Keynote - Meg Medina
Meg Medina is the current National Ambassador of Young People’s Literature. She is an award-winning and New York Times best-selling author who writes picture books, as well as middle grade and young adult fiction. When she’s not writing, Meg works on community projects that support girls, Latino youth, and/or literacy. She is a faculty member of Hamline University’s Masters of Fine Arts in Children’s Literature and lives with her family in Richmond, Virginia. Visit Meg's website: https://megmedina.com/
- Sara Dallas
- Workshop Files
Intellectual Freedom - Facing Our Challenges
Library workers and trustees face challenges to books, programs, and resources in our public libraries. The best way to deal with challenges is to practice and be prepared. Our practical discussion will touch on core values, access to information, enforceable policies, strong talking points, and tools available to you.
- Dawn Behrend
- Workshop Files
Serving the Neurodiverse Library User
Neurodiversity acknowledges and celebrates learning and thinking differences in individuals. While neurodiversity is often associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there are a broad range of neurodevelopmental issues that encompass neurodiversity such as ADHD, learning disorders, and sensory processing disorder. This session will provide a greater understanding of neurodiversity as well as suggestions for communicating more effectively and addressing possible challenging behaviors. Strategies to make library spaces more accessible as well as program design to better serve neurodiverse patrons will also be discussed.
- Bethany Snyder
- Workshop Files
Body Talk
We live in a world where we are constantly exposed to harmful messages about our bodies. Fat activist Bethany Snyder works to dismantle the mental, physical, and emotional damage done by diet culture as she helps people on the path to body peace. Join her for a far-ranging discussion about wellness, body diversity, representation, the weight-loss industry, media, and more. Bethany has embraced the fact that body size does not dictate worth, and that everyone is more than their BMI. Come learn more about how to "make the world a better place for everybody—and every body."
- Ozy Aloziem
- Workshop Files
Fostering Equity Through Employee Wellbeing
Discover the vital connection between employee wellbeing and true inclusivity in libraries. This presentation expands your understanding, raises awareness, and ignites empathy. Explore how oppressive systems impact individuals and uncover pathways to healing. We'll provide practical tools to promote wellness at both individual and community levels, driving positive change. Join us in this transformative journey, where fostering equity is a collective responsibility that begins with nurturing wellbeing. Together, we can create and maintain inclusive libraries in our rural communities.