National Institute 2026

Research shows that children 0-3 years need playful activities with a responsive caregiver to develop language, executive function, foundational STEM knowledge, and more. At this session, discover Big Playdates, a model program offered in libraries across the U.S. and Canada where parents and caregivers learn simple, language-boosting play activities they can do with everyday materials, from delivery boxes to salad spinners, scalable to a variety of library settings and beyond.
Staff from NYC's three library systems will present their own take on this innovative and flexible program model. Brooklyn Public Library staff will present an overview of how Playdates were developed in Brooklyn and provide the nuts and bolts for program implementation. 
New York Public Library colleagues will explore how transitioning from larger playdates to localized pop-ups enabled more play programs across branches and helped them develop their DIY play recipe database.
Queens Public Library colleagues will share how they adapted their program model to focus on various themes and highlight larger system-wide library initiatives.
Emma Gordon from Science Baby, an NYC-based STEM early learning program, will present the age-appropriate STEM activities she brings to BPL's annual Big Brooklyn Playdate. Participants will also learn what the research says about the benefits of play for children 0-3 years and how to develop their own scalable "Play Recipes" to encourage play in your libraries.

Establishing and maintaining art programming at your library can feel overwhelming. Budgets can be tight, spaces limited, and audiences unpredictable. In spite of these challenges, you can present programs that serve the needs of your community. Learn how we created inspiring, enriching, intergenerational, hands-on art experiences that explore a diversity of techniques, styles and media, along with a dash of global art history and culture. From toddlers to teens and beyond, active or passive, in person or online, incorporated into existing programming or something new, ongoing series or stand-along, process or product focused, sensory and adaptive - the fluidity of art programming offers something for everyone. You will leave this session with resources, program examples and grab-and-go projects ready to get creative!

In the United States, the amount of time available for children for free play is on the decline, especially for children living in poverty. Unsurprisingly, and in line with ALSC's 2019 National Research Agenda, libraries have been investing in programs and spaces for children's play. Youth Service librarians recognize the importance of play for promoting children's language and literacy skills, brain development, creativity, resiliency, and physical health. However, advocating for and assessing play services can be a challenge. Further, there is little time to reflect on play offerings or to collaborate with others in the community who also provide play services. This workshop addresses some of these ideas by sharing a toolkit called 'Mapping Children's Play in Museums and Libraries.' The toolkit includes:

1. observational tools for children's play
2. a Diversity Audit Tool for play-based programs and spaces with a specific focus on fostering inclusion and belonging
3. professional development materials designed to engage practitioners in collaboratively reflecting on their play spaces and offerings. 

The toolkit supports professionals in articulating their own conceptualizations of play, observing play-based programs, assessing the design and use of play materials and spaces, and reflecting the extent to which the engagement in their play programs align with their intentions. Based on a three-year IMLS research project, the program will be presented by project investigators Dr. Peter Wardrip and Dr. Rebekah Willet; project assistant, Dr. Jacquie Kociubuk; and Lynn Montague, youth services librarian at Sun Prairie Public Library in Wisconsin. 

Looking for ways your library could improve its resources for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers? Want to be a part of improving literacy in your community? Start with the babies! Adding toys and tubs to your library system requires money and time, but it's a worthwhile investment in your youngest patron population. The Springfield-Greene County Library District has built a unique collection of approximately 750 circulating and non-circulating toys to support early learning and literacy at home and in its 10 branches. In addition to toys, the Youth Services team has curated a collection of 34 thematic storytime tubs to support staff in providing relevant, dynamic storytimes that support early literacy and learning. An interactive training session provides staff with valuable knowledge about early childhood development and insider tips from seasoned providers to help them master the art of successful storytimes. Learn how SGCL staff have leveraged tubs, toys, and training to strengthen their collection, programming, and resources for young children, families, and staff. 

At the 2024 ALSC National Institute, staff from Multnomah County Library shared their successful model for Rainbow Storytime. This year, Denver Public Library joins them to share how that model can be adapted to any community to offer thriving LGBTQIA+ programming for kids and families. 

Come learn how we proposed, planned, presented and expanded identity-supporting storytimes explicitly designed for queer kids and families - in two different states!

Rainbow Family Storytime provides joyful, community-building early-learning experiences for parents, caregivers, and children ages 0-6 who fall under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella. Takeaways include best practices and resources to create your own Rainbow Family Storytimes or other queer-inclusive programming. 

This session will provide practical, actionable strategies for library professionals to better support neurodiverse children ages 0-12. Attendees will learn about key resources and best practices for creating sensory-friendly library environments, including the use of quiet zones, sensory kits, and other accessible design elements. Participants will also explore ideas for inclusive, sensory-friendly programming tailored to this age group. The session will conclude with interactive breakout discussions, offering space to share experiences, ask questions, and build a supportive network for continuing this important work. By the end, participants will leave with a toolkit of ideas and strategies they can immediately implement to create more inclusive, welcoming spaces for neurodiverse youth and their families. 

As hubs of lifelong learning, libraries are the near perfect place to ignite curiosity, creativity and connection. Family programming offers fun opportunities to model this while empowering kids and their grownups to learn and grow together... and with their community. Intergenerational games and activities also provide rich tools for traditional, developmental, and social-emotional learning. In this interactive session, we'll explore classic and new games, how to create one from scratch, and how to adapt existing games for a larger group of adults and kids, from toddlers to teens, and everyone in between. We'll also examine strategies (and pitfalls) for leading group games and get a chance to play! Participants will consider how their personality, learning style, and intentionality can influence the authenticity and outcomes of their "personal instruction manual" and unique approach to programming. Ultimately, learning can be fun and games!