ArLA 2026 Annual Conference

arrow_back View All Dates

10:00am CDT

Sunday October 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

This lighthearted session uses humor to highlight what makes a crappy presentation. Participants will explore common pitfalls that can occur during staff trainings, programs, and community presentations. The session provides practical strategies for delivering clear, engaging, and audience-focused presentations.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Identify common presentation mistakes
Recognize how presentation style impacts patron engagement and understanding
Apply techniques to simplify information and communicate clearly
Demonstrate strategies for engaging diverse audiences
Improve confidence when presenting information, leading programs, or facilitating discussion

Speakers

Judy Calhoun

Retired Regional Library Director, Southeast Arkansas Regional Library

Judy Calhoun was the Director for the Southeast Arkansas Regional Library, a five-county, nine-branch system. She began her library career 32 years ago in a small town where she was the Library Manager for 14 years, 11 of those as a solo librarian. She has served as President of the... Read More →

Sunday October 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
TBA

Break Out Session

Track Buffalo National River Trail
Audience All

10:00am CDT

Making Space: Designing Sensory-Sensitive Environments for Everyone in the Library

Sunday October 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

TBA

Libraries often face uncharted terrain that requires creativity, curiosity, and courage in order to make space for all patrons and library workers. We are one of the last inclusive spaces open to everyone in our communities. However, many of our buildings have not been designed to accommodate sensory sensitivities. Studies show that sensory overload is a near universal experience for both neurodiverse and neurotypical library workers and patrons. Together, we can chart a new path that considers the needs of everyone who comes into our library environments.

This panel session will examine the science behind library spaces focusing on cognitive load and differences in sensory processing. Panelists will offer perspectives from multiple library types and from various lenses: from libraries that have built sensory spaces, as neurodiverse library workers, and as parents and library users.

Whether your library has the space for a full sensory room or you are working within a limited footprint and budget, this session will help you identify accommodation strategies that work for your community.

Learning Objectives

Understand that sensory overload while closely tied to neurodiversity can affect everyone
Gain insight from multiple perspectives on sensory experiences in libraries
How to create sensory kits even if you don’t have space to set aside for a room

Speakers

Jessica Riedmueller

User Experience and Assessment Librarian, University of Central Arkansas

Jessica Riedmueller is a long time member of ArLA. She has led many CIs and Committees over the years and has been Secretary of the organization twice.