Caring for Our Collective - 2026 VLA VLACRL Annual Conference

Caring for Our Collective - 2026 VLA VLACRL Annual Conference

1:00pm PDT

All Ages All Access: Building Digital Confidence Through Outreach Behavioral Agility for Community Care: Supporting Library Workers in Times of Change Blooming through Burnout: Collective Care in Libraries Building Community Connections with New Approaches to Book Clubs Law Without a Lawyer: Finding Reliable Legal Information Let's Talk About Sustainability Many Pathways, Real Careers: Professional Growth in Libraries Without the MLIS Not Just Another Paint Night: The Importance of Play in Adult Programming

2:00pm PDT

Book & Look: How to tailor your programming to your library's unique identity Card Not Required: When Public Space Meets Public Needs Chain Reaction: Two Tired Librarians + Two Book Bikes = Sparks in our community Clear Is Kind: Having Difficult Conversations That Strengthen Your Team Library Night Out: Designing Fun, Adult-Friendly Programming Read to a Librarian: How a low stakes library program can boost kids’ reading confidence The Power of (dis)Engaging with AI: Practicing Purposeful Use and Resistance

4:00pm PDT

Breaking the Barrier: Actionable Resources and Staff Training for Robust ELL Programming From Incident to Insight: Shared Responsibility in Practice Libraries That Build Communities: Lessons in Partnership, Place, and Equity from Baltimore No Shame. No Stigma. Period. How Libraries Can Combat Period Poverty and Promote Menstrual Equity Reclaim your Spark of Joy: Supervising Through Burnout Underprepared and Under Pressure: Virginia Library Workers on the Book Challenge Crisis

9:00am PDT

Creatures on Duty: Integrating Bioactive Terrariums in the Public Library Draw the Eye, Drive Circulation: Visual Tricks to Make Displays Move From Van to Victory: Strategies from 5 ‘Library on the Go’ Outreach Models Out in the South: Listening for Local Histories Programming for Adults with Developmental Disabilities shiFt happens: Supporting Staff During Rapid System Changes When Teens Run the Library: A Case Study

10:00am PDT

Autism and Access: A survey of the modern library Beyond Referral: Caring for our Communities Big Events, Big Feels: Starting and Evolving Large Scale Events with Staff Care in Mind From Collection to Community: A Model for Library Partnerships Lessons from VA250: Establishing Partnerships, Commemorating the Past, and Recognizing Your Local Heritage Rowing in the Same Direction: Public Library and Indie Bookstore Partnerships Rowing in the Same Direction: Public Library and Indie Bookstore Partnerships Storytimes from the Heart: Performing, Educating, and Staying True to Yourself as a Library Programmer

11:00am PDT

…Are Things Weird Yet? You Said They Would Be!: AI Futures, the Evolving Information Landscape, and Libraries Beyond Accommodation: Building Neurodivergent‑Affirming Academic Library Workplaces modation: Building Neurodivergent‑Affirming Academic Library Workplaces Bringing Zine Fest to the Library Growing Knowledge by Growing an Audience: Leveraging social media engagement for education and inclusivity Is Your Amygdala on Fire? Caring for Brains for Collective Good Leadership Isn't What You Think: What People Experience at Work Lockdown! Writing Your Emergency Procedures Reading Buddies: Big Readers, Little Readers, Lasting Impact

1:00pm PDT

Adult Storytime Breaking the Barrier: Actionable Resources and Staff Training for Robust ELL Programming Caring About the Process: Bridging the Gap between County and Library Processes Creating a Community of Joy: Giving Voice and Choice to all Library Workers Help! The Book Police are Here: Empowering staff to defend challenges to graphic novels and comics History and Genealogy Departments: The Swiss Army Knife of Libraries The Slover Roll for Ambiguity: Critical Success Strategies for Cultivating Clarity in Ambiguous Roles Speak Up for Libraries: Learning to Educate, Advocate, and Lobby for your Library The Neuro-Inclusive Collective: Shared Strategies for Regulation and Belonging We’re Still Standing, What’s Next?! Stewardship in Technical Services