CALCON 2026 Courageous Libraries Resilient Communities: Full Schedule

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8:45am MDT

From Curiosity to Career: Building STEM Pathways Through Libraries

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

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

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

1:15pm MDT

Project Management in Libraries: Make a Plan and then Paddle Like the Dickens

Friday September 11, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm MDT

Reference Ranger Breakout Room 2

Much of the work we do in libraries is project-based, and we often find ourselves in charge of projects without formal training in how to successfully manage them. While most projects are still successful, they can be more stressful than they need to be. This session will help support people who manage projects in the library to plan those projects to ensure success and reduce stress for everyone.
In this session, we will introduce the project management cycle and agile techniques and how they help to simplify successful projects. Attendees will work step by step with their own project idea to identify key phases, clarify project purpose, define deliverables, outline a realistic schedule, and determine meaningful measures of success. We will also explore stakeholder engagement and communication strategies that strengthen collaboration and support smoother implementation.
Participants will bring a project they are considering or that is in progress and will develop a detailed and flexible project plan and tools to use to manage the project.

Speakers

Charissa Brammer

Multiple years of experience working in survey design, implementation, and data analysis., Colorado State Library

Amy Bahlenhorst

Amy has successfully planned research and assessment projects with the Library Research Service and projects in public libraries. She has 32 hours of formal project management training as required for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.., Colorado State Library

Sara Wicen

Over four years of experience working at Library Research Service (LRS), a degree in English and a professional writing certificate, and a year of planning and executing the Colorful Colorado Libraries blog series. This session will share lessons from this lived experience., Colorado State Library

Jami Yazdani

Strategic Execution Partner, Yazdani Consulting & Facilitation

Jami Yazdani, MLIS, is the founder of Yazdani Consulting and Facilitation, where she helps changemakers lead collaborative teams with clarity and confidence so their work creates meaningful impact.

Jami began her library career in circulation roles before earning a library degree and has been a reference librarian, technology librarian, library manager, and library director. With more than 20 years of experience leading complex, high-impact initiatives, Jami brings both structure... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm MDT
Reference Ranger Breakout Room 2

Deep Dive