CALCON 2026 Courageous Libraries Resilient Communities: Full Schedule

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8:45am MDT

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

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

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

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