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ARSL 2025 Program Descriptions

Please Note: This is a draft schedule and is subject to change. Additional programs and updates will be added in the coming weeks.

For full program descriptions, please refer to this document.

Jump to: Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Virtual


Wednesday, September 17

Morning Preconference Workshops | 8:30 AM-12:30 PM

Building Bridges: Constructive Dialogue in Small Library Communities

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

Data Storytelling: Using Data to Share Your Library's Story

Sara Richter, Library Technician II, Lonsdale Public Library

Afternoon Preconference Workshops | 2:00-5:00 PM

Ditch Strategic Plans, Create Useful Strategies

Amie Pilla, Library CEO, Berthoud Community Library District

Health Reference Express

Jamia Williams, Assistant Librarian, NNLM Training Office
Jessi Van Der Volgen, Assistant Director, NNLM Training Office

Meet Me at the Library: Building Trust & Fostering Connection

Shamichael Hallman, Director of Civic Engagement and Economic Opportunity, Urban Library Council
Jennie Garner, Library Director, North Liberty Library


Thursday, September 18

Morning Sessions I | 9:45 AM-10:45 AM

Exploring Local History with the Library of Congress

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

Reducing Substance Abuse through Community Learning & Bibliotherapy

Noah Lenstra, Associate Professor, University of North Carolina Greensboro
Bobbie Sartin Long, Assistant Professor, Emporia State University

Rising to the (Book) Challenge: Lessons from the Battles Over Louisiana Libraries

Sonnet Ireland, Director, Washington Parish Library

Libraries as Community Hubs: Welcoming & Integrating New Americans in Small and Rural America

Claire Holba, Immigration Policy Analyst, Niskanen Center
Nina Sufane, Executive Director, Libraries Without Borders
Kristin Shelley, Executive Director, Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library

How to Make the Most of the ARSL Conference!

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

First Steps to Fundraising: How Every Library Can Build Support

Jonna Ward, Founder and CEO, Library Support Network

MARC 101: How Cataloging Can Spark a Circulation Surge

Casandra Norin, Library Director, Seward County Community College Library

Morning Sessions II | 11:30 AM-12:30 PM

Enhancing Your Library’s Digital Presence for Greater Community Impact

Danielle Herriman, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Okotoks Public Library
Nancy Ramirez, Librarian, Le Mars Public Library; Ruth DeSouza, Library Manager, Pawnee Nation College

Homesteading at Your Library

Erica Moses, Library Director, Genesee Area Library

Big Impact, Small Budget: After-School Ideas that Cost Next to Nothing

Chelsea Price, Library director, Meservey Public Library

Imagine IF: A Game-Based Introduction to Intellectual Freedom

Michelle Reed, Director of Programs, Library Futures
Jennie Garner, Director, North Liberty Library

From AI to Financial Scams: Preparing Rural Seniors for Emerging Technologies

Jason Young, Assistant Professor, University of Washington
Chris Jowaisas, Senior Research Scientist, University of Washington

How to be Kind Without Losing Your Mind (or Compromising Your Values)

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
Erin Coughlin, Circulation Manager, Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library
Rebecca Shelton, Librarian III, Lexington County Public Library

Strategic Planning from the Ground Up

Maria Kramer, Library Manager, Alamosa Public Library

Respectful Representation: Acquiring & Displaying Native American Art & Artifacts in Your Library

Cassandra Osterloh, Tribal Libraries Program Coordinator, New Mexico State Library

Another Audit: Evaluating Your Library's Accessibility

Abi Avery, Assistant Library Director, Fennville District Library

Pop-Up Program | 12:35 PM-12:55 PM

You Are Here: Mapping your Community

Jessica Ansari, Assistant Director, Nederland Community Library
Charlie Oribio, Public Services Coordinator, Columbia County Rural Library

Pop-Up Program | 2:20 PM-2:40 PM

Tools for Helping Older Adults with Health Questions

George Strawley, Associate Librarian / Engagement Specialist, University of Utah / Network of the National Library of Medicine

Afternoon Sessions I | 2:45-3:45 PM

Cultivating Community in a Divided & Disconnected World

Nick Shimmin, Adult Services Librarian, North Liberty Library

Open Data for Libraries Toolkit: Grant Interrupted

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

Bring Literature to Life: Improv Games, Readers’ Theater, Relay Races & More

Anna Szczepanski, Colleague on Call Consultant, Colorado Library Consortium (CLiC)

Roundtable: Working with Volunteers

Speaking with Legislators: Making Your Voice Heard

Ashley Stewart, Campaign Strategist, EveryLibrary

Soft Skills Can Be Hard: Interpersonal Skills in Your Library

Kristi Chadwick, Director, Ballston Community Public Library

How Many Hats Am I Wearing Today? Practical Tips for Filling Multiple Roles 

Melanie Ollett, Director, Licia & Mason Beekley Community Library

Spark Talks: Let’s Get Digital

Amber Dierking, Team Lead: Collections Services, and founding member of the Steering Committee, Queer Liberation Library
Kirk Mudle, Program Manager, Digital Preservation Outreach & Education Network, Pratt Institute School of Information
Anthony Cocciolo, Dean, Pratt Institute School of Information
Annie Gaines, Continuing Education Consultant, Idaho Commission for Libraries

Meetups I | 4:15-4:45 PM

Directors, Managers & Administrators Meetup

Library Workers of Color Meetup

Readers' Advisory Meetup

Neurodivergent Library Workers Meetup

Meetups II | 5:00-5:30 PM

Solo-Ish Librarians Happy Hour

LGBTQ+ Library Workers Meetup

Youth & Teen Services Meetup

Adult Services Meetup


Friday, September 19

Morning Sessions I | 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

Slow Down to Show Up: Building Connection Through Intentional Gathering

Jennifer Peterson, Library Community Facilitator, Unemployed
Kieran Hixon, Senior Consultant, Library Development Office, Colorado Department of Education

RISE Programming: (R)eally (I)ncredible (S)imple & (E)asy

Julie Elmore, Library Director, Oakland City - Columbia Township Public Library
Patty Collins, Consultant, Central Kansas Library System

You Are Not Alone: Raising a Support Network & Finding Resources

Drew Wichterman, Library Director, Pickaway County Library (ARSL Advocacy Committee Co-Chair)

How to Library: Helping Patrons Unlock the Hidden Secrets of Your Library

Anne Booker, Assistant Director, Central Skagit Library District
Millissa Macomber, ILS Administrator, Central Skagit Library District

Facing Homelessness: A Rural Library Perspective

Bree Drapa, Director, Westford Public Library

Ditch the Dread in HR

Miriam Sisson, Director, North Douglas Library District

Navigating New Building Projects

Cari Cusick, Director, Newton Public Library

Fill Your Brain Full of Books: Readers' Advisory Tips

Rebecca Vnuk, Executive Director, LibraryReads
Susan Maguire, Senior Editor, Collection Management & Library Outreach, Booklist
Annie Mazes, Associate Director, Library Marketing, Hachette Book Group

Pop-Up Program | 11:05 AM-11:25 AM

Free Audiobooks & Large Print Books for Your Low-Vision Patrons

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 AM

Spark Talks: Services

Emily Ott, Marketing Specialist and Teen Services, St. Marys Community Public Library
Jeanette Kennedy, Director, Seminole Public Library
Starla Cullum, Inter-library Loan Specialist, Seminole Public Library
Kathryn Griffin, Benefit Trust Member, Seminole Public Library
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
Dennis Andrejko, Service Specialist, Wilkinson Public Library
Oliver Henry, Service Specialist, Wilkinson Public Library

The Night Shift: Adult Engagement After Hours

Melissa Duncan, Community Engagement Coordinator, Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System

Mushrooms & Mindsets: Teaching Sustainable Food Skills at Your Library

Skylar Dennis, Technology & Event Specialist, Destin Library
Sydney Schermerhorn, Librarian, Destin Library; Theresa Dennis, Library Technician, Mary Esther Library

Connecting With Your Community: Collaboration Is Key!

Kristin Smith (Kristy), Director, Scottdale Public Library

Library Privacy Guardians: Protecting Patron Confidentiality in Small Communities

Chelsea Coleman, Colleague on Call, Colorado Library Consortium

Navigating Perimenopause in the Library Workplace: On Top of the Hill, Not Over It

Suzanne Macaulay, Program Director, OWWL Library System

Good Morning, How Are You? Building Better Staff Morale One Greeting at a Time

Wil'Lani A. Turner, Circulation & Career Services Coordinator, Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System

MARC 210 to 300: Intermediate Cataloging—Fast

Casandra Norin, Library Director, Seward County Community College Library

Pop-Up Program | 12:35 PM-12:55 PM

Paws for Healing: Integrating Therapy Animals into Library Mental Health Support

Tara Jankowski, Adult Services Manager, Worcester Public Library

Afternoon Sessions I | 3:15 PM-4:15 PM

Social Media Show & Tell!

Sara Richter, Library Technician II, Lonsdale Public Library

There’s Always Something Happening at the Library: Becoming a Daily Destination for Your Community

Melanie Weigel, Library Director, Forsyth Public Library

You Are that Child's First Librarian!

Krystal Groneman, Program Coordinator, Canyon Area Library
Lizzy Beckett, Program Coordinator, Canyon Area Library

The Revolution Will Not Be Alphabetized: The History & Future of Good Trouble in Libraries

Allyson Malik, Library Director, Oak Bluffs Public Library
Clayton Cheever, Library Director, Morrill Memorial Library

Handling Those Who Test Our-shelves & Sanity

Paige Crawford, Librarian, Shawano County Library
Claire O'Brien, Library Assistant, Shawano County Library
Nancy Bell, Library Director, Shawano County Library

Spark Talks: Plan & Prepare

Dr. Greg Carter, Library Director, West Plains Public Library
Dianna Locke, Programming/Collection Development Librarian, West Plains Public Library
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
Tess Wilson, Deputy Director, Library Freedom Project
Sara Richter, Library Technician II, Lonsdale Public Library
Marguerite Moran, Director, Lonsdale Public Library

You Can't Read Them All: Harnessing Technology for Readers’ Advisory

Wendy Moulton, Director, Abilene Public Library


Saturday, September 20

Morning Sessions I | 8:30 AM-9:30 AM

Rising from Afterthought to Anchor Institution: Reversing the Small-Town Big-City Pipeline

Keaton Toney, Library Manager III/Branch Manager, Thomasville Public Library
Cody Beck, Library Systems Support Technician, Thomasville Public Library

Tech Trends: Promoting a Technology-Forward Future

Jennie Rose Halperin, Executive Director, Library Futures
Jason Griffey, Director, Strategic Initiatives, NISO

Spark Talks: Programs

Janine Jamison-Miller, Coordinator of Training & Development, Arkansas State Library
Jenny White, Library Director, Schuyler Public Library
Joy Worland, Consultant for Continuing Education and Small and Rural Libraries, Vermont Department of Libraries
Tara Filiatreau, Assistant Director, Nelson County Public Library
Tess Wilson, Deputy Director, Library Freedom Project
Shawn Bliss, Director, Smithfield Public Library

Empowering Seniors in Small & Rural Communities to Learn, Connect &Thrive

Melissa Shenk, Library Branch Manager, Horry County Memorial Library-Green Sea Floyds

From Rotary to the Local Bar: Unexpected Allies in Library Outreach

Tara Filiatreau, Assistant Director, Nelson County Public Library

Privacy for Small Libraries

Tess Wilson, Deputy Director, Library Freedom Project

Imposter Syndrome, Part Deux: I Had It & I Got Rid of It!

Amanda Doherty, Director, Mt. Pulaski Public Library District
Lisa Thompson, Assistant Manager, Jessie Peterman Memorial Library in Floyd

Highway to Hell: The Good Intentions Journey

Michael Hull, Executive Director, Southeast Oklahoma Library System
Tim Miller, Executive Director, Western Plains Library System
Gail Oehler, Executive Director, Southern Oklahoma Library System

Morning Sessions II | 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

Beyond the Book: Digital Censorship in U.S. Libraries

Michelle Reed, Director of Programs, Library Futures

Abundant Advocacy: Overcoming Scarcity for Our Libraries

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

Empowering Communities Through Partnerships

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

Inclusive Data Practices Through Engaging Rural Communities

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

(Don't) Do All the Things: The Importance of Delegation

Kristi Chadwick, Director, Ballston Community Public Library

Books, Policies & People: A Training Adventure in Collections & Complaints

Chelsea Coleman, Colleague on Call, Colorado Library Consortium
Anna Szczepanski, Colleague on Call, Colorado Library Consortium

Making History: Documenting Your Community’s Story as It Unfolds

Anna Trammell, Program Manager, Community Archiving, Internet Archive
Amanda McCabe, Program Manager, Vault, Internet Archive

Roundtable: Tech Services & IT


Virtual, On-Demand Sessions

No Longer the Cherry on Top: Giving Great Service

Jamie Matczak, Education Consultant, Wisconsin Valley Library Service

Return-on-Investment for Rural Public Libraries: Overcoming Difficulties in Translating Services into Dollar Values

Brian Real, Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky

Building Joy-Centric Libraries: An Experiential Approach

Rebecca Hass, Programming and Outreach Manager, Anne Arundel County Public Library

Transition Ready: Creating a Reference Guide for the Next Library Director

Wendy Moulton, Director, Abilene Public Library

Rural Kentucky Case Studies of Libraries as Social & Health Resource Hubs

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

HEAL at the Library: Health Eating & Active Living with Some Help from Our Friends 

Noah Lenstra, Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

The Traveling Early Literacy Library: Serving In-Home Daycares Where They Are

Emily Lloyd, Youth Services Librarian, Northfield Public Library

Stars, Stripes & Science: Citizen Science in Your Library for America 250

Tara Cox, Director of Partnerships, SciStarter
Darlene Cavalier, Founder and CEO, SciStarter

Making Is Messy: Unpacking the Problems of Practice in Library Makerspaces

Cindi Place, Managing Director, Crooked Tree District Library
Lisa Regalla, Library Consultant, Regallium Consulting

Rising Above Toxicity: Overcoming Workplace Trauma & Rebuilding Trust

Susan Kromrie, Assistant Director, Trails Regional Library
Jackie Hawes, Director, Trails Regional Library

Reaching Out to Residents Who Are Not (Yet) Library Users

Jackilyn Roseberry, Director, Fremont Area District Library
Elizabeth Dekkinga, Assistant Director, Fremont Area District Library

ABLE to LiFT: Introducing Library Foundational Training

Annie Gaines, Continuing Education Consultant, Idaho Commission for Libraries

You Can't Read Them All: Harnessing Technology for Readers’ Advisory

Wendy Moulton, Director, Abilene Public Library