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.
Track 1: Library Administration
Legal Issues for Libraries with Stephanie A. “Cole” Adams, Esq.
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. 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.
Making the Performance Evaluation Process Work for Your Organization with Terry Kirchner
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.
Budgeting and Finances for Libraries with Kevin Verbesey
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.
Track 2: Programming
Celebrating Diversity Through Children’s Multilingual Story-Time with Elizabeth Rosales Cordova & Eba Klindt
Public libraries are uniquely positioned to foster inclusion and cultural understanding by creating welcoming spaces where all families feel represented. This session highlights how multilingual story-times can strengthen family engagement, include new immigrant populations, and celebrate the cultural and linguistic diversity of our communities. Drawing on the experience of Global Tales at the Hornell Public Library, presenters will share their strategies for partnering with multilingual and immigrant families and ideas for engaging programing. Participants will leave with actionable ideas, program templates, resource recommendations to launch or expand multilingual story-times and most importantly inspiration to celebrate linguistic diversity in rural libraries.
All Abilities Programming: Fun For All with Christine Alexander
Now more than ever, libraries need to provide a welcoming environment and source of respite for patrons with disabilities. Like all patrons, these traditionally under-served individuals deserve to feel comfortable, appreciated and valuable to the community. This program aims to inspire you to implement exciting programs that thrive, recognize what isn’t working and partner with local resources to make the library truly accessible for all. Christine Alexander, a public librarian with 20+ years of experience, recognized the need for inclusive programming post-pandemic. She established the All Abilities Programming Department, collaborating with Day Rehabilitation Groups to expand offerings from 1-3 to 9-13 monthly programs, serving up to 150 patrons.
Foster Sustainability in Library Programming: Seed Library, Raised Garden Beds, Repair Cafe, and Eco-Friendly DIY Crafts with Jacqueline Leone
The presentation discusses the intersections of climate change, finances, community response, found within sustainable programming in a library setting. At Crestwood Library, a small library of the Yonkers Public Library System, that center began during COVID-19. Through a series of Zoom talks and demonstrations of examples of what sustainability could look like for a library and what it could look like for the patrons, we discussed everything from planting more trees, using cotton cloth to wrap presents, all the way to making less purchases for the holidays. In this presentation, I will review all of the DIY ecologically friendly crafts we showed patrons, a discussion on how to host a successful Repair Cafe in a library, and the benefits of a seed library with raised garden beds. The presentation will look at offsite visits to sustainable businesses and facilities like recycling centers and local nurseries to form partnerships to engage the community. The focus will remain on what it truly means to engage in sustainability and not fall prey to greenwashing. The presentation will help the audience to ask the right questions of the status quo to guide them towards actions that will not only benefit the environment, but will bring the community together through knowledgeable and useful eco-friendly engagement. Jacqueline Leone began working at Crestwood Library, YPL in 2020. Her education encompasses academic research in English and Library Science, recently graduating with an MS-LIS in sustainable librarianship and archiving. She presented a project on Solar Energy at a grade school science fair, marking the beginning of a sustainable journey.
Hit Refresh: New Takes on Traditional Library Programming
Public libraries provide a wide array of programs and services for patrons of all ages. Often, many of the resources offered in the public library are not fully accessible, usable or enjoyable by a person with a disability. Additionally, many libraries are not accessible and cannot offer beneficial employment opportunities to a person with a disability. The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) sites the requirements of ensuring an accessible public service and employment setting. This presentation will highlight ways to create a useful, enjoyable and accessible library environment for all. Valerie Lewis is the Administrator of Outreach Services for the Suffolk Cooperative Library System. In this role, Ms. Lewis services as the Outreach and Americans with Disabilities Act Liaison to the public libraries in Suffolk County, NY. Ms. Lewis works with libraries, community organizations, county agencies, healthcare organizations and individuals to ensure access to library services, and community services across Long Island.
Embracing Neurodivergence: Coping Mechanisms and Colleague Support with Josh Morgan
In this webinar, I will briefly share my professional journey with ADHD in libraries, detailing the coping mechanisms I developed before and after my very recent diagnosis. The focus will be on how these strategies have been helpful in managing time, projects, and the mistakes encountered along the way. Prior to my diagnosis, I relied on innate methods such as intense bursts of focus and creative problem-solving. Post-diagnosis, I’m emphasizing structured routines, mindfulness practices, and technology aids to enhance productivity and maintain momentum in projects. Moreover, I will discuss the challenges that ADHD presents in traditional work environments, emphasizing the need for adaptive project management methodologies. I will highlight the importance of personalized task management, flexible scheduling, and the utilization of visual aids. I will offer insights into how neurotypical colleagues can contribute to an inclusive workspace. Simple yet effective changes, such as clear communication, recognition of diverse work styles, and supportive feedback systems, can make a significant difference. The presentation will also seek to engage the audience by inviting them to share their coping mechanisms via chat. This exchange aims to foster a collective understanding and generate a pool of resources that can benefit all attendees. The goal is to encourage dialogue that not only empowers neurodivergent individuals but also educates and equips neurotypical professionals to be allies in building a more accommodating and productive environment for everyone. Medical advice will not be provided. Josh Morgan’s career in libraries began as a student employee in Clemson University Libraries’ digitization lab in 2008. He now serves as the Digital Collections Administrator for University of Tennessee Knoxville Libraries. In 2023, he was officially diagnosed with inattentive-type ADHD, leading to a journey of self-discovery and advocacy.
Autism-Ready Libraries Toolkit with Dr. Milly Romeijn-Stout
Join us for an informational session about the Autism-Ready Libraries project, including our findings and an introduction to the Autism-Ready Libraries Toolkit. Our Toolkit includes professional development modules and resources designed to empower youth-serving librarians with foundational knowledge to provide autism-inclusive services for families with autistic children. These trainings address the basics of autism acceptance and inclusion, customer services practices for families with autistic children, and how to provide neuroinclusive early literacy services and programs for all. Dr. Milly Romeijn-Stout is a Neurodiversity Consultant with public libraries, museums, and education programs. Her current research focuses on how libraries can address neuroinclusion and access for all children and families, particularly in relation to early literacy services.
Year-Round Library Advocacy with Lisa Kropp and Max Prime
Advocacy shouldn’t be scary or intimidating! This presentation will provide practical tips for all library workers to become more comfortable talking about libraries in an authentic and proactive way. Whether you are dealing with library patrons, local or state politicians, the media, etc., you can share your story in an impactful manner that doesn’t always have to be speech-based. Topics covered will include year-round advocacy campaigns that are simple to set up, how to partner with your Friends of the Library organizations, and how to answer when someone says, “but libraries aren’t political!”. Lisa is a fierce advocate for public libraries and believes that strong libraries build strong communities. She is a past president of NYLA, and serves on ALA’s state chapter relations committee. Lisa is Director of the sustainably certified Lindenhurst Memorial Library, the third library in the country to achieve certification. Max Prime is the Director of Government Relations & Advocacy at the New York Library Association (NYLA). He leads NYLA’s statewide advocacy efforts, pursuing increased state aid for libraries as well as legislative initiatives intended to protect and empower New York’s library community. Prior to his time at NYLA, Max worked in the district offices of several members of the United States House of Representatives and earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Union Graduate College.
