CLA Conference - Session 4: Tuesday

Thank you for attending the 2026 CLA Conference. A Post Conference Email will be sent out after May 4th.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Session 4: Breakouts
12:00-12:50 PM

Mystic Ballroom AD

Intro to Manga & Graphix

Presenters: Jackie Bush, Stratford Library Association; Danielle Murray, Rockville Public Library; and Stephanie Smith, CT Library Consortium and Meriden Public Library

Let's talk manga, manhua, graphix, comix, & more! If you're new, would like a refresher, are a mega fan, or would like good responses when parents hesitate to let their kids check out "books with pictures," join us!

Sponsor: CLA YA Section

Mystic Ballroom BE

Library Leaders: Empowering Students in the Library

Presenter: Christopher Carvalho, Southington Public Schools

Library Leaders is a monthly outreach program for secondary school students that has blossomed into a leadership opportunity for students to volunteer in their public library.

Sponsor: CLA Conference Committee

Mystic Ballroom CF

Hands-On Learning for Homeschool Families:
Building Lasting Library Connections

Presenters: Nicolette Pavain, James Blackstone Memorial Library and Emily Yates, James Blackstone Memorial Library

Curious about how your library can better support homeschool families? Join us to hear how starting a monthly Homeschool Meetup group has helped us build lasting relationships, offer educational programming, and share library resources. You’ll leave this session with sample lesson plans and actionable ideas to launch or enhance homeschool programming in your own library.

Sponsor: CLA Conference Committee

Conference Room 1

JobNow for Librarians

Presenters: Sandy DiCicco, East Hartford Public Library; Sarah Eiseman, CCSP, CPRW, East Hartford Public Library; and Magdelena Holler, East Hartford Public Library

Unlock the potential of your JobNow subscription! This session will explore key features like Skills First and live coaching, demonstrating how job seekers and library users can leverage this valuable resource. Learn practical tips for reference staff and digital navigators to confidently guide users and maximize library computer usage for career success.

Sponsor: CLA Career Development Committee

Conference Room 2

Use of MARC Fields in the OPAC to Enhance Discoverability of ADA Accessible Materials

Presenter: Jenn L. Beckwith, Guilford Free Library

This presentation will give examples of MARC fields which are used to label and describe the materials available in your collection and ensure they are displayed in the OPAC for increased discoverability while maintaining accessibility.

Using specific MARC fields and have them seen on our OPACS makes these items accessible and discoverable for individuals with disabilities.

Sponsor: CLA Member

Conference Room 7

Your Dream Staff: How to Hire, Develop, and Retain Dedicated and Motivated Employees

Presenter: Lynn Zaffino, Easton Public Library

Would you like to have a staff you can rave about? This session will cover best practices for hiring and development, as well as ideas for supporting and recognizing employees so they feel valued, understood, and respected.