Poster Presentation Session I

FLA 2026 POSTER PRESENTATIONS SESSION I (Wednesday 12pm – 1:30pm)

Library Programs to Support Autism Acceptance Month
Amelia Anderson, University of South Florida

Formerly known as Autism Awareness Month, April is now largely recognized as Autism Acceptance Month. Public libraries in the US provide programs for their communities, some of which center such public awareness campaigns. 

This poster presents an exploration into how public libraries across the US provide autism programming in April, along with associated language choices that indicate inclusive practices. While autism events in April are not widespread, those libraries that do celebrate autism have the opportunity to share valuable information with parents, caregivers, educators, and members of the community at large. Some also provide important opportunities for Autistic patrons to gather and learn from one another, telling their stories in a structured but informal environment. However, many event descriptions use language that is not in alignment with Autistic individuals’ preferences, and opportunities for Autistic patrons of all ages are limited. 

This poster will both showcase exemplar programs and highlight gaps in public library programming, inspiring session attendees to celebrate Autism in April and beyond through inclusive programs at their own libraries. 
Attendees will be able to: 

1. Apply new knowledge in creating autism-inclusive programs at their own libraries; 2. Recognize the need for autism programs across the lifespan and design relevant programming for all ages; 3. Identify language that should be avoided in marketing materials for autism programming.

Leading Teen Voices in Libraries
Nancy Matos & Cynthia Saavedra, MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM

Every library has a story—and today’s teens are essential co-authors of it. This poster session demonstrates how intentional Teen and Young Adult Advisory Boards transformed teen programming across multiple branches into sustainable youth leadership initiatives. By shifting from traditional programming to teen-driven collaboration, libraries created spaces where young people could tell their stories through service, creativity, and decision-making.
Through visual storytelling, impact snapshots, and practical models, this poster highlights how teens helped shape collections, design programs, and influence library services. It also addresses timely challenges such as recruiting diverse teen participation, sustaining engagement post-pandemic, and creating inclusive leadership opportunities.
Attendees will be invited to share their own experiences, reflect on their library’s youth engagement story, and explore adaptable strategies that can be implemented in libraries of varying sizes and resources.
Objectives:
• Illustrate how centering teen voice strengthens library relevance and community impact
• Share practical, scalable strategies for recruiting and sustaining teen leadership
• Inspire attendees to identify one actionable step to begin or deepen youth leadership in their own libraries

The Case of the Missing Documents
Niall Williams, Florida State University

Accessing government documents can require a lot of detective work. Last year saw the widespread removal of information from federal government websites and databases. Digital tools, research, and datasets we had previously taken for granted disappeared overnight. All information tells an important story, just as the vanishing of information conveys other stories about our institutions, our histories, and our communities. This mystery-themed poster presentation will give users the tools they need to find documents that have been removed and narratives that have been buried. From professional data saving initiatives to crowd-sourced digital archives, the resources are out there for any sleuths who follow the clues.

The Library as a Success Partner: Advocating for Integrated Research Support
Kaitlyn Hodge, Pasco-Hernando State College

This poster shares a case study of a partnered assignment in English Composition I (ENC1101) at Pasco-Hernando State College, North Campus. Over several years, we redesigned how students engage with research by requiring them to review their Works Cited with an embedded librarian, moving from an optional service to a structured curriculum checkpoint.

Our objective was to provide individualized instruction tailored to each student’s specific needs before final papers are submitted. While optional meetings previously peaked at 16.07%, by Fall 2025, 80.7% of students in participating sections received librarian assistance, and 94.5% of those students passed. This approach creates space for one-on-one instruction on evaluating and synthesizing sources through various forms of direct support, including synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid formats. The primary goals are to demonstrate the impact of required library checkpoints and to highlight how personalized feedback supports student success, while also considering how prioritizing research ownership can serve as a proactive response to concerns about unethical AI use. The poster outlines the project’s development, shares participation and pass-rate data through three Excel charts, includes partner reflections, and discusses utilizing the Works Cited review as a practical tool for teaching information literacy.

Library Collaboration for Community Narratives  
John Abresch, University of South Florida Libraries

The growth of comic book conventions and other fandom gatherings has created an information ecosystem that libraries of all types are well positioned to take part in. Libraries can encourage innovation, provide information access, promote dialogue, and offer neutral spaces for social interactions for individuals and groups from the various fandoms. In 2026, Librarians from the University of South Florida (USF), Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) and Pinellas Public Library Cooperative  (PPLC) developed an outreach framework that used digital resources, library collection holdings, and inter-library loan services to offer essential information services to popular culture community members. The framework was put into practice during a librarian panel event at the St. Pete Comic Con. Librarians interacted with members of the panel audience and offered how distinct collections, activities such as gaming, resources for costuming and unique library spaces could support fan endeavors. Outcomes of the librarian panel informed planning for library participation at future popular culture events. The outreach framework and its focus on complementary information resources and services are replicable across different library types both academic and public. The approach among libraries would allow for librarians to overcome institutional barriers to offer custom solutions for individual and community popular culture fandom members to express their identities in creative ways.