Caring for Our Collective - 2026 VLA VLACRL Annual Conference: Full Schedule

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1:00pm PDT

All Ages All Access: Building Digital Confidence Through Outreach

Monday October 19, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Our presentation will equip library professionals with practical strategies to support digital literacy among patrons of all ages, strengthen community engagement, and enhance technology access for all patrons.

Speakers

Shannon Hendrix

Virginia Beach Public Library

Matthew Ashby

Virginia Beach Public Library

Monday October 19, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

General Session, Outreach and Partnerships

1:00pm PDT

Behavioral Agility for Community Care: Supporting Library Workers in Times of Change

Monday October 19, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

This interactive workshop equips library professionals with behavioral agility strategies to support community care, manage workplace stress, and navigate ongoing change in public-facing environments.

Speakers

Dr. Kristy K. Taylor

WORxK Solutions, LLC

Dr. Kristy K. Taylor, SHRM-SCP is the founder of WORxK Solutions, LLC and creator of the WORxK Principle™. She is a military veteran, Certified Career & Executive Coach, renowned Workplace Agility Expert, HR Organizational Development Practitioner, international speaker, and best-selling... Read More →

Monday October 19, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

General Session, Caring for Our Collective

1:00pm PDT

Blooming through Burnout: Collective Care in Libraries

Monday October 19, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Library workers are expected to keep growing, even in difficult conditions. This session explores how collective care helps staff support one another while planting small, sustainable seeds of library joy in daily work, especially in high emotional areas like teen services. Learn practical ways to build resilience, set boundaries, and create stronger, more supportive library teams.

Speakers

Jennifer Whitley

Branch Specialist, Jefferson-Madison Regional Library

Shelby Newhouse

Jefferson-Madison Regional Library

Monday October 19, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

General Session, Caring for Our Collective

1:00pm PDT

Building Community Connections with New Approaches to Book Clubs

Monday October 19, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Book clubs are an essential part of library readers' advisory services, bringing readers together and placing the library at the heart of its community of readers. Learn how you can implement variations on the traditional book group model to reach new readers and connect them with the library and each other.

Speakers

Sue La Paro

Youth Services Consultant, Library of Virginia

I provide comprehensive consulting services, training, and support to Virginia’s public libraries in the areas of school readiness and summer and out of school learning for children, youth, and families.

Barry Trott

Adult Services Consultant, Library of Virginia

Barry Trott is Adult Services Consultant at the Library of Virginia, where he helps public libraries across the Commonwealth plan and develop services for adult library users. He earned his MSLS from The Catholic University of America School of Library and Information Science in 1997... Read More →

Monday October 19, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

General Session, Programming

1:00pm PDT

Law Without a Lawyer: Finding Reliable Legal Information

Monday October 19, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Information on how librarians may provide equal access to justice for all customers.

Speakers

Douglas Jackson

Central Rappahannock Regional Library

Monday October 19, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

General Session, Exploring Careers

1:00pm PDT

Let's Talk About Sustainability

Monday October 19, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Discover practical, cost-effective strategies libraries can use to strengthen services, use resources wisely, and support local priorities through the experience of Virginia librarians who participated in ALA’s Resilient Communities initiative and Sustainable Libraries Certification Program.

Speakers

Jennifer Ferriss

Assistant Director, Saratoga Springs Public Library

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Brittany Veland

Librarian, Arlington Public Library

Monday October 19, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

General Session, Outreach and Partnerships

1:00pm PDT

Many Pathways, Real Careers: Professional Growth in Libraries Without the MLIS

Monday October 19, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Explore how library staff can achieve meaningful professional growth and long-term success through experience, skills, and specialization—without holding an MLIS.

Speakers

Kendra Hawkins

Tidewater Community College

Vivian Washington

Chesapeake Public Library

Monday October 19, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

General Session, Caring for Our Collective

1:00pm PDT

Not Just Another Paint Night: The Importance of Play in Adult Programming

Monday October 19, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Using Get Creative as a case study, we’ll examine the social-emotional learning that can be introduced to adult programming, how to make that happen, and why you should let your adults have fun too

Speakers

Maura Zurfluh

Library Services Coordinator-Community Learning, Suffolk Public Library

Monday October 19, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

General Session, Programming

2:00pm PDT

Book & Look: How to tailor your programming to your library's unique identity

Monday October 19, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Learn how the Chrysler Museum revived its book club with a twist and how you can use your library's unique identity to create programming.

Speakers

Liz Weir

Dickson Librarian, Chrysler Museum of Art

Monday October 19, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

General Session, Programming

2:00pm PDT

Card Not Required: When Public Space Meets Public Needs

Monday October 19, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

How libraries support all patrons, including unhoused community members, through partnerships, programs, and trauma-informed care.

Speakers

Amber Lowery

Assistant Director, Roanoke Public Libraries

Charlsie Parker

Roanoke Public Libraries

Monday October 19, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

General Session

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2:00pm PDT

Chain Reaction: Two Tired Librarians + Two Book Bikes = Sparks in our community

Monday October 19, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Learn how book bikes can drive strategic outreach and community engagement, even in a not so bike friendly town.

Speakers

Megan Mulvey

Suffolk Public Library

Ali Carroll

Suffolk Public Library

Monday October 19, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

General Session, Outreach and Partnerships

2:00pm PDT

Clear Is Kind: Having Difficult Conversations That Strengthen Your Team

Monday October 19, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Learn practical tools to offer feedback with clarity and confidence, support staff growth, and build an aligned, low-drama workplace.

Speakers

Julie Phillips

Botetourt County Libraries

Monday October 19, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

General Session, Leadership and Management

2:00pm PDT

Library Night Out: Designing Fun, Adult-Friendly Programming

Monday October 19, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

If you want your library to be THE place for fun in your community, come learn about successful, entertaining adult programs, and brainstorm your own!

Speakers

Kelcee Sykes

Montgomery-Floyd Regional Libraries

Monday October 19, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

General Session, Programming

2:00pm PDT

Read to a Librarian: How a low stakes library program can boost kids’ reading confidence

Monday October 19, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Attendees will leave with a plan and tools for implementing a reading skills program to help combat the “summer slide” and build a community of young readers.

Speakers

Terra Hanks

Assistant Branch Manager, Meadowbrook Public Library, Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library

Jess Tabor

Meadowbrook Public Library Branch Manager, Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library

Monday October 19, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

General Session, Programming

2:00pm PDT

The Power of (dis)Engaging with AI: Practicing Purposeful Use and Resistance

Monday October 19, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Discover strategies to both use & resist AI tools as a part of a critical approach to the use of technology supported by instructional materials, learning assessments, and a more informed pedagogy.

Monday October 19, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

General Session

4:00pm PDT

Breaking the Barrier: Actionable Resources and Staff Training for Robust ELL Programming

Monday October 19, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT

By blending AI-driven program planning with empathetic training, this session equips attendees with a practical toolkit to transform language barriers into inclusive, community-building connections.

Speakers

Johana S. Brannon

Central Rappahannock Regional Library

Kristi Lisech

Central Rappahannock Regional Library

Monday October 19, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT

General Session, Programming

4:00pm PDT

From Incident to Insight: Shared Responsibility in Practice

Monday October 19, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT

This session explores how tools like debriefing, youth sign-in, internal communication systems, incident reports, and policy updates turn incidents into insight—building shared responsibility, strengthening staff support, and improving consistency and accountability.

Speakers

Georgia Earley

Suffolk Public Library

Keirstin Winslow

Suffolk Public Library

Liz Paruch

Suffolk Public Library

Caitlin Kottke

Suffolk Public Library

Monday October 19, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT

General Session, Leadership and Management

4:00pm PDT

Libraries That Build Communities: Lessons in Partnership, Place, and Equity from Baltimore

Monday October 19, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT

What happens when a library is co-located with a workforce housing project? A powerful model for neighborhood renewal is created.

Speakers

Alfredo Davalos

Quinn Evans

Carly Reighard

Enoch Pratt Free Library

Shannon C. Wray

Quinn Evans

Monday October 19, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT

General Session

4:00pm PDT

No Shame. No Stigma. Period. How Libraries Can Combat Period Poverty and Promote Menstrual Equity

Monday October 19, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT

This presentation explores how libraries can combat period poverty and menstrual stigma through accessible resources, community partnerships, and equitable public service practices, addressing an issue experienced by approximately 42% of people who menstruate at some point in their lives.

Speakers

Amanda Hayes

Suffolk Public Library

Monday October 19, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT

General Session, Outreach and Partnerships

4:00pm PDT

Reclaim your Spark of Joy: Supervising Through Burnout

Monday October 19, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT

Join us for a realistic discussion about public facing supervisor/manager difficulties and burnout.

Speakers

Tasha Birckhead

Jefferson Madison Regional Library

Brittany Eversberg

Jefferson-Madison Regional Library

Acacia Rodgers

Jefferson Madison Regional Library

Monday October 19, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT

General Session, Leadership and Management

4:00pm PDT

Underprepared and Under Pressure: Virginia Library Workers on the Book Challenge Crisis

Monday October 19, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT

Book challenges are burning out Virginia library workers. New research reveals what's missing—and what collective care looks like in practice.

Speakers

Amber Matthews

Assistant Professor, Library & Information Studies, Old Dominion University

Amber Matthews is an Assistant Professor of Library & Information Studies in the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies at Old Dominion University. She holds an MLIS and PhD from Western University and has worked in community-based development for ten years in Canada... Read More →

Ashley Weisman

n/a, Old Dominion University

Doctoral Researcher

Monday October 19, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT

General Session, Intellectual Freedom and Advocacy

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