ULA Annual Conference 2026

Many of us only think about the importance of strategic communication in times of crisis, but creating a strategy for library communication is a key tool in connecting meaningfully with patrons. In this session, we'll discuss principles and strategies for communicating with patrons on a variety of issues, diving into real-life examples of success (and failure) and discussing the ultimate impact of successful library communication.

A balanced Library collection provides windows, mirrors and sliding doors. However, traditional weeding practices, primarily based on circulation statistics, often erase underrepresented voices. The best way to combat homogenous collections is to perform regular diversity audits!
Michael Biggs and Lexi Johnson have collaborated on auditing SLCPL Collections for diverse authors several times over the years and are ready to share the results of their research and how these audits tied directly into balanced collection management.

This hands-on session introduces a spreadsheet-based tool and suggested practices for auditing your collections for diversity of authors, focusing on race & ethnicity, authors with disabilities, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Bring a laptop to follow along and start your own audit.

In an era of record-low trust in media and the proliferation of "AI slop," many library patrons have moved beyond healthy skepticism into information nihilism—the belief that because some information is biased, no information can be trusted. This shift presents a unique challenge for librarians: How do we teach critical thinking and evaluation skills without accidentally fueling deep-seated cynicism?

Join our panel of experts as we explore the "messiness of expertise" and share actionable coaching strategies to move patrons from the "everything is fake" mindset toward a productive hopeful skepticism. We will discuss:

• Navigating High-Tension Conversations: Strategies for engaging patrons who reject traditional sources of authority.
• Instructional Frameworks: Evaluating the effectiveness of frameworks like SIFT in the age of generative AI.
• Empowerment over Despair: Helping patrons embrace ambiguity and uncertainty without throwing all journalists and scientists "under the bus."
• Cross-Disciplinary Partnerships: Suggestions for leveraging expertise from experts and colleagues to combat both naive acceptance or nihilistic opposition.

Attendees will leave with practical conversation strategies and resources to help their communities reclaim a sense of agency in a complex information landscape.

This panel brings together librarians from academic and public libraries to provide a broad perspective on outreach efforts. We define outreach as connecting with library users outside the physical space of the library or outside the ways that library users typically interact with the library. As such, outreach is a huge undertaking. In this panel we will focus on how building connections and working relationships with individuals, organizations, and groups both within and outside the library is central to successful outreach efforts. Attendees at the panel will gain practical tips for who to partner with and how to begin and strengthen those working relationships.