CALCON 2026 Courageous Libraries Resilient Communities: Full Schedule

8:45am MDT

Building Community Through Collaborative Screenprinting

Wednesday September 9, 2026 8:45am - 10:15am MDT

This presentation will explore how screen printing has been used as an accessible, creative tool to connect people, amplify voices, and strengthen community relationships at PCCLD. Screen printing works as a shared, hands-on experience that supports collaboration, conversation, and participation across different groups.
We will share examples of how screen printing has been integrated into library outreach with schools and nonprofits, as well as tailored programming for specific library user groups such as book clubs, movement and wellness classes, and makers. We will also discuss how screen printing supports broader community engagement through holiday celebrations, local events, and cultural sharing—resulting in tangible items like patches, tote bags, and shirts that reflect collective identity and pride. This will include a brief overview of how reusable screens can be created using easily accessed, low-cost materials, demonstrating how this type of programming will be achievable even for libraries with limited budgets.
There will be a collaborative idea portion where attendees will brainstorm new ways to use screen printing and identify new groups to reach. The presentation will conclude with hands-on screen printing of patches. Attendees will leave with practical examples, inspiration for using upcycled materials, collaborative design to foster inclusive, meaningful connections, and screen print patches that can be used to assist in getting buy in. Collaborative screen printing will continue to be a flexible and impactful way for our library to build community—one print at a time.

Speakers

Cynthia Nicola

Screenprinting personally and for library for over 4 years, Pueblo City-County Library District - Frank I. Lamb branch

Wednesday September 9, 2026 8:45am - 10:15am MDT
Digital Defender Breakout Room 5

Deep Dive

8:45am MDT

Censorship and Sensibility: Intellectual Freedom Then, Now, and Beyond

Wednesday September 9, 2026 8:45am - 10:15am MDT

Tome Raider Breakout Room 1

What is intellectual freedom, and why does it matter in today’s libraries? Join CAL Intellectual Freedom Committee Co-Chairs, Ally and Michaela, to explore the history of book challenges, what makes a book “banned,” and the impact these issues have on our communities. This session introduces key milestones and movements that have shaped intellectual freedom, while also addressing current issues and emerging challenges.

Participants will engage with peers through guided activities and discussions that explore real-world scenarios, encouraging reflection and collaboration. Content will be tailored to the unique intellectual freedom concerns faced by public, school, and academic libraries, providing a practical and relevant foundation for understanding and responding to these challenges.

Speakers

Michaela Wilson

CAL's IFC Co-Chair, Pine River Library

Ally Rodriguez-Marshall

CAL's IFC Co-Chair, High Plains Library District - LINC Library Innovation Center

Wednesday September 9, 2026 8:45am - 10:15am MDT
Tome Raider Breakout Room 1

Deep Dive

8:45am MDT

Getting More out of CALCON!

Wednesday September 9, 2026 8:45am - 10:15am MDT

Reference Ranger Breakout Room 2

Whether it’s your first time or you just want to make the most of your conference, this session is your perfect kickoff. Join Becky and Tanya (CALCON 2026 Program Chair and Conference CO-Chair)for a high-energy jumpstart — they’ll share insider tips on can’t-miss sessions, help you connect with fellow attendees, and answer any questions you may have. We will also be highlighting volunteer and leadership opportunities as well as giving attendees a breakdown of how CAL works and it's importance to Colorado libraries. Come get the lay of the land and start your CALCON adventure off right!

Speakers

Becky Van Den Berg

Hosting RPG library programs, Pine River Library District (Bayfield branch)

Tanya Prax

CALCON Co-Chair 2026/Youth Services Librarian, Arapahoe Libraries

Tanya Prax is a Youth Services Librarian at Arapahoe Libraries in Denver, Colorado. Her favorite things about her job (if she had to pick) are a family cooking program and booktalking to kids at schools.Tanya has been involved with ALA, ALSC, CAL, and is just finishing up a term on... Read More →

Wednesday September 9, 2026 8:45am - 10:15am MDT
Reference Ranger Breakout Room 2

Deep Dive

8:45am MDT

Journey Mapping the Library: Using UX Research to Design Intuitive Spaces

Wednesday September 9, 2026 8:45am - 10:15am MDT

Dewey Decimator Breakout Room 6

Patrons’ voices are often left out of shaping the physical experience: wayfinding, signage, furniture, zones, and workflow, because getting meaningful feedback in surveys or community input meetings is difficult. This session brings retail-grade user experience research into the stacks. We’ll show how two public libraries (Charlotte County, FL and North Canton, OH) ran rapid, affordable studies using task-based walk-throughs and GoPro headcams to capture sightlines and decision points. Participants attempted common tasks (find a specific book, locate a computer, make a copy, choose a place to work, browse for “something to read”). The footage revealed recurring pain points—unclear category language, sign overload, hidden technology, “is this allowed?” ambiguity—and a consistent desire to self-serve without asking. We’ll demonstrate a practical, repeatable method any library can use: recruit diverse patrons (including disabled users), run standardized tasks, code the video for patterns, and translate findings into low-cost fixes that reduce “where is…?” interruptions and increase satisfaction. You’ll leave with new ideas on how to see your space through diverse patron eyes. Video clips illustrate what patrons see, where they hesitate, and how small changes can unlock confident, independent use.

Speakers

David Vinjamuri

Over 30 years of understanding consumer behavior in the private sector and with libraries. 20 years teaching students at NYU. Working with over 100 libraries in 26 states, New York University

Wednesday September 9, 2026 8:45am - 10:15am MDT
Dewey Decimator Breakout Room 6

Deep Dive

1:15pm MDT

Beyond D&D: The Wide World of Roleplaying Games in Libraries

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

Digital Defender Breakout Room 5

At this point, you know about Dungeons & Dragons. But what else is out there?

We’ll discuss the diverse range of roleplaying games (RPGs) currently being published and strategies for connecting library patrons to their next favorite game, whether it’s at a library program or with their own playgroup. Similar to traditional reader’s advisory, we’ll discuss factors like genre, tone, familiarity-level and more, as well as challenges to connecting people with games they might love.

This panel presentation will include perspectives on purchasing, reader’s advisory interactions, and programming, for libraries serving varied communities. You’ll walk out with a deeper appreciation for how RPGs in libraries can help grow resiliency and belonging for patrons, and a wider view of what’s available – and you’ll roll a few dice along the way.

Speakers

Becky Van Den Berg

Hosting RPG library programs, Pine River Library District (Bayfield branch)

Matthew Galloway

Purchasing RPG-related materials for library collection, Anythink Libraries (Collection Development department)

Jakob Seelig

Hosting RPG library programs, Anythink Libraries (Thornton Community Center branch)

Patrick Austin

Teen Guide, Anythink Libraries (Huron St branch)

I have been running role playing games as a teen guide at Anythink for the past three years. When I'm not gaming, I am writing and collecting zines, tinkering with retro games and cameras, and conducting Unwise Microwave Experiments

Izzie Olsen

RPG Reader’s Advisory with library patrons, Anythink Libraries (Wright Farms branch)

Friday September 11, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm MDT
Digital Defender Breakout Room 5

Deep Dive

1:15pm MDT

Lightning Talks

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

Dewey Decimator Breakout Room 6

1. ABA's Free Legal Answers - A New Tool for Library Patrons with Legal Questions:
Colorado just joined the American Bar Association's platform Free Legal Answers. Learn more about how this website can help your patrons with legal questions by connecting them with attorneys in the state.
2. (Re)Introducing Colorado Libraries Collaborate:
Colorado Libraries Collaborate (CLC) has been around since 1991 and is the coolest reciprocal borrowing program you've (maybe) never heard of! Most public and academic libraries in the state technically participate in the program, but with all of the employee turnover libraries have experienced in the past few years, some staff may not be aware that their institution participates, or how to facilitate the program for borrowers. This session provides a (re)introduction to the CLC program as well as answers to frequently asked questions that are bubbling up from libraries and patrons.
3. For the Love of Poetry: Inspiring Empathy, Belonging & Resilience:
Poetry nourishes intellect, evokes emotion, and sparks imagination. It connects to the human heart in a way no other medium can. This session explores how poetry engages the whole person and remains accessible and enriching for patrons of all ages and backgrounds.
4. Roll for Initiative:
D&D has emerged from the basement to become a popular pastime for adults and children alike. It builds literacy, community, and interpersonal skills - a great choice for library programming!
D&D has emerged from the basement to become a popular pastime for adults and children alike. It builds literacy, community, and interpersonal skills - a great choice for library programming!
5. Turning Community Health Data into Library Action:
This lightning talk introduces library employees to freely available community health data that can be used to better understand local health needs and inform library services.
6. Better together: Philosophical and pragmatic benefits of collaborative outreach between an academic and public library:
Many libraries, regardless of type, are facing challenges from reduced budgets and escalating costs to maintain services and access to materials while simultaneously facing pressure to demonstrate value by means of usage statistics, patron counts, and other hard stats. Even without any budget constraints, no single library has it all and faces limitations in its offerings. Library networks and consortium have been built up over time to help address this fundamental challenge, but in many cases the relationships are defined by library type and/or back-end systems rather than by commonalities between patron experience and needs.
7. We are still standing: the fight for intellectual freedom continues:
Although book challenges in Colorado have decreased largely due to the passing of Senate Bill 24-216, library workers are still on the ground zero advocating for people’s rights to read, watch, and listen to what they desire. Drawing on frontline experiences, this talk explores the ongoing challenges facing public library workers as they navigate censorship pressures, community expectations, and political scrutiny.

Speakers

Deborah Hamilton

Over ten years as a law librarian and author of the book "Helping Library Users with Legal Questions.", Pikes Peak Library District

Josh Hem Lee

Current vice president/president elect of the Colorado Black Library Association and has served on the organization's board in the past. Has worked to highlight diversity within libraries and has worked with children and adults., Pinnacle Charter School

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

Paul Betty

The proposal covers matters and experience related to management, reference skills, user experience, and outreach, Dayton Memorial Library,

Kristen DeSanto

I have worked as a health sciences librarian for 17 years in consumer health, hospital, and academic settings. I completed the Consumer Health Information Specialization program from the Medical Library Association and am a Distinguished Member of the Academy of Health Information Professionals., Strauss Health Sciences Library, University of Colorado Anschutz

Marisa Wood

Seven years of experience supporting statewide resource sharing initiatives through direct contact with Colorado libraries, cultural heritage institutions, and library users., Colorado State Library

Michael Smith

During my tenure as University Librarian, I have presented on this topic at another conference and I am completing an article for publication on the same topic (which may be published before CALCON 2026 begins). Further, I am an avid reader of poetry and a believer in the power of the medium to reach across cultural and philosophical divides to inspire discussion, debate, reflection, and growth. My favorite types of poetry include odes, haikus, limericks, tankas and couplets., Colorado Christian University

Maria Kramer

I have been playing and leading D&D groups for about 20 years. I've been leading the library D&D program for three years., Alamosa Public Library

Friday September 11, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm MDT
Dewey Decimator Breakout Room 6

Deep Dive

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

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... Read More →

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

Deep Dive

1:15pm MDT

What We Talk About When We Talk About AI

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

Tome Raider Breakout Room 1

AI is obviously a hot topic in libraries (and everywhere), but one thing I struggled with in my programming was figuring out where to begin with my patrons. It's one thing to know about AI and another to know how to navigate educating people about it, especially when one's own feelings about it can be complex. This is essentially a presentation about a programming series I've planned (and already begun) that includes both general information sessions (Intro to AI), topical sessions (Internet Privacy in the age of AI), and more fun/social sessions (Is it AI Game Show- about identifying AI in different forms).
I talk about how I weighed my own feelings about AI with my patron's information needs, how I covered difficult and often political questions, what patrons have been most interested in, etc.

Speakers

Savannah Winchell

Experience studying and working with AI, as well as teaching it to patrons, Aurora Public Library

Friday September 11, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm MDT
Tome Raider Breakout Room 1

Deep Dive

CALCON 2026 Courageous Libraries Resilient Communities

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CALCON 2026 Courageous Libraries Resilient Communities

8:45am MDT

Cynthia Nicola

8:45am MDT

Michaela Wilson

Ally Rodriguez-Marshall

8:45am MDT

Becky Van Den Berg

Tanya Prax

8:45am MDT

David Vinjamuri

1:15pm MDT

Becky Van Den Berg

Matthew Galloway

Jakob Seelig

Patrick Austin

Izzie Olsen

1:15pm MDT

Deborah Hamilton

Josh Hem Lee

Melissa Beavers

Paul Betty

Kristen DeSanto

Marisa Wood

Michael Smith

Maria Kramer

1:15pm MDT

Charissa Brammer

Jami Yazdani

1:15pm MDT

Savannah Winchell

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