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CALCON 2026 Courageous Libraries Resilient Communities
Venue: Dewey Decimator Breakout Room 6 clear filter
Wednesday, September 9
 

8:45am MDT

Journey Mapping the Library: Using UX Research to Design Intuitive Spaces
Wednesday September 9, 2026 8:45am - 10:15am MDT
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
DV

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

10:45am MDT

Elevator to Auditorium: Crafting Your Library's Message in 5, 15, and 30 Minutes
Wednesday September 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
In an era of rapid change, building Courageous Libraries and Resilient Communities begins with a single, clear voice. Advocacy isn't just a task—it’s the heartbeat of modern librarianship. Join members of the CAL Legislative Committee for this high-energy, 60-minute interactive workshop designed to transform you into a confident champion for your community.
Participants will utilize proven frameworks to tackle advocacy one battle at a time. We will guide you through three scalable templates—the 5-minute grocery store run-in, the 15-minute legislative brief, and the 30-minute deep dive—incorporating quantitative data and powerful personal anecdotes. You’ll identify your target audience, hone a specific issue, and practice your pitch in a supportive "give-and-take" environment. Together, let's turn your library’s mission into a movement.
Speakers
avatar for Greg Wilson

Greg Wilson

I did my MA in history while working full-time in a pharmacy, did my MLIS while working part time for an R1, and started at Adams State University in Dec 2022. Since then, I have published a few papers and started my doctoral program. I am a professional nerd., Adams State University

avatar for Michelle White

Michelle White

Michelle White is a career librarian with 29 years of experience spanning a diverse range of library and leadership roles. Currently serving as a District Elementary School Librarian in the Weld RE-4 School District, Michelle’s extensive background includes work as a school librarian, public library children’s librarian, college reference librarian, instructional technology teacher, and administrator at both the school and district levels. She holds a Master’s in Library Science from Florida State University, a foundation that supports her career-long belief that libraries are essential hubs for curiosity, learning, connection, and free expression. Outside of her professional life, Michelle is a proud Florida State alumna who has been married to her high school sweetheart for over three decades. With her two children now "grown and flown" and living their best lives, she fills her time enjoying the Colorado outdoors, getting lost in a good book, and hosting lively evenings in a kitchen full of friends, family, Weld RE-4 School District

DC

Danielle Cowles

Danielle Cowles is the Digital Resources Librarian for Pueblo City-County Library District. Danielle received her MLS fr, Pueblo City-County Library District

MS

Mathangi Subramanian

Dr. Mathangi Subramanian is a neurodiverse South Asian American writer, educator, and policy maker who uses she/they pronouns. Her books have been longlisted for the PEN/Faulkner, shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award, and won the South Asia Book Award. She currently serves as the Director of Early Childhood at the Colorado Children's Campaign, as well as a Denver Public Library Commissioner. She lives in Denver with her child, a gerbil, and way too many picture books., Colorado Children's Campaign

Wednesday September 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
Dewey Decimator Breakout Room 6

1:45pm MDT

Creative Cardboard
Wednesday September 9, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm MDT
A playful look at how one library has seen great success with creative cardboard-based programs for youth. Cardboard is everywhere, so learn how to encourage skill building and quality play using the recycling bin and some imagination. Get hands-on time with our favorite cardboard tools and take away some great ideas for programs for toddlers to teens with our tips for success. 
Speakers
NA

Nick Anderson

Programming for children and teens with experience at an art museum and a public library. Nearly four years in Youth Services at Bemis Public Library focusing on creative programming and artistic displays. ., Bemis Public Library
SS

Sheena Shakely

Enthusiasm for building fun things with cardboard, experience with carboard tools and programming. Seven years at Bemis Public library with six in Youth Services. MLS Librarian., Bemis Public Library
Wednesday September 9, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm MDT
Dewey Decimator Breakout Room 6
 
Thursday, September 10
 

10:45am MDT

Compassion Without Collapse: Boundaries for Library Staff Under Pressure
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
Library staff are expected to provide exceptional service while navigating behavior that can be demanding, inappropriate, or emotionally charged. This interactive session introduces a trauma-informed approach to asserting compassionate boundaries, helping participants stay kind, clear, and courageous under pressure. Rooted in neuroscience and informed by real-world library scenarios, participants will explore how nervous system activation influences communication, why boundary testing occurs, and how to respond with grounded clarity rather than reactivity. This session empowers librarians to recognize early warning signs, and learn practical strategies for responding in ways that protect staff well-being while maintaining welcoming, inclusive spaces.
Speakers
avatar for Ariana Friedlander

Ariana Friedlander

Ariana Friedlander brings over two decades of experience working alongside mission-driven leaders navigating complex interpersonal dynamics. As the founder of Rosabella Consulting, she designs and facilitates trauma-informed leadership and communication trainings, including programs specifically for library staff focused on boundary setting and patron interactions. She holds a certificate in the Neuroscience of Conversation® that she integrates into practical, real-world application. Her approach is grounded in the lived experiences of library professionals through extensive research, reflecting a deep understanding of the emotional labor required in public service and the nuanced skills needed to hold boundaries with both compassion and clarity. Library training participants have reported increased confidence in handling difficult interactions and greater clarity in how to uphold boundaries without escalating situations., Rosabella Consulting, LLC

Thursday September 10, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
Dewey Decimator Breakout Room 6

2:00pm MDT

The AI-Powered School Librarian
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Between managing collections, supporting literacy, and teaching digital citizenship, a school librarian’s to-do list is often a mile long. What if you had a tireless administrative assistant ready to draft your newsletters, analyze your circulation data, and curate personalized professional development in seconds?
Join us for a fast-paced, hands-on workshop designed to transform AI from a buzzword into your most valuable administrative partner. We’ll move beyond the basics to explore how AI can streamline the work of school library management. Whether you are a total beginner or an AI enthusiast, you’ll leave this session with a toolkit of practical prompts and workflows to reclaim your time and elevate your professional impact.
During this session, we will:
  • Automate the Mundane: Learn to use AI for drafting policy documents, grant applications, and engaging newsletters.
  • Curate Bespoke PD: Discover how to build a personalized professional development plan tailored to your specific goals.
  • Analyze with Ease: Explore how to use AI to find patterns in library usage and collection gaps.
  • Collaborate Live: Participate in real-time where we tackle common hurdles together using various AI platforms.
Participants will need a laptop or tablet. This session is designed for experimentation and interactive exploration.
Speakers
avatar for Sheena Kelly

Sheena Kelly

I have been a librarian for 15 years, primarily in K-12 library settings. I have presented on this specific topic seven times in a variety of conference settings since 2024., Thompson School District

Thursday September 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Dewey Decimator Breakout Room 6

4:00pm MDT

Connection by Design: Library Programming to Fight Loneliness and Strengthen Communities
Thursday September 10, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
This session explores the role public libraries play in addressing the growing public health concerns of loneliness and social isolation–and how cross-sector partnerships with local public health professionals can support this work.

We will discuss the Clearview Library District’s intentional approach to designing low-barrier adult programs that foster meaningful connection and community engagement, and offer practical ideas libraries can use to incorporate this into their own programming. The session will highlight lessons learned from a variety of small and large-scale programs, including a community event centered around a screening of the documentary Join or Die. This event incorporated a Join Fair designed to connect adults with local clubs, organizations, and other opportunities to strengthen their social networks.

Participants will leave with strategies for positioning their library as a convener–bringing people and organizations together to address the loneliness epidemic and strengthen their communities.
Speakers
RR

Rebecca Robbins

Rebecca Robbins (Adult Services Assistant) designs adult programs for the Clearview Library District aligned with the District’s mission and strategic goals., Clearview Library District

CH

Courtney Harris

Courtney Harris (Adult Services Supervising Librarian) designs adult programs for the Clearview Library District aligned with the District’s mission and strategic goals., Clearview Library District

CS

Cody Speece

Cody Speece is a Health Education Specialist focusing on Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment’s Acts of Connection initiative–a county-wide campaign combating loneliness and social isolation., Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment

Thursday September 10, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Dewey Decimator Breakout Room 6
 
Friday, September 11
 

8:45am MDT

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Leadership: Zen and the Art of Librarianship
Friday September 11, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am MDT
Join our panel as we discuss our approaches to leadership, resilience, and joy. The program examines how the panel navigates the pressures of management, decision-making, and organizational change. Through personal stories, practical examples, and thoughtful discussion, the session highlights strategies for cultivating calm, clarity, and resilience while leading teams and serving communities. Participants are encouraged to rethink leadership not as a source of stress but as an opportunity for growth, balance, and meaningful connection. By embracing curiosity, patience, and self-awareness, librarians can develop leadership practices that support both personal well-being and stronger, more collaborative library environments.
Speakers
avatar for Allaina Wallace

Allaina Wallace

Each presenter has several years of experience as a library director or equivalent. We represent several types of libraries, public, academic, federal, and special. We have each managed teams of various sizes through change – construction, restructuring, fiscal, etc., Denver Botanic Gardens, Helen Fowler Library

AP

Amy Phillips

Each presenter has several years of experience as a library director or equivalent. We represent several types of libraries, public, academic, federal, and special. We have each managed teams of various sizes through change – construction, restructuring, fiscal, etc., Loveland Public Library

avatar for Robyn Lupa

Robyn Lupa

Each presenter has several years of experience as a library director or equivalent. We represent several types of libraries, public, academic, federal, and special. We have each managed teams of various sizes through change – construction, restructuring, fiscal, etc., Jefferson County Public Library, Arvada Library

JM

Jack Maness

Each presenter has several years of experience as a library director or equivalent. We represent several types of libraries, public, academic, federal, and special. We have each managed teams of various sizes through change – construction, restructuring, fiscal, etc., Colorado School of Mines, Arthur Lakes Library

MM

Michele Masias

Each presenter has several years of experience as a library director or equivalent. We represent several types of libraries, public, academic, federal, and special. We have each managed teams of various sizes through change – construction, restructuring, fiscal, etc., Retired Law Librarian, CoALL Member-at-Large

Friday September 11, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am MDT
Dewey Decimator Breakout Room 6

10:00am MDT

AI Framework: Questions, Ethics, Cybersecurity
Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
As artificial intelligence (AI) tools become increasingly integrated in our workspace and our lives, library professionals must grapple with complex questions around use, ethics, legality, cybersecurity, and public trust. This session will include a brief overview of the AI landscape, and then we will then dive into discussion to wrestle with questions of ethics and application. By preparing librarians with education and skills-building, Americans will have the necessary expertise and awareness to direct our AI future.
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

Friday September 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Dewey Decimator Breakout Room 6

1:15pm MDT

Lightning Talks
Friday September 11, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm MDT
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
avatar for Deborah Hamilton

Deborah Hamilton

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

avatar for Josh Hem Lee

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

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

PB

Paul Betty

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

avatar for Kristen DeSanto

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

MW

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

MS

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

MK

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
 
CALCON 2026 Courageous Libraries Resilient Communities
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