NCLA Con 2025

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.

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.

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.

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.