Pre-conference Sessions, Tuesday October 14 2025

Expanding Our Horizons: Building Capacity for Dialogue Across Difference, presented by Alan Yarborough
Morning (9 am to 12 pm)

Sponsored by: Library Advocacy and Legislation Section (LALS)

Description: Whether expanding our reach to new community members or taking on the risk of navigating tough topics, improving our capacity to engage in dialogue across difference will help librarians expand their library’s capacity to serve as a third space bringing communities together for interaction and learning.When diving into new challenges of the present and future, or revisiting old disagreements, our capacity for healthy dialogue enables us to build a sense of community, become more effective problem-solvers, and help unlock the potential in our communities to overcome deep-seated challenges.New frontiers mean greater uncertainty, at a time when so much feels unstable. Healthy relationship is critical to our success, and it comes not from avoiding conflict altogether, but learning how to take advantage of healthy conflict as an inevitable dimension of living in community with people different from ourselves.

This pre-conference workshop is designed to build participants’ capacity for civil discourse on tough topics facing our communities and even libraries themselves. We will explore understanding civil discourse in the context of other peaceful tools for engagement, the impact of our particular identities and experiences, and specific ways we can improve our day-to-day engagements in a difficult political environment.

Values-Aligned Budgeting, presented by John Chrastka
Afternoon (1:30pm to 4:30pm)

NOTE: Intended audience is Library Administratory, Leaders, and Managers

Description: Library leaders must deeply understand the social and political climate in their towns and counties in order to position their libraries for future funding success. The first step is to know that funders are not always library users, and their decision to fund the library is not generally based on self-interest. Whether they are elected officials or donors, funders are motivated by compassion, pride, and data. In tough budget climates, they are motivated by evidence-based policymaking. 

This session will provide actionable ways to refine, rework, and even rewrite your municipal or county budgets for stability and growth. You are the only expert on how your library can affect real change and support your community. Knowing what messages resonate with and activate current and potential stakeholders is key to effective communication about your funding.

Navigating Northstar Online Learning for Administrators and Proctors, presented by Lori Special
Morning (9 am to 12 pm)

Sponsored by State Library of NC and Public Library Section (PLS)

Maximum capacity: 50 people

NOTE: Registration cost covered by State Library of NC grant funding

For more information, contact Lori at lori.special@dncr.nc.gov

Description: Navigating Northstar Online Learning for Administrators and Proctors is a hands-on session which will walk those in the role of Administrator and Proctor through the elements of Northstar Online Learning to increase their knowledge and comfort with this flexible digital assessment and skill building tool. Northstar can be used to increase the digital capacity of staff to meet the just-in-time and point-of-service digital needs of their community members. Library staff can then use and refer Northstar to their community members to increase their digital skills.

Pre-requisites for attendees: 

1) Current or approved Northstar Online Learning Administrators and Proctors & 

2) The library organization has an active Northstar Online Learning account. While Northstar is made available to all public libraries through the State Library of North Carolina, any library with a Northstar account may participate in this session.

Navigating the Frontiers of Library Worker Identity: Being Yourself When Others Want you to Be Someone Else, presented by Darin Freeburg and Katie Klein
Afternoon (1:30pm to 4:30pm)

Sponsored by: Public Library Section (PLS)

Description: Library workers bring a sense of who they are to the work that they do-a collection of internal labels that describe what it means that they work in a library and that they are unique individuals. When they get to work, though, they are confronted with other sets of labels for who they are or who they should be. These are the labels provided by patrons, management, colleagues, and even the technology they use and the spaces they occupy-labels that are informed by events and attitudes in broader society that are increasingly hostile to anyone who doesn’t fit the current version of “normal”. This means that, while library workers source much of their self-esteem from who they are, they also face a barrage of suggestions that they aren’t as good or as valuable as they think they are. Given the recent uptick in attacks against even the most basic equity, diversity, and inclusion support structures-as well as attacks on the profession itself-library workers are often left to face these recurring identity threats alone.

In this workshopping session, researchers from the Public Library Routines Project-a project funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services-will guide attendees through a series of collaborative activities intended to help them craft their own solutions to these pressing challenges. As librarianship continues to extend its reach into new frontiers and, thus, new demands on worker identity, these solutions will help library workers maintain their sense of self.

Present Like a Pro, presented by Jennifer Hanft and Brandy Hamilton
Full day (9 am-4:30 pm, 12-1:30 pm lunch break)

Sponsored by: Library Administration and Management Section (LAMS)

Description: Does the thought of public speaking stress you out? Are you struggling to feel more in control of the panel when presenting virtually? Do you want to improve your presentation style and develop a more dynamic stage presence? Present Like a Pro will provide tips and tools to sharpen your in-person and virtual presentation and facilitation skills. Interactive activities guided by seasoned presenters will help you test out content, live and in a safe and low-stakes space.

AI in Action: Practical Applications for Librarians, presented by J. Denice Lewis
Morning (9 am to 12 pm)

Sponsored by: STEM-LINC

Description: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how information is accessed, organized, and utilized. For librarians, understanding AI tools and their applications can enhance research support, instructional services, and workflow efficiency. This hands-on pre-conference workshop will introduce participants to a range of AI-powered tools relevant to librarianship, provide guided experimentation with different tools, and facilitate discussions on real-world use cases. Attendees will leave with practical knowledge and strategies for integrating AI tools into their professional practice. This workshop will empower librarians to navigate the evolving AI landscape with confidence, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to leverage AI effectively in their professional practice. This workshop is designed for librarians in all roles and settings who are interested in learning about AI tools and their applications. No prior experience with AI is required.

Technology Requirements: Participants should bring a laptop or tablet to engage in hands-on activities. 

Black Superheroes: Exploring Race, Power, and Culture Through Comic Studies, presented by Nasir “Nas” Jean-Paul
Afternoon (1:30 pm to 4:30 pm)

Description: Nas will open this workshop by sharing the behind-the-scenes process of the “Black Superheroes” program he developed this past February in collaboration with the Davidson College Library and the Davidson Arts & Creative Engagement (DACE) Studio for Black History Month. From introducing Davidson’s first Black superhero comic collection to facilitating a campus-wide event, Nas will demonstrate how comic studies, particularly Black superhero comics, can foster meaningful conversations about Black culture and its portrayal in mainstream Western media.

The second section offers a glimpse into Nas’ current research on Haitian superheroes whose powers stem from their connection to Haitian Vodou. As a Haitian-American, Nas found joy in discovering characters like Marvel’s Doctor Voodoo and Castlevania: Nocturne & Annette, but he soon came to recognize how misrepresentations of Haitian culture carry real-world consequences for both the Haitian people and the Vodou religion. This segment will spark dialogue around how we might reimagine Black superheroes in ways that honor and respect the complexity of Black cultural and spiritual identities.

In the final hour, participants will take part in a hands-on workshop exploring how to incorporate comic studies into their own programming or instruction. While this session focuses on Black superhero comics, it also offers librarians, educators, and cultural workers an opportunity to explore comics more broadly as tools for developing inclusive programs and generating dialogue around race, power, and culture, not only for Black communities, but for all groups historically marginalized or overshadowed by Western norms and narratives.

Binding History, Unbinding Creativity: Experiential Learning through Bookbinding and Zine-Making, presented by Gerald Ward and Lauren Ksa
Full day (9 am-4:30 pm, 12-1:30 pm lunch break)

NOTE: Attendees can attend either the morning session (focusing on Bookbinding), the afternoon session (focusing on Zine-Making), or both

Description: This workshop offers library professionals a full day of immersive, hands-on learning in two complementary parts. The morning session introduces the art and history of books and bookbinding, while the afternoon explores zine-making as a medium of personal expression and community engagement. Participants will actively create their own hand-bound books and self-published zines, guided by an experienced instructor. Throughout both sessions, the workshop emphasizes experiential, object-based, and craft-based learning theories demonstrating how tactile, & learning-by-doing activities can deepen understanding of library collections and the social impact of print culture. 

By the end of the day, attendees will not only have new creative skills and finished projects to take home, but also concrete ideas for implementing bookbinding and zine programs in their own libraries. This workshop is beginner-friendly and open to all. All materials and tools will be provided, and participants are encouraged (but not required) to bring any personal images, magazines, poetry, or artwork to incorporate into their zines.

Reentry Realities: Navigating New Frontiers in Library Services for Justice-Impacted Individuals, presented by Clarisa Arguello
Afternoon (1:30 pm to 4:30 pm)

Sponsored by: the State Library of NC

Maximum capacity: 50 people

NOTE: Registration cost covered by State Library of NC and this workshop includes an interactive simulation (volunteers are needed for this simulation)

For more information, contact Clarissa at clarisa.arguello@dncr.nc.gov

Description: The State Library of North Carolina, in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, Division of Rehabilitation and Reentry will host this interactive pre-conference session designed to deepen understanding of barriers faced by justice-impacted individuals as they transition from incarceration back into society. 

Attendees will participate in a Reentry Simulation, an immersive experience that highlights the systemic challenges individuals encounter when securing housing, employment, transportation, and other basic needs. By engaging directly with these real-life scenarios, library staff will gain a great awareness of complex barriers to successful reintegration. 

Following the simulation, the State Library will facilitate a guided reflection and work session, where participants will contribute to the development of a living resource document. This document will serve as a practical toolkit for library staff across the state, offering strategies, resources, and best practices for serving justice-impacted individuals. 

The entire session will empower attendees to develop sustainable, equity focused approaches to reentry support within their libraries.

Digging Deep Into Mindfulness: an immersive and instructional workshop, presented by Jenneffer Sixkiller
Afternoon (1:30pm to 4:30pm)

Sponsored by: Wellbeing Committee

Maximum capacity: 25 people

Description: Join NCLA Wellbeing Committee Members as you explore mindful practices, including guided meditations, breath and music meditations, mindful tea tasting, and inclusive yoga. We create a relaxed mood with lighting, music and essential oils. Each practice will last between 30-60 minutes, with mini breaks in between. Built-in reflection time will allow participants to both be immersed in the experience, take away what they can use in their own libraries, and building into their own practice.

Banned Together Movie Night, Intellectual Freedom Committee’s Film Screening, Tuesday, October 14, 7 p.m., Forsyth County Public Library Central Branch

Kick off your conference experience with NCLA’s Intellectual FreedomCommittee and a special FREE screening of Banned Together, an "eye-opening documentary pulls back the curtain on two of the hottest topics in America today—book bans and curriculum censorship in public schools." Ban together with fellow NC libraries in this night of reel resistance with conversation and light refreshments on Tuesday, October 14th at 7pm. See you there!
Banned Together follows three students and their adult allies as they fight to reinstate 97 books suddenly pulled from their school libraries. As they evolve from local to national activists – meeting with bestselling/banned authors, politicians, Constitutional experts, and more – the film reveals the dark forces behind the accelerating wave of book bans in the U.S.
For more information, contact Amelia Hill, acmedrano@crimson.ua.edu, or the Intellectual Freedom Committee.