National Institute Education Programs

National Institute will include 42 Education Programs, in addition to seven Discussion Sessions (forthcoming). 

Looking for Teen Services Discussion Day programming? (forthcoming)

A Case for Dismantling Dewey to Bring Back the Magic in Elementary Non-Fiction
Presenters: Jessi Hudson

Today’s library landscape demands continuous evolution to creatively and efficiently meet the changing needs of readers. Yet, many non-fiction collections remain rooted in 19th-century systems. This session shares the journey of transforming an outdated, oversized elementary non-fiction collection into a dynamic, accessible resource organized using an innovative bucket system. By transitioning from the Dewey Decimal System to a customized, subject-based, student-friendly layout, non-fiction circulation and engagement were both brought back to life.

Attendees will explore circulation data, qualitative insights, and a step-by-step framework for implementing similar changes without disrupting daily library operations. The session will provide detailed sublocations and subject groupings, cataloging and analysis methods, and an outline of the physical organization plan. Strategies for maintaining flexibility—allowing collections to adapt to evolving curricular needs and address gaps in subject coverage—will also be discussed.

Reimagining non-fiction through a more intuitive system rekindles the joy of exploration and serendipitous discovery for young readers. Few moments compare to seeing students gathered around a bucket, enthusiastically sharing their latest finds. Join this session to learn practical steps for revitalizing your own elementary non-fiction collection and witness a renewed excitement for reading among students and teachers alike.

A Case Study of Censorship in a Louisiana Public Library
Presenters: Tanya DiMaggio

In June of 2022 the Censorship campaign came to St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. While this cultural phenomenon had been happening and continues all across the country, the St. Tammany Parish Library experience has been unique. There have been as many twists, turns, political intrigue, violence, triumphs, and heartbreak as any multi season drama series on Netflix. This case study outlines the events, how the library responded, and the greater political context. The goal of this presentation is to show the experience of one library system and community in order to gain a better understanding of the national censorship crisis in post Covid times. The presenter will also share what they’ve learned from the experience as part of the library’s leadership team. 

Art for Everyone, Including Masters of Library and Information Science
Presenters: Caitlin Bosworth, Tamara K. Palmer, Kyla Wong

Establishing and maintaining art programming at your library can feel overwhelming. Budgets can be tight, spaces limited, and audiences unpredictable. In spite of these challenges, you can present programs that serve the needs of your community. Learn how we created inspiring, enriching, intergenerational, hands-on art experiences that explore a diversity of techniques, styles, and media, along with a dash of global art history and culture. From toddlers to teens and beyond, active or passive, in person or online, incorporated into existing programming or something new, ongoing series or stand-alone, process or product focused, sensory and adaptive - the fluidity of art programming offers something for everyone. You will leave this session with resources, program examples, and grab-and-go projects, ready to get creative!

Before 1, 2, 3: early math precursors for babies and toddlers
Presenters: Dr. Kathleen Campana, Dr. Jacquie Kociubuk

Yes, you heard right - math, it’s for babies! Early math is one of the strongest predictors of later school achievement and research has demonstrated that we can start supporting children’s math development from day one. Babies and toddlers need repeated exposure to early math precursors (attribute, comparison, change, and patterns) in order to support their later mastery of early math competencies at the preschool level; making early math something that can you can do in your baby and toddler storytimes to better support your community’s school readiness efforts. In this session we will explore findings from a recent study on early math exposure at public library storytimes for babies and toddlers and help you identify a variety of ways you can easily incorporate different early math precursors into your library programs for very young children. We’ll also explore interactive, playful strategies to engage babies, toddlers, and their caregivers with these early math precursors while also fostering a growth mindset. You’ll walk away with tools for advocating for early math in infancy and better understand how early math precursors are approachable for everyone through interactive discussions and moments of self-reflection. 

Beyond Compliance: How Community Partnership Drives Meaningful Library Accessibility
Presenters: Tess Botkin, Kristin Williamson

This presentation shares the practical realities of building trust-based partnerships with disability communities, including the commitment to provide consistent services over months before gaining community trust, and how word-of-mouth eventually brings people from over two hours away because they feel genuinely welcomed. We'll examine micro-level implementations (ASL storytimes, sensory bags, adaptive art programs, adult changing tables) and macro-level system changes (staff training, accessibility walkthroughs, budget strategies).

Attendees will learn from both administrative and frontline perspectives as we share concrete data on program outcomes, discuss gracefully receiving critical feedback, and address implementing meaningful change within budget constraints. We'll provide practical tools including curated disability advocacy contacts and demonstrate our framework for ongoing community feedback—including how the disability community helps distribute library surveys, creating authentic accountability loops.

This community-initiated approach offers a replicable model for moving beyond ADA compliance to genuine inclusion, with honest discussion of failures, timeline realities, and the transformative potential of letting communities lead the way using a framework embraces the disability rights principle of “Nothing About Us, Without Us.”

Building Bridges: Culturally Responsive School and Public Library Practices for Young Black Male Readers
Presenters: Tiffeni Fontno, Patrick Oliver

This session explores how school and public librarians can create more welcoming, culturally responsive library environments that foster reading motivation and a sense of belonging for young Black males in grades K-12. Drawing from recent dissertation research featuring narrative interviews with seven  Black men recounting their library experiences, this program will examine the critical role that relationships, relevant collections, and inclusive programming play in engaging this historically underserved demographic.
 

Participants will learn practical strategies for implementing Radical Empathy approaches, conducting equity audits of library policies and collections, and building meaningful connections with young Black male patrons. The session will provide actionable frameworks including the Black Male Library Literacy Initiative model and Human-Centered Design Thinking approaches tailored specifically for library settings. Attendees will leave with concrete tools to assess and transform their library spaces into environments where young Black males can see themselves, feel valued, and develop lifelong reading habits.

Centering Joy, Justice, and Black Girlhood Through Romance
Presenters: Jessica Grider

This session spotlights a romance book club designed to center Black teen girls and other teens of color by celebrating love stories that reflect their lived experiences, dreams, and identities. Rooted in the belief that reading for pleasure is both a literacy strategy and a form of resistance, the romance book club uses contemporary YA romance novels to foster community and culturally responsive learning. More than a feel-good book club about love, the group is grounded in a justice-oriented framework. Romance becomes a tool for unpacking social issues like desirability politics, colorism, gender roles, and representation in media. Through guided conversations, teens interrogate which stories are centered in publishing, who gets to be seen as lovable, and how narrative power shapes self-worth and social perception. Whether you're a school librarian, public librarian, classroom teacher, or youth advocate, this session will offer a refreshing take on what it means to nurture readers, affirm identities, and make space for softness and storytelling for teenagers in libraries.

Children’s Librarian to Public Library Director
Presenters: Kristi Dougherty

Youth services prepares you for managerial roles with an existing skill set that can be cultivated for advancement. Learn which skills to polish, what professional development to look for and how that all can be spun into an employment narrative.

Collaborative Tools for Thinking about Children’s Play
Presenters: Dr. Jacquie Kociubuk, Lynn Montague, Dr. Peter Wardrip, Dr. Rebekah Willett

In the United States, the amount of time available to children for free play is on the decline,  especially for children living in poverty. Unsurprisingly, and in line with ALSC’s 2019 National Research Agenda, libraries have been investing in programs and spaces for children’s play. Youth Service librarians recognize the importance of play for promoting children’s language and literacy skills, brain development, creativity, resiliency, and physical health. However, advocating for and assessing play services can be a challenge. Further, there is little time to reflect on play offerings or to collaborate with others in the community who also provide play services. This workshop addresses some of these ideas by sharing a toolkit called ‘Mapping Children’s Play in Museums and Libraries’. The toolkit includes 1) observational tools for children's play, 2) a Diversity Audit Tool for play-based programs and spaces with a specific focus on fostering inclusion and belonging, and 3) professional development materials designed to engage practitioners in collaboratively reflecting on their play spaces and offerings. The toolkit supports professionals in articulating their own conceptualizations of play, observing play-based programs, assessing the design and use of play materials and spaces, and reflecting the extent to which the engagement in their play programs align with their intentions. Based on a three-year IMLS research project, the program will be presented by project investigators, Dr Peter Wardrip and Dr Rebekah Willett; project assistant, Dr Jacquie Kociubuk; and Lynn Montague, youth services librarian at Sun Prairie Public library in Wisconsin. 

Connecting Generations: A Library – Children's Museum Partnership to Foster Genealogy Learning for Children & Families
Presenters: Susan Buttaccio, Rhonda Hoffman, Will Kawalec

The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library’s Grosvenor Room (Special Collections Department) and Explore & More—The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum have partnered to create dynamic genealogy programs for children and families of diverse backgrounds. This collaboration bridges the gap between library resources and play-based learning, inviting participants to connect across generations, explore their heritage, learn about their local library, and engage in hands-on, family-centered fun.

Program attendees will learn how two community institutions combined expertise and creativity to make genealogy accessible, inclusive, and inspiring for all ages.

Attendees will explore how to leverage cross-institutional partnerships to combine library expertise and play-based learning; design culturally responsive, family-centered genealogy programs; make library special collections materials accessible to young learners; and use evaluation data to assess impact and refine programming. We will also share lessons learned, challenges, and transferable strategies so participants can adapt this model to their own communities.

Create a Critical Thinking Program Recipe
Presenters: Michelle Muller

In the age of AI and Smartphones, critical thinking skills can be missing in the daily diet of the brains of our children and teens.  Just like kids need to eat their vegetables to stay physically healthy, they need routine exposure to critical thinking skills like decision making, problem solving, analyzing, observing and more to stay sharp when dealing with the influx of digital media they experience every day. Learn to identify what these skills are and answer the question of why they are “critical”.   Discover and share the ingredients for the types of programs that get the most bang for your critical thinking buck.  This involves using programs designed with play and creativity at the forefront. Your library kids will think they are just eating programming “cake”, but those healthy critical “veggies” will be baked right in!

Escape (Room) Your Book Club
Presenters: Austin Ferraro

Escape rooms are in and traditional book clubs are out – so what happens if you turn your book club into an escape room? The ‘Escape Room Book Club’ has been a monthly success at Loudoun County Public Library in Virginia since January of 2021, originating as an online program before morphing into an in-person program in the public library and as well as an elective course in a local school. Designed to be easily replicable and portable, Escape Room Book Club kits have been further developed as a popular middle school outreach tool. This session will discuss what the Escape Room Book Club model looks like in action, including the different ways that this model has been used to engage harder to reach teens and tweens who generally struggle in a book club or classroom setting. A step-by-step breakdown on how to create and run an escape room based on a book will be provided, as will tips and tricks for running an Escape Room Book Club for classroom-sized groups as large as 35. Participants will receive digital access to example clues and prop designs from existing LCPL Escape Room Book Club kits.

Every Day, Every Shelf: Bringing Native Stories Into Year-Round Library Life
Presenters: Laurel Goodluck, Stacy Wells

Modern Indigenous stories belong in libraries every day, not just in November. Native authored books offer the same universal themes of  family, friendship, courage, and resilience we celebrate in story time regularly, and span every collection genre for all age categories—from mysteries and fantasy to contemporary, historical, humor and beyond. We’ll explore how to make these powerful stories a natural part of your year-round programming and collections.

This session will equip children's and family librarians with practical strategies to authentically weave Native books into story times, displays, and programming that engage and inspire all families. We'll share interactive activities, book selection tips that prioritize authentic Native voices, and programming ideas that create joyful, meaningful experiences for every child and family in your community.

Participants will leave with curated book lists and collection development resources, ready-to-use programs, display ideas, and guidance on respectful implementation.

Native families live everywhere—in urban centers, suburbs, and rural towns, not just reservations—yet we're often overlooked in library collections and programming. These stories matter deeply. Native children deserve to have their identities reflected on library shelves, and all children benefit from the cultural richness and diverse perspectives Indigenous voices bring.

Examining Early Literacy Spaces: Are We on the Right Track? 
Presenters: Kim Bolan, Erin M. Jennings

Life happens in all of the spaces we create. Early literacy spaces are the foundation of a strong library, strong community, and strong economy.  We have the ability to shape the future direction of our world; are we on the right track? Join us as we dive into the social and cultural impacts of illiteracy, understand the themes post-pandemic, create action steps to move forward, and integrate simple steps to create lasting, positive impact on our future generations. 

Exploring and Using Children's and YA Literature about Book Bans to Advocate for the Right to Read and More
Presenters: Ramona Caponegro, Jaime Campbell Naidoo

In recent years, librarians, educators, book creators, politicians, and other adults have increasingly discussed issues of intellectual freedom and young people’s right to read. Following on the heels of these discussions, more books have been published for children and teens about intellectual freedom, often with a focus on book challenges and bans. Books addressing this topic have expanded not only in quantity but also in range, with titles about the right to read aimed at early elementary through high school students. Through fictional and nonfictional accounts, these stories introduce young people advocating for intellectual freedom through a variety of techniques, including starting underground collections, writing editorials and social media posts, and speaking at school/library board meetings. Through these examples of advocacy, the books also explore the reasons for many book challenges and bans, including their subject matter and creators’ and characters’ marginalized identities, as well as examples of actual books that have been censored. Our presentation highlights trends among the youth books about book banning, such as the intended audiences for the books, the intersectional identities of the young advocates, the ways in which they engage in advocacy work, and the support they receive from adults. We will also booktalk some newer materials and describe resources for further exploring these topics in youth libraries.

Exploring Mirrors of Latiné Representation in Pura Belpré Award-Winning Books, 2009-2023
Feel-Good Family Learning
Presenters: Nicole Gillihan, Dr. Jamie Naidoo

2026 marks the 30-year anniversary of the Pura Belpré award for Latiné children’s literature. Since the creation of the award, hundreds of books have been honored that celebrate and affirm the Latiné cultural experience. But how diverse is this representation of the Latiné experience? Do these titles offer opportunities to empower all individuals in the Latiné community? This session answers these questions as it shares results of a study that examined representation in Belpré award titles from 2009-2023 and offers suggestions for richer representation for librarians at school and public libraries. 

Feel-Good Family Learning
Presenters: Mandy O'Brien

As hubs of lifelong learning, libraries are the near perfect place to ignite curiosity, creativity, and connection. Family programming offers fun opportunities to model this while empowering kids and their grownups to learn and grow together...and with their community. Intergenerational games and activities also provide rich tools for traditional, developmental, and social-emotional learning. In this interactive session, we'll explore classic and new games, how to create one from scratch, and how to adapt existing games for a larger group of adults and kids, from toddlers to teens, and everyone in between. We'll also examine strategies (and pitfalls) for leading group games and get a chance to play! Participants will consider how their personality, learning style, and intentionality can influence the authenticity and outcomes of their "personal instruction manual" and unique approach to programming. Ultimately, learning can be fun and games!

Finding and Serving Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness
Presenters: Dr. Vikki C. Terrile

Rates of homelessness for families with children are increasing more than for any other population in the United States. Housing instability and homelessness is known to have serious, long-term impacts on children’s physical, emotional, and educational well-being, including disruptions to their learning and school attendance. Libraries can be an important resource for families at-risk of or experiencing homelessness but barriers to library use often prevent families from accessing these resources. At the same time, families often hide their housing status out of embarrassment or fear they will be targeted by child welfare agencies. 

Federal education law requires every school district to have a homeless education liaison who can be a powerful partner for libraries. These McKinney-Vento liaisons will have insights into what family homelessness looks like in your community and will be a vital link to connect to families through their programming and in collaboration with the other agencies they work with.
This presentation will show you how to find and connect with your local McKinney-Vento liaison, as well as how to access state- and district-level data on student homelessness in your community. We will also examine the impact of homelessness on student learning, especially literacy, and explore outreach and other programming that can support the needs and interests of children and parents in homeless situations.

Fostering a Culture of Connecting Through a County-wide Initiative: Disconnect 2 Reconnect
Presenters: Patricia Brigham, Janet Donat, Terry Kirchner

In 2025, several Westchester County (NY) non-profit organizations and the County government joined forces to launch a “Disconnect to Reconnect / D2R” initiative to help families disconnect from their digital screens and reconnect with each other and society through play and other “engaged” activities. Monthly newsletters, public screening of the documentary; Playing for Keeps: The Upside of Downtime, followed by panel discussions and a County-wide conference, expanded and strengthened this effort. Learn from our experiences at Westchester Library System (WLS) to explore how you can foster an environment of Play. Learn. Connect. in your community.

From Fellowship to Framework Growing News Literacy Together
Presenters: Miranda Stefano

During the 2025-2026 school year the Rochester City School District began an initiative to enhance news literacy education in the classroom. A cohort of librarians and educators conducted a year-long needs analysis to identify how best to support teachers  and help students think more critically about the news they consume. In this session we will share insights from our participation in the News Literacy Project district fellowship– how we formed an advisory group, recruited strategic partners, collected data and developed our plans for the first implementation year.

This session is designed to be a conversation, not just a presentation. We hope to not only share our experiences, but hear from you, other experts in the field. What resonates with you? What strategies could you adapt for your own schools or libraries? Where do you see opportunities for growth? What experiences can you share that we can all learn from? Together, we’ll explore how school libraries can lead the way in equipping young people with the critical news literacy skills our democracy depends on.

Guided by Values: How School Librarians Navigate Collection Development in a Time of Censorship
Presenters: Melissa Iamonico

In an era of heightened censorship and book challenges, school librarians are increasingly called to make principled collection development decisions that balance intellectual freedom, professional ethics, and community expectations. This session presents findings from a recent doctoral dissertation exploring how school librarians apply ALA's Core Values and Code of Ethics to guide their work in these complex circumstances. Through qualitative interviews and circulation data, the research illuminates how values such as access and diversity shape librarians' responses to censorship pressures. 

Information Literacy through Children's Literature
Presenters: Brooke Gross

This program will introduce methods, strategies, and artifacts for teaching information literacy through the lens of children's literature. In the last ten years, critical thinking skills have become increasingly important, and the age at which mis/disinformation exposure begins moves up with every technological innovation. Therefore, librarians and educators who work with children have a greater responsibility to impart information literacy skills alongside other early learning competencies. The speaker, an academic librarian with experience in emerging and interconnected literacies instruction, will present early drafts of an open access book designed to explain core information literacy concepts using fairytales and other children's stories. This project is funded by an OER grant through Western Kentucky University Libraries and will take inspiration partly from children's library programming. The speaker will share ways in which information literacy materials can be incorporated in libraries for children of all ages to instill both a love of reading and a love for investigation, based on conversations and collaboration with workers in the children's department of a local public library branch. Participants will walk away with sample materials, passive and active program ideas, and tangible strategies for tackling critical thinking in a children's library setting.

Innovative Play Programs for Babies & Toddlers to Boost Language, Early Learning, and Parent Engagement
Presenters: Angele DeNeve, Emma Gordon, Rachel G. Payne, Jessica Ralli, Kelly Smith

Research shows that children 0-3 years need playful activities with a responsive caregiver to develop language, executive function, foundational STEM knowledge, and more. At this session, discover Big Playdates, a model program offered in libraries across the US and Canada where parents and caregivers learn simple, language-boosting play activities they can do with everyday materials, from delivery boxes to salad spinners, scalable to a variety of library settings and beyond. Staff from NYC’s three library systems will present their own take on this innovative and flexible program model. Brooklyn Public Library staff will present an overview of how Playdates were developed in Brooklyn and provide the nuts and bolts for program implementation. 

New York Public Library colleagues will explore how transitioning from larger playdates to localized pop-ups enabled more play programs across branches and helped them develop their DIY play recipe database. Queens Public Library colleagues will share how they adapted the program model to focus on various themes and highlight larger system-wide library initiatives. Emma Gordon from Science Baby, an-NYC-based STEM early learning program, will present the age-appropriate STEM activities she brings to BPL’s annual Big Brooklyn Playdate. Participants will also learn what the research says about the benefits of play for children 0-3 years and how to develop their own scalable “Play Recipes” to encourage play in your libraries.

Just in Time for Halloween Hum-rorous Graphic Novels for Children and Tweens
Presenters: Scot Smith

Just in time for Halloween!!  Join Comics enthusiast Scot Smith, a renown scaredy cat when it comes to horror, as he discusses the genre of hum-ror, that mixture of dark fantasy and humor, in recently published graphic novels for children and tweens. Middle grade readers frequently enjoy scary graphic novels with ample comic relief sprinkled throughout the story. This presentation will cover why humorous and scary stories are ideal choices for many elementary and younger middle school readers as well as present important information about literacy and the importance of graphic novel collections in libraries.  Smith will recommend dozens of hum-rorous graphic novels for school library collections.

Leading from the Middle: Building Consensus Through Influence, Not Authority
Presenters: Emily Williams, Kristin Williamson

The hidden superpower of middle management isn't authority—it's influence. While directors navigate budgets and board relations, and frontline staff connect with patrons, middle managers are the vital connective tissue that transforms vision into reality, bridging reference desks and technical services, youth programming and collections, circulation and community outreach.

This session reveals how to harness your unique position at the heart of library operations to advocate for children’s and teen services. Discover how to become the connector your organization can't live without by mastering the invisible networks that drive real decision-making. You'll learn the art of building coalitions between departments, strategies for turning colleagues into champions, transforming meetings from time-wasters into collaboration catalysts, and designing systems that make your teams thrive.

Whether you're managing a library branch, overseeing collections, or coordinating services, you'll leave with immediately applicable strategies to become the leader who makes everything work better together. This isn't about managing up or down; it's about leading out, across, and through the relationships that matter most.

Ready to transform your youth services influence from invisible to unstoppable? Join us for practical tools, immediate insights, and the confidence to lead change from wherever you sit in the org chart.

Libraries Disrupting the School to Prison Pipeline
Presenters: Carrie Banks

After years of declining, the number of children, some as young as 10 years old, and teens incarcerated in the United states started climbing in 2022. These youth are disproportionately BIPOC, disabled, LGBTQ+, and male. Largely invisible and isolated before, during, and after their incarceration, they are easy to overlook. Find out how you can reach youth impacted by incarceration. Learn about programs like televising and informational programs that can help them avoid being detained.  Get tips on offering library programs and services to incarcerated youth.  Be inspired by what libraries across the country are doing to support youth reentering their lives after incarceration.

Literacy @ your Library
Presenters: Beth Bevars, Valerie Byrd Fort, Marion Waldman

Most library school programs prepare youth services and school librarians to engage and excite readers about books, but not always to understand the science of how children learn to read or the specific needs of those with reading and learning disabilities. This session bridges that gap, inviting librarians to consider what they do not know about literacy instruction, decoding, and reading disabilities. Participants will gain a clear understanding of what decodable books are, how they differ from leveled readers, and why they matter for readers with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities. Through examples, discussion, and exploration, attendees will learn practical ways to create “Literacy Hubs” within their libraries. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of inclusive literacy support, ready-to-implement programming ideas, cataloging tips for decodables and resources like the Library of Congress’s Talking Books and Reading Disabilities services to share with their communities.

Making the Case for Nonfiction: Inspiring Readers and Celebrating Informational Books
Presenters: Elisa Gall, Cathy Potter, Stacy Rattner

In coordination with the celebration of the Sibert Award’s 25th anniversary, this session will focus on how nonfiction books invite curiosity, inspire inquiry, and support literacy and pleasure reading. Attendees will learn how to evaluate nonfiction, develop strong collections, promote nonfiction in their libraries, and connect readers with quality nonfiction texts. The program will also highlight how to organize and facilitate a Sibert Smackdown or Mock Sibert program. Participants will leave with ideas and tools to elevate nonfiction in school and public libraries. 

Mastering the Dungeon: How to Incorporate RPGs into your Youth and Teen Services Programming
Presenters: Elizabeth Sanderson

Since the 2016 premiere of the Netflix series Stranger Things, the interest in Dungeons and Dragons has been at a 30 year high. Role Playing Games (RPGs) like DND are a natural fit for library programming. They support literacy goals through innovative, collaborative storytelling and world building. RPGs encourage reluctant readers to use their creative imagination, and critical thinking skills to solve problems. They also provide a space for older kids and teens to interact in a low stakes environment, and develop empathy for diverse perspectives as they step into the shoes of a character different from themselves.

If you’ve wanted to host a Dungeons and Dragons (DND) campaign at your library but feel intimidated by the role of Dungeon Master (DM), fear not! In this workshop, you’ll learn the basic tools needed to create a campaign, strategies for your role as DM, receive tips for marketing your program, and get a taste of Game Zero, where players build their characters.

Nonfiction Matters: How to Find Excellence, Engagement, and Depth in Pathbreaking Nonfiction
Presenters: Marc Aronson, Deborah Heiligman, Deborah Taylor 

Young people live in the age of the digital flood, a tsunami of mis/dis/partial/compelling information. What can nonfiction books offer as guideposts, life rafts, islands of safety in the storm? Our panel of award-winning creators and a Sibert chair offer librarians some answers.

• Engagement: What makes an author’s work compelling, an artist’s images both clear and exciting, a design inviting? We share examples of exceptional writing, illustration, and design in nonfiction.
• Evaluation: How can a librarian who is not an expert in a subject area judge a nonfiction book on that topic? We show how well-crafted backmatter provides a roadmap for all readers. Each book becomes a model of the journey of searching for insight and understanding, rather than a claim of perfect knowledge.
• Depth: We feature nonfiction books that go beyond headlines to capture people and subjects in three dimensions and train readers to look past easy judgments to the complexity of human lives and events.
• Accessibility: Nonfiction offers a variety of  hand-holds for readers not confident in reading. From the table of contents to short chapters, images with captions, maps and timelines, readers can find their own entry points, and needed breaks.

• Curiosity: The best nonfiction is a product of the author’s curiosity crafted to inspire the same in the reader. This invitation to know draws readers in and then sends them out to learn more. 

  Our panel offers librarians insight into engagement, evaluation, depth, accessibility, and curiosity through nonfiction. 

Pages to Purpose: Using the Power of Story to Inspire Action
Presenters: Jen Donnalley, Susan Polos

Pages to Purpose is a reading and service initiative that challenges students to transform their reading experiences into catalysts for action. Instead of leaving stories on the page, students connect what they read to real-world issues such as food insecurity, neurodiversity, or the environment, and then join together in hands-on service projects that make a tangible difference in their communities. By weaving together literacy, empathy, leadership, and engagement, Pages to Purpose cultivates the next generation of leaders, empowering young people to recognize that their voices and actions matter. The program builds community, fosters authentic partnerships, and provides a replicable model for libraries and schools seeking to transform reading into shared civic purpose. Attendees will leave this session with a ready-to-use toolkit to launch the program immediately in their own setting.

With the surge of interest in project-based learning (PBL), educators and librarians are seeking authentic ways to connect academic content to real-world impact. Pages to Purpose responds to this demand by transforming reading into a springboard for civic action.  A commitment to healthy successful futures is clear through student-centered programming that includes diverse genres and voices providing multiple perspectives and engaging the community in a shared commitment to problem-solving. This offers opportunities for building and bolstering strong relationships that are part of the ecosystem of children, literacy, and libraries, an ALSC Strategic Initiative.

PBS Stations & Libraries are the Dream Team! 
Presenters: Beth Fronckowiak, Cara Rager, Jackie Stapleton

Across New York State, libraries and PBS stations are teaming up to spark curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning among children and families. This session celebrates how these trusted community partners are working together to support joyful, educational experiences that extend beyond books and screens. 

Designed especially for children’s librarians, this session highlights intentional collaborations at the state, regional, and local levels that connect PBS’s beloved characters and high-quality educational media with libraries. Together, libraries and PBS stations are creating and implementing turnkey PBS KIDS engagement programming, such as family literacy events, STEM and media literacy workshops, and special celebrations that make learning fun for everyone. 

The session will share practical examples, program ideas, and partnership strategies that have helped engage families in meaningful, play-based learning. Participants will discover how PBS resources—such as PBS KIDS digital tools, family engagement models, and local station expertise—can complement library programs and strengthen community relationships. 

Whether you’re looking to start a new partnership or deepen an existing one, you’ll leave inspired by the ways PBS stations and libraries are working side by side to reach more children, nurture family engagement, and promote lifelong learning. Come learn why, when it comes to inspiring young minds and supporting families, PBS stations and libraries truly are the dream team!

The Powerful Impact of Play: How Play Can Engage Your Community and Strengthen Early Literacy Skills
Presenter: Nichole King, Raina Tuakoi

Santa Clara County Library District embarked on a multi-year initiative to reimagine children’s spaces by centering play and engaging staff. A two-year design process spanning seven locations integrated staff input, local community influences, and research in child development and early literacy to create inclusive play spaces that support children of all abilities and their caregivers. To ensure successful implementation, the district developed a staff training playbook designed to encourage reflection on play styles, build confidence, and provide practical strategies for facilitating play-based early literacy experiences. This session highlights the value of play-based library spaces, staff engagement, and how it contributes positively to early literacy growth for children and their families.

Pride Everywhere: Rainbow Family Storytime Success Across Two Systems
Presenters: Sam Bashakevitz, Rebecca Chernay, Alec Chunn, Natalie Magnatta

At the 2024 ALSC National Institute, staff from Multnomah County Library shared their successful model for Rainbow Storytime. This year, Denver Public Library joins them to share how that model can be adapted to any community to offer thriving LGBTQIA+ programming for kids and families. 

Come learn how we proposed, planned, presented and expanded identity-supporting storytimes explicitly designed for queer kids and families - in two different states! 

Rainbow Family Storytime provides joyful, community-building early-learning experiences for parents, caregivers, and children ages 0-6 who fall under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella. Takeaways include best practices and resources to create your own Rainbow Family Storytimes or other queer-inclusive programming.

Strengthening Early Literacy with Tubs, Toys and Training
Presenters: Jeannine Birkenfeld, Jennifer Wardlaw

Looking for ways your library could improve its resources for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers? Want to be a part of improving literacy in your community? Start with the babies! Adding toys and tubs to your library system requires money and time, but it's a worthwhile investment in your youngest patron population. The Springfield-Greene County Library District has built a unique collection of approximately 750 circulating and non-circulating toys to support early learning and literacy at home and in its 10 branches. In addition to toys, the Youth Services team has curated a collection of 34 thematic storytime tubs to support staff in providing relevant, dynamic storytimes that support early literacy and learning. An interactive training session provides staff with valuable knowledge about early childhood development and insider tips from seasoned providers to help them master the art of successful storytimes. Learn how SGCL staff have leveraged tubs, toys, and training to strengthen their collection, programming, and resources for young children, families, and staff. 

The Role of Therapy Dogs in Public Libraries and Their Supportive Role in Literacy Initiatives
Presenters: Sarah McLean-Plunkett

Many libraries across the United States and Canada have implemented programs where certified therapy dogs visit libraries to listen to children read. The idea of incorporating therapy dogs into public library reading initiatives stems from research showing how animal companionship positively impacts mental health, emotional well-being, and learning outcomes in children.

These programs may trace their roots to the R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) program, founded in 1999 by New York Therapy Animals in partnership with Intermountain Therapy Animals, the New York City Department of Education, and local libraries. Since then, libraries nationwide have adopted similar models to encourage reluctant or struggling readers and to create safe, welcoming literacy environments.

Research supports these efforts. A 2010 study from the University of California, Davis confirmed that children who read to dogs increased their reading fluency by 12% over a 10-week period, while peers who did not read to dogs showed no improvement. Therapy dog programs attract diverse participants—reluctant readers, children with anxiety, special needs, or learning differences—and foster an inclusive, nonjudgmental space for literacy growth.

This panel presentation will highlight how public libraries in Western New York have implemented therapy dog reading programs and will showcase program outcomes, best practices, and strategies for establishing similar initiatives in other communities.

Trading Spaces: How to Build a Tween Space in a Children's Room
Presenters: Olivia McElwain

In 2022, we saw an influx of tweens refusing to use the Teen Room in our library. In May of 2024, our Tween Space was built inside of our Children's Room. What happened in those two years? How much did it cost? How is it used now? What does our tween programming look like? Find out at this info session!

Scalable STEAM Programs for Any Budget and Bandwidth
Presenters: Abby Miller

Are your STEAM programs feeling a little stale—or too overwhelming to even begin? Whether you're short on time, staff, or funds, this session offers practical, scalable solutions for revitalizing your library’s STEAM programming. This workshop will walk participants through a variety of hands-on, kid-tested STEAM projects that range from quick, low-cost setups to more elaborate (but still accessible!) activities. Topics include engineering challenges with easily available materials, decoding secret messages through cryptography, exploring states of matter with slime and oobleck, investigating flight dynamics with helicopters and rockets, using binary code to create jewelry, and more. Each project is rooted in core scientific concepts, with adaptable formats to suit different age groups, timeframes, and budgets. Participants will leave with tangible program topics and plans that they can easily adapt and implement, as well as a make and take activity kit. 

Supporting Neurodiverse Youth ages 0-12
Presenters: Erin Richards, Lauren Williams

This session will provide practical, actionable strategies for library professionals to better support neurodiverse children ages 0–12. Attendees will learn about key resources and best practices for creating sensory-friendly library environments, including the use of quiet zones, sensory kits, and other accessible design elements. Participants will also explore ideas for inclusive, sensory-friendly programming tailored to this age group. The session will conclude with interactive breakout discussions, offering space to share experiences, ask questions, and build a supportive network for continuing this important work. By the end, participants will leave with a toolkit of ideas and strategies they can immediately implement to create more inclusive, welcoming spaces for neurodiverse youth and their families.

That Book Should Win an Award
Presenters: Adrienne L Pettinelli

Every year brings a cornucopia of distinguished children’s books beyond what wins the Newbery and Caldecott Medals, and there are a number of awards that recognize different types of excellence. In this session, you’ll learn about some of those awards from book award committee veteran and reviewer Adrienne Pettinelli. Then you’ll do hands-on activities to examine some 2026 award contenders and predict which award they’re most likely to win. You’ll leave this lively session ready to be part of the awards conversation and maybe even ready to volunteer to serve on a book award committee yourself!

Using Photos, Videos, and Webcams to Enrich Informational Literacy
Presenters: Melissa Stewart

Children often say, “I like books with photos because then I know it’s real,” but most informational picture books feature illustrated artwork. In this fast-paced, interactive session, award-winning nonfiction author Melissa Stewart (1) demonstrates how to enrich read alouds and storytimes by sharing photos and (2) describes ways photos, videos, and webcams can engage young researchers and energize young writers, inspiring them to craft more interesting and precise informational writing.

Writing, Illustrating, and Publishing Kidlit 101: How Books Go From Our Brains to Your Shelves
Presenters: Heather Lee, Sarah Mead, Deena Viviani

Have you ever wanted to write or illustrate your own children's book? Or do you wonder how books go from ideas, to paper, to a literary agent or editor, to a printer, and then to your school or library? Come to this crash course in children's writing and illustrating for publication, brought to you by members of Rochester Area Children's Writers & Illustrators (RACWI)!

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All participants understand that individual presentations are the presenters' original work and do not necessarily represent the views of ALSC or ALA. To the best of the presenters' knowledge, ALSC conference presentations are factually accurate at the time of presentation and contain no obscene, libelous, or defamatory content. It is the presenters' responsibility to ensure use of copyrighted material is consistent with U.S. law. 

ALSC takes no part in developing, creating, or organizing individual presentations and disclaims any responsibility for their contents, or for procuring third-party permissions necessary to offer them to this audience.