Monday, April 27, 2026
Monday, April 27, 2026
Session 4: Breakouts
12:00-12:50 PM
Session 4: Breakouts
12:00-12:50 PM
Embedded Files
Thank you for attending the 2026 CLA Conference. A Post Conference Email will be sent out after May 4th.
12:00-12:50 PM
Mystic Ballroom AD
Mystic Ballroom AD
Supporting Early Literacy: A Public School/Public Library Partnership
Supporting Early Literacy: A Public School/Public Library Partnership
Presenter: Angela Buccheri, Wallingford Public Schools and Kari Hamad, Wallingford Public Library
Discover ways to build a stronger partnership between schools and libraries to support early literacy. Participants will gain an understanding of how decodable texts are used within the classroom. The session will also highlight practical strategies that public libraries can use to support this mission, including ideas on how to best curate a collection of decodable texts.
Sponsor: CLA Member
Mystic Ballroom BE
Mystic Ballroom BE
Ditching Dewey for a Word-Based System: A Librarian’s Guide
Ditching Dewey for a Word-Based System: A Librarian’s Guide
Presenters: Anne Henriques, Berlin-Peck Memorial Library and Andrea Raynor, Berlin-Peck Memorial Library
While you may already know about libraries who “Ditched Dewey,” what you may not know is HOW they actually did it. We’ll share all the details about timelines, planning, logistics, and marketing involved in the creation and implementation of The Pecking Order, our word-based cataloging system that’s intuitive, easy to understand, and has led to quicker and better patron service.
Sponsor: CLA Technical Services Section
Conference Room 1
Conference Room 1
The 7Cs of Positive Youth Development and Libraries
The 7Cs of Positive Youth Development and Libraries
Presenters: Danielle Murray, Rockville Public Library
The 7 Cs Model of Positive Youth Development highlight competence, confidence, connection, character, caring, contribution, and creativity, as mentors provide youth with the support and resources for interest-driven engagement, nurturing their strengths and promoting positive identity development. How may this be implemented in a library environment?
Sponsor: CLA YA Section
Conference Room 2
Conference Room 2
Digital Navigation and Your Library
Digital Navigation and Your Library
Presenter: Connor Bailey, Wallingford Public Library and Elijah Mitchell-Sanchez, Wallingford Public Library
Meet the Digital Navigators extraordinaire of Wallingford Public Library. Over the last two and a half years, our navigators have been embedded into the community, developing patrons’ digital literacy skills in one-on-one appointments. Since growing the program, they have learned from their successes to develop one of the most utilized and popular library services.
Sponsor: CLA Member
Conference Room 3
Conference Room 3
Dying to Talk About This: Running Death and Dying Programs at Your Library
Dying to Talk About This: Running Death and Dying Programs at Your Library
Presenter: Lyndsey Robinson, Ledyard Public Library
Inspired by Death Cafes, programs on death and dying offer patrons and library staff alike to talk about one of life’s ultimate certainties. From how to start to contacting funeral homes, death doulas and more, we’ll cover exactly where to start when it comes to the end.
Sponsor: CLA Member
Conference Room 6
Conference Room 6
Rethinking Library Shelving and Furniture for Modern Libraries
Rethinking Library Shelving and Furniture for Modern Libraries
Presenter: Jennifer Tiso, Vice President of Sales and Senior Designer, PSI-NESP
Focusing on the shift from collection- to user-centered spaces, this presentation explores rethinking shelving and furniture to create flexible, welcoming, functional layouts. Participants will learn about current design trends, e.g. lower shelving for visibility, mobile furniture, enhanced browsing displays, and versatile seating. We will also address practical considerations such as accessibility, traffic flow, and balancing collection capacity with community space.
Vendor Demo
Conference Room 7
Conference Room 7
Mental Well-Being in the Library for Staff and Patrons
Mental Well-Being in the Library for Staff and Patrons
Presenter: Mary Ginnetti, MSW North Haven Memorial Library
Sometimes being a library professional can feel more like being a social worker. Learn how to assist patrons while preserving your own mental health. Self-calming tools and de-escalation techniques will be covered. In addition, social service resources will be incorporated. This session also includes an opening brief guided meditation and longer closing meditation.
Sponsor: CLA Reference & Adult Services Section
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