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