The Librarian is in! Librarians don't typically provide psychiatric advice, such as Lucy van Pelt from the Peanuts comic strip. However, we do consider the psychological concept of dispositions in our instruction and interactions with patrons. Dispositions are “any of a number of enduring characteristics that describe or determine an individual’s behavior across a variety of situations and that are peculiar to and uniquely expressed by that individual”. The most obvious interaction of dispositions and librarianship can be found in The Framework for Information Literacy. The Framework is the ACRL model for information literacy instruction and contains lists of desirable dispositions to help librarians understand the feelings, attitudes, and behaviors at play during information processes. In this presentation, we explore the role of dispositions in teaching and learning information literacy, illustrated with examples from our recent study on the dispositions practicing nurses displayed while evaluating information. The presentation also examines ways in which librarians may be able to foster productive dispositions to information, its creation, value, and use. The session will end with a brief facilitated discussion on dispositions towards information.
Betsy Hopkins is the Nursing Librarian at Brigham Young University. She is interested in the use of metrics in research evaluation and preparing students to succeed in today's complex information environment. She has curated exhibits on Florence Nightingale and early Utah women in... Read More →
Assoc. Professor/Dept. Chair, Southern Utah University
Anne Diekema is Department Chair of the Library & Information Science department at Southern Utah University's Sherratt Library. Anne teaches information literacy and library research skills and studies how to best prepare students for information problem solving in school, profession... Read More →
While reflecting on your career in the past, have you ever stepped back from an opportunity that you wanted because you doubted yourself? In the workplace, confidence often gets mistaken for competence, and that means talented employees can be overlooked simply because they hesitate. The truth is that confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s a skill you can build. This session will get you started on building that skill.
We’ll explore practical strategies to strengthen your confidence starting today. We’ll also break down the key differences between how confident individuals act compared to those who aren’t, so you can recognize the patterns and start shifting your own approach. You’ll leave with actionable tools and the one powerful word that can transform your future, so next year’s self-reflection can be even more positive. Don’t opt yourself out; step in and own your potential.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Recognize behavioral differences between confident individuals and those lacking confidence and identify which patterns they currently exhibit. 2. Understand the link between confidence and perceived competence and how this impacts career opportunities. 3. Leverage neural priming techniques to positively influence biochemistry and create a mindset conducive to confidence. 4. Enhance self-talk strategies to replace limiting beliefs with empowering language. 5. Develop a simple daily goal that reinforces confidence and forward momentum.
We will relate our small library’s successes turning outward. Partnering with local organizations and non-profits, our library team shows up to support their events, creating lasting relationships and having tons of fun. This strengthens social networks, builds the library’s relevance and fosters library advocacy. We will demonstrate how libraries can contribute to the development of resilient communities by cultivating connections.
Even if we love doing library programming, it's easy to get burnt out. In this presentation, we'll discuss burn out, tips for recovering from burn out, easy programs to do when you're burnt out, and programming resources for when you think you can't possibly come up with another program idea.
Librarians often wear many hats, and for some, cataloging may be an expectation they were not expecting. What do these librarians need to know, in order to best catalog for their institution? In this session, attendees will learn the basics regarding cataloging, RDA, and MARC formats. They will gain a basic understanding of the history and importance of the technical skill of cataloging and its importance on discoverability not only for patrons but their fellow librarians. It will demystify the language behind cataloging, to ensure that no matter one’s previous roles, they are able to accurately tackle cataloging. They will learn what MARC fields are non-negotiable, which we can ignore, where to find resources, and ultimately how to create the best MARC records for their library and patrons.
Library patrons tend to view source evaluation as determining which sources are good and which ones are bad. To invite them to a deeper understanding of information literacy, a team of student employees at the BYU Library developed a card game called Source Fight for library instruction. Participants in this session will learn about the research principles embedded in this game, explore ways to use it in their own context, and get a chance to play it for themselves!
Artificial intelligence is already changing how libraries do their work—from everyday assessment to large-scale digitization and access projects. In this joint session, we’ll start with practical ways generative AI can strengthen library assessment. You’ll see examples of how AI tools can help generate assessment questions and ideas, speed up analysis, and produce clear, professional narratives and reports—while also addressing what AI can and can’t do.
Next, we’ll shift to a real-world case study: the BYU Law Library’s effort to transcribe the 1925 U.S. Code. We’ll walk through why the project matters, how the team approached accuracy at scale, what changed along the way, and how human transcription quality paired with AI-assisted cleanup made the goal achievable.
We’ll conclude together with shared takeaways on the limits of AI, the continuing importance of human judgment, and practical guidance for adopting AI in library workflows with confidence and care.
We will present an overview of copyright litigation that has affected libraries. The session will provide a hands-on look at specific cases and how they have affected and changed library work over time. A lawyer from the BYU Copyright Office will comment on each case and librarians will discuss the impact of these cases on library policy. This will help alleviate librarian's fear of copyright and legislation and provide guiding principles for the future. This is a Copyright Education Roundtable hosted session.
What happens when two library systems become one? Intermountain Health Library Services recently completed a merger of two library systems. Join us as we reflect on our journey to become a unified library system, reshaping our foundational elements of people, collections, infrastructure, and policies. We will share key insights from this journey, and highlight the successes, challenges, and lessons learned along the way that may empower other librarians as they navigate change. Building on these insights, we will offer recommendations for cultivating a positive work culture in times of organizational change.
The Health Outreach Librarian for the Salt Lake County Library reflects on his first year in a brand-new position. He will share lessons learned from the outreach, partnerships, programs, and training opportunities he had in his first year. The Engagement Specialist from the Network of the National Library of Medicine will share the benefits of the Consumer Health Information Specialization training and certification in public library service.
Engagement Specialist, Network of the National Library of Medicine Region 4
As an engagement specialist with the Network of the National Library of Medicine, George Strawley, M.L.I.S., works on funding and training aimed at increasing and enhancing access to reliable health information. George is a member of the NNLM Telehealth Interest Group. He works for... Read More →
Tuesday May 19, 2026 11:10am - 12:00pm MDT Hobble Creek
Creative and engaging ideas for developing programs for kids ages 8+. Staff from the Spanish Fork Library will present on planning programs based on specific genres and books. Haven Gertson from the Salt Lake County Library system will present on hosting a program for the popular tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons.
Children's Program & Outreach Librarian, Spanish Fork Library
Storytime is my happy place! I oversee programs for ages 0-12 and all ages events, supervise a team of amazing program coordinators, and create content for marketing. I am passionate about helping caregivers/children connect and have meaningful experiences with each other. I run an... Read More →
What began as a fun program for the 2018 Summer Reading theme, Libraries Rock, quickly became a staff and patron favorite that transformed throughout the years to cover more summer reading events, the closing of a beloved neighborhood branch, a new library kick-off celebration, National Old Rock Day, and more.
Librarians and Salt Lake County’s biggest library fan will share successes, creative explorations, patron responses, and how we transitioned for the 2020 summer reading and turned a challenge into a community collaboration. We will also share an innovative idea that could bring libraries across the state closer together through music, stories, creativity, education, and laughter.
Have you found yourself questioning your value as a librarian? Have you mourned the loss of certainty and stability in the wake of social movements and political events or just change?
The work of librarianship has always been a profession of change and adaptation- both in response to community needs and technology changes, but disruption still can create confusion and stress
Many people who are attracted to the work of libraries are those who value community service, education and equitable access to resources. We care about our communities and our patrons. So when public and political support for libraries shifts, it can feel like a threat to our personal identity and values. Librarians, library administrators and library staff are often on the front lines of difficult conversations, leading to high levels of emotional labor and maybe even feedback that you “care too much.” This session will reflect on the emotional and professional costs of adaptation within our profession, while also providing a framework for actively finding meaning, and joy in our work.
Providing customer service in libraries unfortunately exposes library workers at times to tense and even hostile interactions. This session will focus on helping library workers to set appropriate boundaries with patrons and to care for themselves during and after those hard moments. By learning to recognize their own symptoms of fight, flight and freeze; to soothe their nervous systems in moments of dysregulation; to embrace curiosity instead of shame about their physical and emotional responses to stress; to talk about problems in ways that help instead of hurt; and to re-establish feelings of safety, library workers can come away from these experiences feeling empowered and better prepared for the next difficult interaction.
As the number of government mandated book removals increases, it’s essential for librarians to understand the legal and cultural landscape shaping this new censorship. This session will provide a clear overview of Utah’s current book banning laws and policies: what they say and how the state is interpreting them. Just as important is an understanding of the people and forces behind this push for removals. Attendees will come away with an understanding of who is the major source of book challenges in Utah, what are the legal definitions being used, and talking points to counter common arguments.
Memory Cafés are welcoming, inclusive programs designed for individuals living with dementia and their care partners--offering connection, creativity, and joy in a supportive environment. This session will explore how libraries can become leaders in building dementia-friendly communities through these simple yet powerful programs.
In this session, you'll learn what a Memory Café is, why it matters, and how it aligns with the core values of public libraries. We will cover practical steps to get started, from program design and outreach to developing partnerships with local aging and memory care organizations.
We'll discuss our own experiences launch a Memory Café, sharing lessons learned, challenges faced, and what has worked best in our community. Whether you're just exploring the idea or are ready to start your own Memory Café, you'll leave with takeaways and inspiration to make your library a place of connection for every mind.
This session explores how establishing clear expectations and engaging the community have enabled the Weber County Library to reframe its approach to security—from enforcement-focused practices to strategies grounded in communication and voluntary compliance. Participants will examine how communication and de-escalation techniques build trust and foster a community-centered environment, creating safer and more inclusive spaces without always relying on traditional disciplinary measures. The session will also share practical approaches to de-escalation, boundary-setting, and collaborative problem-solving.
In this presentation you’ll learn about the tools, strategies, and decision-making currently being used in migrating 20 years of metadata and digitized special collections from BYU’s CONTENTdm system to a new, highly customizable OrangeDAM platform. This migration involves transforming and standardizing our often inconsistently entered metadata from years’ past to align with a newly developed digital collections MAP based on Dublin Core fields and RDA guidelines, with corresponding fields in MARC and ArchivesSpace included. This work is also being done in collaboration with our BYU sister schools, BYU-Idaho and BYU-Hawaii, which also host digitized materials in the BYU Library’s digital asset management systems. This presentation will cover the practical challenges of metadata cleanup, transformation, and migration, and MAP creation, offering insights into our process, tools used, and lessons learned so far to improve findability and usability across our digital collections.
Systematic reviews are syntheses of multiple studies on the same topic that meet pre-defined inclusion criteria, thereby increasing confidence in the research findings. Unlike traditional narrative literature reviews, systematic reviews follow an established methodology aimed at minimizing bias and increasing transparency and research reproducibility. When conducted by a team in accordance with established methodology, systematic reviews provide evidence that clinicians, patients, and health consumers can use to make decisions. Although modern systematic review methodology originated in medicine, headed by the Cochrane Collaboration (Our Story, https://www.cochrane.org/about-us/our-story), they are now utilized in many disciplines including nursing, social sciences, education, and environmental studies.
This session will provide an overview of the history, purpose, and strength of systematic reviews and outline their basic methodology. We will provide tips on how librarians and health consumers can locate, access, and evaluate systematic reviews to use in their health (or health care) research and decision-making.
In 2023 our academic library started a monthly display program to celebrate heritage months and to make books from the collection more visible and accessible to students. In two years, this program has grown into a fully developed display program with specific outcomes, assessment practices, the development of a student position, and cross-campus support and collaboration. In this presentation we will discuss how our program is designed to enhance student sense of belonging and to inspire the next generation of scholars with targeted monthly themes. This presentation will feature reflections from a librarian and student research assistant on creative student-centered design and collection development as well as the challenges and benefits of developing effective assessment practices based on outreach outcomes.
Over the past few years, the County Library has grown its services for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) through a number of coordinated programs including quarterly activity kits and in person programs held throughout the valley. Join us to find out about the work we've done serving this underserved population and how you can start this kind of programming in your community.
From 2021 to 2023, BYU Library commissioned an in-house, interdivisional task force to holistically examine the extant personnel, systems, and workflows allocated to managing our wide range of digital content types. The aim was to identify the gaps and better coordinate the future access to and care of digital content. We created a set of guiding principles for the library administration and staff that oriented planning and discussion. These helped us trace commonalities between issues or solutions. We believe they are general enough to pass on to other institutions. They guide library staff in addressing the future digital curation questions that will surely arise with increasing frequency, complexity, and diversity. In brief, they are: 1. The Expectation of Change 2. The Expectation of Rapid Growth 3. The Expectation of Digital Access 4. An Embrace of Experimentation 5. Cross-divisional Co-ownership and Collaboration 6. Resource Requirements 7. The Necessity (and Present Difficulty) of Achieving a Full Lifecycle 8. The Urgency of Resolution 9. Documentation. In this presentation, we will elaborate on these principles and describe how they informed our task force’s deliberations, how they are currently influencing our strategic directions, and how they can be practically applied elsewhere.
Cory Nimer is the University Archivist at the L. Tom Perry Special Collections at Brigham Young University. He received a Masters of Arts degree in History from Sonoma State University and a Masters of Library and Information Science degree from San Jose State University, and he is... Read More →
Empower teens to be the youth voices of the library through a Teen Advisory Board (TAB). Mentor teens to actively participate in decision-making by proposing, voting on, and helping implement library programs, while also promoting events to their peers and schools—ensuring teen services reflect real community needs.
This session will explore how TABs provide meaningful leadership opportunities through community partnerships, communication skill-building, mental health–focused workshops, and the development of job and interview skills.
Attendees will leave with practical strategies to start or strengthen a Teen Advisory Board, build impactful community partnerships, and empower teens as confident leaders prepared for both the library and the workforce.
Attendees can join us for a roundtable session in the same room immediately after the presentation.
Public Services Librarian, North Logan City Library
I am deeply passionate about Youth Services and strongly believe in centering youth voices in everything we do. I value opportunities that actively engage teens and empower them to share their ideas and opinions about library programs, collections, and how we can better serve them... Read More →
Tuesday May 19, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm MDT Cascade A
Employee development increases capacity, communication, and growth within any organization. Transferable skills are versatile competencies like communication, leadership, and time management that empower employees to succeed in current roles and future careers. Drawing on practical examples and interactive activities, the session highlights how transferable skills can be effectively taught and applied, especially in student or temporary positions. Since many student employees won’t pursue careers in libraries, training them in transferable skills equips them for success in diverse fields and prepares them for job interviews. Additionally, involving employees in skill-based training helps them recognize their strengths, build confidence, and develop leadership abilities. This approach enhances morale and fosters a culture of growth, positioning student workers as valuable contributors to library teams and beyond.
Acquisitions and Collection Analysis Librarian, Brigham Young University
Rebecca Walton is head of the Acquisitions Department of the BYU Library and co-convener of the ACRL ULS Mid-Level Managers Discussion Group. After 11 years as an individual contributor and 3 years as a section manager, she stepped into the role of a department head in 2020, in the... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am MDT Cascade C
What do you see when you look in the mirror? Is there a superhero looking back at you? There should be! If you have any doubts, this session will help you feel the power of your profession. The first part of the session will focus on the image of the librarian in a vast array of media and over millennia. While the duties of a librarian have expanded and even altered over time, the core value of providing free and equitable access to information has remained constant. The dedication to this guiding principle sets the foundation for superhero status and needs to be celebrated!
However, burnout is a real issue among librarians and concerns for the profession have reached new levels. Tighter budgets and always being asked to do more with less can be deflating and exhausting. Not to mention the fact that it is getting more difficult than ever before to balance work and home life.
There will be a panel discussion about learning to deal with the pressures of being a librarian in today’s world, explore ways to develop a greater appreciation for the library profession, and keep a renewed interest in the job without losing yourself along the way.
This workshop will teach attendees how to be a superhero to both internal and external library patrons. We will take a closer look at how attendees can transform themselves into the librarian they want to be. And we will celebrate this unique creation, the librarian.
I worked for the Utah State Archives for six years and over 29 for the Salt Lake City Public Library, so information really is my business and history is my passion. Those who provide free access to information are essential heroes in any age.
Reference Librarian, Washington County Libary System
Lorie grew up in Northeastern Utah and began her library career there after attending college at Southern Utah University. After which she obtained her MLIS from the University of North Texas.
She is now the Reference Librarian at the Washington Branch Library in Washingto... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am MDT Cascade D
Karen Bowling (gen X) and Aubrey Durrant (gen Z) from the Smithfield Public Library will walk you through our history of social media at the library. From our initial struggles to our current successes, showing you how we leveled up our online presence and how it’s helped our library reach out to our community and beyond. We’ll offer practical design knowledge and strategic examples that can help you build on the social media you’re already doing. And we’ll give you ways to keep it cheap or free! Part I: Humble Beginnings - Resources for Getting Started Facebook and Instagram: using these platforms for success. Meta Business Suite: a visual tour for new users to organize their content. Canva: graphic design made simple. Part II: Level Up Your Look Slideshow/Tutorial: Graphic design basics for librarians. Solidifying your brand: making your library unique, recognizable, and appealing. Part III: Build a Community Follow, like, collaborate, tag, repost, comment. Show the behind-the-scenes of YOUR work - relate with your audience. Video/content examples from libraries we love. Part IV: Social Media Safety. Creating a social media policy to protect the library. Password safety. Watching for suspicious activity. Keeping posts and interactions relevant to your goals.
As materials created by AI continue to flood the marketplace, it is inevitable that librarians will encounter materials generated wholly or partially by AI. Libraries can prepare for this reality with selection guidelines and collection development policies that intentionally address AI generated materials. In addition to discussing AI guidelines and policies, we will share tips on identifying and evaluating AI generated materials. After attending this session, attendees will have a better understanding of key issues regarding AI generated materials and considerations that need to be weighed in regards to their collection. Armed with this knowledge, they will feel empowered to make decisions regarding AI generated materials for their own library.
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.
Finding federal government information is often a considerable challenge, yet understanding the history of the Government Publishing Office, as the largest publisher in the world, can aid researchers in finding relevant information. This history predates its official formation in 1860 and includes the transition to a digital world. Historians and researchers will find in this presentation some of the tools and strategies to assist in their quest for government information.
Understanding how children's brains grow and develop is a crucial part of early literacy. But for children who have undergone trauma or toxic stress, regular brain growth can be altered, leading to developmental delays. We will share insight into trauma informed practices at story time and other early literacy-based library programs. Drawing from both professional expertise and personal experience, we will share practical strategies for creating safe, inclusive, and supportive library environments for young patrons.
In 2013, University of Utah’s Marriott Library purchased its first 3D printer. Over the past decade, the Creativity & Innovation Services department expanded 3D offerings to include self-service 3D printers, an online 3D printing service, 3D scanning tools, and training materials for all of the above. In this session, we will present a timeline on the development and deployment of each service, provide quantitative data about user demographics and use trends over the past decade, and relate qualitative data and anecdotal stories about the meaningful impacts these 3D-related services have had on University of Utah affiliates, curricula, and research.
Libraries play a vital role in preserving the stories of their communities. This session will explore practical ways to develop or enhance a local and family history section in your library—whether you're just getting started or looking to expand existing resources. Learn how to identify valuable local materials, collaborate with community partners, and create engaging displays and programming that connect patrons to their heritage. We'll also introduce the FamilySearch Affiliate Library program as one optional pathway to enrich your library’s genealogical offerings. Affiliate status provides access to expanded digital collections and tools that support family history research, but it’s just one of many strategies available to libraries of all sizes and types. Presenters will share examples, templates, and tips from libraries that have successfully built history collections tailored to their communities. You’ll leave with actionable ideas to help your library become a trusted resource for historical discovery and preservation—no matter your starting point. This session is ideal for librarians interested in strengthening their library’s role in local history, genealogy, and community engagement.
Kori Robbins, AG®, manages the team that oversees FamilySearch affiliates, which include libraries, museums, and archives. She holds a BA in Family History/Genealogy from Brigham Young University and is accredited in research in England. Alongside her husband, H.J., she tag teams... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 1:15pm - 2:05pm MDT Hobble Creek
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.
Feedback is essential to professional growth—but it’s also one of the hardest skills to practice well. In this session, we’ll explore ways to both give and receive feedback to strengthen communication, trust, and collaboration. Participants will learn ways to accept feedback about their institution, leadership, or individual performance without defensiveness—focusing on trends, context, and growth opportunities. We’ll also discuss how to give feedback that is direct, specific, and genuinely constructive.
Libraries have always been more than books. As we move into the future it will be more important than ever that we embrace being a library of things, including modern makerspace equipment including 3D printing, Laser Cutters, Electronics Projects, Woodworking Tools, Sewing, AV equipment, and Others. Since 2018 the Libraries in Southern Utah have provided tools and training to their patrons in their makerspaces across the 8 libraries in the Southern Utah Library system. This session will describe the process of supporting maker tools and equipment across multiple libraries and how to teach patrons to run the equipment themselves.
The Smithfield Public Library has been partnering with our city Arts Council since April 2024, when six (or seven) strangers met in a small conference room at City Hall. Our partnership has now resulted in two seasons of a summer concert series and an immersive Christmas Storybook Festival, as well as several other fun events, a bunch of new friendships, and a ton of high fives!
Learn how a handful of willing residents have built a thriving network of community volunteers who are interested in improving the quality of life in their city, with their once-neglected public library at the center. We’ll discuss how to organize public events on a shoestring budget using free online tools and how to cultivate new relationships with a wide range of arts communities. Our successes (and failures) will inspire you to walk out of the library and tap into the energy and expertise of your town as you create fun and exciting cultural events for your community.
Hello! I'm a director of a small-town library in Cache Valley, and I work with a staff of ten amazing people! Four of us are at ULA this year! In a previous life, I worked for the Utah State Library as a bookmobile librarian for 16 years. I loved it very much but I love being a director... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 1:15pm - 2:05pm MDT Soldier Creek
In 2023, Grand County Public Library opened a Teen Center off-site. This move has resulted in the amazing opportunity to provide teen services while allowing teens to behave like teens. We've been able to partner with numerous community organizations to reach an often-overlooked (and often unappreciated) population. During this session we will discuss the logistics of making it happen and what we’ve accomplished in the last few years.
I have been the Director of the Grand County Public Library in Moab, UT since 2007 although I have worked at the library for almost 24 years. I have a MLS from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor’s in Human Resources. I have lived in Utah all my life (except for a brief... Read More →
Hear about ideas, challenges, creative solutions, and successes for public library outreach to elementary and secondary schools! We will provide general overviews and best practices for school outreach, including Salt Lake County Library's systemwide programs and how they can be scaled down for small library systems. We will also explore the challenge of getting in the door and making connections with schools in your area.
Orem Library's focus on inspiring lifelong learning and creating enriching opportunities has led us to create a monthly storytime for patrons in grades k-2. This presentation will reflect on our best practices and learning opportunities over the past three years of stories, songs, STEAM, yoga, games, and critical thinking in the hopes that other libraries might consider how to provide regular programming for the kids in their communities who are too big for storytime and too young for tween book clubs.
Eighty-one percent of employees nationally report that they will look for future workplaces that support mental health. The Eccles Health Sciences Library at the University of Utah, in cooperation with the campus WellU program, encourages wellness among its faculty and staff with innovative “challenges” offering an insurance incentive for activities that promote good mental health. The programs also encourage good working relationships among colleagues. We will provide background information on mental health among employees, detail the library’s efforts, and discuss lessons learned from the campaigns.
Engagement Specialist, Network of the National Library of Medicine Region 4
As an engagement specialist with the Network of the National Library of Medicine, George Strawley, M.L.I.S., works on funding and training aimed at increasing and enhancing access to reliable health information. George is a member of the NNLM Telehealth Interest Group. He works for... Read More →
Social Innovation in Libraries explores how libraries harness their role as civic connectors to creatively and inclusively address community challenges. By collaborating with local organizations, entrepreneurs, and residents, libraries serve as laboratories for testing new approaches to digital equity, literacy, workforce development, and community wellbeing.
Today’s libraries are redefining innovation—not through collections alone, but through people-centered practices that foster connection, experimentation, and belonging. As welcoming “third places,” libraries offer opportunities for socializing, learning, and creativity, where librarians act as guides and facilitators of change.
This session will highlight key types of social innovation in libraries, including participation, outreach, partnership, learning, and creative making. Participants will explore foundational principles of social innovation, strategies for communicating (“selling”) the concept within their organizations, and share their own innovative practices. Together, we will celebrate the library’s evolving role as a social innovator and consider implications for future library leadership.
Utah has also been one of the more active states in legislating for the removal of books from school libraries. Signed in 2024, Utah’s HB 29 requires that a book be immediately removed from all school libraries if 3 districts deem the book as containing sensitive content which has led to the removal of 19 titles from school libraries. This dramatic rise in censorship begs researchers to ask questions about the feelings and motivations of those involved towards censorship. We need to answer these questions with the hope of finding answers that can bring disparate voices together so that the development of shared values can help us learn to work together. In this presentation we will present conclusions from a qualitative research study about Utah parents' thoughts and experiences with the removal of books from school libraries. This study is helping us to identify parental involvement in and awareness of what constitutes a need for censorship in libraries and homes as we critically engage with a variety of opinions on the validity of book removals to determine what influences, personal or received, create the environment in which we find ourselves.
I have been a librarian in the Harold B Lee Library at BYU for 28 years. I've served in many professional capacities in library organizations including the American Library Association, the Utah Library Association, and the Children's Literature Association of Utah. I have written... Read More →
Wednesday May 20, 2026 3:30pm - 4:20pm MDT Cascade C
