ArLA 2026 Annual Conference

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9:00am CDT

Building Confidence and Community with Adult Programs

Saturday October 17, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

Description:

Battle burnout by incorporating your own interests into programs. Everyone has something that they are passionate about. Share those interests with your patrons and help them find a new hobby. Create new regular patrons by hosting a variety of weekly, low stress programs where patrons can find their niche.

By attending this session, attendees will learn how to incorporate their own interests and hobbies into new programs. Worry less about chasing trends to capture patron attention while still encouraging learning.

Programmers will gain confidence and become inspired to bring their own strengths into providing recurring events that build a regular audience.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the program, attendees will be able to do the following:

Design a program concept that transforms a personal hobby or skill into an engaging library event.
Apply techniques to empower fellow staff to lead programs based on their individual strengths and interests.
Differentiate between trend-based and authentic programming and select approaches that build consistent audience engagement and attendance.

The presenters will share successful examples with detailed programming information via handout materials and a shared Google Drive after the session. Thematically, it suits the conference with the focus on strengthening our communities through creating consistent positive events for patrons to connect with one another and learn new skills.

Speakers

Sara Stuart

Assistant Manager of Adult Services, Craighead County Public Library in Jonesboro

I am a librarian with 17 years of experience with this library system, most of it spent with adult programming. I am passionate about helping our patrons not only find the information they need, but also giving them opportunities to try new things and encourage lifelong learning... Read More →

Amber Heard

Adult Services Manager, Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library

I am an adult services manager with 8.5 years of adult programming experience. I believe that allowing patrons to explore new ideas and finding new connections are the most important parts of programming.

Saturday October 17, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
TBA

Break Out Session

Track Whitaker Point Trail
Audience Public
global Y

10:00am CDT

What a Wonderful World! The Varied Forms of Nature Writing

Saturday October 17, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

TBA

Nature writing takes many forms and explores many settings: memoirs and novels can be equally effective in promoting an interest in the natural world, and one can appreciate its wonders in a suburban backyard as well as on the slope of a mountain. This session will highlight just a few nature writers and their works, emphasizing the variety found within the genre by drawing attention to Sue Hubbell's casual, down-to-earth recollections; to Amy Tan's inexpert joy in birds; to Gene Stratton Porter's fictional love letter to a fading wetland; to the humor and melancholy in Douglas Adams' quest to see nearly extinct species before it was too late; and to other authors and books that can inspire love of the world outside in readers of diverse tastes.

After this session, participants will know more about the different classes of nature writing that are out there. They will be able to distinguish between the discussed authors in readers' advisory interviews, and they will have a better idea of which works will suit particular reading preferences.

Speakers

Amanda Hayes

System Holds Manager, Central Arkansas Library System

Amanda has worked for the Central Arkansas Library System since 2016, starting as a book-sale volunteer and then taking a path that led from page to Audiovisual Specialist to System Holds Manager. Along with various library topics (especially displays and reader's advisory), her interests... Read More →

Saturday October 17, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
TBA

Break Out Session

Track Whitaker Point Trail
Audience Public
global Y

1:30pm CDT

Pathfinders and Guideposts: Showing Patrons the Way to Hidden Gems in Your Collection

Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT

TBA

We all know the frustration of seeing parts of our collections flourish, while others seem destined for weeding from day one. While certain materials may never catch on with your patrons, some items just need a little extra push to give them more visibility and get them into circulation. With our digital resources growing in popularity and our hours reduced following a budget cut, it was getting more and more difficult to get patrons in the library and in touch with the materials they wanted. Circulation staff at Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library had to change course and chart new trails through our collection to guide patrons to some of our under-circulated materials.

This presentation will discuss the ways in which we worked to re-emphasize our physical collection to our community and get people excited about visiting the library again. Attendees will learn how we improved our readers’ advisory practices through pathfinders and how we used the limitations of our collection to create displays that guided patrons to materials they didn’t even know they wanted. I will also share some of the things we learned through setting up a permanent Staff Picks display and tips for encouraging staff participation. Finally, I will discuss how we worked with our public relations department to put a personal touch on book recommendations and bring a renewed focus to our physical materials.

Speakers

Cody Jarrett

Circulation Manager, Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library

I have been with the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library since 2017 and am currently manager of the circulation department. I am usually thinking about having another cup of coffee.

Saturday October 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
TBA

Break Out Session

Track Whitaker Point Trail
Audience Public
global Y

2:30pm CDT

The Creativity Equation: Crafting a Life You Love

Saturday October 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT

TBA

While crafting and arts programming may not be a “New Trail” for many public libraries, this session will present attendees with a new lens through which we view their importance and impact for both staff and patrons. Libraries are a place where people can learn new creative practices without financial barriers, making this a tremendously valuable use of our time and resources for our communities. By learning the research connecting regular exposure to the arts to mental and physical health, participants will better understand the value of providing introductory creative experiences. They will understand best practices for planning craft-based programming, and the value of “low-entry risk” craft programs that are accessible to a wider array of patrons. During this presentation, attendees will also examine "The Creativity Equation" by discovering the elements of crafting activities that can most improve the quality of life of our patrons and ourselves. The presentation will also discuss the importance of regular arts and crafting exposure for staff morale and mental health care, and attendees will identify ways to incorporate times for these practices into workplace routines. Together, they’ll explore some simple program activities that are accessible to many skill levels through hands-on stations and demonstrations, and depart with program ideas that are simple to implement and high in patron engagement! Let's create together, and share enriching experiences that take self-care for library users and staff to new heights.

Speakers

Jill Wheeler

Manager, Children's Services, North Little Rock Public Library System

Jill is the Manager of Children's Services for the Laman Branch of the North Little Rock Public Library System where she has worked with the best staff around for just over 3 years! She lives in Little Rock with her husband, Bobby, and cat, Pax, where she is a founding member of her... Read More →

Saturday October 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
TBA

Break Out Session

Track Whitaker Point Trail
Audience Public
global Y

ArLA 2026 Annual Conference

From $45.00

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ArLA 2026 Annual Conference

9:00am CDT

Sara Stuart

Amber Heard

10:00am CDT

Amanda Hayes

1:30pm CDT

Cody Jarrett

2:30pm CDT

Jill Wheeler

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Success you have shared X tickets.

ArLA 2026 Annual Conference

9:00am CDT

Sara Stuart

Amber Heard

10:00am CDT

Amanda Hayes

1:30pm CDT

Cody Jarrett

2:30pm CDT

Jill Wheeler

Get help with the event