2025 Conference
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PNLA Virtual Conference: Reach Further
August 7–9, 2025
We are excited to invite you to the PNLA Virtual Conference, happening August 7–9, 2025.
This year’s theme, Reach Further: Connecting Libraries Beyond the Screen, celebrates the power of libraries across the Pacific Northwest coming together online in meaningful and transformative ways.
PNLA represents library professionals from Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and beyond. What better way to connect than through virtual spaces? This conference is an opportunity to forge connections beyond physical borders, expand access to knowledge, and collaborate in ways that transcend distance.
Whether you work in an academic, public, school, or special library, this conference is designed to inspire, inform, and connect. Through thought-provoking keynotes, inspiring presentations and innovative vendors we will go beyond the screen and make meaningful connections that will strengthen our libraries and the communities we serve.
Starr White, President. PNLA
Conference Schedule / August 7-9, 2025
All times are Mountain Daylight Time Zone (MDT)
Download the conference scheduleWednesday, August 6
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm MDTVirtual Room: 1
Program: PNLA Quarterly Board Meeting
Thursday, August 7
Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am MDT
Virtual Room: Room 1 Keynote Address
Keynote: “Unmuting Your Relentless Authenticity”
Keynote Description: The concept of relentless authenticity revolves around the freedom to be your true self, free from filters and masks. This presentation delves into the significance of presenting oneself genuinely, a practice that not only nurtures the soul but also enhances productivity.
Speaker: Allison Brown
Virtual Room: Room 1 Keynote Address
Keynote: “Unmuting Your Relentless Authenticity”
Keynote Description: The concept of relentless authenticity revolves around the freedom to be your true self, free from filters and masks. This presentation delves into the significance of presenting oneself genuinely, a practice that not only nurtures the soul but also enhances productivity.
Speaker: Allison Brown
In her professional and personal life, Allison Brown aims to make a positive impact in every environment she enters. As a healthcare professional and professional speaker, Allison recently completed her master’s in public health from New Mexico State University and continues to engage in impactful community work. She has contributed to multiple monthly and biweekly publications and has presented at numerous healthcare and professional conferences.
Through her platform, "A Brown Girl Speaks," Allison Brown advocates for productivity through authenticity. Her presentations encourage individuals to express their true selves in all situations, aiming to empower more people to effectively utilize their voices. Allison is committed to disseminating this message broadly to foster greater self-expression and authenticity in others.
Time: 10:15 am – 11:15 am MDT
Virtual Room: Room 1
Program: “Make Your Kids Technology Programs Matter: A (Stealable!) Framework for All Libraries”
Program Description: Public libraries are trying to meet demands for technology programming for kids. But how do you decide what to run? How do you train staff to offer consistently impactful programs? We share the road map that helps us with everything from planning, to demonstrating value, to securing funding.
Speaker(s): Patricia Lesku, Shannon Ozirny
Speaker(s) Bio: Patricia Lesku has worn several different hats in her library career. She is currently thrilled to have a year as West Vancouver Memorial Library’s Acting Head of Technology. When she’s not working, Patricia plays the flute badly while thinking about the next concert she’s going to.
Shannon Ozirny has been the Head of Youth Services at the West Vancouver Memorial Library since 2011 and has been an adjunct faculty member at the UBC iSchool, teaching about books and other materials for children.
Virtual Room: Room 1
Program: “Make Your Kids Technology Programs Matter: A (Stealable!) Framework for All Libraries”
Program Description: Public libraries are trying to meet demands for technology programming for kids. But how do you decide what to run? How do you train staff to offer consistently impactful programs? We share the road map that helps us with everything from planning, to demonstrating value, to securing funding.
Speaker(s): Patricia Lesku, Shannon Ozirny
Speaker(s) Bio: Patricia Lesku has worn several different hats in her library career. She is currently thrilled to have a year as West Vancouver Memorial Library’s Acting Head of Technology. When she’s not working, Patricia plays the flute badly while thinking about the next concert she’s going to.
Shannon Ozirny has been the Head of Youth Services at the West Vancouver Memorial Library since 2011 and has been an adjunct faculty member at the UBC iSchool, teaching about books and other materials for children.
Time: 10:15 am – 11:15 am MDT
Virtual Room: Room 2
Program: “A Celebration of the Canadian Literary Scene”
Program Description: Canada is brimming with talented novelists, playwrights, and short-story writers that most Americans have never heard of. We hope that this program will be the first step in addressing this issue. We are proud to partner with the Ottawa Public Library in Canada’s capital city to bring you this program. Chris Simmons, the Collections Manager at OPL, will serve as both our guest and guide for this program. He will also discuss why it is so difficult for many Canadians to break into the American market. As Chris notes, while Americans and Canadians share a common language; they are products of cultures that are very different. Since Canada is also a bilingual nation, Chris Simmons will explain the services that his library provides to French-speaking Canadians.
Speaker: Chris Simmons
Speaker Bio: Chris Simmons
Virtual Room: Room 2
Program: “A Celebration of the Canadian Literary Scene”
Program Description: Canada is brimming with talented novelists, playwrights, and short-story writers that most Americans have never heard of. We hope that this program will be the first step in addressing this issue. We are proud to partner with the Ottawa Public Library in Canada’s capital city to bring you this program. Chris Simmons, the Collections Manager at OPL, will serve as both our guest and guide for this program. He will also discuss why it is so difficult for many Canadians to break into the American market. As Chris notes, while Americans and Canadians share a common language; they are products of cultures that are very different. Since Canada is also a bilingual nation, Chris Simmons will explain the services that his library provides to French-speaking Canadians.
Speaker: Chris Simmons
Speaker Bio: Chris Simmons
is the Manager of Collections at the Ottawa Public Library, the largest bilingual library system in North America. He has a Master's of English, specializing in North American fiction and is a passionate reader of both Canadian and American fiction.
Time: 10:15 am – 11:15 am MDT
Virtual Room: Room 3
Program: “Wikipedia as a Resource for Information Literacy Instruction”
Program Description: This presentation will provide an overview of ways that libraries have used Wikipedia for information literacy instruction. We’ll examine the benefits and challenges of its use for fact checking, critical thinking, and experiential learning. We’ll also outline the training and support offered to instructors using Wikipedia by Wiki Education.
Speaker(s): Elizabeth Ramsey, Memo Cordova
Speaker(s) Bio: Elizabeth Ramsey is an Associate Professor and Librarian at Boise State University’s Albertsons Library. Her research is focused primarily on library contributions to student success and disinformation as an aspect of radicalization. You can find her work at https://experts.boisestate.edu/en/persons/elizabeth-ramsey/publications/. Memo Cordova is an Associate Professor and Librarian at Boise State University's Albertsons Library. His research interests center on how emergent technologies affect information behavior in libraries and everyday life. He is an advocate and practitioner of open access and open educational resources. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5255-5807
Virtual Room: Room 3
Program: “Wikipedia as a Resource for Information Literacy Instruction”
Program Description: This presentation will provide an overview of ways that libraries have used Wikipedia for information literacy instruction. We’ll examine the benefits and challenges of its use for fact checking, critical thinking, and experiential learning. We’ll also outline the training and support offered to instructors using Wikipedia by Wiki Education.
Speaker(s): Elizabeth Ramsey, Memo Cordova
Speaker(s) Bio: Elizabeth Ramsey is an Associate Professor and Librarian at Boise State University’s Albertsons Library. Her research is focused primarily on library contributions to student success and disinformation as an aspect of radicalization. You can find her work at https://experts.boisestate.edu/en/persons/elizabeth-ramsey/publications/. Memo Cordova is an Associate Professor and Librarian at Boise State University's Albertsons Library. His research interests center on how emergent technologies affect information behavior in libraries and everyday life. He is an advocate and practitioner of open access and open educational resources. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5255-5807
Time: 11:30 – 12:00 pm MDT
Virtual Room: Rooms 1 - 3
Program: Exhibitor Time
Program Description: Please visit the exhibitors in their room and learn about their conference specials!
Virtual Room: Rooms 1 - 3
Program: Exhibitor Time
Program Description: Please visit the exhibitors in their room and learn about their conference specials!
Time: 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm MDT
Lunch Break
Lunch Break
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm MDT
Virtual Room: Room 1
Program: “Connecting Leaders: Strategies for new library leaders and managers”
Program Description: Whether you’ve sought leadership roles, aspire to, or found yourself in one, leading positions require connection. This workshop will focus on in-person and online strategies you can apply in your own role, such as approaches to mentorship, cultivating external relationships, and building your network. Mics on for this interactive workshop!
Speaker: Elizabeth Brown
Speaker Bio: Elizabeth Brown is a Professor at Central Washington University where she coordinates library instruction and the undergraduate program in Library and Information Science. She recently served as department chair for the library and is passionate about connecting leaders.
Virtual Room: Room 1
Program: “Connecting Leaders: Strategies for new library leaders and managers”
Program Description: Whether you’ve sought leadership roles, aspire to, or found yourself in one, leading positions require connection. This workshop will focus on in-person and online strategies you can apply in your own role, such as approaches to mentorship, cultivating external relationships, and building your network. Mics on for this interactive workshop!
Speaker: Elizabeth Brown
Speaker Bio: Elizabeth Brown is a Professor at Central Washington University where she coordinates library instruction and the undergraduate program in Library and Information Science. She recently served as department chair for the library and is passionate about connecting leaders.
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm MDT
Virtual Room: Room 2
Program: “Beyond the Shelf: Developing an Accessible Catalog of NNLM Collection Improvement Award Materials”
Program Description: In this session, we will showcase the development of a searchable database created to enhance access to the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM)’s Collection Improvement Award materials. Attendees will learn how this platform improves the discovery and accessibility of health information by providing a centralized, publicly available hub.
Speaker: NNLM
Virtual Room: Room 2
Program: “Beyond the Shelf: Developing an Accessible Catalog of NNLM Collection Improvement Award Materials”
Program Description: In this session, we will showcase the development of a searchable database created to enhance access to the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM)’s Collection Improvement Award materials. Attendees will learn how this platform improves the discovery and accessibility of health information by providing a centralized, publicly available hub.
Speaker: NNLM
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm MDT
Virtual Room: Room 3
Program: “Cultural Awareness for Library Workforce”
Program Description: Based on the Alaska Library Association’s Culturally Responsive guidelines, we have created a Self-Assessment Toolkit and Cultural Awareness training for the library workforce.
Speaker(s): Jonas Lamb, Catherine Melville, Erin Hollingworth
Speaker(s) Bio: Jonas Lamb (he/him) is of mixed Lithuanian and Irish heritage and was raised in Michigan on the ancestral lands of the Peoria, Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo), Anishinabewaki, Bodéwadmiakiwen (Potawatomi), Myaamia and Mississauga. He currently resides in Juneau, Alaska on Lingít Aaní where he strives to be a good guest and contribute to efforts to repair historical harms. He works as the Access Services & Open Education Librarian at the University of Alaska Southeast (Juneau campus), leading open education and course materials affordability efforts, collaborates with faculty on campus events and coordinates the campus common reading program (One Campus, One Book). He has had the opportunity to teach full semester courses in library science (special topics), writing and the humanities. He has served as a mentor to graduate students in the Bridging Knowledge: Supporting Indigenous Scholars into the Field of Librarianship and in leadership roles with the Alaska Library Association. He is a co-investigator on two grant funded projects: Expanding Education Options for Alaska’s Library Workforce and The First University of Alaska Statewide Artificial Intelligence Symposium.
Catherine Melville is the director of Juneau Public Libraries in her hometown of Juneau, Alaska. She has worked for Juneau Public Libraries in a wide variety of capacities since 2003, including Collection Development Librarian and Technical Services Manager.
Erin Hollingsworth has been a librarian in the American Arctic since 2011. She currently works as the District Librarian for the North Slope Borough School District; her position requires her to visit all eight remote communities on Alaska’s North Slope. Prior to that, she worked as the Public Services Librarian at Tuzzy Consortium Library at Iḷisaġvik College, in Utqiaġvik, Alaska. Erin has experience working in academic, public, K-12 school, special, and tribal library settings in Alaska, Montana, and British Columbia, Canada.
Virtual Room: Room 3
Program: “Cultural Awareness for Library Workforce”
Program Description: Based on the Alaska Library Association’s Culturally Responsive guidelines, we have created a Self-Assessment Toolkit and Cultural Awareness training for the library workforce.
Speaker(s): Jonas Lamb, Catherine Melville, Erin Hollingworth
Speaker(s) Bio: Jonas Lamb (he/him) is of mixed Lithuanian and Irish heritage and was raised in Michigan on the ancestral lands of the Peoria, Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo), Anishinabewaki, Bodéwadmiakiwen (Potawatomi), Myaamia and Mississauga. He currently resides in Juneau, Alaska on Lingít Aaní where he strives to be a good guest and contribute to efforts to repair historical harms. He works as the Access Services & Open Education Librarian at the University of Alaska Southeast (Juneau campus), leading open education and course materials affordability efforts, collaborates with faculty on campus events and coordinates the campus common reading program (One Campus, One Book). He has had the opportunity to teach full semester courses in library science (special topics), writing and the humanities. He has served as a mentor to graduate students in the Bridging Knowledge: Supporting Indigenous Scholars into the Field of Librarianship and in leadership roles with the Alaska Library Association. He is a co-investigator on two grant funded projects: Expanding Education Options for Alaska’s Library Workforce and The First University of Alaska Statewide Artificial Intelligence Symposium.
Catherine Melville is the director of Juneau Public Libraries in her hometown of Juneau, Alaska. She has worked for Juneau Public Libraries in a wide variety of capacities since 2003, including Collection Development Librarian and Technical Services Manager.
Erin Hollingsworth has been a librarian in the American Arctic since 2011. She currently works as the District Librarian for the North Slope Borough School District; her position requires her to visit all eight remote communities on Alaska’s North Slope. Prior to that, she worked as the Public Services Librarian at Tuzzy Consortium Library at Iḷisaġvik College, in Utqiaġvik, Alaska. Erin has experience working in academic, public, K-12 school, special, and tribal library settings in Alaska, Montana, and British Columbia, Canada.
Time: 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm MDT
Virtual Room: Room 1
Program: “Innovating with AI: Project Gutenberg's Approach to Free eBooks and Literary Management”
Program Description: Project Gutenberg (PG), the first provider of free eBooks, is keeping up with technology by experimenting with and using AI. This presentation explores several AI initiatives PG has implemented, highlighting successes and challenges. Key topics include Microsoft/PG AI audiobooks, use of AI to generate subject headings and book summaries, and more. This session is ideal for developers and librarians interested in potential applications of AI in managing large literary collections.
Speaker: Ilana Kingsley
Speaker Bio: Ilana Kingsley is a Professor of Library Science and the Web Librarian for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Rasmuson Library. She has extensive experience with emerging technologies in libraries, user experience, and information architecture.
Virtual Room: Room 1
Program: “Innovating with AI: Project Gutenberg's Approach to Free eBooks and Literary Management”
Program Description: Project Gutenberg (PG), the first provider of free eBooks, is keeping up with technology by experimenting with and using AI. This presentation explores several AI initiatives PG has implemented, highlighting successes and challenges. Key topics include Microsoft/PG AI audiobooks, use of AI to generate subject headings and book summaries, and more. This session is ideal for developers and librarians interested in potential applications of AI in managing large literary collections.
Speaker: Ilana Kingsley
Speaker Bio: Ilana Kingsley is a Professor of Library Science and the Web Librarian for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Rasmuson Library. She has extensive experience with emerging technologies in libraries, user experience, and information architecture.
Time: 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm MDT
Virtual Room: Room 2
Program: “Strengthening Indigenous Relationality Through Virtual Professional Community: Oskâpêwis Mentorship Group”
Program Description: With Indigenous members from across the nation now known as Canada, the Oskâpêwis Mentorship Group is a virtual community by necessity. This session will highlight our dedicated approach to facilitating collaboration and connection through community-oriented mentorship, online gatherings, and virtual knowledge sharing events grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing.
Speaker: Taya Jardine
Speaker Bio: Taya Jardine (she/they) is a 2SIQ (Two Spirit Indigiqueer) Mi’gmaw e’pit from Natoaganeg First Nation in what is now colonially referred to as New Brunswick, Canada. They are the Indigenous Metadata Librarian at Xwi7xwa Library located on the unceded traditional territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking xʷməθkʷəy̓əm at the University of British Columbia. She is also a member and co-organizer of the Oskâpêwis Mentorship Group hosted through the Council of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries’ Indigenous Knowledge Standing Committee, which supports Indigenous students and professionals within the libraries, archives, and other information fields across the nation now known as Canada through community-oriented mentorship.
Virtual Room: Room 2
Program: “Strengthening Indigenous Relationality Through Virtual Professional Community: Oskâpêwis Mentorship Group”
Program Description: With Indigenous members from across the nation now known as Canada, the Oskâpêwis Mentorship Group is a virtual community by necessity. This session will highlight our dedicated approach to facilitating collaboration and connection through community-oriented mentorship, online gatherings, and virtual knowledge sharing events grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing.
Speaker: Taya Jardine
Speaker Bio: Taya Jardine (she/they) is a 2SIQ (Two Spirit Indigiqueer) Mi’gmaw e’pit from Natoaganeg First Nation in what is now colonially referred to as New Brunswick, Canada. They are the Indigenous Metadata Librarian at Xwi7xwa Library located on the unceded traditional territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking xʷməθkʷəy̓əm at the University of British Columbia. She is also a member and co-organizer of the Oskâpêwis Mentorship Group hosted through the Council of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries’ Indigenous Knowledge Standing Committee, which supports Indigenous students and professionals within the libraries, archives, and other information fields across the nation now known as Canada through community-oriented mentorship.
Time: 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm MDT
Virtual Room: Room 3
Program: “Introduction to the Things from Future Libraries Toolkit by SPLAT”
Program Description: The Things from Future Libraries toolkit guides you through a participatory design activity where everyone is invited to imagine prototype services, programs, and borrowable items from a library in a future of their choice. The future has not happened yet, so you can let your imagination go wild!
Speaker(s): Deana Brown and Annie Gaines
Speaker(s) Bio: Deana Brown is the Adult Services Library Consultant for the Idaho Commission for Libraries. In this role, she imagines, creates, and facilitates professional development and grant opportunities to support libraries as they strive to best serve their communities. Since her first library job in 2004, she has worked in public and academic libraries, earning certificates in user experience, facilitation, strategic foresight, and instructional design along the way.
Annie Gaines
Virtual Room: Room 3
Program: “Introduction to the Things from Future Libraries Toolkit by SPLAT”
Program Description: The Things from Future Libraries toolkit guides you through a participatory design activity where everyone is invited to imagine prototype services, programs, and borrowable items from a library in a future of their choice. The future has not happened yet, so you can let your imagination go wild!
Speaker(s): Deana Brown and Annie Gaines
Speaker(s) Bio: Deana Brown is the Adult Services Library Consultant for the Idaho Commission for Libraries. In this role, she imagines, creates, and facilitates professional development and grant opportunities to support libraries as they strive to best serve their communities. Since her first library job in 2004, she has worked in public and academic libraries, earning certificates in user experience, facilitation, strategic foresight, and instructional design along the way.
Annie Gaines
is the Continuing Education Consultant for the Idaho Commission for Libraries, where she connects the people who work in all types of libraries to provide training and support to reach their future goals. She has experience working in academic and public libraries (her very first job was as a teenage library page in her local public library) and has earned certificates in strategic foresight, facilitation, and instructional design.
Friday, August 8
Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am MDT
Virtual Room: Room 1 Keynote Address
Program: “To Libraries, From Russia, With love.”
Program Description: This presentation was built as a tongue-in-cheek discussion of some of the big data and digital advocacy strategies that arose from Russia's interference in American Elections and what libraries can learn from it.
Big data has changed how many advocacy organizations and causes build support and organize their communities but how do they do it? In this session, we’ll look at how organizations use big data to influence Americans and explore how libraries can take advantage of this tool. Almost every library has access to big data tools and can use the theories and strategies in this session to apply those tools cheaply and efficiently to build community support, reach non-users, and engage a wide variety of audiences in conversations about libraries.
Speaker: Patrick Sweeney
Speaker Bio: Patrick "PC" Sweeney is a 2007 San Jose School of Library and Information Sciences graduate and former Administrative Librarian and School Librarian and was Executive Director of EveryLibrary California, a statewide initiative to support library propositions. He was awarded Library Journal’s “Movers and Shakers” award in 2015 for his library advocacy work. He is co-author of “Winning Elections and Influencing Politicians for Library Funding” as well as “Before the Ballot; Building Support for Library Funding.” He was recently recognized with a “40 Under 40” award by the American Association of Political Consultants for his work fighting for libraries at EveryLibrary. He is a lecturer at the San Jose Information School where he teaches courses on politics and libraries. He is active across social media as PC Sweeney.
Virtual Room: Room 1 Keynote Address
Program: “To Libraries, From Russia, With love.”
Program Description: This presentation was built as a tongue-in-cheek discussion of some of the big data and digital advocacy strategies that arose from Russia's interference in American Elections and what libraries can learn from it.
Big data has changed how many advocacy organizations and causes build support and organize their communities but how do they do it? In this session, we’ll look at how organizations use big data to influence Americans and explore how libraries can take advantage of this tool. Almost every library has access to big data tools and can use the theories and strategies in this session to apply those tools cheaply and efficiently to build community support, reach non-users, and engage a wide variety of audiences in conversations about libraries.
Speaker: Patrick Sweeney
Speaker Bio: Patrick "PC" Sweeney is a 2007 San Jose School of Library and Information Sciences graduate and former Administrative Librarian and School Librarian and was Executive Director of EveryLibrary California, a statewide initiative to support library propositions. He was awarded Library Journal’s “Movers and Shakers” award in 2015 for his library advocacy work. He is co-author of “Winning Elections and Influencing Politicians for Library Funding” as well as “Before the Ballot; Building Support for Library Funding.” He was recently recognized with a “40 Under 40” award by the American Association of Political Consultants for his work fighting for libraries at EveryLibrary. He is a lecturer at the San Jose Information School where he teaches courses on politics and libraries. He is active across social media as PC Sweeney.
Time: 10:15 am – 11:15 am MDT
Virtual Room: Room 1
Program: :Improving cross-departmental collaboration in processing unique collections”
Program Description: Three departments at Montana State University Library collaborate to process unique collections. After a process improvement project in 2021, the coordinating Cross Functional Group (CFG) sets goals and tracks projects. CFG strives to balance the push to accomplish lofty goals with the reality of workloads to minimize employee fatigue.
Speaker: Amy Foster
Speaker Bio: Amy Foster is the head of Collection Access and Technical Services at Montana State University Library. She manages the department responsible for acquisitions, electronic resources, cataloging, and interlibrary loan. Amy holds the rank of Associate Professor and has worked at the MSU Library for more than 25 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science from Montana State University and an MLS from the University of North Texas.
Virtual Room: Room 1
Program: :Improving cross-departmental collaboration in processing unique collections”
Program Description: Three departments at Montana State University Library collaborate to process unique collections. After a process improvement project in 2021, the coordinating Cross Functional Group (CFG) sets goals and tracks projects. CFG strives to balance the push to accomplish lofty goals with the reality of workloads to minimize employee fatigue.
Speaker: Amy Foster
Speaker Bio: Amy Foster is the head of Collection Access and Technical Services at Montana State University Library. She manages the department responsible for acquisitions, electronic resources, cataloging, and interlibrary loan. Amy holds the rank of Associate Professor and has worked at the MSU Library for more than 25 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science from Montana State University and an MLS from the University of North Texas.
Time: 10:15 am – 11:15 am MDT
Virtual Room: Room 2
Program: “Social Media and Libraries: A Critical Perspective”
Program Description: While social media is an unavoidable reality of today's digital landscape, it has inherent conflicts with many values of librarianship. Is it worth reconsidering how we use this tool and examining its real and practical value for libraries, rather than the value attributed to it by Big Tech? Do we put our profession in an ethically compromised place by encouraging patrons to use social media platforms when we can communicate in other ways? Learn how a medium-sized public library in Montana minimized their social media use while still engaging with their community.
Speaker: Mark Wetherington
Speaker Bio: Mark Wetherington has been director of the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton, MT since 2014. He started working in libraries as a college sophomore in 2006 and, other than seasonal work for the US Forest Service, has worked in them ever since. He received his MLIS from the University of Kentucky in 2012. Mark is also an avid outdoor recreationist and the co-author of Backpacking Washington, 3rd edition, by Wilderness Press.
Virtual Room: Room 2
Program: “Social Media and Libraries: A Critical Perspective”
Program Description: While social media is an unavoidable reality of today's digital landscape, it has inherent conflicts with many values of librarianship. Is it worth reconsidering how we use this tool and examining its real and practical value for libraries, rather than the value attributed to it by Big Tech? Do we put our profession in an ethically compromised place by encouraging patrons to use social media platforms when we can communicate in other ways? Learn how a medium-sized public library in Montana minimized their social media use while still engaging with their community.
Speaker: Mark Wetherington
Speaker Bio: Mark Wetherington has been director of the Bitterroot Public Library in Hamilton, MT since 2014. He started working in libraries as a college sophomore in 2006 and, other than seasonal work for the US Forest Service, has worked in them ever since. He received his MLIS from the University of Kentucky in 2012. Mark is also an avid outdoor recreationist and the co-author of Backpacking Washington, 3rd edition, by Wilderness Press.
Time: 10:15 am – 11:15 am MDT
Virtual Room: Room 3
Program: “Diversity in the Children’s Choice nominee lists: the Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award from 2014-2024”
Program Description: Librarians, scholars, and educators are increasingly aware of the diversity, or lack of it in children's literature. In particular, educators have an increasing self-awareness that diverse books should be among the literature promoted to students. Each year state book award lists seek to promote the best in literature to students in their state. Many librarians and educators use the state book award lists for their state in order to engage students with new books. Students read from these lists and vote for their favorite books of the year. This study looks at the books nominated for the state book award lists in all 50 states from 2014-2024 with a particular emphasis on the Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award during that time frame.
Speaker: Amanda Harrison
Speaker Bio: Amanda Harrison worked for 15 years in PreK-12 education and fourteen as a school librarian in Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the University of Central Missouri's Library Science program. She currently serves on numerous professional committees and boards, including the Kansas Association of School Librarians and the ALA Library Research Roundtable. She is also an advisor for the UCM student chapter of Beta Phi Mu, Beta Beta Pi. She also serves on the editorial boards for the ALA’s International Relations International Leads newsletter and the School Library Research journal. Current and ongoing interests include school libraries, global librarianship, critical pedagogies, and diversity in librarianship and literature.
Virtual Room: Room 3
Program: “Diversity in the Children’s Choice nominee lists: the Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award from 2014-2024”
Program Description: Librarians, scholars, and educators are increasingly aware of the diversity, or lack of it in children's literature. In particular, educators have an increasing self-awareness that diverse books should be among the literature promoted to students. Each year state book award lists seek to promote the best in literature to students in their state. Many librarians and educators use the state book award lists for their state in order to engage students with new books. Students read from these lists and vote for their favorite books of the year. This study looks at the books nominated for the state book award lists in all 50 states from 2014-2024 with a particular emphasis on the Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award during that time frame.
Speaker: Amanda Harrison
Speaker Bio: Amanda Harrison worked for 15 years in PreK-12 education and fourteen as a school librarian in Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the University of Central Missouri's Library Science program. She currently serves on numerous professional committees and boards, including the Kansas Association of School Librarians and the ALA Library Research Roundtable. She is also an advisor for the UCM student chapter of Beta Phi Mu, Beta Beta Pi. She also serves on the editorial boards for the ALA’s International Relations International Leads newsletter and the School Library Research journal. Current and ongoing interests include school libraries, global librarianship, critical pedagogies, and diversity in librarianship and literature.
Time: 11:30 am – 12:00 pm MDT
Virtual Room: Rooms 1 - 3
Program: Exhibitor Time
Program Description: Please visit the exhibitors in their room and learn about their conference specials!
Virtual Room: Rooms 1 - 3
Program: Exhibitor Time
Program Description: Please visit the exhibitors in their room and learn about their conference specials!
Time: 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm MDT
Lunch Break
Lunch Break
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm MDT
PNLA Membership Meeting
PNLA Membership Meeting
Time: 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm MDT
Virtual Room: Room 1
Program: “Innovating Outreach: Meeting Users Where They Are”
Program Description: At our library we strive to meet users where they are in order to effectively engage them. Join these two librarians to learn about their library’s outreach efforts, which include a formalized committee to create a variety of venues for targeted outreach.
Speaker(s): Star Bradley, Mary Anne Hansen
Speaker(s) Bio: Star Bradley is the Instruction Librarian at Montana State University. Star teaches credit bearing classes and presents guest lectures on information literacy. Star spends much of her time helping undergraduate students learn basic research skills. In Fall 2024, Star developed and taught a 3-credit course titled Reason in the Age of Misinformation.
Mary Anne Hansen is Research Services Librarian at Montana State University, where she has loved working with students, faculty, and the public for almost 30 years as a librarian. She works closely with the College of Nursing, along with the Education, Health, & Human Development Department and the Psychology Department, though she is delighted to work with students and faculty in any discipline. She also coordinates the MSU Library's annual Tribal College Librarians Professional Development Institute each June for 35- 50 tribal college librarians from across the US and beyond. Mary Anne feels blessed every day to live and work in her hometown of Bozeman with her jazz guitarist husband, two dogs, and three cats.
Virtual Room: Room 1
Program: “Innovating Outreach: Meeting Users Where They Are”
Program Description: At our library we strive to meet users where they are in order to effectively engage them. Join these two librarians to learn about their library’s outreach efforts, which include a formalized committee to create a variety of venues for targeted outreach.
Speaker(s): Star Bradley, Mary Anne Hansen
Speaker(s) Bio: Star Bradley is the Instruction Librarian at Montana State University. Star teaches credit bearing classes and presents guest lectures on information literacy. Star spends much of her time helping undergraduate students learn basic research skills. In Fall 2024, Star developed and taught a 3-credit course titled Reason in the Age of Misinformation.
Mary Anne Hansen is Research Services Librarian at Montana State University, where she has loved working with students, faculty, and the public for almost 30 years as a librarian. She works closely with the College of Nursing, along with the Education, Health, & Human Development Department and the Psychology Department, though she is delighted to work with students and faculty in any discipline. She also coordinates the MSU Library's annual Tribal College Librarians Professional Development Institute each June for 35- 50 tribal college librarians from across the US and beyond. Mary Anne feels blessed every day to live and work in her hometown of Bozeman with her jazz guitarist husband, two dogs, and three cats.
Time: 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm MDT
Virtual Room: Room 2
Program: “Butterflies in Your Stomach: Promoting Mental Health Literacy Through Graphic Novel Collections”
Program Description: Teenage girls experienced drastic increases in anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the stigma surrounding mental health is another hurdle. Hear the findings of my dissertation on YA graphic novels featuring girls with anxiety and learn about mental health literacy and stigma to build connections with struggling teens.
Speaker: Stephanie E. Mahar
Speaker Bio: Stephanie E. Mahar is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Language, Literacy, and Technology program at Washington State University, College of Education. Her research interests include youth literature to promote social-emotional learning and mental health literacy in young people and their communities. Stephanie earned her MLIS from Wayne State University in 2020. In 2023, Stephanie was the YALSA Book Awards/Selection Lists Oversight Committee Liaison for Great Graphic Novels for Teens and Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, and she organized and presented a panel discussion at the YALSA Symposium titled “Beyond ‘American Born Chinese’: Advancing Change through Asian Representation in Graphic Novels.”
Virtual Room: Room 2
Program: “Butterflies in Your Stomach: Promoting Mental Health Literacy Through Graphic Novel Collections”
Program Description: Teenage girls experienced drastic increases in anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the stigma surrounding mental health is another hurdle. Hear the findings of my dissertation on YA graphic novels featuring girls with anxiety and learn about mental health literacy and stigma to build connections with struggling teens.
Speaker: Stephanie E. Mahar
Speaker Bio: Stephanie E. Mahar is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Language, Literacy, and Technology program at Washington State University, College of Education. Her research interests include youth literature to promote social-emotional learning and mental health literacy in young people and their communities. Stephanie earned her MLIS from Wayne State University in 2020. In 2023, Stephanie was the YALSA Book Awards/Selection Lists Oversight Committee Liaison for Great Graphic Novels for Teens and Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, and she organized and presented a panel discussion at the YALSA Symposium titled “Beyond ‘American Born Chinese’: Advancing Change through Asian Representation in Graphic Novels.”
Time: 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm MDT
Virtual Room: Room 3
Program: “Zine-efy! UBC Okanagan Library’s Experience with Zines as Outreach”
Program Description: Discover UBC Okanagan Library’s Zine, launched 4 years ago by a dedicated team of staff. Highlighting library services through illustrations and comics, the Zine evolves annually with fresh content, remaining a dynamic outreach tool.
Speaker: Larissa Macklem
Speaker Bio: Larissa Macklem has been at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus Library for 15 years, and for most of those years she has been in the role of Public Services Coordinator. She loves the vibrancy of the library, created in no small part by the intelligent, compassionate and innovative colleagues she works with, and by the wide variety of exchanges with patrons at the library’s service desk.
Virtual Room: Room 3
Program: “Zine-efy! UBC Okanagan Library’s Experience with Zines as Outreach”
Program Description: Discover UBC Okanagan Library’s Zine, launched 4 years ago by a dedicated team of staff. Highlighting library services through illustrations and comics, the Zine evolves annually with fresh content, remaining a dynamic outreach tool.
Speaker: Larissa Macklem
Speaker Bio: Larissa Macklem has been at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus Library for 15 years, and for most of those years she has been in the role of Public Services Coordinator. She loves the vibrancy of the library, created in no small part by the intelligent, compassionate and innovative colleagues she works with, and by the wide variety of exchanges with patrons at the library’s service desk.
Time: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm MDT
Virtual Room: Room 1
Program: “Harnessing the Power of Resilience to Live Your Best Life”
Program Description: Shannon shares actionable strategies for building resilience to overcome challenges and thrive. Drawing on her personal journey and professional expertise, this session empowers attendees to navigate obstacles with confidence.
Speaker: Shannon Johnston
Speaker Bio: With over 25 years of experience in human resources leadership, including serving as a Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), Shannon Clark Johnston brings unparalleled expertise to the intersection of people, strategy, and business transformation. Currently at the helm of True HR, Shannon continues to actively lead and influence organizations, combining her authentic, people-centered approach with a track record of delivering measurable results. For audiences, Shannon offers not just inspiration, but actionable strategies grounded in the realities of today’s workplaces—delivering insights only someone with decades of firsthand leadership experience can provide.
Virtual Room: Room 1
Program: “Harnessing the Power of Resilience to Live Your Best Life”
Program Description: Shannon shares actionable strategies for building resilience to overcome challenges and thrive. Drawing on her personal journey and professional expertise, this session empowers attendees to navigate obstacles with confidence.
Speaker: Shannon Johnston
Speaker Bio: With over 25 years of experience in human resources leadership, including serving as a Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), Shannon Clark Johnston brings unparalleled expertise to the intersection of people, strategy, and business transformation. Currently at the helm of True HR, Shannon continues to actively lead and influence organizations, combining her authentic, people-centered approach with a track record of delivering measurable results. For audiences, Shannon offers not just inspiration, but actionable strategies grounded in the realities of today’s workplaces—delivering insights only someone with decades of firsthand leadership experience can provide.
Time: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm MDT
Virtual Room: Room 2
Program: Old News – “Exploring community histories through newspapers, newsletters, and other periodicals”
Program Description: Newspapers, newsletters, and magazines sometimes get overlooked as research tools, but they can provide a wealth of information not available anywhere else. Join us to discover the benefits of digitally preserving these periodicals, and how they offer a unique way to understand community history, cultural shifts, and social movements.
Speaker: Jon Henley
Speaker Bio: Jon Henley is a Special Collections Librarian with the Alaska State Library’s Historical Collections and serves as Project Coordinator for the Alaska Digital Newspaper Program.
Virtual Room: Room 2
Program: Old News – “Exploring community histories through newspapers, newsletters, and other periodicals”
Program Description: Newspapers, newsletters, and magazines sometimes get overlooked as research tools, but they can provide a wealth of information not available anywhere else. Join us to discover the benefits of digitally preserving these periodicals, and how they offer a unique way to understand community history, cultural shifts, and social movements.
Speaker: Jon Henley
Speaker Bio: Jon Henley is a Special Collections Librarian with the Alaska State Library’s Historical Collections and serves as Project Coordinator for the Alaska Digital Newspaper Program.
Time: 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm MDT
Virtual Room: Room 3
Program: “Books Build a Bridge: How to Maximize Your Collection to Connect Your Library and Community”
Program Description: In a world where digital and physical spaces increasingly intersect, libraries have a unique opportunity to leverage their collections to foster deeper community connections. Surveys by the American Library Association reveal that access to books and reading materials remains the top reason people obtain library cards, with U.S. public libraries circulating 1.48 billion items or more each year. This session will explore how libraries can strategically use their collections to draw users in and guide them toward other valuable services and resources. You’ll learn: • Practical strategies to engage your entire community with your library's collection. • How to reach readers both in traditional spaces and in unexpected places, enhancing their library experience and boosting overall circulation. • Effective promotion techniques, even in the face of staff and budget constraints.
Speaker: Angela Hursh
Speaker Bio: Angela Hursh leads an outstanding team of marketing and training professionals at NoveList, a company dedicated to helping libraries reach readers. A 2023 Library Journal Mover & Shaker, she has also created courses on LearnwithNoveList.com designed to help library staff learn how to create effective marketing. She is the author of the blog SuperLibraryMarketing.com and host of the YouTube series The Library Marketing Show. Before her job at NoveList, Angela led the content marketing team for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. She also has more than 20 years of experience as an Emmy-award-winning broadcast TV journalist.
Virtual Room: Room 3
Program: “Books Build a Bridge: How to Maximize Your Collection to Connect Your Library and Community”
Program Description: In a world where digital and physical spaces increasingly intersect, libraries have a unique opportunity to leverage their collections to foster deeper community connections. Surveys by the American Library Association reveal that access to books and reading materials remains the top reason people obtain library cards, with U.S. public libraries circulating 1.48 billion items or more each year. This session will explore how libraries can strategically use their collections to draw users in and guide them toward other valuable services and resources. You’ll learn: • Practical strategies to engage your entire community with your library's collection. • How to reach readers both in traditional spaces and in unexpected places, enhancing their library experience and boosting overall circulation. • Effective promotion techniques, even in the face of staff and budget constraints.
Speaker: Angela Hursh
Speaker Bio: Angela Hursh leads an outstanding team of marketing and training professionals at NoveList, a company dedicated to helping libraries reach readers. A 2023 Library Journal Mover & Shaker, she has also created courses on LearnwithNoveList.com designed to help library staff learn how to create effective marketing. She is the author of the blog SuperLibraryMarketing.com and host of the YouTube series The Library Marketing Show. Before her job at NoveList, Angela led the content marketing team for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. She also has more than 20 years of experience as an Emmy-award-winning broadcast TV journalist.
Saturday, August 9
Time: 9:00 am – 10:00 am MDT
Virtual Room: Room 1 Author Keynote
Program: “A Lifetime at the Library”
Program Description: Bestselling mystery author Ellie Alexander will offer a keynote, “A Lifetime at the Library,” about how her early library experiences shaped her and impacted her writing and storytelling. From walking to her local library after school every Friday and returning home with a stack of books to devouring every Agatha Christie title on the shelves and totting her son to book babies on Saturday mornings, the library has and always will be a cozy refuge for book lovers and writers.
Speaker: Ellie Alexander
Speaker Bio: Ellie Alexander (also known as Kate Dyer-Seeley) is a Pacific Northwest native. Her love for the Pacific Northwest runs deep. From the Shakespearean hamlet of Ashland, Oregon, to the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, Washington, to the hipster mecca of Portland, Oregon, and a variety of stunning outdoor locales, the Pacific Northwest is a backdrop for every book and almost becomes another character in each series.
With over a half-million copies in print, Ellie’s bestselling long-running series has attracted a devoted readership. In addition to writing, she teaches and coaches new writers, guiding them through every phase of the process, from brainstorming an initial idea to brand building and helping new writers find their path to publication. Ellie believes that stories have the power to transport and transform us. Having over 40 novels published and counting, her goal is to tell stories that provide points of connection, escape, and understanding.
Virtual Room: Room 1 Author Keynote
Program: “A Lifetime at the Library”
Program Description: Bestselling mystery author Ellie Alexander will offer a keynote, “A Lifetime at the Library,” about how her early library experiences shaped her and impacted her writing and storytelling. From walking to her local library after school every Friday and returning home with a stack of books to devouring every Agatha Christie title on the shelves and totting her son to book babies on Saturday mornings, the library has and always will be a cozy refuge for book lovers and writers.
Speaker: Ellie Alexander
Speaker Bio: Ellie Alexander (also known as Kate Dyer-Seeley) is a Pacific Northwest native. Her love for the Pacific Northwest runs deep. From the Shakespearean hamlet of Ashland, Oregon, to the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, Washington, to the hipster mecca of Portland, Oregon, and a variety of stunning outdoor locales, the Pacific Northwest is a backdrop for every book and almost becomes another character in each series.
With over a half-million copies in print, Ellie’s bestselling long-running series has attracted a devoted readership. In addition to writing, she teaches and coaches new writers, guiding them through every phase of the process, from brainstorming an initial idea to brand building and helping new writers find their path to publication. Ellie believes that stories have the power to transport and transform us. Having over 40 novels published and counting, her goal is to tell stories that provide points of connection, escape, and understanding.
Time: 10:15 am – 11:15 am MDT
Virtual Room: Room 1
Program: “Checkology®: Support for Infusing News and Media Literacy into Instruction”
Program Description: We are dealing with the most challenging information landscape in human history. Digital tools, AI and social media make it easy for anyone to spread misinformation and disinformation. Experience avenues for infusing news and media literacy into instruction with the News Literacy Project's Checkology lessons. All lessons and resources are FREE!
Speaker: Erin Olson
Speaker Bio: Erin Olson is NLP’s senior manager, state partnerships. She began her career as a middle school language arts teacher in Storm Lake, Iowa and then transitioned to teaching high school English in Sioux Rapids, Iowa. Her interest in meaningful technology integration led her to a position as a technology integrationist for a regional state education agency. Erin supported districts with technology integration, literacy, project-based learning, and STEM. She then returned to her home district to serve as an instructional leader and instructional coach. Erin holds two degrees from Buena Vista University: a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in Instructional and Curriculum/Effective Teaching.
Virtual Room: Room 1
Program: “Checkology®: Support for Infusing News and Media Literacy into Instruction”
Program Description: We are dealing with the most challenging information landscape in human history. Digital tools, AI and social media make it easy for anyone to spread misinformation and disinformation. Experience avenues for infusing news and media literacy into instruction with the News Literacy Project's Checkology lessons. All lessons and resources are FREE!
Speaker: Erin Olson
Speaker Bio: Erin Olson is NLP’s senior manager, state partnerships. She began her career as a middle school language arts teacher in Storm Lake, Iowa and then transitioned to teaching high school English in Sioux Rapids, Iowa. Her interest in meaningful technology integration led her to a position as a technology integrationist for a regional state education agency. Erin supported districts with technology integration, literacy, project-based learning, and STEM. She then returned to her home district to serve as an instructional leader and instructional coach. Erin holds two degrees from Buena Vista University: a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in Instructional and Curriculum/Effective Teaching.
Time: 10:15 am – 11:15 am MDT
Virtual Room: Room 2
Program: “So, You Want a Virtual Reading Room: How the VRR Connects Communities to the Archives”
Program Description: This presentation will introduce the University of Washington Special Collections’ Virtual Reading Room, a Zoom-based service for remote users to view undigitized materials. We will share the results of an assessment we conducted on the VRR and introduce a toolkit so that other institutions can develop their own versions.
Speaker: Norah Murphy, Taylor Hazan
Speaker Bio: Norah Murphy received her MLIS in 2025 from the University of Washington iSchool. She was previously employed in the Government Publications, Maps, Microforms and Newspapers unit at Suzzallo Allen Libraries, and developed a love for microforms there. She previously received an MPhil from Trinity College, Dublin in Irish Literature.
Taylor Hazan received her MLIS in 2025 from the University of Washington iSchool. She was previously employed by University of Washington’s Special Collections, where she was a virtual reading room practitioner, and is currently the librarian at University House Wallingford, a retirement community in Seattle.
Virtual Room: Room 2
Program: “So, You Want a Virtual Reading Room: How the VRR Connects Communities to the Archives”
Program Description: This presentation will introduce the University of Washington Special Collections’ Virtual Reading Room, a Zoom-based service for remote users to view undigitized materials. We will share the results of an assessment we conducted on the VRR and introduce a toolkit so that other institutions can develop their own versions.
Speaker: Norah Murphy, Taylor Hazan
Speaker Bio: Norah Murphy received her MLIS in 2025 from the University of Washington iSchool. She was previously employed in the Government Publications, Maps, Microforms and Newspapers unit at Suzzallo Allen Libraries, and developed a love for microforms there. She previously received an MPhil from Trinity College, Dublin in Irish Literature.
Taylor Hazan received her MLIS in 2025 from the University of Washington iSchool. She was previously employed by University of Washington’s Special Collections, where she was a virtual reading room practitioner, and is currently the librarian at University House Wallingford, a retirement community in Seattle.
Time: 10:15 am – 11:15 am MDT
Virtual Room: Room 3
Program: “Expanding Our Community: Using Online Tools to Reach New Audiences in Special Collections”
Program Description: In this presentation, members of the UAB Libraries Historical Collections department will discuss how they utilize technology and online resources to enhance user engagement in special collections and promote a unique experience with exhibitions. Specifically, they will discuss how digital collections, virtual exhibits and social media help achieve these goals.
Speaker(s): Anna Kaetz, Rachel Lopez
Speaker(s) Bio: Anna Kaetz is an Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Digital Strategy and Metadata Librarian for the Reynolds-Finley Historical Library of UAB Libraries, where she has assisted with the expansion of the virtual presence of the library and collections since 2021. Her areas of interest include exploring emerging technologies and specifically their use in library exhibitions and pedagogy; using linked data and descriptive metadata to diversify special collections; and to coordinate the long-term digitization efforts of rare materials.
Rachel Jones Lopez is an Archivist and Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from Birmingham-Southern College and with an masters in library and information studies from the University of Alabama. With broad experience in special collections in public and private institutions, Rachel is passionate about inclusive collecting and making historical materials accessible to all.
Virtual Room: Room 3
Program: “Expanding Our Community: Using Online Tools to Reach New Audiences in Special Collections”
Program Description: In this presentation, members of the UAB Libraries Historical Collections department will discuss how they utilize technology and online resources to enhance user engagement in special collections and promote a unique experience with exhibitions. Specifically, they will discuss how digital collections, virtual exhibits and social media help achieve these goals.
Speaker(s): Anna Kaetz, Rachel Lopez
Speaker(s) Bio: Anna Kaetz is an Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Digital Strategy and Metadata Librarian for the Reynolds-Finley Historical Library of UAB Libraries, where she has assisted with the expansion of the virtual presence of the library and collections since 2021. Her areas of interest include exploring emerging technologies and specifically their use in library exhibitions and pedagogy; using linked data and descriptive metadata to diversify special collections; and to coordinate the long-term digitization efforts of rare materials.
Rachel Jones Lopez is an Archivist and Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from Birmingham-Southern College and with an masters in library and information studies from the University of Alabama. With broad experience in special collections in public and private institutions, Rachel is passionate about inclusive collecting and making historical materials accessible to all.
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm MDT
Virtual Room: Room 1
Program: “Reaching Further, Reaching Farther: Libraries Connecting Communities”
Program Description: The North Slope Borough School District is the northernmost and geographically largest school district in the United States. Providing library services can be a challenge. Hollingsworth will share how she utilizes technology, maximizes her limited resources, and strives to provide quality service, despite the challenges of distance, funding, and time.
Speaker: Erin Hollingsworth
Speaker Bio: Erin Hollingsworth has been a librarian in the American Arctic since 2011. She currently works as the District Librarian for the North Slope Borough School District; her position requires her to visit all eight remote communities on Alaska’s North Slope. Prior to that, she worked as the Public Services Librarian at Tuzzy Consortium Library at Iḷisaġvik College, in Utqiaġvik, Alaska. Erin has experience working in academic, public, K-12 school, special, and tribal library settings in Alaska, Montana, and British Columbia, Canada.
Virtual Room: Room 1
Program: “Reaching Further, Reaching Farther: Libraries Connecting Communities”
Program Description: The North Slope Borough School District is the northernmost and geographically largest school district in the United States. Providing library services can be a challenge. Hollingsworth will share how she utilizes technology, maximizes her limited resources, and strives to provide quality service, despite the challenges of distance, funding, and time.
Speaker: Erin Hollingsworth
Speaker Bio: Erin Hollingsworth has been a librarian in the American Arctic since 2011. She currently works as the District Librarian for the North Slope Borough School District; her position requires her to visit all eight remote communities on Alaska’s North Slope. Prior to that, she worked as the Public Services Librarian at Tuzzy Consortium Library at Iḷisaġvik College, in Utqiaġvik, Alaska. Erin has experience working in academic, public, K-12 school, special, and tribal library settings in Alaska, Montana, and British Columbia, Canada.
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm MDT
Virtual Room: Room 2
Program: “Diversity Audits 101”
Program Description: Learn to conduct a diversity audit to improve collection inclusivity! This session covers key steps, tools, and strategies, featuring a case study of a recent audit at a small rural library in Alberta, offering practical insights and results to help guide your own auditing process.
Speaker: Duncan Lotoski
Speaker Bio: Duncan Lotoski is a Librarian with Yellowhead Regional Library in Spruce Grove, Alberta, where he consults with urban and rural libraries across 54 municipalities. Previously, he served at Peace Library System in Grande Prairie, Alberta, consulting with 46 public libraries throughout northern Alberta. Duncan is in his second term on the PNLA Board as Second Vice-President.
Virtual Room: Room 2
Program: “Diversity Audits 101”
Program Description: Learn to conduct a diversity audit to improve collection inclusivity! This session covers key steps, tools, and strategies, featuring a case study of a recent audit at a small rural library in Alberta, offering practical insights and results to help guide your own auditing process.
Speaker: Duncan Lotoski
Speaker Bio: Duncan Lotoski is a Librarian with Yellowhead Regional Library in Spruce Grove, Alberta, where he consults with urban and rural libraries across 54 municipalities. Previously, he served at Peace Library System in Grande Prairie, Alberta, consulting with 46 public libraries throughout northern Alberta. Duncan is in his second term on the PNLA Board as Second Vice-President.
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm MDT
Virtual Room: Room 3
Program: “Empowering Access: Supporting Library Patrons with Print Disabilities through Inquiry and Resources”
Program Description: Individuals with print disabilities read in various ways and are comfortable with technologies at different levels. How can libraries support this diverse group in accessing books? We will explore the questions you can ask and the resources you can offer to support a range of reading needs within different demographics.
Speaker: Megan Sellmer
Speaker Bio: Megan Sellmer is the Outreach Coordinator for the National Network for Equitable Library Service. She is passionate about accessibility and helping libraries provide accessible services for patrons with print disabilities. She received her graduate degree in Digital Humanities and Library and Information Studies from the University of Alberta, focusing on usability and digital access to information.
Virtual Room: Room 3
Program: “Empowering Access: Supporting Library Patrons with Print Disabilities through Inquiry and Resources”
Program Description: Individuals with print disabilities read in various ways and are comfortable with technologies at different levels. How can libraries support this diverse group in accessing books? We will explore the questions you can ask and the resources you can offer to support a range of reading needs within different demographics.
Speaker: Megan Sellmer
Speaker Bio: Megan Sellmer is the Outreach Coordinator for the National Network for Equitable Library Service. She is passionate about accessibility and helping libraries provide accessible services for patrons with print disabilities. She received her graduate degree in Digital Humanities and Library and Information Studies from the University of Alberta, focusing on usability and digital access to information.
