Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Session 3: Breakouts
11:00-11:50 AM
Session 3: Breakouts
11:00-11:50 AM
Embedded Files
Thank you for attending the 2026 CLA Conference. A Post Conference Email will be sent out after May 4th.
11:00-11:50 AM
Mystic Ballroom AD
Mystic Ballroom AD
Improv for Librarians - The Power of Communication, Support & Making Bold Choices!
Improv for Librarians - The Power of Communication, Support & Making Bold Choices!
Presenters: Sea Tea Improv Comedy Troupe
Improv comedy is not about being a funny or extroverted person. Success in improv is based on principles of support and communication that are applicable to every aspect of life. Come learn about these strategies in a fun and supportive environment at our workshop.
Sponsor: CLA Conference Committee
Mystic Ballroom BE
Mystic Ballroom BE
Future-Ready Youth: Preparing Our Patrons to Navigate the Age of AI
Future-Ready Youth: Preparing Our Patrons to Navigate the Age of AI
Presenters: Nick Tanzi, South Huntington Public Library and the-digital-librarian.com
Children and teens are often eager adopters of new technology, but access doesn’t always mean understanding. As we navigate the age of AI, important questions arise: How is artificial intelligence impacting our youth, and what does the future hold? More importantly, how can we, as library professionals, empower our patrons to understand and engage with this consequential technology?
Sponsor: CLA Conference Committee
Mystic Ballroom CF
Mystic Ballroom CF
From Magic E to Magic Tree House: Supporting Emerging Readers
From Magic E to Magic Tree House: Supporting Emerging Readers
Presenters: Caitlin Augusta, Stratford Library; Heather Baker, Canton Public Library; and Sara Livoti, Stratford Library
Learn how to support emerging readers and their families at every stage of their reading journey. Topics include decodables, early readers, early chapter books, and audiobooks. Participants will learn reader’s advisory tips and see great examples from each category.
Sponsor: CLA Member
Conference Room 1
Conference Room 1
Help Wanted! A Job Workshop & Fair for Teens
Help Wanted! A Job Workshop & Fair for Teens
Presenters: Andrea O'Shea, Prospect Public Library
Presenters: Andrea O'Shea, Prospect Public Library
Help is always wanted for kids looking for their first job! Learn how you can be the linchpin between business owners and partners in your community and unaware teens to present unique, useful advice to kids hoping to land that first job. Then let them put that advice to work with a job fair, hosted by you!
Sponsor: CLA Member
Conference Room 2
Conference Room 2
How Odd to See: Our post-ILLiad Journey
How Odd to See: Our post-ILLiad Journey
Presenters: Alyssa DePaolis, Central Connecticut State University and Kenneth Herniman, Central Connecticut State University
Central dropped ILLiad! We cut costs and increased access for patrons. Interested in learning how or why? This presentation will cover how we transitioned away from ILLiad by setting up resource sharing in our discovery layer and borrowing workflows in our ILS. All this and while still maintaining our status as an ILL provider for CT public libraries.
Sponsor: CLA Member
Conference Room 3
Conference Room 3
Brain Architecture and Public Libraries
Double Session: 11:00 am-12:50 pm
Brain Architecture and Public Libraries
Double Session: 11:00 am-12:50 pm
Presenter: Kymberlee Powe, CT State Library
The Brain Architecture Game is a tabletop game initiative that builds understanding of the powerful role of experiences on early brain development. Join Children/ YA Consultant Kym Powe to go through the Brain Architecture Game and discuss the potential impact of public libraries on early childhood experiences and outcomes. What are we doing and what can we be doing.
Sponsor: CLA Member
Conference Room 5
Conference Room 5
Multigenerational Competency in the Workplace
Multigenerational Competency in the Workplace
Presenters: Stacie Watson, Transformative Leadership Strategies
In this interactive session, participants will explore what unites us across age groups and how to communicate and collaborate more effectively. By examining shared human needs, challenging generational stereotypes, and practicing inclusive approaches, participants will strengthen their ability to build trust, reduce conflict, and foster connection.
Sponsor: CLA Career Development Committee
Conference Room 6
Conference Room 6
Sound Healing
Sound Healing
Presenter: Amy Ordonez, Studio 13
Experience a restorative sound journey featuring Hathor, a 48-inch Sun Gong inspired by the Egyptian goddess of music and harmony. Rich, radiant tones wash through the body, easing stress and restoring balance. Designed especially for library staff, this immersive session offers deep relaxation, renewed clarity, and a shared moment of calm—an honoring of those who hold space for learning and community.
Sponsor: CLA Conference Committee
Conference Room 7
Conference Room 7
Other Duties as Assigned: How Libraries Became the Community's Help Desk
Other Duties as Assigned: How Libraries Became the Community's Help Desk
Presenters: Kate Sheehan, Stratford Library Association and Jessica Woolford, Bibliomation, Inc.
Library staff are serving as the community helpdesk, being asked to troubleshoot patron devices, accounts, and online services. How are libraries managing these increasingly technical demands in hiring, training, and budgeting? The CLA technology section is building an advocacy toolkit with talking points for funding, training resources, and ideas for including technology skills in your hiring.
Sponsor: CLA Technology Section
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