NCLA Con 2025

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.

Public libraries have long served as essential community hubs, providing access to information, resources, and support for diverse populations. As society becomes more aware of the challenges faced by justice-impacted individuals, libraries have a growing role in supporting successful reentry. This panel will explore how libraries can collaborate with state agencies, reentry councils, and community organizations to provide vital services that help individuals transition back into society. Led by the State Library of North Carolina, this panel will bring together representatives from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (DAC) Reentry and Rehabilitation Division, a local reentry council, a justice-impacted individual who has directly experienced the reentry process, and a social worker embedded in a North Carolina county library system. The discussion will explore how libraries can build partnerships with correctional and reentry organizations, develop targeted programming, and serve as accessible and welcoming spaces for individuals returning to their communities. Panelists will share insights on reentry needs and ways to integrate reentry services into library programming. The session will highlight the importance of information access, digital equity, and community partnerships in reducing recidivism and promoting long-term success. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of the reentry landscape, the needs of justice-impacted individuals, and practical steps to create or enhance library services that contribute to successful reintegration into society.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

As archivists and curators of special collections, we encounter items and collections that give us pause. Whether it is an artifact that has preservation/conservation issues, a collection with politically or culturally charged language, digitized or born digital materials that present access and management problems, or even physical or online storage challenges, these issues cause us to pause and explore how to best handle each individual circumstance, incorporating imaginative methodologies, along with best practices, to ensure the safety, longevity, and fair use of our collections. Panelists will discuss their experiences stewarding complex and niche collections, including challenges and opportunities they have confronted, and their approaches to dealing with them. Preservation, intellectual control, legal, and ethical concerns will all be discussed. There will also be time for audience members to share their own stories of archival challenges and how they were met.

In efforts to build a sustainable partnership between Winston-Salem's Crossnore Communities for Children, Wake Forest University's (WFU) Z. Smith Reynolds (ZSR) Library is welcoming new students to Anderson Academy, Crossnore's public charter school opening in August 2025 with the Welcome! Back to School Project. The event consists of two components: a book drive establishing start-up classroom libraries and a back to school event promoting fellowship among students and teachers. This project was made possible by grant funding and institutional commitments to cultivating community partnerships. Anderson Academy's 2025 enrollment model includes K-4 students in the foster care system and who have experienced some form of abuse or adversity. The curriculum takes a holistic approach to trauma-informed care and commits to building safe and dependable environments for this inherently unique student body. Anderson will not have a media center in its first years of operation, so this project will make a significant impact to the potential literacy development for new students. The International Literacy Association recommends school libraries provide a minimum of 20 books per child for both in-class and at-home use. Grant funding and an accompanying book drive is intended to provide 500 books amounting to nearly 25% of the recommended number of books in Anderson classroom libraries before the first day of classes. The project will culminate with a Welcome! Back to School party celebrating new students, administrators, and faculty with food, activities, and gifts. During the party, students will not only be introduced to their classroom libraries, they will also receive a new backpack to start their school year. The party will take place at Anderson Academy prior to the first day of classes and provide a great opportunity to connect students with teachers in an informal and festive format. Several partnerships and funding opportunities are making the project possible. First the ZSR Innovation Grant and the WFU Center for Literacy Engagement's (CLE) Diverse Book Grant are funding the purchase of 250 books as well as party supplies and giveaways. Second, ZSR employees and WFU student organizations are donating books as outlined by an age- and culturally-appropriate book title list developed by WFU's children's librarian. Donation choices are facilitated by local and independent bookseller Squarespace store development with discounted purchasing options. Lastly, employees can donate cash through Venmo or PayPal applications. Beyond building a relationship with our nextdoor neighbor, the intent with this project is to create multidisciplinary partnership opportunities between Anderson Academy, ZSR, and ultimately WFU. Potential future engagement endeavors can include instructional sessions, student mentoring and tutoring programs, and campus and library tours all in the effort to support ZSR's commitment to literacy development, Crossnore's mission to facilitate healthy futures for children and families, and WFU's guiding philosophy of "pro humanite". This panel session intends to include key partners from ZSR, Anderson Academy, and WFU responsible for the project's success. By the time of this session, specific project outcomes will be available including book drive and student participation metrics.