MLA/DLACon2025

Are you looking to revitalize your Teen Services and better connect with the teens in your library? In this highly interactive and collaborative workshop, library staff will have the opportunity to share their struggles, wins, and solutions with their peers and learn skills for creating an equitable and engaging foundation for Teen Services. Based in connected learning and youth development, this training offers fresh perspectives and actionable plans for staff to implement in their library services right away. Your participation is a valuable part of this experience, and we encourage everyone to contribute as much as they feel comfortable.

Get to know ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed. While accounting for nearly 41% of the US population, this segment of our population is often underrepresented, unknown, and unheard. Through the use of a simulator exercise and small group discussions, attendees will experience the struggles of the ALICE population and participate in discussions focused on finding ways that libraries can provide assistance to these families. Attendees will also be introduced to data provided by the United Way that can be used to raise awareness of this group in their own libraries.

Join us for three mini-presentations on libraries as mental health hubs, culinary programming, and workplace efficiency.
1) Public Libraries as Mental Hubs for Local Communities (Through their resources and existence as public spaces, public libraries can mitigate issues like isolation and loneliness.) - Reshma Khan
2) No Library Kitchen, No Problem: A Culinary Programming Partnership (Learn how Pratt Library is building a mutually beneficial partnership with experts that know best when it comes to food safety and education.) - Allie Smith
3) Utilizing Digital Resources for Workplace Efficiency (Approach common library roadblocks with new, innovative resources and tools that aid in workflow automation.) - Daniel Dennies