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CALCON 2026 Courageous Libraries Resilient Communities
Venue: Captain Catalog Breakout Room 7 clear filter
Wednesday, September 9
 

10:45am MDT

A Herd of Unicorns: Colorado Public Library Standards & You
Wednesday September 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
If you've seen one Colorado public library, you've seen one Colorado public library. Colorado Library Law requires the state librarian develop standards to serve as models for achieving a consistent quality of library offerings across the state. Standards can be used for a variety of purposes for staff and community leaders. Come dive deeper into the landscape of Colorado public libraries and consider the application of CO standards in your work and as a tool. (This is a replication of last year's session and submitted for 2026 based upon request from public library world.)
Speakers
avatar for Office of Library Development, Colorado State Library

Office of Library Development, Colorado State Library

AI Trainers through SLAAIT and AI Awareness Project, Colorado State Library

avatar for Kieran Hixon

Kieran Hixon

Public Library Standard developer, Colorado State Library

Wednesday September 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
Captain Catalog Breakout Room 7

1:45pm MDT

Going to the Voters for Funding: How the Basalt Regional Library District Achieved Voter Approval in 2025
Wednesday September 9, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm MDT
Join us for an insightful discussion on the best practices and strategies for a library district to secure voter approval
for a funding ballot measure. Drawing on years of ballot measure survey experience and using the Basalt Regional Library as an example, we will share proven approaches and practical tips. Learn how the Basalt Region Library effectively used opinion research and campaign consulting services to craft a compelling campaign that resonated with voters. This session is designed to provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to run a successful
funding ballot measure campaign for your library district or department. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and improve your chances of securing the funding your library's needs.
Speakers
avatar for Amy Shipley

Amy Shipley

My library board members and I planned and successfully passed a funding ballot measure for our library distrct., Basalt Regional Library

avatar for David Flaherty

David Flaherty

Our firm managed a voter opinion ballot measure survey for the library district. The survey results and findings determined the community engagement and ballot measure messaging strategy., Magellan Strategies

Wednesday September 9, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm MDT
Captain Catalog Breakout Room 7

3:00pm MDT

All I really need to know, I didn't learn in library school
Wednesday September 9, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
Library school teaches you cataloging, collection development, and information theory - many very useful things! It does not teach you how to manage a legacy employee who has outlasted four directors, navigate a board member with a personal agenda, or get glass out of carpet after a vandalism incident at 2 a.m. This session covers the practical realities of library leadership and administration that live between the textbook chapters — supervision, emergency response, political reporting relationships, budgeting, and more. Drawing on real experiences from the field (some instructive, some chaotic, all true), this session invites participants to share their own hard-won wisdom and leave with practical frameworks they can actually use on Monday morning.


Come for the stories. Leave with the survival guide that no school hands you at graduation.
Speakers
avatar for Brena Smith

Brena Smith

I am the director and I have 25 years experience as a librarian., Lake County Public Library

avatar for Kieran Hixon

Kieran Hixon

Public Library Standard developer, Colorado State Library

Wednesday September 9, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
Captain Catalog Breakout Room 7
 
Thursday, September 10
 

2:00pm MDT

Snacktivities and Beyond: Addressing Food Insecurity with Young Library Patrons
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
In 2019, Arapahoe Libraries created a "Snacktivities" program to help address the need for Food Justice in our community in a fun and engaging way. The program was revived post-covid in 2022 and grew rapidly with our growing neighborhoods and their shifting needs. In 2024, the program grew from two branches to district-wide, now serving seven diverse communities in Arapahoe County. 
We soon realized that this program, as it was created, was struggling to meet the changing needs of our young patrons. As third spaces for young people become less common, wfrequently see young independent patrons in our libraries for hours at a time. During school breaks, these young patrons are often in our spaces for up to 8-10 hours per day, some with a few dollars for food or a small bag of snacks. They may depend on the vending machine for food. Some of our libraries are in food deserts; With the exception of a weekly food pantry and summer program designed to support families who are reliant on school lunches, there is no walkable access to fresh and healthy food. We made observations and gathered feedback from our young patrons. Based on the information we received, we revamped our in-branch programming model to better serve food insecurity needs through community connections and varied in-house programing, both based around teaching food skills to patrons and supplying them with healthier, more substantial food options. 
Speakers
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Mariann Gentile

As branch Youth Reference Librarians, we are the branch level staff that have the most day-to-day interactions with our patrons to directly observe these needs. We are in these positions at two of the ALD branches that see the highest food insecurity needs from our surrounding communities. Mariann has a background in Social Work and has worked extensively both in and out of library settings with diverse populations of young people, including through Head Start and After School Programs. June worked with young people experiencing homelessness (and food insecurity) for many years before working at a library. She has previously presented at the Colorado State Library on trauma informed best practices for working with kids and teens in libraries., Arapahoe Library District

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June McGinn

As branch Youth Reference Librarians, we are the branch level staff that have the most day-to-day interactions with our patrons to directly observe these needs. We are in these positions at two of the ALD branches that see the highest food insecurity needs from our surrounding communities. Mariann has a background in Social Work and has worked extensively both in and out of library settings with diverse populations of young people, including through Head Start and After School Programs. June worked with young people experiencing homelessness (and food insecurity) for many years before working at a library. She has previously presented at the Colorado State Library on trauma informed best practices for working with kids and teens in libraries., Arapahoe Library District

Thursday September 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Captain Catalog Breakout Room 7

4:00pm MDT

Turning Your Teens Into Library Leaders
Thursday September 10, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Libraries need advocates more than ever, and your teens are the next generation of leaders. The Teen Advocacy Toolkit is a programming guide for librarians, educators, or anyone who works with teens. It provides detailed and scalable program ideas on topics like the importance of libraries, finding your role in your community, media literacy, and advocacy skills.  
In this session, participants will learn about the creation of the toolkit, review lessons and activities, receive tips on engaging teens, and outreach ideas. Participants will receive one printed activity from the toolkit and the QR to download a PDF version. 

Speakers
EE

Emma Eriksson

Manager of Youth Civic Engagement & Expression, Brooklyn Library
Thursday September 10, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Captain Catalog Breakout Room 7
 
Friday, September 11
 

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
avatar for Justin Easterday

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

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
avatar for Melissa Beavers

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

AJ

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

VS

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
Captain Catalog Breakout Room 7

10:00am MDT

Sustainability in Action: Building Stronger Library Communities
Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
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
CD

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.

DC

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.

avatar for Cameron Bowen

Cameron Bowen

Cameron brings the perspective of a public library system working to incorporate sustainability into both operations and, Arapahoe Libraries
LS

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.

avatar for Kathleen Hynes

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
 
CALCON 2026 Courageous Libraries Resilient Communities
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