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Our shared, strong commitment to intellectual freedom is a cornerstone of library work, and it impacts every decision we make with our collections. Though the idea of intellectual freedom is most frequently associated with book challenges, this commitment is also crucial to every collection development task, from the day a book is selected to the…

Design with Community is a virtual, four-session learning series developed to build the capacity of library staff to co-design programs and services with their communities. Rooted in the principles of participatory design, the series introduces practical tools and methods that support authentic, community-led engagement. Participants will learn how to center community voices through techniques such…

Audience: Library staff who work with MARC records in any capacity—whether by creating or editing copy catalog records, or by relying on accurate records for searching and collection maintenance. This session is designed for those without formal cataloging training who want a better understanding of how MARC records are designed and function.Learning Objectives:  By the end…

Are you looking for a new method of thinking or a new style of writing exercise? Have you ever wanted to try exploring generative ideas? This workshop centers on using mini-essays, or microthemes, to get back into the pre-search mindset to effectively research and draft your writing. Learners will go through short sprints of writing…

Between the unstoppable growth of digital collections, the rapid development of self-publishing, and other big changes in the book world, library workers are balancing more than ever when working with collections. In this session, we will review the many types of balance that librarians should seek in their collections. In addition to thinking about balancing…

Drawing on research and frameworks from scholars across disciplines, including Tricia Hersey and Meredith Farkas, this workshop addresses how slow librarianship principles can be applied to library management. The workshop will explore practical strategies for effective management, leading with care, and integrating slow librarianship principles into the day-to-day work of library management. The workshop will lead with examples from a department head…

In an era marked by deep social divides, technological disruption, and growing isolation, Triptych: Death, AI, And Librarianship offers a transformative vision: that libraries can—and must—do more than inform; they can save lives. Joined by Jain Orr and Qianzi Cao, R. David Lankes presents three bold lectures that challenge librarians to embrace their role as…