ULA Annual Conference 2026

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.

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.

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.

Under New Management: Mistakes Made and Victories Won as a New Unit Manager.