NCLA Con 2025

Join Jennifer Smith for an introduction to mindfulness meditation using music as a tool to help you calm your mind and reduce stress mindfully. At the close of the session, participants will be able to connect and reflect about their experience. No experience needed.

This presentation will explore the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment and civil rights protections in the Fourteenth Amendment. The Constitution and federal and state laws provide the foundation for library policies and practices. Librarians must understand their responsibilities within this framework to communicate effectively with their community and stakeholders about these complex issues.

Official Opening of the Exhibits Hall

AI-generated content has jumped full-force into an already overloaded information landscape, creating murky waters for both the novice and sophisticated information user. As it becomes an integral part of everyday technology, users must develop strategies to control when and how AI-generated content appears in their research. AI tools, such as Google's AI Overview, often provides helpful summaries on general topics, but can also present incorrect, unnecessary, or distracting information for more specific topics that require more depth and nuance in the search process. This session explores a couple of easy workarounds for toggling the AI-generated results on and off, such as using Google's search string operators, incorporating certain profanities, and other keywords that temporarily dismantle the AI tool. However, not all profanity and keywords trigger this effect, and understanding which terms work can empower users to take a more active role in getting research results. Participants will learn about the methodology behind this study, examine real-world examples where AI-generated results either enhance or hinder research, and discuss best practices for navigating search engines with AI integration. This session will also explore ethical considerations, potential biases in AI-generated summaries, and future implications for research practices in libraries and academia. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for managing AI-generated Google search results, ensuring they have greater control over their information-seeking process. This session highlights the evolving role of librarians in digital literacy, equipping patrons with the knowledge to navigate AI-enhanced research effectively.

The Roundtable for Ethnic and Minority Concerns (REMCo) pays homage to Hip Hop through the exploration of its impact on librarianship. Join our session, Blackademia and Hip-Hop Culture, for a dynamic conversation amongst library scholars and Hip-Hop enthusiasts as they delve into how the music has influenced community engagement and outreach to reach larger audiences, bring awareness to library programming, and make organic connections with their communities. Featured Librarians from interviews: Forest Foster, Vivette White, Carlos Grooms, Candace Jacobs, Jonathan Jones, Billy Allen, Marcellaus Joiner. Background and Rationale: Hip-hop, as a cultural movement, has extended far beyond music to become a powerful tool for education, social commentary, and community building. Libraries, as hubs of knowledge and culture, have increasingly embraced Hip Hop to engage youth, diversify programming, and promote literacy. This documentary series will showcase how librarians across North Carolina have incorporated elements of Hip Hop-including DJing, MCing, graffiti art, breakdancing, and knowledge sharing-to connect with diverse communities. Format: This will be a 45-minute panel presentation that will include various short clips from REMCo interviews, followed by a facilitated panel discussion featuring library scholars. The session will encourage dialogue about the power of Hip-Hop to engage participants, promote social justice, and support lifelong learning. Intended Audience: This presentation will appeal to librarians, educators, youth program coordinators, and cultural workers interested in rejuvenating their outreach strategies, including intentional connections with underserved populations by, and exploring innovative approaches to literacy and cultural engagement. Conclusion: Blackademia and Hip-Hop Culture will not only highlight the dynamic relationship between Hip Hop and libraries but also inspire the library community to embrace this influential cultural movement as a means of empowerment, education, and creative expression.

The Civic Engagement Workshop Series is a collaboration between UNC's Park and Undergraduate Libraries that aims to support college students' civic awareness and self-efficacy and emphasizes the role of the library in developing students' civic engagement. In this presentation, we will give an overview of these workshops, discuss how they were developed and why we believe these skills are important not only for college students, but also for anyone who wants to learn more about how and why local government operates where they live and work, and describe how other library instructors can adapt the main points of these presentations to their own audiences. We identify the key databases and knowledge tools that are broadly accessible to NC libraries, building these information seeking skills in patrons. By the end of our presentation, attendees will understand how to use interactive pedagogy to engage with patrons and highlight topics that are already present in their daily lives but that may not have been immediately visible, engage in active conversation with patrons, and have tips and tricks to make these presentations successful. The relatively small demand on staff makes these programs accessible to many types of libraries, and the learning outcomes appeal to both public and academic library audiences. Public libraries may enjoy the opportunity to make community members more aware of the fundamentals of local governance, and academic libraries support their mission by instructing students on how to parse false and misleading content in the news. Ultimately, our presentation will teach attendees how to broaden patrons’ appreciation of libraries as a resource to learn about topics that affect their everyday lives. In turn, libraries support patrons' ability to develop themselves into informed political participants year-round.

This 45-minute presentation by High Point University's Gerald Ward, Media & Digital Services Librarian, and Lauren Ksa, Head of Reference Services Librarian-will demonstrate how hands-on bookbinding and zine-making workshops can transform library learning experiences. Attendees will discover how crafting books and zines engages patrons in active exploration of the history and cultural impact of print media, supported by educational theory and real-world program examples. The session will blend theory (critical library pedagogy, experiential learning, object-based learning, craft-based learning) with actionable strategies, showing how libraries-academic, public, or school-can develop sustainable programs that inspire creativity and learning. By highlighting High Point University's successful workshop series and Zine Library, the presenters will illustrate how creating and preserving handmade objects and publications can enrich collections and communities. Attendees will leave with both big-picture understanding and practical tips to implement these ideas in their own libraries.

Efforts to restrict or suppress content can take many forms and come from various sources. When such efforts arise from concerned parents or members of a community, it is crucial to have honest and difficult conversations. However, if they become politicized or are done for political purposes, they may be driven by external agendas rather than legitimate local concerns. This session will provide insights on distinguishing between external agendas and legitimate local concerns. Being well-prepared to address the issues, organizations, and political beliefs fueling these divisions is crucial.

Libraries are dynamic spaces that offer more than just books and digital resources-they serve as vibrant hubs of activity, fostering creativity and engagement. At East Carolina University's Joyner Library, we proudly host a diverse range of exhibits, from special collections to interactive displays that engage and inspire students, faculty, and the broader community. Our primary exhibition space, the Janice Hardison Faulkner Gallery, spans 1,600 square feet and is a versatile venue for various exhibitions, including art, history, and beyond. The gallery's mission is to highlight the creative work and scholarship of faculty, students, community, and region while also featuring traveling exhibits from other institutions. In addition to exhibitions, the gallery serves as a dynamic event space, hosting many activities such as poetry readings, artist talks, academic lectures, and more. In this presentation, J.H. Faulkner Gallery curator Charlotte Fitz Daniels will provide an in-depth look at the gallery's operations. She will discuss the types of exhibits displayed, the library's exhibit planning process, and the collaborative efforts with academic departments and the local community. Furthermore, she will explore the gallery's unique space, the equipment used for exhibitions, and the process of sourcing artists, drafting contracts, and more. This model can be adapted for use in other libraries, offering inspiration for expanding your own library's exhibit spaces and programming.

This session explores the significance of connecting readers with books they love as an integral part of excellent customer service in libraries. Delve into the various ways working with readers positively impacts library services and discuss how personalized book recommendations not only cater to individual preferences but also foster a sense of community engagement. By understanding the unique interests and needs of each library user, we can create a more inclusive and enriching reading experience for all. This session promises to equip library staff at all levels at any size library with the knowledge and tools needed to provide outstanding customer service through personalized book recommendations.

This will be a collaborative and social session including multiple roundtables on a variety of topics for participants to share their experiences and ideas. Topics will include: ILS victories and challenges, Mentoring and training your technical services team, Share your bright ideas and successful projects. We hope to provide the RTSS community with an opportunity to celebrate their successes, get support for their struggles and build their overall resources and technical services' systems professional network.

Read Free NC is an initative of the Intellectual Freedom Committee Helpline to support NC librarians and library workers deal with attacks on the Freedom to Read. The website features a blog that highlights issues at various libraries across the state and sheds light on how different scenarios are being handled. This panel discussion will invite several library workers from these libraries being featured and let them share more on what they are facing and how their situations were handled. We think this is more important now than ever with censorship efforts on the rise. Librarians and library workers should be able to be a resource in these trying times and we want people to know that there is a resource for them with ReadFreeNC.org.

Migrating library systems has its benefits; it also comes with challenges. As one of the University of North Carolina libraries migrating to Ex Libris Alma in 2025, Western Carolina University brings their experience to NCLA to share what went wrong, what went right, and what we learned along the way. Attendees from all library backgrounds will learn about the benefits and pitfalls of migrating library systems and gain insights into the logistics of migrating. Erica Barnett, Acquisitions Librarian, and Emily Wros, Systems Librarian, will present on the migration process from beginning (hey, we need new software!) to end (wow, everybody check out our new software!). They'll talk about communication, collaboration, training plans, internal and external partnerships, and the hardest part of all: squeezing all that extra work into your already full schedule. While Erica and Emily will be presenting from the perspective of an academic library conducting a major LMS migration, every library and every librarian is affected by changes in software and will benefit from attending the talk. 

Entering a difficult job market fresh out of library school can feel like being dropped into a foreign land. In our panel discussion, we will share how our LIS education prepared us for library jobs, but also how choosing a specialization such as business or pursuing generalist roles impacted the way we approached networking, selecting mentors, and finding career opportunities. Library school may have started us on the path, but finding mentorship within these specialties is where we found our true sense of direction in navigating the academic and professional space. We are going to further discuss how it led us to making professional connections through workshops and conferences as library students and early career librarians. These experiences have proven valuable to our panel as Ben acquired a business liaison position six months after graduation and Elizabeth became an instruction and research services librarian prior to graduation. We also plan to dive into what it has been like adapting to the current political and economic uncertainty surrounding higher education and academic spaces while starting off our careers. This panel will offer insights to library school students and seasoned professionals looking to support new librarians. In addition to answering questions moderated by Nancy Lovas (Entrepreneurship & Business Librarian at UNC Chapel Hill), there will be time set aside at the end to respond to questions from the audience and hear from them about their own experiences with mentoring, difficult job markets, and uncertainty for the academic space. 

This thesis investigates the intricate relationship between librarianship and the coined concept of vocational awe, as articulated by Fobazi Ettarh. Vocational awe, characterized by an intense emotional investment in library work that works to place librarianship and libraries beyond critique, has surfaced as a critical lens for examining the culture of the profession (Ettarh 2018). Ettarh contends that idealizing librarianship can result in unrealistic expectations, burnout, and an unhealthy blending of professional boundaries. Drawing parallels between vocational awe and historical sentiments, reminiscent of Robert Leigh's "The Library Faith"; this study explores the enduring nature of the unnamed features of librarianship that inspire unwavering devotion. By connecting the concepts of library faith and vocational awe, the research aims to elucidate how individuals' sense of calling to librarianship influences work motivations and perspectives. Using a triangulated mixed methods approach, A quantitative survey, utilizing the Calling and Vocation Questionnaire developed by Duffy et al., alongside inquiries into the presence of negative vocational awe impacts works to inform the qualitative interviews. Interviews function as the primary data source and will delve into participants' work motivations, perceptions of librarianship, and the influence of these factors on negative job experiences. This paper will work to identify a) if a sense of being called to librarianship/library work influences devotion to the library faith or a sense of vocational awe, b) values that current librarians/library workers have with library work, c) their experience with negative features of vocational awe, and d) if there are perceived supports in place to mediate these problems. Studying this adds to the ever-growing literature on vocational awe in librarianship and can provide a basic assessment of workers' experiences with vocational awe, which can be used to inform workplace support infrastructure and implementation of critical librarianship.

Cooking and sharing food is a powerful way to connect with patrons of all ages and backgrounds. In this interactive workshop, you will learn how to start a cooking club that will bring in your patrons and leave them hungry for more!

Libraries are uniquely positioned to support local non-profits by providing resources and expertise. This session will explore innovative ways libraries can (at little or no cost) provide non-profits with a wide array of programs, training, and volunteer recruitment support. Attendees will gain practical strategies for launching similar initiatives in their own libraries, which will both aid the non-profits and promote the library through the people who are often the most active in a community.

Jane McGonigal's keynote address at the 2014 ALA Annual Conference detailing a successful collaboration with the New York Public Library (NYPL) to create a game celebrating NYPL's Centennial inspired a group of academic librarians to create a camp to challenge, engage, and support student writers. The inaugural Camp achieved three outcomes/objectives: engage students in a fun and scholarly activity; showcase the library's Special Collections and Archives (SCA); and the publication of a book, cataloged with participants as authors whose work will be housed in the library's permanent collection. The camp continues to appeal to and serve a diverse group of student writers, giving them a platform for their work and an opportunity to share their work. The librarians believed hosting an intellectually stimulating and creative outreach event with an individual-based component could potentially attract and engage a different audience of students, ones who prefer smaller groups and/or individual, reflective activities. Writing skills are relevant to every discipline of study and to virtually all chosen career paths. Any opportunity to write is an opportunity to become a better writer and to do so without the pressure and/or worry of a grade and negative comments. The creative aspect allowed students to write without restriction in whatever form they chose (e.g., poetry, short stories, essays), to work independently, and to explore and use the library as a place to self-express. It also allowed students to meet and network with others outside their area of study and their usual group of friends. This presentation will chronologically outline the four creative writing camps hosted by the university library beginning in 2016. The evolution and subsequent streamlining of camps will be discussed with a focus on these elements of the planning process: funding/partners, marketing, application submission and review, event preparation, pre-and post-event activities, editing and publication, and post-event survey/feedback.Turning the writers' camp concept into an actionable goal was no small feat as resources, both financial and human, from cross-campus partners were necessary. The first camp was the most challenging, but rewarding because the event concept was proven sound and became the basis for subsequent camps. The librarians made multiple changes thereafter, such as making this a biennial event. We incorporated student feedback so that successive camps met students' needs and interests with available resources. An important theme of this presentation will be the value of flexibility and continued innovation. Learning Outcomes: Participants will explore the experiential learning possibilities of creating their own Writers' Camp event or similar program. Participants will be able to develop a model for a creative writing event and specifically adapt it to fit their community's needs. Participants will receive practical suggestions on logistical elements involved in establishing and implementing a one-time writing event.

Librarians are no longer just caretakers of books-they're digital architects, advocates, marketers, and community leaders. In this session, we'll explore how the librarians behind the Read Free NC website took on new roles to create a platform that supports library workers facing censorship and promotes intellectual freedom in North Carolina. Through the process of designing and promoting the website, we'll highlight the innovative ways librarians are adapting to meet the demands of advocacy and community outreach. From website design and blog writing to social media marketing and grassroots advocacy, librarians are leading the charge in defending the right to read. Attendees will learn how to leverage digital tools to build platforms that support advocacy efforts and enhance their libraries' public presence. We'll discuss strategies for stepping into new roles, overcoming challenges, and turning digital projects into powerful engines for change. This session is perfect for librarians looking to expand their skill sets and make an impact beyond traditional library services.

When circumstances change and a library department reorganization is discussed, it can be daunting and confusing at first for many. With some planning and teamwork, the results can be beneficial for all. Last year our library divided its Circulation and Interlibrary Loan Department into two separate departments after over 10 years of being merged. We will share our planning and preparations and discuss feedback from employees in both departments who worked before, during, and after the reorg to learn what went well as well as the lessons learned about what could have perhaps gone better. Finally, we will discuss our ongoing efforts to incorporate employee feedback to continue a healthy working relationship after a reorg.

From day-to-day operations at a branch to large-scale collaborations across an organization; the outcomes of group efforts are influenced by two things: project management, and team dynamics. Panelists will discuss experiences with a variety of projects and teams, and share what they have learned about best practices and effective methods to help teams set themselves up for success. Some focus areas for this discussion include: communication methods, identifying strengths, creating timelines, building accountability, finding common objectives, defining resource and informational needs, fostering healthy dynamics, measurable goal-setting, identifying deliverables, delegation, division of labor, and tracking progress. This session will include a Q&A portion with panelists.

Vendor Reception in Exhibit Hall