National Institute 2026

National Institute 2026

10:15am EDT

A Case for Dismantling Dewey to Bring Back the Magic in Elementary Non-Fiction Embassy Suites Buffalo | SalonJessie Hudson

Every Day, Every Shelf: Bringing Native Stories Into Year-Round Library Life Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Grand Ballroom GLaurel Goodluck • Stacy Wells

Innovative Play Programs for Babies & Toddlers to Boost Language, Early Learning, and Parent Engagement Embassy Suites Buffalo | AvantAngele Deneve • Emma Gordon • Kelly Smith • Rachel G. Payne • Jessica Ralli

Mastering the Dungeon: How to Incorporate RPGs into your Youth and Teen Services Programming Embassy Suites Buffalo | EncoreElizabeth Sanderson

PBS Stations & Libraries Are the Dream Team! Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Delaware A-CTonia Burton • Cara Rager • Jackie Stapleton • Beth Fronckowiak

The Role of Therapy Dogs in Public Libraries and Their Supportive Role in Literacy Initiatives Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Grand Ballroom E-FDan Caufield • Brigette Atlas-Callahan • Sarah McLean-Plunkett

12:45pm EDT

Art for Everyone, Including Masters of Library and Information Science Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Delaware A-CTamara Palmer • Kyla Wong

Building Bridges: Culturally Responsive School and Public Library Practices for Young Black Male Readers Embassy Suites Buffalo | SalonPatrick Oliver • Tiffeni Fontno

Connecting Generations: A Library – Children's Museum Partnership to Foster Genealogy Learning for Children & Families Embassy Suites Buffalo | AvantWill Kawalec • Susan Buttaccio • Rhonda Hoffman

Exploring Mirrors of Latiné Representation in Pura Belpré Award-Winning Books, 2009-2023 Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Grand Ballroom GJamie Campbell Naidoo • Nicole Gillihan

Information Literacy through Children's Literature Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Grand Ballroom E-FBrooke Gross

Libraries Disrupting the School to Prison Pipeline Embassy Suites Buffalo | EncoreCarrie Banks

2:15pm EDT

Examining Early Literacy Spaces: Are We on the Right Track? Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Grand Ballroom GKim Bolan • Erin Jennings, IIDA, AIA, NCIDQ, NCARB

Exploring and Using Children’s and YA Literature about Book Bans to Advocate for the Right to Read and More Embassy Suites Buffalo | EncoreJamie Campbell Naidoo • Ramona Caponegro

Fostering a Culture of Connecting Through a County-wide Initiative: Disconnect 2 Reconnect Embassy Suites Buffalo | AvantPatricia Brigham • Janet Donat • Terry Kirchner

From Fellowship to Framework Growing News Literacy Together Embassy Suites Buffalo | SalonColleen Sadowski • Melissa Frost • Miranda Stefano

Just in Time for Halloween Hum-rorous Graphic Novels for Children and Tweens Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Grand Ballroom E-FScot Smith

Leading from the Middle: Building Consensus Through Influence, Not Authority Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Delaware A-CKristin Williamson • Emily Williams

3:45pm EDT

Collaborative Tools for Thinking about Children’s Play Embassy Suites Buffalo | AvantPeter Wardrip • Rebekah Willett • Jacqueline Kociubuk • Lynn Montague

Escape (Room) Your Book Club Embassy Suites Buffalo | EncoreAustin Ferraro

Guided by Values: How School Librarians Navigate Collection Development in a Time of Censorship Embassy Suites Buffalo | SalonMelissa Iamonico

Literacy @ Your Library Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Grand Ballroom E-FMarion Waldman • Beth Bevars • Valerie Byrd Fort

Strengthening Early Literacy with Tubs, Toys and Training Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Delaware A-CJennifer Wardlaw • Jeannine Birkenfeld

That Book Should Win an Award Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Grand Ballroom GAdrienne Pettinelli

10:15am EDT

Beyond Compliance: How Community Partnership Drives Meaningful Library Accessibility Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Grand Ballroom E-FTess Botkin • Kristin Williamson

Centering Joy, Justice, and Black Girlhood Through Romance Embassy Suites Buffalo | EncoreJessica Grider

Children’s Librarian to Public Library Director Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Grand Ballroom GKristi Dougherty

Making the Case for Nonfiction: Inspiring Readers and Celebrating Informational Books Embassy Suites Buffalo | SalonStacey Rattner • Elisa Gall • Cathy Potter

Pride Everywhere: Rainbow Family Storytime Success Across Two Systems Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Delaware A-CNatalie Magnatta • Alec Chunn • Rebecca Chernay • Sam Bashakevitz

The Powerful Impact of Play: How Play Can Engage Your Community and Strengthen Early Literacy Skills Embassy Suites Buffalo | AvantNichole King • Raina Tuakoi

12:45pm EDT

A Case Study of Censorship in a Louisiana Public Library or You Can’t Make This Stuff Up Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Grand Ballroom E-FTanya DiMaggio

Create a Critical Thinking Program Recipe Embassy Suites Buffalo | EncoreMichelle Muller

Nonfiction Matters: How to Find Excellence, Engagement, and Depth in Path-breaking Nonfiction Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Delaware A-CDeborah Taylor • Deborah Heiligman • Marc Aronson

Pages to Purpose: Using the Power of Story to Inspire Action Embassy Suites Buffalo | SalonJen Donnalley • Susan Polos

Supporting Neurodiverse Youth Ages 0-12 Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Grand Ballroom GLauren Williams • Erin Richards

Using Photos, Videos, and Webcams to Enrich Informational Literacy Embassy Suites Buffalo | AvantMelissa Stewart

2:15pm EDT

Before 1, 2, 3: Early Math Precursors for Babies and Toddlers Embassy Suites Buffalo | AvantKatie Campana • Jacqueline Kociubuk

Feel-Good Family Learning Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Grand Ballroom E-FAmanda “Mandy” O’Brien

Finding and Serving Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Delaware A-CDr. Vikki C. Terrile

Scalable STEAM Programs for Any Budget and Bandwidth Embassy Suites Buffalo | SalonAbby Jean Duvall

Trading Spaces: How to Build a Tween Space in a Children's Room Embassy Suites Buffalo | EncoreOlivia McElwain

Writing, Illustrating, and Publishing Kidlit 101: How Books Go from Our Brains to Your Shelves Hyatt Regency Buffalo | Grand Ballroom GSarah Mead • Heather Lee • Deena Viviani