Wednesday, April 1AI Book Clubs and Digital Literacy for Older Adults10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Discover how a small public library built community, sparked curiosity, and bridged the digital divide with an AI-powered book club designed for older adults. This hybrid program uses generative AI tools to enrich book discussions, increase digital confidence, and explore timely issues like banned books and intellectual freedom. Attendees will leave with a replicable framework, practical tech tips, and inspiration to engage older adults in meaningful, future-focused learning. Activating Teen Services in Rural Communities10:15 am - 11:15 am Rural teen librarians are rockstars. Engaging a notoriously misunderstood age group while distanced from urban hubs? Challenge accepted! Many discussions center on large branches with few connectivity barriers. We will consider our experiences at rural locations and challenges still present at small libraries within large systems – lack of nearby social supports, transportation, and space to name a few. We will share case studies, common barriers, clever solutions, and our happy successes. Advancing Anti-racism, Equity, and Justice Through Programming Design10:15 am - 12:15 pm What does it mean to chart a path for a public library that embeds anti-racism into programs and decision-making? This panel convenes future-forward leaders exploring how anti-racism and social justice practices are deeply impacting institutions and public design. Participants will engage research-based tools to apply human-centered design, racial equity, and social justice guiding principles to future services and justice-centered community engagement. Beyond Drag Queen Storytime10:15 am - 11:15 am The LGBTQIA+ community and Libraries are under attack. The community for who they are and the libraries for supporting them through representation. Some progress might start with a Drag Queen Storytime, but it goes far beyond that; to the heart of schools, public libraries, & into the political arena. Librarian & Pride Board Member Jayne Walters brings her knowledge and years of experience representing and advocating for both to share how these two can be stronger together in this ongoing fight Creating a SPARK: Developing Library Programs for Justice-Impacted People11:45 am - 12:45 pm This presentation explores the process of developing DeKalb County Public Library's SPARK program, which provides digital literacy skills training to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. It will also address strategies for building collaborative relationships with the Department of Corrections and other relevant organizations to effectively serve this underserved population. Not Your Typical Makerspace: Creating STEAM-Based Summer Programs for Youth11:45 am - 12:45 pm Can you believe a library makerspace can: act as a record label, host an all-day STEAM camp for tweens, lead nature hikes, run an RC Club and even launch rockets in the park! KCDML is an amazing showcase of creativity and community engagement for youth and families. The Kansas City Digital Media Lab is a hands-on learning environment that uses storytelling, art, digital media, and other maker activities to engage youth ages 12-18. Breaking Up With Your Book Club: Evaluating Problematic Programs2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Book clubs encourage connections with new people, experiences, and ideas. But what if members actively resist diverse stories and identities? Presenters will share their experience navigating the controversial termination of a problematic book club and provide strategies to evaluate programming alignment with your library’s mission and values. A breakout discussion exploring challenging scenarios will inspire conversations about advocacy and actionable steps amid varying levels of support. |
Thursday, April 2Aging Together: Library Programming for Older Adults10:15 am - 11:15 am By 2040, there will be 78.3 million people over 65, more than double the number of individuals over this age in 2000. This session will explore how libraries can play a crucial role in supporting older adults by creating programs tailored to their needs. In this panel, four libraries will share ideas for implementing programming that helps combat isolation, promotes health and well-being, and provides opportunities for lifelong learning for this rapidly growing demographic. From Kimchi to Squid Games: Honoring Immigrant Communities Through Culture10:15 am - 11:15 am San Diego Public Library hosted Korean American Heritage Celebrations (2022–2024), Kimchi Day (2022), and Hanbok Day (2024), drawing 815 attendees. Participants explored Korean culture through art, food demos, hanbok (traditional attire), and interactive activities. Supported by the Korean Cultural Center, LA, these events reflect the library’s EDI mission to promote inclusion and cultural awareness, sparking strong community demand for annual celebrations. Storytelling Festival: Build Community Connections on Any Scale10:15 am - 11:15 am Storytelling transports us to places both familiar & new—spaces where everyone feels welcome. Discover how different library systems have utilized the magic of storytelling to engage & connect their communities. This session highlights how including storytellers from diverse races, abilities, and backgrounds can broaden perspectives & foster empathy. You’ll leave with a renewed appreciation for how storytelling can captivate audiences & create a meaningful impression on listeners of all ages. Rooted in Inclusion: All Abilities STEAM Learning with Community Gardening11:45 am - 12:45 pm Your library can grow inclusion and promote accessible STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) learning through community gardening programs. At Cobb County Public Library, our All Abilities Community Garden serves as a one-of-a-kind, fully accessible, outdoor classroom rooted in hands-on environmental science. Learn how to build inclusive and sustainable STEAM garden programs, form strong partnerships, and adapt this model for any space. Serving Migrants at Ground Zero2:00 pm - 3:00 pm For the past few years, Queens Public Library has been the focal point for serving migrants new to this country. Whether it is presenting Know Your Rights workshops, ESOL classes or other informational services, Queens has been Ground Zero for preserving the soul of our nation. Hear from librarians working at several branches and departments in this system and the different ways they have tried to help this vulnerable population. Beyond Storytime: Community-Building Through Music, Play, and Partnerships4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Discover how Downey City Library reimagined traditional children's programming to create a thriving, inclusive community space. By expanding bilingual storytimes, incorporating STEM, movement, art, and sensory activities, and cultivating strong partnerships, the library has become a second home for diverse families. Learn strategies to extend programming beyond books, foster caregiver relationships, and create inclusive, joyful environments that support whole-family development and connection. Pride Plus: Your Library as a Year-round Sanctuary for LGBTQIA+ Folks4:00 pm - 5:00 pm The research is in: LGBTQ people exist even when it's not Pride month! This presentation--led by one of the nation's only full-time LGBTQIA+ Services Specialist librarians--teaches you how to elevate your programming to include events for all age groups and all months of the year. Our exploration will emphasize trans-focused services (such as legal name change clinics), programming that incorporates an intersectional lens (including age, race, disability, immigration status, and recovery status), and right-sizing programs for rural, suburban, and urban libraries. |
Friday, April 3Building Inclusive Programming for Youth with Disabilities8:00 am - 9:00 am Youth with disabilities are an often overlooked group that can benefit from programming in library spaces. If you have ever thought about making your programming inclusive of children of all ability levels, then this program is for you! By participating in conversation, drafting programs, and more, you will learn about how to create more inclusive programming that welcomes and affirms children and youth with disabilities, leaving with strategies and resources ready for immediate implementation. Libraries Connecting Adults with Intellectual Disabilities to the Community8:00 am - 9:00 am In 2024, the DOJ found that states are “unnecessarily segregating adults and youth with I/DD [Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities]” from full community participation—a problem exacerbated by funding cuts. Join us to explore how two libraries, in Utah and California, are addressing this issue through programs and services for adults with I/DD, that offer meaningful opportunities to connect, engage, and build community. Memory Cafés in Libraries: Creating Meaningful Connections10:15 am - 11:15 am Memory Cafés invite people living with dementia meaningful, joyful programming in a stigma-free setting. A year-long, grant-funded planning process has produced a Plan to scale Memory Cafés from the current 900 to 9,000 in ten years. The leaders of this planning process, called EMC2 (Expanding Memory Cafés/Enhancing Meaningful Connection), surveyed over 150 current Memory Café leaders and revealed that their top choice for a Memory Café is the local library. Transforming Juvenile Justice Through Partnerships10:15 am - 11:15 am This session will explore the implementation of restorative practices at the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Library (CHPL) and Hamilton County Juvenile Justice Center (HCJJC). CHPL staff will discuss strategies for improving youth accountability, fostering relationships at the library and reducing recidivism in the justice system. We will offer insights into restorative practice principles and provide a platform for collaborative solutions to strengthen restorative practice initiatives. Writing the Story: Collaboration & Local Voice to Mark America’s 250th11:45 am - 12:45 pm Activities for America’s 250th anniversary are underway and libraries are central to many. Through civic programming, libraries honor their community's unique stories--already written and not yet told--that weave into the complex fabric of this nation. Join panelists from diverse communities to consider the threads that unify their work; and learn how, even in uncertain times, they engage stakeholders, partners, and local leaders to deepen relationships, empower communities, and uplift stories. You've Gotta Break a Few Eggs: The Case for Making a Mess11:45 am - 12:45 pm Toys left out all the time, an unstaffed art room, splatter painting indoors, a sand table out on the floor for an entire month...and much more. These things really happen in the Youth & Family Services department at the Kenosha Public Library! Join us to learn how making a mess can benefit your patrons, why we embrace it, and how we manage it. You'll also get a ton of fun programming ideas that range from slightly untidy to totally catastrophic! Sensory Adventures: Creating Inclusive Library Experiences on Any Budget2:15 pm - 3:15 pm This presentation will discuss the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library’s award-winning Sensory Museum. This inclusive program offers teens and adults with developmental, cognitive, and intellectual disabilities (DCID) a sensory experience unlike any other library programming. Participants will explore the core principles behind sensory programming, discover how to adapt these experiences to fit any budget, and gain the confidence to create their own Sensory Museum using local resources.
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