Pre-Conference Workshops  (Extra add-on pre-order ticket required $40)

• On Time Leadership Skills: Fun and Fundamentals  (Location: Diamond - Palms Conference Center)
   
• Student Engagement is FUNdamental to Academic Success: Creative engagement opportunities in academic libraries  (Location: Nautilus B/C - Tower Conference Center 1st Floor)

Registration Open
Location: Royal Foyer - Palms Conference Center
Sponsored by R. George and Associates

Registration Open
Location: Royal Foyer - Palms Conference Center
Sponsored by R. George and Associates

Networking Lounge open
Location:  Sago, Palms Conference Center
Sponsored by:  Library Pass

First-Time Attendees and New Member Orientation Session
(Location: Royal Ballroom - Palms Conference Center)

Breakout Sessions

• The Fundamentals to Reintroducing Fun at Work: A Collaborative Team Approach to Addressing Library Staff Dissatisfaction, Unhappiness, and Burnout (Location: Harbor - Tower Conference Center 2nd Floor)
   
• NOCHE de Cuentos: a Family Literacy Initiative Building Community Through the Art of Storytelling (Location: Pelican - Tower Conference Center 2nd Floor)
   
• Game On! Leveling Up in Cataloging and Acquisitions (Location: Diamond - Palms Conference Center)

Coffee Break; Sponsored by Gray Robinson
Location: Royal Ballroom Foyer - Palms Conference Center

Opening General Session, Keynote Address, Photo-Line 
Location: Royal Ballroom - Palms Conference Center
Conversation between Mychal Threets and FLA President Jorge E. Perez

Special Guest Speakers:  
Dr. Brandy McNeil, PLA President Elect
Brooks Rainwater, Urban Libraries Council's President/CEO
Bradley Warren, ACRL VP/President Elect 
 

Opening session sponsored by:
 

Lunch and Learn (Limited availability - sponsor invite only event) 
Sponsored by  Baker and Taylor
Location: Diamond - Palms Conference Center

Performers Showcase

Includes 10-min stage showcase from each performer
Exact Showcase Schedule TBD
Location: Royal Ballroom - Palms Conference Center
Currently confirmed:  Orisirisi African Folklore; GiGi and Friends of Cirque du Jour LLC; Karen A. Fortin - Genealogy + History; Rhythm-Changes.Org/Giving Tree Music; Jane Rosenbohm, Guitar Extraordinaire; The Moogician; Color Our Culture: Art Around the World with the TMM Project

Breakout Sessions

• Libraries Are for Everyone: Building and Maintaining an Inclusive Collection -  Sponsored by (Location: Diamond - Palms Conference Center)
   
• Pending Session (Location: Nautilus B/C - Tower Conference Center 1st Floor)
   
• Joyful Environments (Location: Harbor - Tower Conference Center 2nd Floor)
   
• From Community to Campus: Public to Academic Librarianship (Location: Pelican - Tower Conference Center 2nd Floor)

Committee Meeting - Advocacy & Legislative Committee
Location: Nautilus A, 1st Floor, Tower Conference Center

Breakout Sessions

• Strumming Stories: Ukulele Basics for Storytime Magic (Location:  Harbor - Tower Conference Center 2nd Floor)
   
• Challenging the Challengers: Opposing Book Bans in an Era of Censorship (Location:  Diamond - Palms Conference Center)
   
• Fun by Design: the Impact of Visual Creation in Libraries (Location: Nautilus B/C - Tower Conference Center 1st Floor)
   
• Empowering Communities Through Public Technology Trainers at the Library (Location: Pelican - Tower Conference Center 2nd Floor)

Committee Meeting - Membership Committee
Location: Nautilus A ,1st Floor, Tower Conference Center

Exhibit Hall Activities and Welcome Reception
Location: Majestic Exhibit Ballroom - Palms Conference Center
-Welcome Reception ( "The Grand Slam" menu appetizer theme/cash bar) 
-Author Tables (Mark Mustian; Rich Sherman; Christine Leoni and Jennifer Puckett)
-Poster Presentations Session II (Creating Space for Children's Art: Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Hazel L. Incantalupo Makerspace by Jessica Moltisanti (Palm Harbor Library); Grannycore Crafts: having fun and making connections while programming by Ray Lennard and Jamie Graveling (Volusia County Public Library); Stitching Healthcare with Comics: Exploring Graphic Medicine by Saily Marrero (University of Miami); Friends of the Library Boards! Friendraisers? Fundraisers? Or BOTH!! by Dwain Teague (NC State University))
-Merchandise Store open - while supplies last. (Debit/credit cards only)  or you can order items in advance and have them directly shipped to you.  

Member Group Meeting - Public Library Directors Group
Location: Nautilus A, 1st Floor, Tower Conference Center

Retiree/potential Retirees Happy Hour Meetup
Offsite location TBD
Transportation and food/beverage on own

USF and FSU Alumni Receptions
USF Location: Diamond, Palms Conference Center
FSU Location: Royal Ballroom, Palms Conference Center
 

After Hours Networking Event - Cuba Libre Restaurant at Pointe Orlando International Drive 

Sponsored by:

6:30pm - 9:30pm
2 miles from hotel
Group reservation is currently for 50 attendees (may increase if there is more interest.
$45/person    Extra Pre-Order Ticket purchase required
Bus transportation leaves hotel at 6:15pm.  Return bus transportation at 9pm.
Latin guitarist, appetizers and one drink ticket included. Cash Bar. 

Registration Open
Location: Royal Foyer - Palms Conference Center
Sponsored by R. George and Associates

Spanish Publishers Sponsored Breakfast Session (Limited Availability - RSVP Required)
Location: Diamond, Palms Conference Center
You are warmly invited to join Spanish Publishers, LLC and REFORMA de Florida for breakfast on Thursday, May 15, from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM. Attendees will enjoy a presentation by renowned author Julio Bevione and will receive a complimentary copy of his book, “Volver a mí.” 

Space is limited to the first 50 respondents, so please RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spanish-publishers-reforma-de-florida-breakfast-with-julio-bevione-tickets-1294871247759?aff=oddtdtcreator

Member Group Meeting - Public Library Managers Group Meeting
Location: Nautilus A, 1st Floor, Tower Conference Center

Networking Lounge open
Location:  Sago, Palms Conference Center
Sponsored by:  Library Pass

Exhibit Hall Open

Exhibit Hall Activities
Location: Majestic Exhibit Ballroom - Palms Conference Center
 
8am - 9am Coffee and Yogurt Parfait with Exhibitors
8am - 10am  Author Tables (Jason Edwards; Rich Sherman; Xstal Yumi; Frances Nevill)
8am - 9:30am  Poster Presentations Session III (Career Transitioning from Public to Academic Libraries by Angie Price (University of Florida); USAHS Library Resources & Services -  Learning is Fun! by Nadia Hommerding (University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences); Relax, Recharge, Repeat: Creating a Sensory-Friendly Library Space for Neurodiverse Students by Rachel Elrod (University of Florida))
8am - 9:30am Merchandise Store open  - while supplies last. (Debit/credit cards only)  or you can order items in advance and have them shipped to you. 

Breakout Sessions

• Building Joy-Centric Libraries: An Experiential Approach, by Rebecca Hass  Sponsored by: (Location: Royal Ballroom - Palms Conference Center)
  Rebecca Hass's book "101 Seeds for Library Joy," may be purchased here. Use the code "101JOY25CS" for 20% off, and email cart@press.uchicago.edu with questions. The code is good through June 30, 2025.

• Singing in the Stacks: Sheet Music in Public Libraries (Location: Nautilus B/C - Tower Conference Center 1st Floor)

• Celebrate to Motivate: The Secret Magic of Recognizing Excellence (Location: Harbor - Tower Conference Center 2nd Floor)

• Refresh Your Book Displays: Marketing emerging genres in digital spaces and physical places (Location: Diamond - Palms Conference Center)

• 50 Shades of Grey Literature: Searching On Beyond Peer Reviewed Sources (Location: Pelican - Tower Conference Center 2nd Floor)

Committee Meeting - DEIA Committee
Location: Nautilus A, 1st Floor, Palms Conference Center

Breakout Sessions

• Information Literacy Pillars: Keys to Effective Leadership (Location: Nautilus B/C - Tower Conference Center 1st Floor) Sponsored by:
   
• Reclaiming Joy: Librarians' Views on Maintaining Well-being in Responding to Social Services Needs (Location: Pelican - Tower Conference Center 2nd Floor)
   
• Fun in the Sun: Grant Writing 101 (Location: Diamond - Palms Conference Center)
   
• Forbidden Pages: The Evolution of Censorship and Stigma in Romance and Erotica Literature (Location: Royal Ballroom - Palms Conference Center)
   
• 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 (Location: Harbor - Tower Conference Center 2nd Floor)

Committee Meeting -Intellectual Freedom Committee
Location: Nautilus A, 1st Floor, Tower Conference Center

Exhibit Hall Activities
Location: Majestic Exhibit Ballroom - Palms Conference Center
--Concession Lunch (salad bar only) available - Pre-order tickets only
-Author Tables (Marilyn Turk; Toshia Blake; Rich Sherman)
-Poster Presentations Session IV: (Zora Showed the Way: An Academic-Public Partnership through the NEA Big Read by Jennifer Anne Hofer, Jeanne Ewert, Barbara Hughey-Reardon, and Barrett Uhler (University of Florida); Academic Libraries are "FUNdamental" to Promoting Self-Advocacy in College Students with ID by Leah Plocharczyk & Matthew Conner (Florida Atlantic University);  It’s 3:00 a.m. - Do You Know Where Your Questions Are?  Moving From Florida Ask a Librarian to Springshare LibAnswers & 24/7 Global Chat Co-op by Ken Frankel & Lauri Rebar (Florida Atlantic University);  Discovering Children's and YA Books: Insights from a Large-Scale, Multi-Year Grant Project by Brittany Kester, Rachael Elrod & April Hines (University of Florida))
-Mobile App Help Desk Open
-Merchandise Store open  (11am-2pm)- while supplies last. (Debit/credit cards only) or you can order items in advance and have them shipped to you.
 

OCLC Lunch & Learn: AI, libraries and the future of access Space is limited to the first 50 respondents, please watch for an email invite. Questions may be sent to eventteam@oclc.org
Location: Diamond - Palms Conference Center 

AI is changing libraries, but human expertise makes it meaningful. Join us as we share OCLC’s vision for responsible AI innovation—how we’re using AI, machine learning, and LLMs to support libraries while keeping human insight at the core. We’ll also highlight the latest CloudLibrary enhancements and celebrate the incredible CloudLink program in Florida, where $14 million in digital content is being shared across public libraries, giving communities faster access to the content they love. 

Member Group Meeting: Youth Services Librarians Meeting
Location: Nautilus A, 1st Floor, Tower Conference Center

Breakout Sessions

• Overdue for Fun: Mindfulness, Breathing, and Laughter  (SponsorL Laptops Anytime)     (Location: Royal Ballroom - Palms Conference Center)
   
• Fun in the Stacks: Enhancing Student Experiences through Non-Traditional Library Events (Location: Diamond - Palms Conference Center)
   
• What We Learned This Year: Lessons in Fun (Location: Nautilus B/C - Tower Conference Center 1st Floor)
   
• Cultural Heritage Programming for Libraries (Location: Pelican - Tower Conference Center 2nd Floor)
   
• How to be a Fearless Public Speaker (Location: Harbor - Tower Conference Center 2nd Floor)

Committee Meeting - Communications Committee
Location: Nautilus A, 1st Floor, Tower Conference Center 

Exhibit Hall Activities
Location: Majestic Exhibit Hall - Palms Conference Center

-Afternoon Refreshment Break with Exhibitors  (Coffee and brownies available) (2:30-3:15pm)
-Author Tables (Marilyn Turk; Toshia Blake)
-Merchandise Store open 

Member Group Meeting: Past Presidents Meeting
Location: Nautilus A, 1st Floor, Tower Conference Center

Breakout Sessions

• Project Management Essentials for Library Success (Location: Harbor - Towers Conference Center 2nd Floor)
   
• Let's Put the FUN in Library Fundraising! (Location: Nautilus B/C - Tower Conference Center 1st Floor)
   
• Academics need fun, too: fostering fun and instilling library joy in a large academic library setting (Location: Diamond - Palms Conference Center)
   
• Sowing a Sustainable Seed Library (Location: Pelican - Tower Conference Cener 2nd Floor)

Wine Toss and 50/50 Drawing Tickets for Sale
Location: Majestic Foyer - Palms Conference Center

President's Reception - featuring a "Florida Tropical" theme to benefit the FLA Fundraising program. Join us for a fun-filled evening networking with colleagues while enjoying a comedy act by Meredith Myers a librarian comedian as well as a DJ, food/drink (cash bar), and our fundraising activities. 
Location: Royal Ballroom - Palms Conference Center

Sponsored by:  
 

Registration Open
Location: Royal Foyer - Palms Conference Center
Sponsored by R. George and Associates

Fun Walk/Run 
Sponsor: ByWater Solutions
Location meet up:  Front Hotel Lobby

Breakout Sessions

• The Joys of Being In Charge: Tailor-Made Training for Supervisory Staff (Location: Royal Ballroom - Palms Conference Center)
   
• Innovative Learning Adventures: Crafting Scavenger Hunts, Escape Rooms, and Workshops. Oh my! (Location: Nautilus B/C - Tower Conference Center 1st Floor)
   
• How a 15 minute author Skype turned into a service learning project in Cameroon! (Location: Harbor - Tower Conference Center - 2nd Floor)
   
• Celebrating Community Connections (Location: Pelican - Tower Conference Center 2nd Floor)

Committee Meeting - Professional Development Committee
Location: Nautilus A, 1st Floor, Tower Conference Center

Networking Lounge Open
Location:  Sago, Palms Conference Center
Sponsored by:  Library Pass

Breakout Sessions

• Career 411: Never Too Late to Jumpstart Your Career! (Location: Nautilus B/C - Tower Conference Center 1st Floor)
   
• Lightning Rounds (60 min) (Location: Harbor - Tower Conference Center 2nd floor)
   
• Freedom to Think, Freedom to Read: A Joyful Exploration of Intellectual Freedom (90 min) (Location: Pelican - Tower Conference Center 2nd Floor)

Closing General Session Lunch, Awards and Board Inductee Ceremony
Location: Royal Ballroom - Palms Conference Center

Sponsored by Insignia Software

Guest Speaker: Robert Stuart, Senior Government Affairs Advisor, GrayRobinson, P.A.

Be sure to stay and join us as we congratulate our FLA award recipients and welcome our new 25-26 FLA Board of Directors - while enjoying a delicious Tex-Mex buffet lunch.

Librarian of the Year award recipient registration fee sponsored by:

FLA Board of Directors Meeting
Location: Nautilus A, 1st Floor, Tower Conference Center
Sponsored by: