MLA/DLACon2025

Building connections and trust with students is an essential part of learning and breaking down library anxiety. However, it is not easy in the limited amount of time librarians often spend with students in reference interactions and the classroom. In this discussion participants will share their strategies to enhance emotional connection and trust between library workers and students. The focus will be on exploring effective techniques for short or one-time interactions and instructional sessions. Participants will consider best practices, discuss challenges, and brainstorm innovative approaches to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for students

The use of service dogs is rising, along with questions about their presence in public spaces. Highly trained companions provide crucial aid to individuals with disabilities, but the increase brings up concerns regarding safety, training, and legitimacy. Library staff are particularly impacted as patrons enter with dogs, some not meeting the strict ADA Service Dog definition. Staff must manage access issues. This session will explore the legal landscape, practical scenarios, and offer essential resources to ensure inclusive and informed library environments. Co-presented by Service Dog Lucky VII.

Children of incarcerated parents face negative consequences, including behavior problems, poor academic performance, and PTSD. It is an unfortunate side effect of the criminal justice system that children often pay for their parents' transgressions. Research has shown that the most effective way to limit these consequences is ensuring that the child maintains a relationship with the parent who is incarcerated.

Incarceration affects lower-income families at a much higher rate than middle- or upper-income families, it can come down to the costs associated with maintaining connections. Phone and video calls are expensive, jails are typically in out of the way locations without access to public transportation, custodians might not be able to afford time off work to take children to jails during visiting hours. Even when children can visit their incarcerated parents, no-touch visitation makes maintaining those connections difficult.

It was with all of these factors in mind that we entered into a partnership with our county correctional center that we call the Storybook Program. We help incarcerated adults record picture books for the children in their lives. It offers a connection to the children that is accessible when they want or need it.

This is an engaging session designed to transform your school library into a vibrant hub of the school community! Discover proven, innovative strategies to exponentially increase engagement among students, parents, and the broader school community. Participates receive specific and proven examples to effectively bring the library to 'the people,” and to bring “the people” to the library. Attendees will leave with a comprehensive plan to cultivate library stakeholders, heighten book circulation, and increase patronage. The session will give participants proven tools needed to make their library the heart of the school!

Traditional educational resources put a high-cost strain on students and are increasingly controlled by corporate bookstores. Open Educational Resources (OERs) offer an anti-capitalist alternative with the potential to transform learning for students and empower faculty. This presentation will establish the current pitfalls and inequities perpetuated by traditional educational resources, and present how OERs can challenge and subvert those drawbacks.