ArLA 2026 Annual Conference

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9:00am CDT

Overcoming Adult Services & Civic Engagement Barriers – GCL Style

Sunday October 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

Garland County Library (GCL) Adult Services Specialist Paul Kagebein and Outreach Coordinator James Nowlin discuss GCL Adult Services Team initiatives to enrich adult community members' lives with engaging programs and outreach. Paul and James share efforts to address service gaps, remove barriers, and adapt ever-evolving library services to community needs and interests. Highlighted topics include a spectrum of service offerings, including: Utilization of physical and virtual spaces for programs, Emphasis of civic engagement programs/services aiming to empower voters and freedom of speech opportunities, Expansion of GCL's footprint in the community via outreach and remote services.Learning Goals: Identify service gaps and barriers, specifically with civic engagement or library services for adults; Learn about GCL Adult Services’ methods for addressing our own community opportunities; Provide the tools for you to formulate an actionable strategy based on your library’s resources, your services gaps, your community’s opportunities for increasing civic engagement

Speakers

James Nowlin

Outreach Coordinator, Garland County Library

James Nowlin (pronounced now… lin) is a native of NE Texas, and crossed the Red River to attend Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR. James started at Garland County Library at the beginning of 2014, and after a couple of trips to the wilderness to wonder, returned to GCL... Read More →

Paul Kagebein

Adult Services Specialist, Garland County Library

Paul Kagebein is a Hot Springs native and Iife-long resident. He has worked at the Garland County Library since 2013 and is currently GCL's Adult Services Specialist, where he facilitates and hosts a variety of educational and entertainment programs and services for adults in the... Read More →

Sunday October 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
TBA

Break Out Session

Track Whitaker Point Trail
Audience Public
global Y

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.

Janice Weddle

Janice Weddle is the current contact for the MELLW CI

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

Break Out Session

Track Whitaker Point Trail
Audience All
global Y

10:00am CDT

Punk Shows and Powerslams: Nontraditional Programming for Public Libraries

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

TBA

Presenters will outline innovative programs offered at their library that meet the needs of communities who may not typically utilize library resources. This session will demonstrate how nontraditional or entertainment programs can connect community members to new library resources, as well as strengthen relationships with local partners. An emphasis on collaborative planning and promotion both within library departments and externally with local partners allows for wider engagement with programs throughout the implementation process. Presenters will discuss programs like Rasslin’ at the Library, Punk Show and Makerspace Showcase, Audiobook Walking Club, Laman Con, Cringe Reading Night, and Storytime with Baby Goats to highlight these creative programming methodologies.

Session participants will be able to identify communities already being served by their library along with underserved communities; align library services to the needs of underserved communities through unique programs; create mutually beneficial partnerships that elevate library services; and determine new ways of connecting patrons to library resources, services, and collections.

This session exemplifies “New Trails in Library Service,” leading by example the ways in which libraries should center curiosity in their programming whether it's learning how to meet the needs of new patron audiences, tailoring existing collections or services to historically underrepresented communities, allowing programmers with niche interests build community around new ideas, or upending how “traditional” libraries present themselves to the communities they serve to reach new generations of library patrons.

Speakers

Jamie Middleton

Jamie Middleton currently serves as the Operations Manager for the North Little Rock Public Library System.

Jenna Jones

Jenna Jones currently serves as the Teen Department Manager at the Laman Branch of the North Little Rock Public Library System.

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

Break Out Session

Track Whitaker Point Trail
Audience Public

11:00am CDT

AI and Society: Blazing New Trails in Digital Literacy

Sunday October 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

TBA

Come learn the basics of how artificial intelligence works and sort out what's good, what's bad, and what's just hype. In this interactive presentation from a public library perspective, we'll cover key terms in the AI conversation, get a little nerdy about its mechanics, and discuss the issues on everyone's minds, like environmental concerns, misleading content, and...why some are saying AI could wipe out humanity?!

Participants will leave ready to start balanced conversations about AI at their own libraries. They will also leave equipped to help colleagues and patrons navigate the changing Internet while maintaining privacy and safety. The ultimate goal is for participants to leave feeling empowered to claim their agency in this new digital world.

This session is perfect for folks who are brand new to learning about AI, as well as anyone looking for a critical, yet open-minded approach to this often-polarizing topic. We're charting new terrain in technology, so let's guide our course with facts and values, not fear and hype.

Speakers

Susannah Stubbs

Lead Adult Community Educator, North Little Rock Public Library

Susannah Stubbs is lead adult community educator at Laman Library in North Little Rock, where she hosts programs ranging from digital literacy classes and personal style workshops to silent discos.

Sunday October 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
TBA

Break Out Session