CALCON 2026 Courageous Libraries Resilient Communities: Full Schedule

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10:45am MDT

From Curiosity to Career: Building STEM Pathways Through Libraries

Thursday September 10, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT

How can libraries spark curiosity, inspire future innovators, and connect families to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) possibilities? According to an article published in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, informal STEM learning can lead to positive outcomes for students from historically marginalized communities. In response to opportunity gaps for students to participate in informal STEM enrichment programs, this session will equip you to incorporate STEM programs and events into your library’s offerings. You will learn how to bring together STEM leaders, educators, and families to showcase STEM’s relevance in everyday life while positioning libraries as key partners in fostering discovery and exploration. Participants will leave with strategies for hosting STEM-focused programs, building community partnerships, finding funding sources, and encouraging youth to see science, technology, engineering and mathematics as meaningful career pathways.

Speakers

Melissa Beavers

As an experienced manager, I have been working towards improving the success of one-on-ones both as a facilitator with my staff and as an attendee with my supervisor. I have read numerous books and articles on the topic and be using various techniques for many years with strong results., High Plains Library District

Alyssa Johnson

Alyssa is an Innovation Technician at HPLD and is an adjunct chemistry instructor at University of Northern Colorado, she has been making science accessible to people of all ages for more than a decade., High Plains Library District

Victor Sam

Victor is an engineer and a DEI administrator at Stantec who has been assisting STEM enrichment programs at schools, libraries, and recreation centers for over 15 years., Stantec

Thursday September 10, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
Captain Catalog Breakout Room 7

Breakout Session

2:00pm MDT

Snacktivities and Beyond: Addressing Food Insecurity with Young Library Patrons

Thursday September 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT

Captain Catalog Breakout Room 7

In 2019, Arapahoe Libraries created a "Snacktivities" program to help address the need for Food Justice in our community in a fun and engaging way. The program was revived post-covid in 2022 and grew rapidly with our growing neighborhoods and their shifting needs. In 2024, the program grew from two branches to district-wide, now serving seven diverse communities in Arapahoe County.
We soon realized that this program, as it was created, was struggling to meet the changing needs of our young patrons. As third spaces for young people become less common, we frequently see young independent patrons in our libraries for hours at a time. During school breaks, these young patrons are often in our spaces for up to 8-10 hours per day, some with a few dollars for food or a small bag of snacks. They may depend on the vending machine for food. Some of our libraries are in food deserts; With the exception of a weekly food pantry and a summer program designed to support families who are reliant on school lunches, there is no walkable access to fresh and healthy food. We made observations and gathered feedback from our young patrons. Based on the information we received, we revamped our in-branch programming model to better serve food insecurity needs through community connections and varied in-house programing, both based around teaching food skills to patrons and supplying them with healthier, more substantial food options.

Speakers

Mariann Gentile

As branch Youth Reference Librarians, we are the branch level staff that have the most day-to-day interactions with our patrons to directly observe these needs. We are in these positions at two of the ALD branches that see the highest food insecurity needs from our surrounding communities. Mariann has a background in Social Work and has worked extensively both in and out of library settings with diverse populations of young people, including through Head Start and After School Programs. June worked with young people experiencing homelessness (and food insecurity) for many years before working at a library. She has previously presented at the Colorado State Library on trauma informed best practices for working with kids and teens in libraries., Arapahoe Library District

June McGinn

Thursday September 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Captain Catalog Breakout Room 7

Breakout Session

4:00pm MDT

Turning Your Teens Into Library Leaders

Thursday September 10, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

Captain Catalog Breakout Room 7

Libraries need advocates more than ever, and your teens are the next generation of leaders. The Teen Advocacy Toolkit is a programming guide for librarians, educators, or anyone who works with teens. It provides detailed and scalable program ideas on topics like the importance of libraries, finding your role in your community, media literacy, and advocacy skills.

In this session, participants will learn about the creation of the toolkit, review lessons and activities, receive tips on engaging teens, and outreach ideas. Participants will receive one printed activity from the toolkit and the QR to download a PDF version.

Speakers