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2026 Annual Conference Sessions

Governor's Advisory Council on Library Development Open Forum

Sunday Sessions, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Summary
Track: Meeting

Using Academic Library Strategic Plans to Learn About Collection Trends

Sunday Sessions, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Summary
Track: Collections

AI Ethics and the Library

Sunday Sessions, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Summary
Track: Technology & Education

From Gardeners to Ham Radio: Creative Community Partnerships for Adult Library Programs

Sunday Sessions, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

Gap in the Shelf: the Joys and Tough Topics in Middle Grade

Sunday Sessions, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

Advocacy for Everyone

Sunday Sessions, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Summary
Track: Advocacy & Development

The TAB Experience Told by Teens

Sunday Sessions, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

Author Panel: When Paper Becomes Published

Sunday Sessions, 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Summary
Track: Collections

Shopping Your Closet: Collection Strategies for a Library in Flux

Sunday Sessions, 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Summary
Track: Collections

What's the deal with Dungeons & Dragons?

Sunday Sessions, 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

Summer Reading Scrimmage: Strategies for Planning a Structured, Supported, and Fun Summer Program

Sunday Sessions, 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

Lisa Varga: From LJ Librarian of the Year to top federal advocate

Sunday Sessions, 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Summary
Track: Advocacy & Development

From shelf reading to a digital bookshelf: AI use in libraries

Sunday Sessions, 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Summary
Track: Collections

Intellectual Freedom 101: Not Just a Theory

Sunday Sessions, 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Summary
Track: Contemporary Issues

President's Program - Opening with Author Brianna Labuskes

President's Program, 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM

Welcome Reception

Welcome Reception, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Summary
Track: Networking

Coffee Talk - Beverages Only, 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM

Monday Coffee/Breakfast, Meeting

Summary
Coffee and conversation with fellow attendees about the previous day's sessions.

Not Attending

Monday Coffee/Breakfast, Meeting

Summary
Select this option if you will not be attending the Coffee Talk.

Technical Services Round Table Business Meeting

Monday Coffee/Breakfast, Meeting

Summary
Track: Meeting

DOUBLE SESSION: 2026 Carolyne L. Smith Best Practices Awards Presentations - Part 1

Monday Sessions, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

Inside Students’ Information Literacy Journeys: Connecting Pre-College Experiences to College-Level Expectations

Monday Sessions, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Summary
Track: Technology & Education

Make Your Programming Accessible with LAMP

Monday Sessions, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

YAY GAY: Allying with LGBTQ+ Teens through Library-School Partnerships

Monday Sessions, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

The 70% Leap: A Blueprint for Transformative Library Advocacy

Monday Sessions, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Summary
Track: Advocacy & Development

From Gatekeepers to System-Weavers: Librarians at the Center of AI in Education

Monday Sessions, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Summary
Track: Technology & Education

Repair and Revive: Hands on Book Repair Basics

Monday Sessions, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Summary
Track: Collections *Attendance Limited. The first 20 people get hands on kits

DOUBLE SESSION: 2026 Carolyne L. Smith Best Practices Awards Presentations - Part 2

Monday Sessions, 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

Slow Fundraising: A Calmer, More Effective Approach to Sustainable Development

Monday Sessions, 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Summary
Track: Advocacy & Development

Poetry Writers Groups As Community Builders in Public Libraries

Monday Sessions, 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

STEAM Express: Creating an Interactive Science Workshop with Themed Labs for Children

Monday Sessions, 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

From Friction to Focus: Overcoming Bully Board Members and Agenda Drift

Monday Sessions, 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Summary
Track: Library Administration

Outside the Box Outreach!

Monday Sessions, 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

Understanding Human Trafficking

Monday Sessions, 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Summary
Track: Contemporary Issues

Cheers to Midcareer! Navigating the Murky Middle of Academic Librarianship

Monday Sessions, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Summary
Track: Career & Leadership

Partnering with Purpose: Tools and Strategies for Effective Library Collaborations

Monday Sessions, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

Musical Moments: Early Literacy Music Storytime (with Instruments!)

Monday Sessions, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

Family Literacy and Early Learning: where PA Forward® intersects with Civic & Social Literacy and Basic Literacy in Youth Services

Monday Sessions, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

Relighting the Fire: a workshop on reenergizing and reengaging long term staff

Monday Sessions, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Summary
Track: Library Administration

From School to Community: Libraries as Lifelong Support Systems for Differently‑Abled Young Adults

Monday Sessions, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

Local Authors (Children) - Little Hands Signing in Storytime All Year Round

Monday Sessions, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

Not Attending

MONDAY LUNCHES *response required*

Summary
Select this option if you will not be attending one of the lunches.

CRD Lunch: Academic Freedom - Vegan Enchiladas (GF)

MONDAY LUNCHES *response required*

Summary
Sweet potato, black bean, corn

CRD Lunch: Academic Freedom - Seared Herbed Chicken Breast with Polynesian Glaze (GF/DF)

MONDAY LUNCHES *response required*

Carolyn W. Field Award Lunch - Vegan Enchiladas (GF)

MONDAY LUNCHES *response required*

Summary
Sweet potato, black bean, corn.

Carolyn W. Field Award Lunch - Seared Herbed Chicken Breast with Polynesian Glaze (GF/DF)

MONDAY LUNCHES *response required*

Exhibits Grand Opening Strolling Lunch

MONDAY LUNCHES *response required*

Summary
Select items from various food stations to enjoy while strolling the exhibit hall to learn what's new in library products and services.

No-Conflict Exhibit Time & Poster Presentations

Monday Poster Sessions & No-Conflict Exhibit Time

Summary
Track: Exhibit Hall

Exhibitor Showcase: Re-Designing Your Library with New Shelving and Furniture

Exhibitor Showcases, 2:25-2:45 PM

Exhibitor Showcase: Enhancing Library Access & Engagement with VariQuest and Visual Communication

Exhibitor Showcases, 2:25-2:45 PM

Exhibitor Showcase: Things you may not think about from a shelving and furniture perspective and how it relates to your project

Exhibitor Showcases, 2:50-3:10 PM

Expanding Who Belongs: Creating Inclusive Academic Library Experiences for Students with Intellectual Disability

Monday Sessions, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

Zen Doodling in the Library: Creative, Low-Cost Mindfulness Programming

Monday Sessions, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

From Self-Paced to Supercharged: Strengthening Storytimes Through Intentional Practice

Monday Sessions, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

Funding the Future: Grant Opportunities for Pennsylvania Libraries

Monday Sessions, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Summary
Track: Advocacy & Development

Talking With Your Community About AI: A Practical Guide

Monday Sessions, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

Manuscript to Metadata: Digitizing Pre-Revolutionary Papers

Monday Sessions, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Summary
Track: Collections

Saving Stories: The Librarians Responsibility to Challenge Censorship

Monday Sessions, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Summary
Track: Contemporary Issues

Visit the Exhibits, 5:15 PM Raffle Drawing

Visit the Exhibits (Raffle Drawing 5:15)

Summary
Track: Exhibit Hall

PA Black Librarians' Caucus Meet and Greet (5:30-6:30 PM)

PA Black Librarians' Caucus Meet & Greet, 5:30 PM

Summary
Track: Networking Join members of the PABLC for an opportunity to learn more about the Caucus. All are welcome!

Public Library Division Business Meeting (5:30 - 6 PM)

Monday Evening PLD Business Meeting 5:30 PM

Summary
Track: Meeting

Coffee Talk - Beverages Only, 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM

Tuesday Coffee/Breakfast Options

Summary
Coffee and conversation with fellow attendees about the previous day's sessions.

Not Attending

Tuesday Coffee/Breakfast Options

Summary
Select this option if you will not be attending the Coffee Talk or SPARK & Friends Breakfast.

SPARK & Friends Breakfast (Consortia Members)

Tuesday Coffee/Breakfast Options

Preventing Soft Censorship in Reader’s Advisory: Strategies for Conversations with Families

Tuesday Sessions, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Think Outside the Stacks: Creative Outreach That Brings the Community In

Tuesday Sessions, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Evaluating Youth Services Programs: some low cost and immediate evaluation tools.

Tuesday Sessions, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Powered by the People: Building Equity-Driven, Community-Led Library Programming

Tuesday Sessions, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Project Planning and Management in Technical Services

Tuesday Sessions, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Crafting Safe Spaces: Supporting Women Library Leaders with Caregiving Roles

Tuesday Sessions, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

From Construction to Community: Challenges and Opportunities in Library Renovations

Tuesday Sessions, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

No-Conflict Exhibit Time & Poster Presentations

Tuesday Poster Sessions & No-Conflict Exhibit Time

Summary
Track: Exhibit Hall

Exhibitor Showcase: Helping Pennsylvania Libraries Reduce Unemployment Costs and Manage Workforce Risk

Exhibitor Showcases, 10:10 AM - 10:30 AM

Summary
Track: Exhibit Hall

Exhibitor Showcase: Connecting Communities: Why Libraries Choose T Mobile

Exhibitor Showcases, 10:10 AM - 10:30 AM

Summary
Track: Exhibit Hall

Exhibitor Showcase: Bookmobile or Mobile Outreach Vehicle: Most FAQ’s about where to begin and the purchase process.

Exhibitor Showcases, 10:35 AM - 10:55 AM

Summary
Track: Exhibit Hall

Exhibitor Showcase: Book Systems, Inc. (10:35 AM - 10:55 AM)

Exhibitor Showcases, 10:35 AM - 10:55 AM

Summary
Track: Exhibit Hall

Student Success on a Shoestring: Academic Libraries, Student Success, and Shrinking Budgets

Tuesday Sessions, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

Stronger Together: Building Productive Library–Municipality Partnerships for Sustainable Community Impact

Tuesday Sessions, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Summary
Track: Advocacy & Development

Empowering Young Entrepreneurs: Hosting Teen Artisan Craft Fairs at Your Library

Tuesday Sessions, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

Stormproofing the Stacks: Crisis Management for Libraries

Tuesday Sessions, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Summary
Track: Library Administration

From Inner Critic to Inner Leader: How to Work with Your Mind, Not Against It

Tuesday Sessions, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Summary
Track: Career & Leadership

2026 PA Forward® Adult Literacy Programming Awards

Tuesday Sessions, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

The Nuts & Bolts of Starting a Tool Lending Library

Tuesday Sessions, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Public Library Division Lunch with Kacie Armstrong - Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast*

TUESDAY LUNCHES *response required*

Summary
Basil Cream Sauce and Tomato Jam *advance request required for GF/DF option- CONTACT PaLA STAFF*

Exhibits Strolling Lunch

TUESDAY LUNCHES *response required*

Summary
Stroll through the exhibit hall while enjoying tasty, portable treats and take advantage of this last opportunity to collect raffle tickets from exhibitors before the 1:50 p.m. prize drawings!

Public Library Division Lunch with Kacie Armstrong - Roasted Spaghetti Squash (GF)

TUESDAY LUNCHES *response required*

Summary
Spinach, Caramelized Onion, Tomato Ragout

Poster Presentations

Tuesday PM Poster Sessions

Summary
Track: Exhibit Hall

Visit the Exhibits, 1:50 p.m. Raffle Drawing

Visit the Exhibits (Raffle Drawing 1:50 PM)

Summary
Track: Exhibit Hall

What’s the Verdict? A Panel Discussion on Law for Librarians

Tuesday Sessions, 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Summary
Track: Contemporary Issues

Library-Based Social Work: An Emerging Practice Advancing Library Services

Tuesday Sessions, 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

Everyday Advocacy

Tuesday Sessions, 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Summary
Track: Advocacy & Development

DOUBLE SESSION: Demystifying Human Subjects Research: Tools, Tips, and Confidence for Librarians Part 1

Tuesday Sessions, 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Summary
Track: Career & Leadership

Celebrating Success: Honoring the 125th Anniversary of the Pennsylvania Library Association

Tuesday Sessions, 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Summary
Track: Career & Leadership

Really? That's the book you want? Children selecting their own books

Tuesday Sessions, 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

Connecting the Commonwealth Through Books: Statewide Resources & Youth Awards from the PA Center for the Book

Tuesday Sessions, 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

Discovering Discovery Layers: how PA libraries are leveraging technology to showcase resources

Tuesday Sessions, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Summary
Track: Technology & Education

Creating Music & Movement Classes That Are In-Demand

Tuesday Sessions, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

Panel Discussion: Beyond the Stacks—Specialized Departments in PA libraries

Tuesday Sessions, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

DOUBLE SESSION: Demystifying Human Subjects Research: Tools, Tips, and Confidence for Librarians Part 2

Tuesday Sessions, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Summary
Track: Career & Leadership

Becoming Compliant: A Review of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Standards

Tuesday Sessions, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Summary
Track: Technology & Education

Supporting Reluctant Readers Through Scary Stories

Tuesday Sessions, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

Librarian by Day, Comics Advocate by Night: Supporting Comic Creators and Readers

Tuesday Sessions, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Summary
Track: Collections

PaLA History Keynote: PaLA Hot Tub Time Machine

Tuesday Keynote, 4:45 PM - 5:15 PM

Ex Libris Donor Reception (By Invite Only)

Ex Libris Donor Reception, 5:15 PM - 6:15 PM

Summary
A 'thank you' reception for Ex Libris Society members. Not a member? Learn more and donate at palibraries.org/donations.

Not Attending

Wednesday Breakfast Options

Summary
Select this option if you will not be attending this breakfast event.

Legislative Breakfast with Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta

Wednesday Breakfast Options

Summary
Traditional breakfast buffet

Marketing and AI: Tools to help you take your Canva Designs to the Next Level

Wednesday Sessions, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Summary
Track: Technology & Education

In Your Own Backyard: High Impact, Low Cost Programming for All Ages

Wednesday Sessions, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

A Good Librarian’s Guide to Murder: Youth Programming Related to Murder Mysteries

Wednesday Sessions, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

Fun with a Purpose: Creating Teen Programs That Nurture Growth

Wednesday Sessions, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

Responding to ICE in the Library

Wednesday Sessions, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

Connected to Coverage: How Libraries Can Help Pennsylvanians Access Healthcare

Wednesday Sessions, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

It's only Copy, Right?: How to Navigate the Complex World of Copyright Law for Library Professional

Wednesday Sessions, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Summary
Track: Contemporary Issues

Opening Doors, Opening Minds: Libraries and Dementia Friendly Partnerships

Wednesday Sessions, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

From Copy Machine to Community: Zines in Libraries

Wednesday Sessions, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement

The Power of Fandoms

Wednesday Sessions, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

From Interview to Archive: Building a Sustainable Oral History Workflow

Wednesday Sessions, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Summary
Track: Collections

Come Chill Out at PaLA: Introduction to Sensory Social Justice and Literacy

Wednesday Sessions, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Summary
Track: Contemporary Issues

Smart Art for Kids – Reinforcing math concepts through the expression of art

Wednesday Sessions, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Summary
Track: Youth Services

From Idea to Execution: A Workshop on Program Design

Wednesday Sessions, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Summary
Track: Community Service & Engagement
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