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CALCON 2026 Courageous Libraries Resilient Communities
Venue: Archivist Prime Breakout Room 8 clear filter
Wednesday, September 9
 

10:45am MDT

Keep Them Coming Back with Sequential Passive Programs
Wednesday September 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
With limited staff time and budgets, many libraries are turning to passive programming. Take your library beyond the basics with sequential programs that last multiple weeks to keep patrons excited to return to the library. Learn the process of planning and implementing a multi-week program adapted to your community and capacity, perfect for summer reading - or whenever. The presenter duo will share their experiences and strategies to set you up for success.
Speakers
avatar for Tiffany Ruhl

Tiffany Ruhl

Tiffany Ruhl began in education, working in elementary schools for 9 years. She then grew an interest in libraries and has since worked at Denver Public Libraries for 6 years. Her education background taught her about learning strategies and development and how to adapt to communities with varying needs. As a librarian, Tiffany has created numerous passive programs and displays to establish a welcoming, creative environment and encourage community engagement with the library., Denver Public Library

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Charlotte Niteman

Charlotte Niteman started out with a degree in education, and worked as an elementary school librarian before joining Denver Public Library in 2019. For the last 7 years she has been leading and developing successful programs for all ages, taking a particular interest in passive offerings. She recently presented at the CLIC Virtual Winter Workshop, sharing scavenger hunt expertise. Charlotte and Tiffany have worked together to create some innovative new ways to serve the community through programs., Denver Public Library

Wednesday September 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
Archivist Prime Breakout Room 8

1:45pm MDT

Let’s Cook: Teaching Cooking Skills in the Library
Wednesday September 9, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm MDT
Cooking classes are a great way to address food insecurity while building life skills and community engagement, but they’re often financially inaccessible. This presentation will examine the program series Let’s Cook!, which provides free cooking classes to the community. Through programmer experience, program statistics, and post-program survey data, we will discuss planning, successes, lessons learned, and implementation strategies. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask the presenter questions and brainstorm how to apply this information to their own communities and will leave with knowledge and skills to replicate this program in their libraries.
Speakers
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Madeleine Sardina

I am the creator and sole programmer for the program series being presented. I have been a programmer for almost 2 years as a library assistant at Hoffman Heights Library and am also a fantastic home cook and proponent that everyone should know how to cook., Aurora Public Library

Wednesday September 9, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm MDT
Archivist Prime Breakout Room 8

3:00pm MDT

The Library is all-write, Integrating Writing into Early Literacy Programs
Wednesday September 9, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
Writing is an essential part of early literacy, yet it can be challenging to develop engaging programs that support it. In this interactive workshop, participants will engage with examples of pre-writing activities and stations. Participants will also be able to share how they have incorporated writing activities into their programs. Participants will also learn about a variety of activities that help children build foundational writing skills. Incorporating pre-writing into your libraries programs can create a set of well-rounded program offerings focused on early literacy.  
Speakers
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Alexa Bynum

7 years in public libraries working with ages 0-18. 3 years as a Librarian focused on ages 0-5., Arapahoe Library District

Wednesday September 9, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
Archivist Prime Breakout Room 8
 
Thursday, September 10
 

10:45am MDT

From Planning to Progress: The Communication-Centered Approach to Library Strategy
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
In today's rapidly evolving world,  libraries face unprecedented challenges that demand thoughtful planning. Yet even the most brilliant strategies falter without effective communication—the true heart and soul of the strategic planning process.


Join us to explore how intentional, ongoing communication transforms strategic planning from a static document into a living framework that energizes staff and community stakeholders alike. By establishing two-way communication channels, developing accessible materials, leveraging local media outlets and embracing transparency, you can enhance community connection and, ultimately, the impact of your library's strategic initiatives. 


Attendees will leave with scalable examples using a variety of media, and practical tools for weaving communication throughout the strategic planning lifecycle. This session is for anyone looking for concrete methods for disseminating information about the great work your library is doing.
Speakers
avatar for Chelsea Dodd Coleman

Chelsea Dodd Coleman

As a library strategist, Chelsea guides libraries through the strategic planning process while keeping communication front and center. She earned her B.A. in Communication from Seton Hall University (South Orange, N.J.) and Master's in Library and Information Science from Drexel University (Philadelphia)., Library Logic Consulting, LLC

Thursday September 10, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
Archivist Prime Breakout Room 8

2:00pm MDT

Presence & Purpose: The Essential Elements of Confident Leadership
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Transform your leadership approach by discovering the powerful intersection of personal strengths, authentic purpose and confident presence. Through interactive exercises and reflective practices, you'll identify your unique strengths and learn practical strategies to leverage them in real-world management situations. You'll craft a personalized purpose statement that serves as your leadership compass, ensuring your actions align with your values.
Whether you're stepping into your first management role or seeking to elevate your current effectiveness, this program equips you with the self-awareness and tools needed to lead with authenticity and conviction. Participants leave with actionable insights, a clear sense of direction, and renewed confidence to navigate the complexities of supervisory positions. Join us to unlock your leadership potential and create meaningful impact in your library.
Speakers
avatar for Chelsea Dodd Coleman

Chelsea Dodd Coleman

As a library strategist, Chelsea guides libraries through the strategic planning process while keeping communication front and center. She earned her B.A. in Communication from Seton Hall University (South Orange, N.J.) and Master's in Library and Information Science from Drexel University (Philadelphia)., Library Logic Consulting, LLC

Thursday September 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Archivist Prime Breakout Room 8

4:00pm MDT

Making All The Right Moves: Circulating Board Games In Your Library
Thursday September 10, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
The Bemis Public Library has recently launched its circulating board game collection with massive success! Learn from the staff responsible for its inception about the process of pitching a new collection to internal stakeholders and coming up with best practices for containing and displaying games. We’ll touch on our experience seeking grants and creating relationships with local game stores and national publishers and offer a behind-the-scenes look at the technical side of building catalog resources and customizing MARC records. Samples of the games from the collection will be available to explore, and we’ll practice the art of offering good game suggestions.
Speakers
avatar for Emma Lea Embry

Emma Lea Embry

Head of Gaming Interest Group and recently launched circulating board game collection, Bemis Public Library

avatar for Mary Miller

Mary Miller

Member of Gaming Interest Group and recently launched circulating board game collection, Bemis Public Library

Thursday September 10, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Archivist Prime Breakout Room 8
 
Friday, September 11
 

8:45am MDT

Designing Together: Strategies for Building Stronger Programs and Partnerships
Friday September 11, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am MDT
Unlock one of the library’s keys to success and innovation: collaboration. Programming partnerships create an impact on every level, and we’ll share the strategies for you to build fruitful, lasting connections. Drawing on a combined 10+ years of experience, we’ll explore collaboration types, ranging from small-scale programs to larger events, and the specific processes that made them successful. Attendees will leave with the confidence and guidance to strengthen community ties, involve new partners, and transform their programming process. We’ll use real-world examples from our library, including how we adapted and learned from setbacks, to demonstrate how successful our programming was with the collective community and library partnerships.
Speakers
avatar for Katie Harness-Hemmer

Katie Harness-Hemmer

Over four years of experience collaborating, fostering new partnerships, and leading 60+ programs while working at BPLD. I have focused mostly in my department Youth Services in which I have created programming for families, children and teens., Boulder Public Library District

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Sophia Surage

Sophia has over 6 years of experience fostering and maintaining community partnerships as the Volunteer Services Manager at BPLD, and before that at CU Boulder's Volunteer Resource Center. Her experience covers planning the JLF Colorado festival, cultivating partnerships within the Boulder community, and solidifying relationships with volunteers., Boulder Public Library District

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

10:00am MDT

Seeing and Serving Our Unseen Caregiving Youth
Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Caregiving youth are people under the age of 18 who provide care for family/kin who require support due to chronic illness, age-related decline, disability, or other medically-related conditions. In this deep dive, we will introduce participants to the special needs of caregiving youth in the state of Colorado, and engage in a co-creation of meaningful opportunities to support this population. The session will begin with an overview of the topic and an introduction to research on caregiving by young people in Colorado, contextualized against national and international trends and awareness. We will then explore the various supports and interventions currently operating elsewhere in the U.S. and internationally, and together, begin to create the ways that Colorado librarians can support this hidden population of caregivers. 
Speakers
avatar for Kate Brunner

Kate Brunner

Kate Brunner is the Youth and Family Services Principal Consultant at the Colorado State Library. She works with youth services professionals across all Colorado public libraries to co-design innovative approaches to their work that help to more effectively provide library services for underserved adolescent populations like caregiving youth in their communities., Colorado State Library

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Nadine Roberts Cornish

Nadine Roberts Cornish is the Executive Director of the CO Alliance for Caregiving Youth, a Certified Senior Advisor, Gerontologist, Author, National Speaker, and Chief Care Strategist with over eighteen years of experience in care management and consultation. Nadine’s unwavering dedication to caregivers extends to her recent founding of the non-profit organization, (CACY) Colorado Alliance for Caregiving Youth focusing on supporting caregiving youth and their families. Her expertise and passion make her a leading voice in the field of caregiving and advocacy., Colorado Alliance for Caregiving Youth

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Dr. Elizabeth Olson

Dr. Elizabeth Olson is the Interim Director of the Institute for the Arts and Humanities and a Professor of Geography and the Environment in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is co-founder and co-director of the Caregiving Youth Research Collaborative, a national consortium of researchers and scholars in the U.S. Dr. Olson researches themes related to care, ethics, and young people, sometimes separately, sometimes in relation to each other. Her scholarship is produced in collaboration and through transformative partnerships with practitioners, artists, and other scholars, often co-developing methodological innovations to engage diverse communities., College of Arts and Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Archivist Prime Breakout Room 8
 
CALCON 2026 Courageous Libraries Resilient Communities
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