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CALCON 2026 Courageous Libraries Resilient Communities
Venue: Paige Turner Breakout Room 4 clear filter
Wednesday, September 9
 

10:45am MDT

Storytelling for Libraries
Wednesday September 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
In September 2025, Library Research Service began planning a new blog series: Colorful Colorado Libraries: Stories from our Centennial State. The past year has been full of library visits, fascinating conversations, story-crafting, and many lessons learned. This session will cover the process of telling different stories from all types of libraries big and small across Colorado. It will draw from both Kate McDowell’s book Critical Data Storytelling for Libraries: Crafting Ethical Narratives for Advocacy and Impact and the hands-on experience gained from months of collecting data and transforming it into stories. Not only is sharing library stories inspiring, informative, and fun, but it can be a critical way for us to communicate our purpose and the positive impacts that library services have on patrons.
Speakers
SW

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

Wednesday September 9, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
Paige Turner Breakout Room 4

1:45pm MDT

How To Not Always Run the Show: Library Person-In-Charge Training
Wednesday September 9, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm MDT
Do you or other leaders at your library feel like you are always on call to handle every emergency or crisis? From handling staff callouts to plumbing emergencies to problem patrons, this presentation will help you recognize the importance of training future leaders in your library to have a full rotation of Library Persons-In-Charge (PICs). We will discuss main PIC expectations, PIC vs Supervisor responsibilities, the training process, and much more. By the end, you will have scalable training using adult learning principles and instructional design that will empower your staff and improve your organizational effectiveness. The PIC training template includes examples of a half-day in-person course, two weeks of shadowing, 50 hours of primary responsibility, and a meeting schedule for regular check-ins.
Speakers
avatar for Carrie Watson

Carrie Watson

Library Operations Manager, Englewood Public Library
Carrie Watson is the Library Operations Manager at Englewood Public Library in Englewood, Colorado. She specializes in keeping projects on track by keeping spirits high and helping folks stay organized. Her Master of Library Science (MLS) is from East Carolina University (go Pirates... Read More →
Wednesday September 9, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm MDT
Paige Turner Breakout Room 4

3:00pm MDT

Programming for Therians: Building Belonging Through Subcultures
Wednesday September 9, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
Teens often find belonging through subcultures that adults may not immediately understand. Whether Therians, fandom communities, fans of music or any number of identity and affinity based groups, librarians who don't understand them are missing a great opportunity to connect with and build communities with them. 


This session will introduce therianthropy and other current teen subcultures and explore why these identities resonate with teens. Participants will also gain practical tools and tips on how to figure out what subcultures you should be programming for as well as tips on how to run both large and small programs for these groups. We will also be looking at how to handle pushback from patrons and administration to ensure you're prepared for when you may encounter misunderstanding.


By looking at what we've been doing at Aurora Public Library, attendees will learn how to design welcoming spaces that affirm diverse identities while aligning with library values while helping every teen feel seen, safe, and at home in the library.
Speakers
avatar for Cody Robinson

Cody Robinson

Teen Services Librarian, Aurora Public Library
Cody (he/him) is the Teen Services Librarian at Central Library where he has been for 2.5 years. In addition to more traditional programming, he is passionate about making the library an inclusive and welcoming space for all the teens in Aurora regardless of their identity or bac... Read More →
Wednesday September 9, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
Paige Turner Breakout Room 4
 
Thursday, September 10
 

10:45am MDT

Bringing Community Together in a Town Divided
Thursday September 10, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
In a time when it’s easy to feel separate, these shared experiences remind us that community isn’t about sameness—it’s about connection. And when we create space for that connection, we begin to bridge the divide
This presentation highlights several successful programs that have strengthened community connections in our small town. From programs like our Golden Years Ice Cream Social for Seniors, Lotería for our Spanish- speaking community, and Shake Your Sillies Out for children and their caregivers. The library provides welcoming opportunities and programs for neighbors to connect and reduce social isolation.
One of the most meaningful examples of this is our Community Friendsgiving—an event that welcomes residents from all walks of life, across economic backgrounds, cultures, and generations, to sit at the same table.
Rural libraries are uniquely positioned to bring people together across generations, cultures, and life experiences. Through intentional programming, we create spaces where people can come together, share stories, and build understanding.
Speakers
PS

Paul Stanley

A combined 10+ years in programming experience., Garfield County Public Library District

avatar for Shylo Harlan

Shylo Harlan

A combined 10+ years in programming experience., Garfield County Public Library Districe

NW

Natasha Wolburg

A combined 10+ years in programming experience., Garfield County Public Library Districe

Thursday September 10, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
Paige Turner Breakout Room 4

2:00pm MDT

Library Safety in Uncertain Times
Thursday September 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
We believe safety is the foundation to building strong, collaborative, and equitable communities. Safety is important for all libraries-- not just big picture safety, such as emergency preparedness, but small, everyday safety issues like how your team responds to stress or how your patrons feel walking into your building. If people don’t feel safe, they will not access the library programs and services available to them. If your staff doesn’t feel safe, they won’t bring their best selves to the job. Safety is not just policy handbooks and training videos, it is an active and continuously renewing practice that needs to be taken seriously and consciously addressed. In this interactive session, we will utilize case studies from libraries we have worked with to highlight key safety pain points. With hands-on practice, we will teach strategies that directly address common library safety issues. In addition, we will provide a space for participants to talk about the safety issues that concern them and their communities. As trauma-informed, survivor-oriented facilitators, we will empower participants to reflect and analyze their individual and organizational safety needs.
Speakers
KH

Krista Hanley

Krista Hanley is a public speaker, writer, and has over twelve years of experience teaching violence prevention and personal safety to people of all ages and abilities. She is a Credentialed Empowerment Self-Defense Professional through the International Association of ESD Professionals and earned her empowerment self-defense instructor certification in 2017. Krista’s work is grounded in an inclusive, trauma-informed approach that prioritizes practical skills, confidence, and informed choice. Her professional training includes first aid and AED, Colorado Mandatory Reporter certification, Mental Health First Aid, Community Emergency Response (CERT), Adaptive Sport Abuse Prevention (accredited by SafeSport in Colorado Springs), Trauma-Informed Instructor certification, ALERRT (Active Shooter) Civilian Response trainer certification, and nonviolent communication. In addition to her teaching work, Krista is a public speaker and published writer. She holds a Master’s degree from Western Colorado University and bri, We Are Safer Together LLC

Thursday September 10, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Paige Turner Breakout Room 4

4:00pm MDT

True Crime Book Clubs: Making it Ethical without Censorship
Thursday September 10, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
This presentation examines how true crime book clubs can remain engaging while upholding ethical responsibility—without resorting to censorship. As true crime continues to dominate popular culture, librarians and facilitators face unique challenges in selecting materials that respect victims, survivors, and community boundaries. Drawing on real-world book club practices and well-known true crime titles, this session examines how to establish patron-defined content boundaries, evaluate authorship and sourcing, and distinguish ethical decision-making from censorship. Attendees will gain practical strategies for fostering thoughtful, inclusive discussions through intentional question design and critical reading practices. The presentation also highlights the real-world consequences of unethical true crime consumption and emphasizes the importance of empathy, consent, and accountability. Designed for peers and professionals, this session encourages a more reflective approach to true crime that centers humanity over sensationalism
Speakers
avatar for Stephanie Mead

Stephanie Mead

Librarian, High Plains Library District
I have always been into True Crime. I think what has also interested me the most was always questioning the "why" in human nature as well as the stories of the victims.  As times have changed and with the rise of social media and "The Next Best Selling True Crime Book" has taken... Read More →
Thursday September 10, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Paige Turner Breakout Room 4
 
CALCON 2026 Courageous Libraries Resilient Communities
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