A sneak peek of sessions you can expect at this year’s conference, “Rooted in Community.” Check back here for updates ahead of the release of the full schedule later in April!
Please fill out this form to tell us which sessions you’re most interested in attending. This information helps us find the right space to accommodate each presentation.
Looking to register or other conference information? Find all that here.
Edit, Cite, Repeat: Libraries Helping Wikipedia Write Its Future
This session explores how libraries can engage with Wikipedia to improve information quality and accuracy. It will cover the utility and challenges of the platform, offer insights on editing and contributing content with a critical information literacy lens, and highlight library initiatives like edit-a-thons.
Presenter(s): Amalia Dolan [she/her] (Clinical and Education Librarian, Dana Health Sciences Library), Molly Rogers [she/her] (Web Services Librarian, David W. Howe Memorial Library), Stacey Knight [she/her] (Systems and Technology Services Librarian, David W. Howe Memorial Library)
Planning Ahead for Looking Back: How Libraries Will Commemorate the 250th
Come share your ideas and program plans related to the historic events associated with the American Revolution in Vermont. Join colleagues, Department of Libraries staff, and members of the Vermont 250th Anniversary Commission as we learn from each other!
Presenter(s): Catherine Delneo (State Librarian and Commissioner of Libraries) Jonathan Clark (State Library Consultant, Children and Teen Services) Lauren Kelley (Technical Services Consultant & Librarian) Karen Gravlin (Library Consultant for Inclusive Services and Director, ABLE Library)
Navigating Difficult Conversations with Staff: Fostering Empathy, Avoiding Drama, and Driving Results
Library leaders often face tough staff conversations that impact team dynamics. This session offers a practical roadmap to foster trust, de-escalate drama, and address resistance. Participants will learn practical techniques to navigate conflicts, separate biases from goals, and turn opposition into collaboration—leaving with actionable tools to strengthen relationships and support organizational success.
Presenter(s): Mary Danko and Emer Pond Feeney (Fletcher Free Library)
Error 404: Books Not Found
What happens when a university decides to get rid of its libraries? The student-made documentary “Error 404: Books Not Found” examines Vermont State University’s failed attempt to shift to a digital-only model. Meant to modernize and cut costs, the move sparked protests and national debate. The film examines how losing physical library spaces threatens accessibility, community, and equity.
Presenter(s): Sam Davis-Boyd (Assistant Professor of Communications – VTSU Castleton/Executive Producer), Lily Doton (Co-Director/Producer), Jacob Gonzalez (Lead Editor), Maddie Lindgren (Associate Producer)
Welcoming the Dyslexic Community into Your Library
Did you know that approximately 17% of the population is on the dyslexic spectrum? Dyslexics are everywhere! Join the Dyslexic Positive Libraries Initiative for this fun and interactive presentation that offers a fresh perspective on dyslexia, rooted in the value that dyslexic and neurodiverse patrons bring to libraries. Learn how you can welcome the dyslexic members in your community into the library:
- Learn about dyslexia and the strengths of dyslexic thinking
- Integrate dyslexic kids into your summer reading program
- Create a Celebrate Dyslexia display for October
- Enhance story time with explicit phonics
- Build a decodable book collection
- View the top 25 books for dyslexic-positive and literacy-positive libraries
- Develop cultural competency for effective patron interactions
Participants will receive library swag, including empowering infographics, bookmarks, stickers, and window decals. Together, we can create safe, empowering spaces for neurodiverse kids, equipped with the materials and expertise that young readers need at any stage of their literacy skill development.
Presenter(s): Emily Carley (Lic. PK-12 Literacy Specialist, Montpelier Roxbury Public Schools), Nicole Westbom (Head Youth Librarian, Kellogg-Hubbard Library), Susan Whitehead (Reference & Teaching Resources Librarian, Vermont State College System Libraries)
Invisible Family: How Stories and Libraries are Uniquely Capable of Supporting Community Members with an Intangible Second Culture
Did you know that over 37,000 Vermonters identify as having parents from two cultures, and that it’s likely that many have no tangible connection to their second culture? Join Diane Grenkow and a panel of Vermont authors in a lively discussion of intangible second cultural heritage, and how stories and libraries can help Vermonters connect with their whole family.
Presenter(s): Mima Tipper (debut Vermont author South Hero and Waitsfield), William Alexander (Vermont author, Montpelier), Ann Davila Cardinal (Vermont author, Morrisville), and Diane Grenkow (Library Director of Jeudevine Memorial Library, Hardwick)
Libraries of the Future: Developing Telehealth Access Points (TAPs) in Non-Medical Settings
Libraries are uniquely positioned to serve as Telehealth Access Points, ensuring everyone has access to vital healthcare services. This interactive session will explore how libraries, schools, and community partners can support telehealth access, improve digital equity, and expand health resources for patrons. Join us to discover practical strategies and collaboration opportunities to enhance community well-being.
AI Fridays: A Low Barrier Event for AI Awareness and Education
Do you want to start engaging with your community about emerging technology but feel pinched for time and resources? This session demonstrates how to create a low barrier event to showcase and build community awareness and engagement around emerging technology like AI.
Presenter(s):Stacey Knight (Systems & Technology Services Librarian, University of Vermont), Aaron Nichols (Director of Access, Technology, and Media Services, University of Vermont), Gary Atwood (Interim Director of Dana Health Sciences Library, University of Vermont)
Supporting the Library Community: What the Department of Libraries Can Do for You
Join Department of Library staff to learn about resources for libraries including discussion sets, the Palace Project, interlibrary loan services, accessible reading materials, and professional development opportunities. Learn how you can promote and take advantage of databases, eBooks, and other free resources available to all Vermonters. This is also an opportunity to meet Department staff who are involved with these services.
Presenter(s): Josh Muse (Library Consultant for Technology, Department of Libraries), Jonathan Clark (Library Consultant for Youth Services, Department of Libraries), Karen Gravlin (Library Consultant for Inclusive Services, Department of Libraries)
Vermont Arts Council Funding Opportunities for Public Libraries
Did you know that the Vermont Arts Council has a variety of funding possibilities for public libraries? We have programs to support facilities improvements, public programming, and public art projects that can all help build community. Join Council staff for an overview of our grant programs and a conversation about strategies for crafting strong proposals.
Presenter(s): Amy Cunningham (deputy director, Vermont Arts Council, Montpelier), Michele Bailey (senior program manager, Vermont Arts Council, Montpelier)
Subversive Librarianship: Embedding DEI and Social Justice in Libraries
Amid the Trump administration’s directives to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in schools and public libraries, school librarians are uniquely positioned to push back. This session will explore strategies for librarians to subtly and strategically embed social justice principles into their work—promoting critical thinking, diverse representation, and inclusive learning spaces despite external pressures. Participants will learn to navigate challenges such as book bans, curriculum restrictions, and censorship, ensuring youth have access to essential knowledge and resources.
Presenter(s): Peter Langella, Christina Daudelin, Katie Mack
Growing Community and Cucumbers: Waterbury Public Library’s Children’s Garden
We launched our Children’s Garden last summer and it’s opened the doors to a remarkable array of community partnerships. We’ve connected with an UVM master gardener; a monarch butterfly advocate; our town’s Recreation Department; a wonderful range of donors; and our own Friends of the Library group. We’ve done all of this on a shoestring budget and we’re excited to share our tips with you!
Presenter(s): Sandra Schweikert and Rachel Muse (Waterbury Public Library)
Build a Culture of Literacy with the Children’s Literacy Foundation
Learn how the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) can support your efforts to build a community around literacy! CLiF offers many grant opportunities for libraries that help to inspire a love of reading and writing for children across VT and NH. We’ll talk about these grants and share examples of recent projects that engage families, youth, and partners around reading and writing.
Cassie Willner (Literacy Program Manager for Children’s Literacy Foundation), Mary Edith Leichliter (Project Specialist for Children’s Literacy Foundation)
Reactivating Friends and Trustees for Vermont Libraries
In recent years, the contribution from the government to libraries has become increasingly unstable, raising concerns about the sustainability and growth of our beloved community institutions. Vermont, which prides itself on a rich network of over 1,000 Friends and Trustees, might find a renewed path forward by reactivating these invaluable groups.
Presenter(s): Howard Burrows
Serve Your Community Through TeleHealth & TeleServices
Expanding Access to Care and Social Services in Libraries through Teleservices: Discover how libraries can become hubs for accessing healthcare and social services! Learn how to build partnerships, secure resources, and establish community access points in libraries. This session describes a proven approach for launching library-based tele services, improving your community’s access to healthcare and social services.
Presenter(s): Christian Milaster, Kathy Letendre (VP Organizational Excellence, Ingenium Healthcare Advisors); Kimberly Bushnell (Library Director, Middletown Springs Library, VT)
Facing Homelessness: A Rural Library Perspective
EXPANDED FROM LAST YEAR: Libraries are for everyone, right? What happens when rural libraries are confronted with homelessness? Homelessness prompted a group of community partners and library staff to think about how the Westford community could—and could not—respond. Participants will hear concrete examples of process, tools, and take-aways experienced in Westford, and will be invited to contribute their own ideas.
Presenter(s): Bree Drapa (Director of Westford Public Library), Lauren Curry (Westford Food Shelf, Co-founder)
Avoid Scams and Fraud: Guidance and Resources for Libraries
Acquire scam prevention knowledge and programming options in this presentation by federal and state fraud experts. Scams are constantly changing, multifaceted and challenging to decode. Billions of dollars have been lost to scams, with vulnerable populations experiencing the greatest losses. As trusted community hubs, libraries can help patrons avoid scams and improve outcomes by sharing resources and hosting scam awareness seminars. Join us as we review scam trends, methods to spot and avoid scams, and how to assist patrons experiencing fraud.
Presenter(s): Crystal Baldwin, Sheri Rockcastle, Sean Donlon, and Liza Dates
Book Merchandising in Public Libraries
Join Library Director, Christine Walton, for an informative session on Book Merchandising 101 and how knowing the fundamentals of Visual Merchandising can radically transform your library. As a former Store Manager of Canada’s largest book selling retailer, Christine comes to us with over 10 years visual merchandising experience in the book-selling world. From alcoves to endcaps, signage to shelf talkers, come prepared to learn how laying out your library can communicate a greater literary story to your patrons.
Presenter(s): Christine Walton
Help! All My Storytime Kids are 0-3 Years Old!
Make the library a welcoming place for the very young and their grownups. Provide opportunities for parents to connect with one another. Encourage development of essential skills and socialization through meaningful and cooperative play. A variety of games and activities will be presented, along with time to share ideas with colleagues. Materials for make-and-take will be available.
Presenter(s): Julia Winkler (Children’s Librarian, Dailey Memorial Library)
Vermont Holocaust Memorial – Our Roots, Your Community
We want to share our roots with your community to fight against hate through lessons of the past. Holocaust education is lacking in our state, and antisemitism is on the rise. You can be part of the solution. Heidi Fishman (Tutti’s Promise, 2017) will introduce VTHM’s Speakers Bureau, Leaf Project, and other opportunities that are available for your community.
Presenter(s): Heidi Fishman
Communities by the Numbers- a presentation from Vermont’s Census State Data Center
This workshop will focus on the ins and outs of finding and using Census data for your library and your patrons.
- We’ll begin with an overview of Census programs, surveys and data sets.
- Then we’ll focus on the Decennial Census and American Community Survey- your primary resources for socio-demographic data about people and communities.
- We’ll learn about where to find the data online, and how to navigate the many website functions.
- And we’ll learn when and how to use these data sets to compare places and see trends over time. (Comparative and Longitudinal analyses)
- We will explore indicators relevant for librarians and the patrons they serve, including population size and composition, poverty and affordability, disability, veteran status and more.
Presenter(s): Michael Moser (he/him) (Coordinator- Vermont’s Census State Data Center; Research Specialist- The Center for Rural Studies at UVM)
More come soon!
Questions can be directed to conference co-chairs Erin Davison and Maria Avery at conference@vermontlibraries.org
Maria Avery (she/her)
Community Outreach Manager, University of Vermont Libraries
Erin Davison (she/her)
Youth Services Librarian, Norwich Public Library