ArLA 2026 Annual Conference

2:10pm CDT

Setting Up Camp: Preparing for a Long-Range Planning Process

Friday October 16, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT

This session will introduce participants to the basic components of the long-range planning process. Just as when one sets out on an adventure in the great outdoors, long-range planning involves provisioning one’s stores, charting the path, and forecasting the weather to come. Topics covered in this session include the purpose and benefits of long-range planning; the components of a long-range plan; the planning team and member roles; and how to get started with the planning process. After this session, participants will have a checklist to prepare for the long-range planning process, be familiar with the language of strategic planning, and be able to identify the core components of a long-range plan, ensuring they are well equipped for the journey ahead.

Speakers

Jennifer Wann

Manager of Library Development, Arkansas State Library

As Manager of Library Development at the Arkansas State Library, Jennifer Wann (Jenn) is interested in developing statewide programs that assist libraries design services that meet their communities’ needs; foster best practices in library management and administration; and facilitate... Read More →

Friday October 16, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT
TBA

Break Out Session

Track Buffalo National River Trail
Audience Public
global Y

2:10pm CDT

Where the Wild Things Play: How open-play programs boost literacy, community, and creativity.

Friday October 16, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT

TBA

Children are learning all the time through interactions with family, community, and the natural world. Areas of child development are all interconnected and simultaneous, making play such a great vehicle for knowledge. Research is being done now on whether children still have access to meaningful play.
Libraries are a great opportunity for open-ended exploration, creation, and play. Explore the different types of open play programs, why they are important in a library setting, and how they can be effective without too much chaos and strain on staff. Learn how to elevate play into purposeful interactions that are fun and create opportunities for learning.
At the end of this session, participants will know why open-play programs are beneficial, will be able to identify different types of play, feel empowered to design these programs and spaces, and see how libraries across the country are embracing the open-play models . This will be a power-point presentation with space for discussions and problem-solving together.

Speakers

Jessica Smith

Youth and Teen Services Librarian, Fayetteville Public Library

A former PreK teacher, now Youth Librarian who loves her cats and the Real Housewives.

Friday October 16, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT
TBA

Break Out Session

Track Arkansas Arboretum Trail
Audience Public
global Y

9:00am CDT

Building Confidence and Community with Adult Programs

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

TBA

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

9:00am CDT

Overcoming Adult Services & Civic Engagement Barriers – GCL Style

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

TBA

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

9:00am CDT

The Next Big Thing Could Be the Same Thing: How to Adapt Programs You Already Have Planned For a Different Age Group.

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

TBA

Great ideas for programs can fall flat if the target group you planned and prepared for doesn’t show up. It's not a failure and nothing has to go to waste! It's an opportunity for an adaptation. Almost any program planned can be adapted and used for groups of various ages. At the end of this session, participants will come away with solid strategies of how to adapt a program to a variety of age groups. Examples will be shared that are themed for Summer Reading 2027, Program in Your Pocket and you can even bring in your ideas and get a fresh spin on the program from the presenter and other session participants!

Speakers

Ruth Hyatt

Librarian, Arkansas State Library

Ruth Hyatt is a Librarian in the Library Development Department of the Arkansas State Library. She has 30+ years of experience in the field of Youth Services, as her mind was there even during the years when her body wasn't. Her core is curiosity and her heart is for sharing once... Read More →

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

Break Out Session

Track Arkansas Arboretum Trail
Audience Public
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