NCLA Con 2025

As demand for digital resources grows, academic libraries are increasingly turning to audiobooks to support accessibility, engagement, and leisure reading. This panel brings together academic librarians from different institutions to share their experiences in adopting and integrating audiobooks into their campus communities. Panelists will discuss their motivations for introducing audiobooks, including expanding genre fiction collections, supporting distance learners, and engaging busy students who may not have time for traditional reading. They will also share insights into their selection processes, platform choices, funding and cost strategies, and the behind-the-scenes work of maintaining and promoting audiobook collections. Attendees will gain practical takeaways on how to implement or expand audiobook services, troubleshoot common challenges, and align audiobook offerings with broader library and institutional goals. Whether you're considering audiobooks for the first time or looking to optimize an existing collection, this discussion will provide valuable perspectives from librarians navigating similar journeys.

This panel discussion will present a designers perspective on developing spaces that connect users with information beyond the identity of just books. While books are important of course the contemporary library user is looking for more in terms of knowledge creation and experiences. This panel will share experiences related to building for community, with Project Grace at New Hanover County, which enhances learning by showcasing library resources with museum exhibits and artifacts. Also discussed will be the importance of adding design features for partners that support the library's mission and creative abilities. Finally, a look at how a library's identity for the stakeholders has moved beyond books but includes societal elements related to Creativity and Play, Health and Well-Being, Belonging and forming Connections with Nature. The panel will consist of a public library director that is leading the strategy behind the mix-use facility being built which will create new synergy in services and enhance the visitor's experience. This connects to a partnership model used in all libraries to bring to primary stakeholders an assortment of transformative experiences and enhancements from traditional spaces. The panel will also feature an architect who works with all library types to design spaces that accommodate partners in a setting that allows stakeholder engagement and seamless integration of services. This panel will also feature an academic perspective on space design with related consideration for the broadening needs of students. Students, not unlike community patrons, are looking for consolidated service options (partnerships), spaces to engage with information resources that also promote and enhance well-being, creativity and innovation through creative design. The panel agenda will be to present elements or features of renovation or building plans that look forward to user needs. There will be a design response as to its background and reasons for being important for consideration beyond present day. Examples would be showing museum exhibit space adjacent to library spaces with an explanation as to how that adjacency benefits the stakeholders or designing a "Hub" space for students to provide relaxation options with an explanation as to why this fosters student success. Makerspaces will be another item on the table for discussion as their service model has become more diverse over time and in some cases is projected to grow and expand needed footprint.This panel will self moderate and present emerging trend topics and then response before moving to next topic.

A speech John F. Kennedy was scheduled to deliver on November 22, 1963, included this quote: "Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other." But many librarians stumble unprepared into leadership positions with no preparation. Early-career librarians who aspire to leadership positions can better prepare themselves for these roles by developing their skills before an opportunity presents itself. This panel will give leaders from various types of libraries the opportunity to discuss their leadership journey, what they wish they had known when they were starting out, the lessons they learned along the way, and their hopes for the next generation of library leaders. Session attendees will also have the opportunity to ask their own questions of the panelists.

In Embracing Informational and Archival Literacies: Challenges and Successes (2019); Rebecca Hankins expressed, & Access to records is essential in personal, academic, business, and government settings, and use of records should be both welcomed and actively promoted.” Join us as we explore a holistic approach to community engagement in the library's archives and special collections. Incorporating librarians from academic, special and public libraries, each will share their strategies for showcasing and engaging with collections, fostering deeper connections, and building meaningful relationships with the community.

Library school provides a foundation, but true education begins in the field. Join us for an open and honest dialogue with library professionals as they discuss the skills, knowledge, and perspectives they learned after library school. This session offers a unique opportunity to learn from recent graduates and build connections and networks. This is part of the NMRT student track.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to move between different types of libraries? Whether you're considering a transition from a public library to an academic setting, a community college to a four-year university, or any other shift, this panel will explore the realities, challenges, and opportunities of navigating these career changes. Join us for an engaging discussion with library professionals who have successfully transitioned across various library environments, including public, community college, and four-year academic institutions. Panelists will share their personal journeys, discuss the transferable skills that helped them make the shift, and provide actionable strategies to position yourself as a competitive candidate in new library settings. What You'll Gain from This Session: Identify Transferable Skills: Learn how to effectively translate your existing experience to meet the expectations of different library sectors. Overcome Professional Barriers: Understand common challenges faced by transitioning librarians, including imposter syndrome, external pressures, and institutional culture shifts. Take Action Toward Your Career Goals: Leave with tangible steps to confidently pursue your ideal position, no matter where you are in your professional journey. Whether you are actively seeking a transition or simply exploring possibilities, this panel will equip you with the tools and motivation to take the next step in your career. Let this session be your guide to breaking barriers and finding your place in the library profession!

Interlibrary loan has provided users with access to physical books from beyond their single library's collection for a long time, but the sharp increase in ebook purchases the past five years means we must adapt our ILL services to include ebooks. In our current environments, there is no neat and tidy solution for sharing ebooks, and each institution must determine the technologies and policies for borrowing and sharing these electronic resources. This panel will represent perspectives from two institutions and multiple areas of the library. Panelists will discuss how they facilitate borrowing and lending of these resources from the perspective of interlibrary loan practitioners, subject specialists, and technical and collection services. These academic libraries have been piloting different approaches to providing ebook access for their patrons and will engage the audience in a discussion of vendor-neutral options and best practices for getting started.

In order to keep up with changing times and patron expectations, libraries constantly add innovative new resources, formats, and services. But we cannot just keep adding. Sometimes things must be taken away for us to continue to provide excellent service. What has your library technical services unit recently stopped doing? Maybe you stopped collecting print serials, or purchasing individual ebooks? Maybe you stopped classifying childrens books, or you've stopped having big monthly meetings in favor of short weekly "stand-up" meetings to plan the week ahead. We are primarily looking for deliberate decisions driven by patron needs and expectations, rather than unfortunate changes forced by budget constraints, unless you turned them into something wonderful! What have you stopped doing? The session will feature 3-4 panelists plus a moderator. Each panelist will give a 10-15 minute presentation and the session will end with some questions from the moderator and attendees addressed to all panelists. Panelists will be asked to address these questions in their presentations: What were the reasons for your decision? Was there resistance to the change? If so, how did you deal with it? What has been the effect of the change? What has stopping doing that thing allowed you to start doing instead?

Join us for an essential workshop led by library managers passionate about helping you succeed! This dynamic session will provide invaluable insights and practical strategies to refine your resume and cover letter, ensuring you stand out in the competitive library job market. We'll delve deep into the art of crafting a compelling resume and cover letter that captures your unique qualifications and experiences. Learn what hiring managers look for, common pitfalls to avoid, and how to tailor your application to specific job postings. Whether you're a seasoned librarian or just starting out, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge and tools to present yourself confidently and effectively on paper. This presentation is part of the NMRT student track.

When Wake County Public Libraries (WCPL) decided to phase out their Books on CD collection due to rising purchase and maintenance costs, they knew they needed to find another way to facilitate access to accessible audiobooks to their patrons who needed them. To accomplish this, WCPL reached out to the State Library of North Carolina - Accessible Books and Library Services (ABLS) to explore a partnership that would ensure these patrons retain access to no-cost audiobooks. This session will explore how ABLS and WCPL collaborated to bridge this service gap, offering an innovative model for other libraries across North Carolina. We will discuss how the partnership formed, the process of educating WCPL staff integrating ABLS resources into their own, and the impact this collaboration has had on WCPL patrons who are now also ABLS patrons. The panel will share what their experiences have been as a part of the collaboration. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how state and public library collaborations can enhance library services for underserved populations in their communities, ensuring all readers have access to the materials they need.