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CALCON 2026 Courageous Libraries Resilient Communities
Venue: Query Queen Breakout Room 3 clear filter
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Friday, September 11
 

8:45am MDT

Beyond the Buzzwords: People-First EDI That Builds Around Your Library's Heart
Friday September 11, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am MDT
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
XA

Xochil Arellano

Equity Diversity and Inclusion management for Poudre Libraries, Poudre Libraries

Friday September 11, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am MDT
Query Queen Breakout Room 3

10:00am MDT

Library Safety in Uncertain Times
Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
We believe safety is the foundation to building strong, collaborative, and equitable communities. Safety is important for all libraries-- not just big picture safety, such as emergency preparedness, but small, everyday safety issues like how your team responds to stress or how your patrons feel walking into your building. If people don’t feel safe, they will not access the library programs and services available to them. If your staff doesn’t feel safe, they won’t bring their best selves to the job. Safety is not just policy handbooks and training videos, it is an active and continuously renewing practice that needs to be taken seriously and consciously addressed. In this interactive session, we will utilize case studies from libraries we have worked with to highlight key safety pain points. With hands-on practice, we will teach strategies that directly address common library safety issues. In addition, we will provide a space for participants to talk about the safety issues that concern them and their communities. As trauma-informed, survivor-oriented facilitators, we will empower participants to reflect and analyze their individual and organizational safety needs.
Speakers
KH

Krista Hanley

Krista Hanley is a public speaker, writer, and has over twelve years of experience teaching violence prevention and personal safety to people of all ages and abilities. She is a Credentialed Empowerment Self-Defense Professional through the International Association of ESD Professionals and earned her empowerment self-defense instructor certification in 2017. Krista’s work is grounded in an inclusive, trauma-informed approach that prioritizes practical skills, confidence, and informed choice. Her professional training includes first aid and AED, Colorado Mandatory Reporter certification, Mental Health First Aid, Community Emergency Response (CERT), Adaptive Sport Abuse Prevention (accredited by SafeSport in Colorado Springs), Trauma-Informed Instructor certification, ALERRT (Active Shooter) Civilian Response trainer certification, and nonviolent communication. In addition to her teaching work, Krista is a public speaker and published writer. She holds a Master’s degree from Western Colorado University and bri, We Are Safer Together LLC

Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Query Queen Breakout Room 3
 
CALCON 2026 Courageous Libraries Resilient Communities
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