| Breakout Name | Start | End | Track | Session Description | Speakers |
| Academics need fun, too: fostering fun and instilling library joy in a large academic library setting | 5/15/2025 3:30pm | 5/15/2025 4:30pm | Academic | Through the development of a menu of passive and active engagement initiatives, a team of STEM library staff and faculty at a large R1 university have worked to encourage students to visit their library and utilize its spaces and resources beyond traditional academic need. By implementing fun and interactive activities and events, they aim to create a library space built for both work and fun by attending to the holistic needs of their student population. This presentation will describe the various initiatives and show impact through data and student testimonials. | Robin Fowler Marston Science Library, University of Florida rfowler73@ufl.edu CJ Ellward Marston Science Library, University of Florida c.gott@ufl.edu |
| 50 Shades of Grey Literature: Searching On Beyond Peer Reviewed Sources | 5/15/2025 9:00am | 5/15/2025 10:00am | Academic/Reference Services | Get ready to learn about going on beyond Peer Reviewed Literature and exploring Grey Literature sources for your research. Most of us end our literature searches with peer reviewed sources, but there is a world of other research sources available - everything from company papers to diaries, legal commentaries, company reports, newsletters and even (gasp!) Wikipedia! Learn about the 50 (or so) shades of grey sources, where to find them and ways to evaluate them. Come find out why "we don't have to show you any stinking peer reviews!" | Jerrel Horn Library, Florida Atlantic University jhorn5@fau.edu |
| Empowering Communities Through Public Technology Trainers at the Library | 5/14/2025 3:00pm | 5/14/2024 4:00pm | Adult Services | Public Technology Trainers play a pivotal role in modern libraries by bridging the digital divide and fostering digital literacy. They design and deliver technology workshops, offer one-on-one coaching, and curate relevant digital resources. By staying updated with the latest trends and collaborating with library staff and community partners, these trainers ensure all community members have equal access to digital tools and knowledge. This session explores their responsibilities and the impact they have in empowering individuals to navigate the digital world confidently. | Brianna Tabil Boynton Beach City Library tabilb@bbfl.us |
| Sowing a Sustainable Seed Library | 5/15/2025 3:30pm | 5/15/2025 4:30pm | Adult Services | "Sowing a Sustainable Seed Library" digs into a successful model for building a thriving seed library, from sourcing and cataloging seeds to engaging the community through programming. Participants will gain practical tips on forming partnerships, managing logistics, and evaluating effectiveness, all while aligning with the broader mission of sustainability, food security, and community engagement. Perfect for those starting a seed library or enhancing an existing program, this session offers actionable strategies for success. | Kaycee Shiley LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library shileyk@leoncountyfl.gov Sally Mason LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library masonsa@leoncountyfl.gov Amy Tipler LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library tipleram@leoncountyfl.gov Pamela Monroe LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library monroep@leoncountyfl.gov |
| Singing in the Stacks: Sheet Music in Public Libraries | 5/15/2025 9:00am | 5/15/2025 10:00am | Collection Development | Public libraries often don't have the resources to maintain sheet music collections, but that doesn't stop patrons from wanting to learn to play music! What's a reference librarian to do? Join us to learn about various methods of getting sheet music for your public library patrons, whether it's physical scores shared via Interlibrary Loan or digital ones pulled from online repositories, and get ready to make your library just a little more musical! | Anne Myers North Miami Beach Public Library anne.myers@citynmb.com |
| Libraries Are for Everyone: Building and Maintaining an Inclusive Collection | 5/14/2025 1:30pm | 5/14/2025 2:30pm | Collection/DEIA | Creating and maintaining a collection that is diverse, inclusive, and appealing to a wide audience requires conscious effort, planning, and a willingness to be flexible at every stage of collection development. What kinds of policies best support a diverse and inclusive collection? What are the best ways to find and choose the best materials for a diverse and inclusive collection? How can cataloging support diversity and make inclusive materials easier to find? How should weeding procedures be adjusted to accommodate the diverse and inclusive portions of your collection? This panel hopes to provide practical and actionable suggestions for every stage of the collection development process that will help your library provide access to a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive collection that will appeal to your entire community. | Melanie Norberto Palm Beach County Library System norbertom@pbclibrary.org |
| Challenging the Challengers: Opposing Book Bans in an Era of Censorship | 5/14/2025 3:00pm | 5/14/2025 4:00pm | Collection/Intellectual Freedom | Librarians in Florida and throughout the United States continue to experience book challenges and censorship attempts from many aspects of our society. Countering those challenges requires multiple advocacy, collaboration and policy development skills. ALA's Policy Corp members supporting Unite Against Book Bans will share their experience along with resources, methods and techniques to challenge the censors and assist librarians as they defend the right to read in an ever-evolving political and social climate. | Kent Oliver ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office kentoliver@msn.com |
| Let's Put the FUN in Library Fundraising! | 5/15/2025 3:30pm | 5/15/2025 4:30pm | Fundraising/Marketing & Outreach | This lively and engaging session will empower all attendees to 1) learn more about library fundraising; 2) identify top funding needs/priorities within their library(ies); 3) identify and engage potential library donors; 4) increase library philanthropic support via targeted marketing, communications, outreach, events, etc.; 5) increase their knowledge regarding planned giving/estate planning and how planned gifts can make tremendous financial impacts on libraries. | Dwain Posey Teague North Carolina State University dwainteague@gmail.com |
| Fun in the Sun: Grant Writing 101 | 5/15/2025 10:30am | 5/15/2025 11:30am | Grant Writing | Do you need to secure new sources of revenue to fund your library services but are intimidated by the process? Is your library or department interested in taking on a special project? Is the thought of writing a grant less attractive than exploring the habits of an arctic mussel? If so, this presentation is for You! Writing grant applications really can be fun, like putting together a puzzle. Participants will learn the basics of grant writing, how to structure responses, how to organize multiple projects and proposals, and the art of matching projects with potential grant funding opportunities. Participants will also be guided through the process of writing a sample grant funding opportunity. | Liz Kluesner Jacksonville Public Library ekluesner@coj.net |
| 90 min - Freedom to Think, Freedom to Read: A Joyful Exploration of Intellectual Freedom | 5/16/2025 9:30am | 5/16/2025 11:00am | Intellectual Freedom Committee | This presentation will provide foundational knowledge as to why Intellectual Freedom is critical to librarianship and a cornerstone of the Library Profession. It will focus on providing knowledge that will allow library professionals to become confident and competent defenders of Intellectual Freedom. As a primer, the subtopics of Censorship, Challenged Materials, Academic Freedom, and Collection Development will be covered. This program will answer the question, Why is intellectual freedom important to the profession and a free society? | Michael Sullivan michaels@coj.net |
| Forbidden Pages: The Evolution of Censorship and Stigma in Romance and Erotica Literature | 5/15/2025 10:30am | 5/15/2025 11:30am | Intellectual Freedom/Collection Development | Romance and erotica are two genres that have long appeared on the banned book lists. The readers of said genres are characterized by their "poor" reading choices and disposition to "pornographic" reading materials. In this session, we explore the censorship of romance and erotica books in libraries and how readers have adapted to counter stigmatization. It discusses the genre's popularity, physical manifestations, and the influence of corporations and booksellers. The discussion also examines the impact of digital platforms on literature accessibility and how authors and readers navigate these challenges. The session aims to understand the complexities of censorship in this genre and its impact on reading experiences. | Elida Velado Salazar Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University elidavelado@gmail.com |
| Celebrate to Motivate: The Secret Magic of Recognizing Excellence | 5/15/2025 9:00am | 5/15/2025 10:00am | Leadership | Let's talk about a subject that we all know and love. It is hard to overstate the importance of doing recognition well. Every human needs recognition of their value, their self-worth, to their team or organization. Clearly it benefits no one to neglect this basic need. So why do recognition programs so often miss their mark, fall flat, or worse, have unintended consequences? In this fun and interactive workshop participants will gain the information that they need to build a clearer picture of how to master the basics of giving recognition | James Songster James Songster Emerging Leader Training James@BetterLeadershipSkills.com Sue Schank James Songster Emerging Leader Training saschank@gmail.com |
| Project Management Essentials for Library Success | 5/15/2025 3:30pm | 5/15/2025 4:30pm | Leadership | Projects are a fundamental aspect of daily operations in libraries, and a touch of organization can significantly enhance their success. In this session, I'll share practical tips and strategies for setting up and executing projects effectively. Attendees will gain insights into essential project management concepts, including how to initiate, monitor, and complete projects successfully. | Lynette Anne Schimpf Orange County Library System schimpf.lynette@ocls.info |
| The Joys of Being In Charge: Tailor-Made Training for Supervisory Staff | 5/16/2025 8:00am | 5/16/2025 9:00am | Leadership | Some library staff seek out supervisory opportunities, and some staff have supervisory duties bestowed upon them! When the boss is away, how prepared, comfortable, and empowered are staff at your library to step up and take charge? On the flipside, are there seasoned supervisors in your organization who may have learned to supervise under "trial by fire" and need clarity on expectations, or even some myth-busting of outdated organizational knowledge? Join us to learn how one public library system developed a clear, comprehensive, and (dare we say it?) fun half-day training for frontline supervisory staff at all levels. Help remove the hesitation and put the joy into being in-charge! | Tricia Smith St. Petersburg Library System patricial.smith@stpete.org Megan Danak St. Petersburg Library System megan.danak@stpete.org |
| The Fundamentals to Reintroducing Fun at Work: A Collaborative Team Approach to Addressing Library Staff Dissatisfaction, Unhappiness, and Burnout | 5/14/2025 8:00am | 5/14/2024 9:00am | Leadership/Academic | "Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card" (Arthur Read) but can be quite a challenge when you work at the library. Check out this session to discover ways an employee driven, administration supported library committee has worked to increase employee morale, build community among new and veteran library staff members, and provide off campus networking opportunities with minimal planning, building wide collaboration, and budget limitations. | Chereeka Garner The University of Central Florida chereeka.garner@ucf.edu Cindy Dancel The University of Central Florida cindy@ucf.edu Jason Phillips The University of Central Florida jason.phillips@ucf.edu Christopher Saclolo The University of Central Florida christopher.saclolo@ucf.edu |
| Joyful Environments | 5/14/2025 1:30pm | 5/14/2025 2:30pm | Leadership/Past Presidents Committee | There are ways to improve and strengthen staff morale and one of them is providing an environment where they feel appreciated and supported. A panel of Past Presidents from different eras will look at proven activities, individual and joint initiatives and designated areas for staff usage only that creates these "Joyful Environments". This may be best described as a place you look forward to coming to on Monday morning. | Gene P Coppola Past President genecopp@gmail.com |
| Revisiting the Information Literacy Pillars: Leadership Takeaways | 5/15/2025 10:30am | 5/15/2025 11:30am | Leadership/Professional Development Committee | How is information literacy (IL) practiced in your library? Is there a shared understanding and approach? What might be needed for you (and the organization's leadership) to take IL to the next level? This hands-on session will take a collaborative approach to revisiting the six frames (aka pillars) pillars of information literacy. Participants in this session will benefit from content shared by multiple presenters and will be asked to contribute their own ideas in small groups. Attendees from all library types are encouraged to attend. | Dr. Suzanne Morrison-Williams LIRN smw@lirn.net |
| Fun by Design: the Impact of Visual Creation in Libraries | 5/14/2025 3:00pm | 5/14/2025 4:00pm | Marketing | In this dynamic breakout session, unlock the power of graphic design to elevate your library's branding, marketing, and user experience. Attendees will explore the core principles of design, including color theory, typography, and branding, and learn how to create visually compelling materials that resonate with their community. This session is perfect for librarians looking to champion design and drive positive change in their organizations. | Gaby Gomez Seminole County Library Services ludus@outlook.com |
| Refresh Your Book Displays: Marketing emerging genres in digital spaces and physical places | 5/15/2025 9:00am | 5/15/2025 10:00am | Marketing & Outreach | Not sure where to start with readers advisory? Feel like all your book display ideas have been done before? Join us in learning how to create a cohesive reader's advisory marketing campaign online and in the library. A process which includes finding fun, new, theme ideas from emerging genres such as Folk Horror, Hopepunk, Romantasy, and Western Gothic, as well as marketing the themes across social media, digital libraries, and in-person displays! | Meagan Shay St. Petersburg Library System meagan.shay@stpete.org Constance Wayne St. Petersburg Library System constance.wayne@stpete.org |
| Overdue for Fun: Mindfulness, Breathing, and Laughter | 5/15/2025 1:30pm | 5/15/2025 2:30pm | Mental Health | Participants will learn about the science of meditation and laughter before engaging in a short practice of laughter yoga and meditation. The laughter yoga session doesn't require special clothing and no bending is required, but a healthy dose of fun and openness to a new experience is needed. | Sarah J. Hammill Florida International University hammills@fiu.edu |
| Reclaiming Joy: Librarians' Views on Maintaining Well-being in Responding to Social Services Needs | 5/15/2025 10:30am | 5/15/2025 11:30am | Mental Health/Social Services | Public libraries strive to provide services that make a positive impact on the communities they serve. But with the increasing demand for social services-related assistance, how can public librarians respond without sacrificing their own joy? In reporting the results of an IMLS-funded national survey, this presentation will engage conference attendees in a discussion on providing social services-related assistance and how librarians can serve their communities while maintaining their own well-being and passion for the profession. | Brittany Baum Florida State University bbaum@fsu.edu Dr. Melissa Gross Florida State University melissa.gross@cci.fsu.edu Dr. Don Latham Florida State University don.latham@cci.fsu.edu |
| Celebrating Community Connections | 5/16/2025 8:00am | 5/14/2025 9:00am | Outreach/Academic | Connecting your library to other community organizations, academic institutions, and fellow libraries is something worth learning more about and celebrating! Learn how one librarian connected with others in her community offering resources and educational presentations on a variety of topics. Gain insight and strategies to initiate, cultivate, and grow professional relationships that will benefit your library and those living in your community. Be inspired by the collaborative efforts and relationships shared in this session. Take what you learn here and create your own innovative and life changing programs through creating community connections. | Jessica Taylor Daly AdventHealth University jessica.daly@ahu.edu |
| From Community to Campus: Public to Academic Librarianship | 5/14/2025 1:30pm | 5/14/2025 2:30pm | Professional Development | Many public librarians seek to make career changes by transitioning into academic libraries. This panel will feature four academic librarians that have all also worked for public libraries. During this panel discussion, presenters will discuss their career paths and how their skillsets developed in the public library. This presentation aims to demystify the process, share valuable insights, and offer practical advice based on our journeys from public to academic librarianship. The presentation will outline skills needed for success in both community college and university libraries. We will also address the application and interview process that can be expected for both types of academic library. | Mary Beth Isaacson Pasco-Hernando State College isaacsm@phsc.edu Kayla Kuni Pasco-Hernando State College kunik@phsc.edu Cassandra Baker Pasco-Hernando State College bakerc@phsc.edu Andrew Beman-Cavallaro University of South Florida abemanca@usf.edu |
| How to be a Fearless Public Speaker | 5/15/2025 1:30pm | 5/15/2025 2:30pm | Professional Development | Does the thought of speaking in front of groups make you nervous? Public speaking is an important skill, but one that many people find challenging to master. In this session, you will learn the art and science of public speaking, based on the acclaimed approach developed by Toastmasters International, the world's largest public speaking organization. The presentation will include tips for successfully preparing speeches, speaking "off the cuff" and looking good while doing it, providing effective feedback with short turnaround, and becoming a better public speaker over time. | Douglas Crane Palm Beach County Library System efficientlibrarian@gmail.com |
| What We Learned This Year: Lessons in Fun | 5/15/2025 1:30pm | 5/15/2025 2:30pm | Professional Development Committee | A panel of library leaders share some lessons they learned over the last year. How did they bring joy to their community? What worked and what didn't? Learn some effective strategies to bring the fun to your library. | Janet Schalk Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch schalkj@phsc.edu |
| Career 411: Never Too Late to Jumpstart Your Career! | 5/16/2025 9:30am | 5/17/2024 11:00am | Professional Development Committee | Ready to take your career to a new level? Are you preparing for your next career move? Curious about how social media can assist you in creating that professional image that will set you apart from other candidates and impress future employers? FLA's Professional Development Committee and Library Career Development Subcommittee can help! Drop by this session and get advice and mentoring in the areas of YOUR choice such as resume and cover letter writing and review, where to find information for that first job, and even how to best transition to jobs in another type of library. Delivered by a dynamic team of skilled and experienced professionals in the field, this session is designed to empower and equip attendees with the requisite information and resources that will take their professional growth and development to the next level. We hope you will stop by and get the answers that you seek. | Jerdaine Sterling Broward County Library jsterling@broward.org Deborah Williams University of North Florida deborah.williams@unf.edu Autumn Rose Dec Broward County Library adec@q-station.com Maria Gomez Seminole County Library ludus@outlook.com |
| Rebecca Haas - Workshop: Building JoyCentric Libraries: an Experiential Approach | 5/15/2025 9:00am | 5/15/2025 10:00am | Professional Development/Mental Health | ||
| Fun in the Stacks: Enhancing Student Experiences through Non-Traditional Library Events | 5/15/2025 1:30pm | 5/15/2025 2:30pm | Programming/Academic | With the increasing pressures faced by students, our library has taken the initiative to create a range of engaging, non-traditional events that provide stress relief while fostering a strong connection between students and the library. Events such as laser tag, mini golf, and game nights draw students into the library in unexpected and exciting ways. Since hosting these events, we have seen a noticeable increase in student engagement. Our students feel more at ease with the library environment and are more likely to approach librarians for academic assistance and support. | Hillary Arieux Florida Southern College harieux@flsouthern.edu Julie Hornick Florida Southern College jhornick@flsouthern.edu Marina Morgan Florida Southern College mmorgan@flsouthern.edu Micah Walsleben Florida Southern College mwalsleben@flsouthern.edu Randall MacDonald Florida Southern College rmacdonald1@flsouthern.edu |
| Innovative Learning Adventures: Crafting Scavenger Hunts, Escape Rooms, and Workshops. Oh my! | 5/16/2025 8:00am | 5/16/2025 9:00am | Programming/Academic | Join us for an immersive session on interactive learning through escape rooms, workshops, and scavenger hunts. We'll reveal how we created five distinct activities across two institutions, each blending innovation with education. Discover how AI-driven tools were used to craft an engaging escape room and workshop that spurred critical thinking and challenge, while our archive-inspired scavenger hunts brought institutional history to life through dynamic, context-rich quests. Gain practical tips and creative strategies to enhance your educational programs and inspire meaningful, exploratory learning experiences. Explore the exciting fusion of technology, history, and gamification in this enlightening session! | Mary Rubin University of Central Florida mary.rubin@ucf.edu Nardia Cumberbatch Valencia College ncumberbatch@valenciacollege.edu Devika Ramsingh Valencia College dramsingh1@valenciacollege.edu |
| Que no pare la fiesta--Don't Stop the Party! Celebrating REFORMA and GNCRT's Inaugural Core Collaboration List of the Best Graphic Novels for Latinx and using them for fun programming in Broward County Libraries during Hispanic Heritage Month | 5/15/2025 10:30am | 5/15/2025 11:30am | Programming/Collection Development | REFORMA and the Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table partnered together to create the first ever Collaboration Core List for stories about Latinx populations and Latinx creators. Learn about what qualities make a graphic novel outstanding for Latinx patrons and how to use the Core Collaboration List for public and academic library programming. Lucky attendees will win some of the books on the list! | Maria Vega Broward County Library, REFORMA de Florida mvega@broward.org |
| Game On! Leveling Up in Cataloging and Acquisitions | 5/14/2025 8:00am | 5/15/2024 9:00am | Technical Services | This presentation will cover how technical services staff can find ways to make their jobs more exciting and fun. The presenters will share how to find holes in training, create more effective documentation and workflows, and determine the best data and statistics to compile to inspire collaboration and friendly competition among library staff. Attendees will leave with a fresh perspective on the dynamic and engaging potential of the technical services department. | Angela Gaines Complex Copy Cataloger Serials at University of Florida Mary Rubin Connect Librarian Assistant Librarian at University of Central Florida Madeline Sims Library Technical Services Program Coordinator Florida State College at Jacksonville masims@fscj.edu |
| Strumming Stories: Ukulele Basics for Storytime Magic | 5/14/2025 3:00pm | 5/14/2024 4:00pm | Youth Programming | Join us for "Strumming Stories: Ukulele Basics for Storytime Magic" and learn how to incorporate ukulele into storytimes! Learn to play essential ukulele chords and discover how to weave live music into your storytime routines, enhancing engagement and excitement for young readers. This hands-on session also highlights the importance of musical diversity, providing resources and guidance to incorporate a range of folk and multicultural songs. Transform your storytimes with the joy of music and celebrate cultural richness while making reading more interactive and memorable! | Catherine Rudd Bartow Public Library catherine.rudd@mypclc.info |
| NOCHE de Cuentos: a Family Literacy Initiative Building Community Through the Art of Storytelling | 5/14/2025 8:00am | 5/14/2025 9:00am | Youth Services | Noche de Cuentos: a Family Literacy Initiative Aiming to Build Community Through the Art of Storytelling. Presenters will discuss how to plan and implement Noche de Cuentos family literacy activities using service models that can be easily replicated in any type of library. | Lucia Gonzalez REFORMA de Florida inotherwordsllc@gmail.com Maria Vega Broward County Library mvega@broward.org |
| Cultivating Teen Leadership in Libraries | 5/14/2025 1:30pm | 5/14/2025 2:30pm | Youth Services | Make your community stronger, smarter, and more fun by promoting youth leadership in your library. Learn from concrete examples of successful initiatives to put teens in the driver's seat at their libraries, and share your own experiences, questions, and challenges in cultivating youth participation in your programs. | Daniel Jones Miami-Dade Public Library System jonesd@mdpls.org Cynthia Saavedra Miami-Dade Public Library System saavedrac@mdpls.org |
| Cultural Heritage Programming for Libraries | 5/15/2025 1:30pm | 5/15/2025 2:30pm | Youth Services | Archaeological research helps us create knowledge of the past. Many foundational components are easily presented to children and can support the standards required in the curriculum. Activities for this session will involve the following: mapping artifacts in a sunken vessel, excavation exercise or the structure of a side of a cliff, and context discovery through artifacts. Participants will be able to implement cultural heritage education in their school's curriculum that focuses on critical thinking, discovery, and creating context. School media specialists can help teachers utilize real-world archaeological research and practice in fun ways that support the curriculum. The workshop will demonstrate how library instruction and program activities can support cultural and environmental heritage in the classroom for teachers. School media specialists can also include library resources that speak to the importance of cultural and environmental heritage. | Laura K Clark Hunt University of Southern Mississippi laura.clarkhunt@usm.edu |
| How a 15 minute author Skype turned into a service learning project in Cameroon! | 5/16/2025 8:00am | 5/16/2025 9:00am | Youth Services/School | Learn how a 15-minute author Skype evolved into a full-fledged service learning project, based on the book "I am Farmer: Building an Environmental Movement in Cameroon," by authors Miranda and Baptiste Paul. The presenters will share how they not only engaged their students with a meaningful service learning project, but also extended this engagement by traveling to Cameroon to assist with the well installation and blogging their experiences. | Anne Mlod Auburn School District summer_reading@mac.com Victoria Calarco Genesee Elementary School Victoria.calarco@gmail.com Jessica Kearns Herman Ave Elementary School kearnsjart@gmail.com |
| Lightning Rounds | 5/16/2025 9:30am | 5/16/2025 11:00am |
