• 9:30 - 10:30am
• Sam Helmick
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Keynote - Rooted and Rising: Rural Libraries, Equity, and the Power of Community

How do rural libraries rise to meet the moment when facing pressures on equity, access, and free expression? In this session, Sam Helmick reflects on personal and professional experiences to offer a vision for courageous, compassionate library service. Attendees will leave reenergized with stories, strategies, and shared purpose in building a future where all people see themselves reflected in their libraries.

Sam Helmick serves as President of the American Library Association (ALA), the world’s oldest and largest library association, championing access to information, intellectual freedom, and the essential role of libraries in a democratic society. With nearly two decades of public library leadership, Sam brings a passion for equitable service, community-centered engagement, and bold advocacy in defense of the First Amendment.
In addition to their national leadership, Sam is the Community & Access Services Coordinator at the Iowa City Public Library, where they oversee outreach services, the Bookmobile, and innovative access programs that serve diverse community needs. They have served in numerous leadership roles, including as chair of the ALA Intellectual Freedom Round Table, past president of the Iowa Library Association, and a member of multiple ALA committees focused on policy, equity, and intellectual freedom.
Sam’s advocacy is grounded in the belief that libraries are incubators of opportunity, civic dialogue, and collective memory. They are a frequent speaker on intellectual freedom, censorship resistance, and the enduring value of libraries in rapidly changing social and political landscapes. Sam holds a Master of Science in Library & Information Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and continues to mentor new professionals while leading national conversations about the future of librarianship.

• 10:35 - 11:35am
• Stephanie Cole adams
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Track 1, Session 1: Legal Issues for Libraries

• 12:15 - 1:15pm
• Ron Kirsop
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Track 1, Session 2: Project Management in Libraries

Every library takes on projects, from launching a new service to upgrading technology, planning a program series, or renovating a space. Successful projects require structure, planning, and management. This session explores the full project lifecycle: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and closing. Each phase will be broken down with practical examples and strategies for library staff.

We will investigate basic project management skills, including setting goals, building timelines, tracking progress, and evaluating results. Attention will also be given to common challenges libraries face, such as limited resources, shifting priorities, and staff capacity. Participants will learn how to apply project management tools in ways that fit their unique library environments, regardless of size or budget.

Throughout the session, we will connect project management theory to everyday library practice. Whether you are planning a small program or leading a larger system-wide initiative, these approaches can help keep projects on track, ensure efficient use of time and resources, and align outcomes with your library’s mission.

By the end of the session, attendees will have a framework they can adapt to their own work, along with practical strategies to approach projects with more confidence and clarity.

Ron Kirsop is the Executive Director of the OWWL Library System, supporting 42 small and rural libraries in Western New York. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) who helps library staff strengthen services, manage projects effectively, and increase community impact.

• 1:15 - 1:30pm
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Break with Chair Yoga

Join STLS Outreach & Sustainability Consultant, Keturah Cappadonia, for a 15-minute break and some chair yoga!

• 1:30 - 2:30pm
• Terry Kirchner
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Track 1, Session 3: Making the Performance Evaluation Process Work for Your Organization

As supervisors, managers, and directors, we know that we are supposed to complete an annual performance evaluation for each of our direct reports. The process has been declared a "must do" activity by many human resources (HR) and business leaders. Have you ever wondered why? This session will provide a brief history of how performance evaluations originated, an overview of the many different types of performance evaluation systems that exist, and some guidelines on how you can develop a performance evaluation system that works well in your work environment.

Westchester Library System Executive Director Terry Kirchner is trained as an executive coach, and has a doctorate in Human Development, MBA in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and a Masters in Library Science.

• 2:30 - 3:30pm
• Kevin Verbesey
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Track 1, Session 4: Budgeting and Finances for Libraries

This session will present an overview of the public library budgeting process. We will focus on using our library's budget to implement strategic plans, achieve library goals, and with identifying ways to effectively allocate library resources. The program will cover budget development, implementation, controls, and management. It is intended as a broad overview of the some of the key concepts and components of public library finance.

Kevin Verbesey is the Executive Director of the Suffolk Cooperative Library System on Long Island. He also serves as the lead instructor in the Long Island University’s Palmer School’s post-Master’s Certificate of Advanced Studies in Public Library Administration.