CALCON 2026 Courageous Libraries Resilient Communities: Full Schedule

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8:45am MDT

“Mini-Programs: Finding Your Blank Spaces”

Friday September 11, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am MDT

The secondary school library is more than a resource hub—it’s a space where connections are made, ideas are shared, and students find a sense of belonging. This session highlights how “mini programs” and the blank spaces in our schedule can transform you and your library program into a dynamic asset to your school community. From quick activities to thematic events, mini programs engage middle and high school students, encouraging literacy, social interaction, and academic exploration. Learn how to create and implement small, inclusive initiatives that foster relationships, celebrate diversity, and build a vibrant school community—all while requiring minimal time and resources.

Speakers

Erica Leu

District Librarian, DCSD, DLMC

Friday September 11, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am MDT
Archivist Prime Breakout Room 8

Breakout Session

8:45am MDT

Can’t Touch This: Mastering Archival Processing in a Virtual Space

Friday September 11, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am MDT

Captain Catalog Breakout Room 7

As technology advances, so does our ability to teach virtually, but how do you instruct a student to analyze a nineteenth-century collection in detail without the opportunity to physically handle the collection? After adapting an in-person archival experience, I will share how I delivered four virtual practicums with the use of an adapted in-person archival experience. These virtual practicums taught students to thoroughly process and write metadata for two archival collections. I will also discuss the iterative improvements made to my teaching methods to ensure students stayed academically challenged while receiving the necessary scaffolding for success. Attendees will walk away with a scalable framework for hosting virtual practicums that can be applied to various collection types and academic levels.

Speakers

Justin Easterday

Research and Instruction Librarian, CSU Pueblo

For the past two years, I have been a virtual practicum supervisor and have continually refined my instructional methods and style. My improvements were based on direct student feedback and on areas that clearly showed gaps during instruction.

Friday September 11, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am MDT
Captain Catalog Breakout Room 7

Breakout Session

8:45am MDT

From Curiosity to Career: Building STEM Pathways Through Libraries

Friday September 11, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am MDT

Reference Ranger Breakout Room 2

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

Friday September 11, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am MDT
Reference Ranger Breakout Room 2

Breakout Session

8:45am MDT

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Leadership: Zen and the Art of Librarianship

Friday September 11, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am MDT

Dewey Decimator Breakout Room 6

Join our panel as we discuss our approaches to leadership, resilience, and joy. The program examines how the panel navigates the pressures of management, decision-making, and organizational change. Through personal stories, practical examples, and thoughtful discussion, the session highlights strategies for cultivating calm, clarity, and resilience while leading teams and serving communities. Participants are encouraged to rethink leadership not as a source of stress but as an opportunity for growth, balance, and meaningful connection. By embracing curiosity, patience, and self-awareness, librarians can develop leadership practices that support both personal well-being and stronger, more collaborative library environments.

Speakers

Allaina Wallace

Each presenter has several years of experience as a library director or equivalent. We represent several types of libraries, public, academic, federal, and special. We have each managed teams of various sizes through change – construction, restructuring, fiscal, etc., Denver Botanic Gardens, Helen Fowler Library

Amy Phillips

Robyn Lupa

Jack Maness

Michele Masias

Each presenter has several years of experience as a library director or equivalent. We represent several types of librar, Retired Law Librarian, CoALL Member-at-Large

Friday September 11, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am MDT
Dewey Decimator Breakout Room 6

Breakout Session

8:45am MDT

Local Children’s Authors: A Vibrant Resource for your School and Public Library Communities

Friday September 11, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am MDT

Tome Raider Breakout Room 1

In this session participants will learn about the Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). There are many ways our chapter can help Colorado librarians connect their patrons with books for young people by local authors and illustrators. Our Rocky Mountain Chapter (RMC) maintains an up-to-date list of authors and illustrators who enjoy giving presentations at both school and public libraries. In our session, librarians will also learn about new books by local authors that often feature characters drawn from our resilient and diverse Colorado communities. Finally, librarians can find out about upcoming author events of interest to their young patrons and writing conferences that can encourage their own personal creativity.

Speakers

Susan Wroble

Led and volunteered for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI (the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators), Rocky Mountain Chapter Society of Children's Book Writers or Illustrators

Polly Holyoke

Volunteer and conference presenter for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI

Friday September 11, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am MDT
Tome Raider Breakout Room 1

Breakout Session

8:45am MDT

The Standards Advantage: A Framework for Strategic Planning and Library Success

Friday September 11, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am MDT

Digital Defender Breakout Room 5

Step 1: Read Colorado Public Library Standards.
Step 2: ???.
Step 3: Library growth and success!
If your library’s director, leaders, and trustees are wondering about “Step 2”, learn how the Clearview Library District is using the Colorado Public Library Standards to drive library assessment, identify improvement opportunities, and shape our Operational and Strategic Plans. We’ve built a framework that we’d like to share and we've learned a lot along the way. This candid conversation will feature our successes, along with lessons learned, and we invite anyone with a passion for library leadership, growth, and development to join us.

Speakers

Jeromey Balderrama

Trustee, Clearview Library District

🥁Drummer, 👧🏼👧🏼Dad, 👨‍💻Tech Geek, 📸 Photographer Wannabe, 🏈🔸🔹Broncos Nut, 📚 Library Lover

Erica Rose

Library Director, Clearview Library District

I currently serve as the Library Director for the Clearview Library District. Before landing at Clearview, I was able to scratch the library itch in a variety of settings including higher ed, outreach, customer service, programming, youth services, and even a touch of law librarianship... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am MDT
Digital Defender Breakout Room 5

Breakout Session

10:00am MDT

AI Framework: Questions, Ethics, Cybersecurity

Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT

Dewey Decimator Breakout Room 6

As artificial intelligence (AI) tools become increasingly integrated in our workspace and our lives, library professionals must grapple with complex questions around use, ethics, legality, cybersecurity, and public trust. This session will include a brief overview of the AI landscape, and then we will then dive into discussion to wrestle with questions of ethics and application. By preparing librarians with education and skills-building, Americans will have the necessary expertise and awareness to direct our AI future.

Speakers

Office of Library Development, Colorado State Library

AI Trainers through SLAAIT and AI Awareness Project, Colorado State Library

Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Dewey Decimator Breakout Room 6

Breakout Session

10:00am MDT

Beyond the Buzzwords: People-First EDI That Builds Around Your Library's Heart

Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT

Archivist Prime Breakout Room 8

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion efforts within US organizations have faced a tumultuous landscape over recent years to which libraries are not immune. Our library recognizes that EDI initiatives are not about politics but rather about people. By evolving and expanding our EDI efforts, we prioritized best practices which make our organization more innovative, more responsive to our community, and better at cultivating employee satisfaction.

In the past two years, our EDI team implemented several new initiatives across our organization, which resulted in a 29% increase in employee engagement scores. We redesigned our staff training program and broadened the focus of our teams’ efforts, centering our organization's core mission and values. We sought innovative approaches that invited inclusion from all staff, leading to 88% voluntary staff participation in our new entry level EDI training class.

Do you need concrete ideas for incorporating EDI values that will work in your library? At this session you will learn:

How our mid-sized organization shifted from an academic-heavy training program to a practical application program and how this can work for your library, too.

Strategies to create inclusive trainings that connect EDI concepts to your organization’s core values.

Practices and trainings that foster learning, joy, staff connection and community building.

Innovative ways to include all levels of your organization in EDI practices.

Speakers

Xochil Arellano

Equity Diversity and Inclusion management for Poudre Libraries, Poudre Libraries

Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Archivist Prime Breakout Room 8

Breakout Session

10:00am MDT

CUnique Stories: Community Connection Through Storytelling

Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT

Reference Ranger Breakout Room 2

How might libraries enact compassion and belonging through storytelling? Librarians at CU Boulder explored this question over the past several years and designed intentional events to better understand the possibilities. CUnique Stories was a storytelling event in celebration of our 2025-2026 campus One Read title. In an effort to center compassionate listening and community connection, the University Libraries offered a program inspired by the traditions of both Storycorps and the Human Library. Members from the campus community, Storytellers, shared their stories of finding fulfillment in their lives. Participating students, faculty, and staff, or Listeners, heard a wide range of life experiences and pathways towards finding one’s calling. Listeners and Storytellers engaged in dialogue, conversation, and exchange to strengthen community connections. During this presentation, we will share the values, processes, and materials used to design CUnique Stories and offer suggestions for how a similar program might be adapted for a variety of audiences and libraries. We will invite participants to briefly engage as Storytellers and Listeners, giving a taste of what it looks and feels like to authentically connect with others through compassionate listening. We will also share possibilities for assessment of programs like CUnique Stories.

Speakers

Cynthia Keller

Ample years of experience designing and facilitating engagement programming to promote connection, community, and belonging in academic libraries., University of Colorado Boulder

Amanda Rybin Koob

Ample years of experience designing and facilitating engagement programming to promote connection, community, and belonging in academic libraries., University of Colorado Boulder

Caroline Sinkinson

Ample years of experience designing and facilitating engagement programming to promote connection, community, and belonging in academic libraries., University of Colorado Boulder

Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Reference Ranger Breakout Room 2

Breakout Session

10:00am MDT

Pragmatic and Resilient Approaches to Planning for Libraries

Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT

Digital Defender Breakout Room 5

Planning for the future of your public library often feels hard and overwhelming. Engaging outside help can feel outside of your budget but how do you approach developing a new strategic or other kinds of plans for your library without getting overwhelmed? This presentation will pull from the speaker's 30 years of planning experience, the last 12 of which were fully focused on public library planning to help you understand the most important aspects of planning development. It will cover how you can successfully manage such a project, provide a toolbox of assessment and analysis activities to gain further insight into your organization, provide key tips for engaging your resilient community throughout the process, and will offer a Strategic Plan framework that has worked well for hundreds of libraries across the country. The session will also cover questions of when you might want some help from outside your organization to support certain aspects of your process. If that help is needed, advice is provided as to how you can approach getting the right help for your organization and setting the service expectations for that assistance.

Speakers

Rob Cullin

Rob brings over 20 years of experience working with libraries nationwide and internationally. As co-founder of ReThinking Libraries (RTL) and a former leader at Kimberly Bolan & Associates (KBA), he has supported thousands of libraries and visited more than 1,000 facilities. His work focuses on strategic planning, facility planning, and community engagement. Rob’s expertise includes library space programming and design, demographic and usage data analysis, technology planning, and organizational assessment, helping libraries translate community insights into practical, data-informed decisions., ReThinking Libraries

Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Digital Defender Breakout Room 5

Breakout Session

10:00am MDT

Sometimes You Need a Moment: Searching for Stories of Hope and Joy in YA Literature

Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT

Tome Raider Breakout Room 1

Young adult literature has often been at the forefront of navigating social themes and issues, such as advocating for greater diversity in representation of characters, authors, and stories; normalizing discussions of mental health; and exploring the ways identity intersects with society. While these are important discussions for teens learning to live in and process the world, the result is a body of literature that can sometimes feel heavy – and sometimes, they need a moment of lightness. Join us for a session highlighting books of joy and hope written for teens, and discussion about why they matter.

Speakers

Catherine Boddie

Supervisor, Teen Services, Arapahoe Libraries

Catherine and Erica work with teen services at Arapahoe Libraries, Catherine as supervisor of Teen Services and Erica as a teen services librarian. As part of their work with ALD, they maintain a robust schedule of booktalking visits with local schools and also manage their district’s... Read More →

Erica Schimmel

Teen Services Librarian, Arapahoe Libraries

Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Tome Raider Breakout Room 1

Breakout Session

10:00am MDT

Sustainability in Action: Building Stronger Library Communities

Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT

Captain Catalog Breakout Room 7

Libraries are already doing important sustainability work, often without calling it that. From managing donated materials to improving building operations and partnering with local organizations, libraries play a key role in reducing waste and supporting resilient communities.
This panel brings together perspectives from library facilities, book reuse/recycling, statewide environmental programs, and community recycling initiatives. Moderated by David of Dream Books Co., panelists will share practical examples of how their organizations work with libraries to extend the life of materials, reduce waste, and create programs that benefit their communities.
The conversation will focus on practical approaches libraries can adapt, whether they are just starting sustainability efforts or expanding existing programs. Topics will include partnerships, funding opportunities, operational improvements, and strategies that help libraries reduce their environmental impact while strengthening community connections.
Attendees will leave with concrete ideas they can take back to their libraries, no matter their size or resources.

Speakers

Courtney Dixon

Courtney is the Partnerships Manager at Dream Books Co. and works directly with libraries and school districts to build programs around book reuse and recycling. She has helped expand partnerships that keep donated books in circulation while creating funding opportunities for libraries., Dream Books Co.

David Chung

David is the founder of Dream Books Co. and brings decades of experience in book reuse, resale, and recycling. Through building Dream Books from a small operation into a company that works with libraries and community organizations across the region, he brings expertise in creating systems that keep books in circulation and out of landfills, Dream Books Co.

Cameron Bowen

Cameron brings the perspective of a public library system working to incorporate sustainability into both operations and, Arapahoe Libraries

Lex Shannon

Lex Shannon, Public Education and Engagement Senior manager at Eco-Cycle. Eco-Cycle is one of the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit recyclers dedicated to innovating, implementing, and advocating for waste reduction, recycling, composting and other zero waste solutions. Lex specializes in volunteer management and community engagement strategy. She has been lucky enough to live all over the United States working as a park ranger and teaching environmental education before landing in Colorado, and she's so excited to combine her passion for sustainability and relationship building in her current role with Eco-Cycle. Lex has a M.S. in Urban Resilience and Sustainability from the University of Colorado-Boulder Masters of the Environment (MENV) program and a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from the University of Arizona, Eco-Cycle, Inc.

Kathleen Hynes

Outreach & Technical Assistance Specialist, Colorado Circular Communities (C3)

Kathleen works for the Colorado Circular Communities (C3) program, which supports communities state-wide in advancing Colorado’s transition from a linear take-make-waste economy to a circular reuse-repair-remanufacture economy. With a background in consulting and market development... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Captain Catalog Breakout Room 7

Breakout Session