ULA Annual Conference 2026

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.

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.

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.

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.

Business meeting for members of the Youth Services Roundtable (YSRT), or attendees who are interested in YSRT.

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.

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.

“Your Librarian Is In!” In this session, two subject librarians share our experiences of holding office hours out of the library, on site where our liaison departments are housed. We discuss the origins, benefits, challenges, and related statistics of the arrangement. We feel that holding office hours outside of the library has improved our services and strengthened our relationship with faculty.

The BYU library recently did a gallery exhibition on the renovation of the Salt Lake Temple. This project took roughly three years to plan. It included four main curators but also a large variety of organizations, student contributors, and stakeholders as we navigated legal concerns, developed content, sought permissions, and accessed materials.

In this session we will take you through the challenges, rewards, and lessons learned as we completed this project; including:
o Timeline issues
o Permissions, Legal Concerns
o Identifying Stakeholders
o Asking for what you need and what you want

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