ArLA 2026 Annual Conference

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10:00am CDT

Pathways to Connection: Library-Led Trail Networks for Community Engagement

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

Pathways to Connection: Library-Led Trail Networks for Community Engagement showcases how libraries can create meaningful partnerships that strengthen and uplift their communities. This session highlights real-world collaborations, including reading initiatives with elementary schools, back-to- school supplies giveaway, partnerships with police departments to support Domestic Violence Awareness efforts, and coordinated drives benefiting women’s shelters through donations of coats and toys. It also explores community engagement projects such as encouraging messages and notes delivered to CARTI Cancer Center patients.

Participants will learn how to identify opportunities for collaboration that align with community needs and values, while fostering trust and shared purpose among diverse partners. The session will provide practical strategies for initiating partnerships, organizing impactful outreach efforts, and sustaining long-term relationships that extend the library’s role as a community hub.

By focusing on actionable examples, attendees will leave with ideas and tools to build their own “trail networks,” connecting organizations and individuals in ways that create lasting positive impact.

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the session, participants will be able to:

Identify at least three potential community partners for collaborative outreach initiatives.
Design a partnership-based program that addresses a specific community need.
Implement two strategies for engaging diverse community groups in meaningful ways.
Assess the impact of outreach efforts using measurable indicators.
Develop a step-by-step plan to establish or expand collaborative networks within their community.

Speakers

Shenise McGhee

Librarian and Professor, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Building Strong Trail Networks: Connecting Communities Through Collaboration showcases how libraries can create meaningful partnerships that strengthen and uplift their communities. This session highlights real-world collaborations, including reading initiatives with elementary schools... Read More →

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

Break Out Session

Track Arkansas Arboretum Trail
Audience All
global Y

10:00am CDT

The Simon and Diamond Awards through the School Year

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

TBA

If your library would like to help support the Charlie May Simon and the Arkansas Diamond Primary Awards, this session will help. By the end of the session, participants will have been introduced to the new nominees for the awards and take away several activities that can be used to introduce titles to school groups visiting your library, used in class visits you make to schools and to families in your service area that homeschool.

Speakers

Regina Dettra

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

Break Out Session

Track Arkansas Arboretum Trail
Audience Public; K-12 School

1:30pm CDT

AI? In My Collection? It’s More Likely Than You Think

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

TBA

AI is becoming increasingly ubiquitous in almost every aspect of our lives. AI is also creeping into the children’s publishing industry with increasing speed. YouTube is flooded with channels claiming you can whip up children’s books in minutes and make thousands by selling them on Amazon KDP. (Sure, Jan.) Not only does this ignore the artistry and hard work of many children’s authors and illustrators, it devalues the literary needs of our youngest patrons. These books, often self published, are starting to find their way into book distributors, and maybe, just maybe, your precious picture book collections.

The session will include examples of AI imagery in children’s books and a fun recap game where participants try to spot AI images using the skills we discuss. After this session participants will have a grasp on how AI books have permeated book distributors with supposed policies against such items, tips for recognizing AI illustrations in children’s books, ways to spot authors of AI content, a list of tools to help them in this quest, along with policy ideas to help prevent the purchase or donation of AI generated books.

Speakers

Stephanie Sweeney

Youth Services Manager, Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library

Stephanie is the Youth Services Manager at Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library. Her hobbies include painting and listening to true crime podcasts. She can often be found holding long, nonsensical conversations with her cats.

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

Break Out Session

Track Arkansas Arboretum Trail
Audience Public; K-12 School
global Y

2:30pm CDT

Rocking with Rocks!

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

TBA

Topics:

This program promotes interest in STEM learning in the area of geology and earth science. It provides library staff with the resources needed to create their own rock clubs at the library. There will be a community focus on working with local rock shops, museums, and colleges in their areas. Libraries are having to think outside the box with new programming ideas and this program is wonderful achieving that goals.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Learn how rock club was created and be able to utilize the resources provide to create their own rock club.
2. The session will provide community connection ideas that can enhance the rock club and help with programming.
3. The session will provide a way for patrons to connect learning to real-world environments. Especially in Arkansas.

Theme: Camp ARLA New Trails in Library Science

This session proposals supports this year's theme with blazing new paths in programming. Thinking outside the box with a rock club to reach children's interest. It is unique and interesting. Exploring uncharted terrain is met by developing a program that provides children and library staff to examine and look at what the Natural State has to offer. It supports building strong trail networks by encouraging community building with local rock shops, museums, and colleges that can fit into the program. The program currently has done this is has created such a life-long relationship with a rock shop and many individuals. Practicing stewardship is represented here by allowing recognition of mining that is done around the world and protecting those resources. Reaching new summits is accomplished by librarians and staff growing a new program in the library. Engaging in professional growth by the program and learning about networking with outside sources. Reading the landscape is used by connecting the library program to the environmental and cultural influences rocks and minerals have had throughout history and present.

Speakers

Amanda Ball

Children's Librarian, Saline County Library

Think outside the box with Rock Club! Through hands-on activities preplanned and engage your children in learning about geology. There will be discussions about program activities that can involve your local community businesses. You can take this information back to your library... Read More →

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

Break Out Session

Track Arkansas Arboretum Trail
Audience All
global Y

ArLA 2026 Annual Conference

From $45.00

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ArLA 2026 Annual Conference

10:00am CDT

Shenise McGhee

10:00am CDT

Regina Dettra

1:30pm CDT

Stephanie Sweeney

2:30pm CDT

Amanda Ball

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Success you have shared X tickets.

ArLA 2026 Annual Conference

10:00am CDT

Shenise McGhee

10:00am CDT

Regina Dettra

1:30pm CDT

Stephanie Sweeney

2:30pm CDT

Amanda Ball

Get help with the event