont, California History is happening in your community. How can you document your community’s story, ensuring it will be available for future generations? Learn how small and rural libraries can take practical steps to implement community-focused local preservation projects. Through small group work and hands-on activities, we will discuss 1) planning preservation events and activities, 2) preserving web-based content, 3) digitization and digital preservation strategies, and 4) tools for getting started and implementation. Learn about Internet Archive’s Community Webs program, which provides free tools, training, and support for organizations engaged in community-focused preservation work—along with Vault, a low-cost, easy-to-use digital repository and preservation service. Leave with strategies and tools for implementing local preservation programs.
Led by: - Anna Trammell, Program Manager, Community Archiving, Internet Archive - Amanda McCabe, Program Manager, Vault, Internet Archive -- More information to come! --
Virtual, On-Demand SessionsPositive psychology is shown to improve staff morale and retention, as well as customer retention. In this interactive session, discover joyful practices to build connection and community engagement through the positive psychology framework and tools to integrate into collaborations, meetings, and projects. Participants will engage in three joy-centric exercises and ways to integrate these into their work with communities. This session offers practical tools for work teams of all sizes and can be adapted for in-person or virtual environments.
Led by: - Rebecca Hass, Programming and Outreach Manager, Anne Arundel County Public Library In January 2024, a random sample of 404 rural libraries was sent a survey on how they support healthy eating and/or active living (HEAL), and 108 (27%) answered the call to participate. Findings show that each additional paid staff member in a rural library significantly increased the odds of rural libraries supporting HEAL. We cannot always find the resources to increase our staff, but we can find novel ways of supporting this need through partnerships. During the session, we will share what we learned from the survey and discuss strategies you can use to find and leverage partnerships to support community health, without increasing your staff or your budget.
Led by: - Noah Lenstra, Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Greensboro Over the past four years, Library Makers has identified six key problems of practice encountered by library makerspace staff in a broad range of library and community contexts, including reaching new audiences and creating welcoming and accessible spaces. In this session, participants will explore each problem of practice, reflecting on how they show up in their makerspaces and collectively identifying strategies they use to navigate them. Presenters will then introduce action-oriented tools from the Makers in the Library Toolkit that participants can leverage to address three key problems of practice: outreach and engagement, communicating value, and accessibility. The session will conclude with a collaborative brainstorming activity, reinforcing the value of professional networks in developing future tools and community-driven solutions. Networking will play a vital role throughout the session, as participants engage in discussions, share insights, and build connections to support ongoing problem-solving.
Led by: - Cindi Place, Managing Director, Crooked Tree District Library - Lisa Regalla, Library Consultant, Regallium Consulting Providing great customer service in public libraries is no longer a “nice to have,” or like a cherry on top of a chocolate sundae. It's a MUST have. The good news is that libraries of any size, with any budget and any amount of staff, have the capability to provide incredible service to its patrons. When it comes to giving great service, all libraries have the ability to rise. Gain strategies on assessing your library's commitment to great service, including ways to deliver it, how to measure it, and what steps to take when service fails.
Led by: - Jamie Matczak, Education Consultant, Wisconsin Valley Library Service Participants will leave this presentation with ideas on how to reach residents who may not regularly utilize the library. This presentation focuses on creative ways to partner with other local organizations, and we will share our success stories of how we were able to bring in more patrons with our outreach efforts.
Led by: - Jackilyn Roseberry, Director, Fremont Area District Library - Elizabeth Dekkinga, Assistant Director, Fremont Area District Library In this session, learn about "The Value of Kentucky's Public Libraries: A Return-on-Investment Study," which was completed in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Kentucky. The conversation will focus on the difficulty entailed in translating public library funding into dollar amounts and limitations to economic studies. This will lead into a discussion of how libraries can do basic calculations to show their value, how talking about value that can be calculated, and how value that cannot be calculated is useful for advocacy purposes.
Led by: - Brian Real, Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky Are you struggling to get your team to work together? Are you a director of a library where everybody is playing defense? How can you effectively restore trust with employees who have repeatedly faced adversity? As if COVID wasn’t enough of a challenge, in 2021 our library was on its third director in as many years. The Board of Trustees was noticeably hostile toward the staff, each branch was doing its own thing, and the main branch struggled to manage the impacts to regular operations from patrons experiencing a combination of homelessness and behavioral issues. During her first nine months, the director had to make some tough decisions. Join the library on their four-year journey to rebuilding organizational trust and leave with a list of resources and ideas to transform your own work culture.
Led by: - Susan Kromrie, Assistant Director, Trails Regional Library - Jackie Hawes, Director, Trails Regional Library This panel discussion will share case studies of how four rural libraries in Kentucky are building cross-sector partnerships to meet the needs of their communities, highlighting innovative initiatives that bridge gaps in healthcare, social support, and educational access. Attendees will learn strategies for aligning library programming and infrastructure with current priorities of public health and social services. Attendees will also participate in a hands-on activity to develop cross-sector partnership rosters and plans to position their libraries as rural community resource hubs.
Led by: - Margaret McGladrey, Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky College of Public Health - Tammy Blackwell, Director, Marshall County Public Library, Kentucky - Lea Wentworth, Adult Services Staff, McCracken County Public Library, Kentucky - Brian Real, Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky School of Information Science Attendees will discover how to use SciStarter’s free, customizable, and easy-to-implement resources to engage people of all ages in citizen science and enrich library programming. This session will focus on opportunities during April’s One Million Acts of Science campaign—part of the America 250 celebration—and beyond. Participants will learn how libraries can connect with America Gives, the largest volunteer initiative in U.S. history, to empower community members to contribute to real scientific research. The session includes hands-on exploration of ready-to-use projects aligned with civic engagement and discovery, plus access to staff training tools, promotional materials, and curated project lists.
Led by: - Tara Cox, Director of Partnerships, SciStarter - Darlene Cavalier, Founder and CEO, SciStarter Transportation licenses, nap schedules, and more: When it comes to accessing library storytimes and services, in-home daycare providers face formidable obstacles. At the same time, in-home daycares are often the only "preschool" children attend. Without the capacity to serve this group with individual in-home storytimes, our library set out to address these barriers in a fresh way. The Traveling Early Literacy Library (TELL) is a rotating series of 10-book kits delivered to providers’ doorsteps, no check-out required. TELL books are selected with both early literacy skill-building value and strong kid appeal in mind. Each contains early literacy tips on the inside cover, helping providers maximize its potential with a glance. Attendees will leave this session with the TELL title list and early literacy tips for 80 picture books (don't reinvent the wheel!), ideas for scaling the service to fit their library's budget and needs, and a new perspective on providing youth services outreach when you can't be everywhere at once.
Led by: - Emily Lloyd, Youth Services Librarian, Northfield Public Library Is your organization ready if you win the lottery, get hit by a horse and buggy, retire, or simply move on in your career? If you start creating a transition guide now, you can put your library on the right path to success with or without your leadership. There are many ways to gather institutional knowledge, but this presentation will showcase the resource that I was able to create for my library using Microsoft 365, OneNote, and OneDrive. The beauty of using technology to create a library brain is that it can be easily updated, accessed remotely, and shared with others.
Led by: - Wendy Moulton, Director, Abilene Public Library Our patrons read and enjoy a wide variety of authors, subjects, and genres, and even the most well-read library professional can have trouble keeping up. By leveraging websites, apps, and AI to assist with readers’ advisory, we can save ourselves time, provide excellent customer service, and avoid attempting to read books we don't enjoy! These tools can help us assist patrons, make booklists, create displays, and much more. We can also teach patrons to use these tools to find that next great read for themselves. You’ll also hear tips for ensuring AI-assisted information and content is accurate and quality.
Led by: - Wendy Moulton, Director, Abilene Public Library |