Thursday, January 22
The conference has 7 sessions each day (listed in Central Standard Time). This day has 3 sessions in the Programming and Smorgasbord tracks, following with a Closing Session. Attendees must register for each session individually.
9 a.m.
RISE (Really Incredible Simple & Easy) Programming (Programming)
Register
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, family, and adults. Walk away with at least 20 creative, cost-effective, and easy-to implement programs you can launch with minimal prep and maximum community impact, in addition to ideas about how to scale the programs up or down based on your library and community needs.
Julie Elmore, Director, Oakland City - Columbia Township Public Library (Indiana)
Patty Collins, Consultant, Central Kansas Library System (Kansas)
The conference has 7 sessions each day (listed in Central Standard Time). This day has 3 sessions in the Programming and Smorgasbord tracks, following with a Closing Session. Attendees must register for each session individually.
9 a.m.
RISE (Really Incredible Simple & Easy) Programming (Programming)
Register
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, family, and adults. Walk away with at least 20 creative, cost-effective, and easy-to implement programs you can launch with minimal prep and maximum community impact, in addition to ideas about how to scale the programs up or down based on your library and community needs.
Julie Elmore, Director, Oakland City - Columbia Township Public Library (Indiana)
Patty Collins, Consultant, Central Kansas Library System (Kansas)
9 a.m.
Doing Nothing to Become a Better Human (Smorgasbord)
Register
The act of purposefully slowing down and doing less has been proven to boost creativity, prevent burnout, and promote the ability to cope with stress. In this session, you will learn about the benefits of doing nothing according to researchers, artists, and more. This session is based on a nationally recognized university course called “Doing Nothing,” and will explain how stepping away from technology and allowing yourself to be bored can encourage deeper thinking, increased empathy, and better overall health. We will even practice a bit of “doing nothing” ourselves.
Constance Kassor, Chair; Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Humanities Center, Cuyahoga Community College (Ohio)
10:30 a.m.
No One Came to My Program: Recovering from Poor Attendance and Other Program Failures (Programming)
Register
Program failure happens to every librarian at some point or another. Maybe you crafted a thoughtful, exciting event, only to have no one attend. Maybe your performer no-showed. When a program fails, it's easy to feel like a failure yourself - but there are ways to recover. We'll discuss common types of program failures, what causes them, and how to regroup when something goes wrong. Attendees will come away with active strategies to build stronger, more flexible programs that can rebound even in the face of disaster.
Chelsey Roos, Children's Librarian, Santa Clara County Library District (California)
10:30 a.m.
Good Morning, How Are You? Building Better Staff Morale One Greeting at a Time (Smorgasbord)
Register
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, Wil'Lani will share her 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.
Wil'Lani Turner, Circulation & Career Services Coordinator, Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System (Mississippi)
1 p.m.
Stronger Together: Building Community Partnerships That Strengthen, Not Strain Library Programming (Programming)
Register
Truly impactful library programming partnerships go beyond surface-level collaboration—they are built on mutual benefit, shared purpose, and deep understanding of community needs. This webinar will guide library staff through the process of creating and sustaining community partnerships that are meaningful, strategic, and effective. Whether you're launching new initiatives or strengthening existing relationships, this session will provide actionable tools and strategies to ensure your partnerships are as impactful as the programs they support.
Isa Small, Programming & Communications Services Manager, L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, (Wisconsin)
Stronger Together: Building Community Partnerships That Strengthen, Not Strain Library Programming (Programming)
Register
Truly impactful library programming partnerships go beyond surface-level collaboration—they are built on mutual benefit, shared purpose, and deep understanding of community needs. This webinar will guide library staff through the process of creating and sustaining community partnerships that are meaningful, strategic, and effective. Whether you're launching new initiatives or strengthening existing relationships, this session will provide actionable tools and strategies to ensure your partnerships are as impactful as the programs they support.
Isa Small, Programming & Communications Services Manager, L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, (Wisconsin)
1 p.m.
Book Talk 101: Engage, Excite, and Empower Readers (Smorgasbord)
Register
As a librarian, you already understand stories—now it's time to share that magic! Learn to create quick, compelling, and irresistible book talks that captivate your audience in under a minute. Whether or not you've read the book, you'll learn the skills to confidently present a title and make it come alive. Then, explore how to turn book talking into a powerful tool for building strong, lifelong readers within your community, with a focus on outreach to schools. Walk away with practical tips, strategies, and a new enthusiasm for connecting readers with the stories they’ll love!
Terry Ehle, Youth Services Coordinator, Lester Public Library (Wisconsin)
Book Talk 101: Engage, Excite, and Empower Readers (Smorgasbord)
Register
As a librarian, you already understand stories—now it's time to share that magic! Learn to create quick, compelling, and irresistible book talks that captivate your audience in under a minute. Whether or not you've read the book, you'll learn the skills to confidently present a title and make it come alive. Then, explore how to turn book talking into a powerful tool for building strong, lifelong readers within your community, with a focus on outreach to schools. Walk away with practical tips, strategies, and a new enthusiasm for connecting readers with the stories they’ll love!
Terry Ehle, Youth Services Coordinator, Lester Public Library (Wisconsin)
2:30 p.m.
Reading the World Around Us: Rocks as Libraries (Closing Session)
Register
Rocks don’t have a good reputation for being communicative, but to geologists they are richly illustrated texts – Earth’s own account of its long history. Like libraries, rocks provide access to otherwise inaccessible worlds. Both allow us to travel through time, expanding our imaginations, deepening our empathy for other ways of living, and helping us see ourselves in proper perspective.
Marcia Bjornerud, Professor of Geosciences and Environmental Studies, Lawrence University (Wisconsin)
Reading the World Around Us: Rocks as Libraries (Closing Session)
Register
Rocks don’t have a good reputation for being communicative, but to geologists they are richly illustrated texts – Earth’s own account of its long history. Like libraries, rocks provide access to otherwise inaccessible worlds. Both allow us to travel through time, expanding our imaginations, deepening our empathy for other ways of living, and helping us see ourselves in proper perspective.
Marcia Bjornerud, Professor of Geosciences and Environmental Studies, Lawrence University (Wisconsin)