The Collective 2025

Let's go back to the basics of observing, questioning, and reflecting to center our learning and personal development. In this workshop, participants will use microthemes, or mini-essays, to collect their thoughts and ideas and develop (or re-develop!) their voice-activities that can be used and modified for instruction or for one's own reflective library practice.

More than ever before, customers are interacting with the library outside our walls. Recognizing the need to meet people where they are, Pioneer Library System embedded library services across the community with innovative technology and engaging installations in parks, leading to stronger partnerships and record-breaking customer engagement. Learn how one library system is meeting community needs and connecting more people with library resources through these innovative outreach efforts.

Do you feel like something is missing when you try and cover source evaluation in one-shot library instruction sessions? This topic can feel high-stakes, and the nuance involved isn't easy to capture in 50 minutes. In this make/hack/play session, you will engage in a collaborative and fun process to outline a choose-your-own-adventure source evaluation game.

Haunting of the Barnard Mysteries 1 is the first version of a game that was designed to engage incoming first-generation and/or low-income students during their pre-orientation. The game can be played individually or in teams and revolves around the story of a spirit that is trapped at Barnard and must be freed.
Come release the spirit and discuss design and gameplay with me!

Approximate playtime: 30 - 45 minutes

For those interested, you can also view the various materials that were designed and created for Haunting of the Barnard Mysteries 2.

It’s no secret that library school doesn’t fully prepare you for the realities of the profession, and this roundtable discussion dives straight into the heart of it. As a librarian fresh out of grad school, I’ve navigated the stress of job searching, the whirlwind of a brand-new profession, and the challenge of finding my footing in the field.

Join me as I share my experiences from graduation to (almost) completing our first academic year. This roundtable is more than just my story—it’s an open conversation about the shared struggles and triumphs of early-career librarians, advice from seasoned professionals, and the questions or stories you bring to the table.

As part of the roundtable discussion I want to use music as a way to express our experiences with words I can't seem to find for myself. I ask for participants to think of a song that captures part of your first-year journey - highs, lows, and weird in-betweens.

Let’s spill the tea, break the mold, and build connections (while curating a 10/10 playlist) as we tackle the journey of being a new librarian together.