2026 NDLA Conference: Full Schedule

9:00am PDT

Wednesday October 7, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Wednesday October 7, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Meeting

12:00pm PDT

Registration Opens

Wednesday October 7, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Wednesday October 7, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Event

1:00pm PDT

Pre-Conference Session

Wednesday October 7, 2026 1:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Speakers

Steven A. Guglich

Steven A. Guglich is a champion of stories and the people who write them. He currently serves as an elementary school principal and was honored as the 2020 North Dakota Principal of the Year. Beyond his role in education, Steven is the author of the epic fantasy series, The Veil Saga... Read More →

Wednesday October 7, 2026 1:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Keynote Speaker

5:00pm PDT

Dine Around : Hacienda Steakhouse

LIMITED

Wednesday October 7, 2026 5:00pm - 7:00pm PDT

Hacienda Steakhouse

Limited Capacity seats available

See the menu

See more about the Hacienda Steakhouse

Wednesday October 7, 2026 5:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Hacienda Steakhouse

Dine-Around

5:00pm PDT

Dine Around : Mi Mexico

LIMITED

Wednesday October 7, 2026 5:00pm - 7:00pm PDT

Mi Mexico Restaurant

Limited Capacity seats available

See the Menu

Learn more about Mi Mexico

Wednesday October 7, 2026 5:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Mi Mexico Restaurant 3816 S Broadway, Minot, ND 58701, USA

Dine-Around

5:00pm PDT

Dine Around : Starving Rooster

LIMITED

Wednesday October 7, 2026 5:00pm - 7:00pm PDT

Starving Rooster

Limited Capacity seats available

Click to see Menu

The Starving Rooster - Learn more!

Wednesday October 7, 2026 5:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Starving Rooster 30 1st St NE, Minot, ND, USA

Dine-Around

7:00pm PDT

Opening Reception

Wednesday October 7, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT

Gordon B. Olson Library

Wednesday October 7, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Gordon B. Olson Library State University, 500 University Ave W, Minot, ND 58707, USA

Event

7:00am PDT

Registration & Breakfast

Thursday October 8, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Thursday October 8, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Event

8:00am PDT

Keynote Speaker

Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Speakers

Mona Susan Power

Mona Susan Power is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe (Yanktonai Dakota), born and raised in Chicago, and currently living in Minnesota, where she's working complete a new novel.

So far, she has published four books of fiction: The Grass Dancer (awarded th... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Keynote Speaker

9:30am PDT

Exhibits

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:30am - Friday October 9, 2026 12:00pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Skien Room

Visit the many vendors for all Library types and focuses.

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:30am - Friday October 9, 2026 12:00pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Skien Room 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

10:00am PDT

Free Is Not a Workflow: Myths and Realities in OER Support

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Open educational resources (OER) are often presented as a straightforward solution to textbook affordability: find a free replacement, help faculty adopt it, and report the savings. In practice, OER support is shaped by mismatched expectations. Faculty may expect a ready-made replacement with all the convenience of a commercial platform. Librarians may undersell the instructional, technical, and...
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Speakers

Greg Argo

Open Education & Affordable Content Librarian, Minitex

Greg Argo is the Open Education & Affordable Content Librarian at Minitex, where he supports libraries and educators working to make course materials more accessible, affordable, adaptable, and sustainable. He leads regional initiatives related to open educational resources (OER), affordab... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Concurrent Session, for all libraries

10:00am PDT

Imposter Phenomenon - What it is and how to manage it

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Imposter Phenomenon (IP) strikes everyone at some point. In libraries, it happens more than people realize. This presentation was introduced as a poster presentation at NDLA 2025 but there were so many questions, it's worth giving more time. This session will cover what IP is, how it may present, what the effects can be on a person and their workplace, as well as ways that an individual and a...
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Speakers

Karlene Clark

Education & Human Development Librarian, Chester Fritz Library

Karlene has been in libraries since 1999, and a librarian since 2018. She's been in established positions and in situations where she helped develop the position from the ground up. Each has been a wonderful learning experience, even if imposter phenomenon lurked in the background... Read More →

Imposter Phenomenon Powerpoint 2026 pptx

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Concurrent Session, for all libraries

10:00am PDT

SMART Goals Get Results: Think SMARTer, not Harder

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Creating SMART goals is an effective tool that provides clarity, focus, and motivation to achieve your goals. North Dakota Coordinating Council members Mary Soucie and Andrea Placher will focus on using SMART goals when applying for and writing Library Vision Grants. However, this session will be useful for all library staff in many facets of their work.

Speakers

Andrea Placher

Library Director, Williston Community Library

Andrea Placher started working at the Williston Community Library as the children’s librarian in 2011. In 2017, she took on the role of director with guidance and support. She is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for everyone in the community. During her time in Williston... Read More →

Mary Soucie

State Librarian, North Dakota State Library

Mary Soucie has served as the State Librarian of North Dakota since 2014. She believes that libraries serve as community centers, connecting all the parts of the community that they serve. When she's not traveling for work, she loves to read, ride her e-bike, and be creative in... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Concurrent Session, Academic

11:00am PDT

Collaboration in the High School Library: How Can We Engage Curricular Areas Beyond ELA?

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

This session will focus on how to engage all curricular areas in your building. The presenters will focus on strategies to change how departments see the library, how time constraints and curriculum pressure often stop other areas (beyond ELA) from utilizing the library resources, and how to help align library skills to science, social studies, math, and elective standards. Participants will be...
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Speakers

Sarah Hicks

High School Librarian, Minot High School

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Concurrent Session, School Libraries

11:00am PDT

ILL Bridge Update

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

This session provides an update on the ILL Bridge project, a collaborative interlibrary loan initiative designed to streamline resource sharing across North Dakota and South Dakota. Attendees will gain insight into the technical implementation of the to-be-named system, including the current rollout status and the organizational structure between state libraries and ODIN's support role. We will...
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Speakers

Online Dakota Information Network

ODIN Director, NDUS CTS - ODIN, NDLA

The Online Dakota Information Network (ODIN) supports a consortium of libraries serving academic, public, school, and special libraries across North Dakota with two shared library management systems (Alma & Polaris). In addition, ODIN participates in collective eResource purchasing... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Concurrent Session, for all libraries

11:00am PDT

Strategic Alignment of Student Success With Innovative Library Services and Programmes In Academic Libraries

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Speakers

Myrna A. Douglas

Librarian-in-charge, University of the West Indies (Mona Campus)

Ms. Myrna Douglas is Librarian-in-charge of the Law Branch Library at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus. She is also Coordinator of the Technology, Innovation Support Centre - Intellectual Property (TISC-IP) Helpdesk which is a strategic partnership between The... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Concurrent Session, Academic

12:00pm PDT

Lunch

Thursday October 8, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Thursday October 8, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Event

about

1:30pm PDT

Academic Library Meeting

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Meeting, Academic

about

1:30pm PDT

Public Library Meeting

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Meeting, Public Libraries

about

1:30pm PDT

School Library Meeting

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Meeting, School Libraries

about

2:30pm PDT

AI and the library world

Thursday October 8, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

We will talk about ways to use AI and how we can promote it to students and teachers. Since AI is here to stay (whether we embrace it or not) how can we make it work to our favor besides just basic lesson plan ideas and presentations.

Speakers

Jessica Fritz

Librarian, Rugby Public Schools

Elementary teacher turned K-12 librarian. I have a love for reading and technology (when it works). Mother of 3 boys, wife to my HS sweet heart who is like a big boy at heart, and cat mom!

Thursday October 8, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Poster Session, School Libraries

2:30pm PDT

Great Reads from Great Places

Thursday October 8, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

This poster session will highlight what the Great Reads from Great Places program is, as well as changes for 2026-2027.

Speakers

Tammy Kruger

Literacy Specialist, North Dakota State Library

Tammy Kruger is the Literacy Specialist at North Dakota State Library. She has professional background in numerous library types -- academic, school, medical, public, and now government -- as well as early childhood. In her spare time, she fosters dogs and flexes her DIY skills with... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Poster Session, Public Libraries

2:30pm PDT

Read & Share

Thursday October 8, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Taking withdrawn books that are still good and giving them back to the community thru partnerships and community events. Learned about at Portland PLA (2022), started that August and have given away 10, 699 books to date

Speakers

Jenilee Kanenwisher

Collection Development and Tech Services Manager, Fargo Public Library

Jenilee is the Collection Development and Technical Services Manager at Fargo Public Library. She loves to talk about collections, weeding, and spreadsheets.

Christina Freitag

Processing Associate II, Fargo Public Library

Christina has worked at the Fargo Public Library for almost 20 years!

Thursday October 8, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Poster Session, Public Libraries

2:30pm PDT

Succession Planning for the Team Leader

Thursday October 8, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Have you ever started a job and had less than no documentation or instructions on how to begin? Nonexistent onboarding? "Figure it out" instructions? It is 2026, and we are bringing people back to the moon. We are no longer leaving our successors in the dark to our positions, whether we plan to leave them or not.This poster will detail a detailed yet attainable outline for creating a successful...
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Speakers

Maddie Sharpe

Downtown Campus Librarian, North Dakota State University

Maddie Sharpe (she/her) is the Downtown Campus Librarian at North Dakota State University in Fargo. Having transitioned from Director of Lake Region Public Library in Devils Lake, she now oversees the downtown branches of NDSU Libraries and advocates for the Libraries' development... Read More →

Succession Planning for the Team Leader png

Thursday October 8, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Poster Session, for all libraries

3:00pm PDT

Collaborate with NDVS/SV

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Learn about our resources that include braille, large print, tactile graphics, and 3D models. We can work with you to make these resources available to your patrons and help you determine how these materials can complement your curriculum and collections. Whether you’re looking for more reading material choices for a low vision student who needs large print, wanting to enhance a blind middle...
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Speakers

Emily Stenberg Brown

Director of the Vision Resources Center, North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind

Emily Stenberg Brown is the Director of the Vision Resource Center at NDVS/SB where she has worked for 12 years. She has a master’s degree in information media and a license in School Library Media from St. Cloud State. She lives with her husband and 3 daughters in Minot where... Read More →

Michele Willman

Vision Resource Center Specialist, North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind

Michele Willman is the Vision Resource Center specialist at NDVS/SB. She taught at the university level for 20 years before turning to librarianship. Her most rewarding workdays involve tracking down desired materials and getting them into patrons’ hands. She lives in Grand Forks... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Lightning Session, School Libraries

3:00pm PDT

Polaris can do that!? Outreach Services and Reader's Advisory in Polaris Leap

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Speakers

Cassandra Klos

Adult Services Librarian, West Fargo Public Library

Cassandra studied Music and LMIS s at Valley City State University. Post college, she volunteered and then worked part-time at Valley City Barnes County Public Library. After being rejected for a part-time library position at another area library, she convinced herself that perhaps... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Lightning Session, for all libraries

3:00pm PDT

Ready, Set, Read! North Dakota Battle of the Books

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

This session will outline the ND Battle of the Books program, including rules, battle formats, book titles for 2026-2027, and more!

Speakers

Kathy Cline

School Library Specialist, North Dakota State Library

With more than twenty years of experience as an educator and school librarian, Kathy Cline transitioned to the North Dakota State Library, where she currently serves as the School Library Specialist. In this role, she supports school libraries across the state through training, consultation... Read More →

Beth Kennedy

Cavalier Public School, Library Media Specialist

Beth Kennedy is the Library Media Specialist at Cavalier Public School. She been in education for 28 years, including the past 8 years as a librarian. Beth has served as her elementary district’s Battle of the Books coordinator for the past 7 years and as a regional coordinator... Read More →

Tammy Kruger

Literacy Specialist, North Dakota State Library

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Lightning Session, Public Libraries

3:00pm PDT

The "4" Wins philosophy: Collaborative Purchases and Consensus Building

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Negotiating purchases beyond a single budget takes coordination, collaboration, and consensus building. In this session, I will explain what I call the "4 Wins" framework and how I use it to evaluate opportunities for collaborative purchases. I'll also work through a couple of examples of where we have used it and some of the roadblocks encountered.

Speakers

Online Dakota Information Network

ODIN Director, NDUS CTS - ODIN, NDLA

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Lightning Session, for all libraries

about

3:30pm PDT

Alliterative Legislative Landscape: Looking at a Litany of Library Laws

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Join us for a look at the bills and laws that are reshaping librarianship across the country. This session will cover noteworthy legal decisions, proposed and/or passed legislation, and other, similar governmental actions. This session is intended to be informational with updates on the status of each action and what it might mean for libraries in ND.

Speakers

Online Dakota Information Network

ODIN Director, NDUS CTS - ODIN, NDLA

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Concurrent Session, Academic

about

3:30pm PDT

Manga & You: A Guide for the Confused Librarian

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Speakers

Cole Cymbaluk

Research & Instruction Librarian, University of Jamestown

Cole has worked as the Research and Instruction Librarian at the University of Jamestown since September 2025. Before that he worked as paraprofessional at the Mandan Middle School Library and part-time with the Morton Mandan Public Library for approximately 3 years. Having just earned... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Concurrent Session, School Libraries

3:30pm PDT

We Should Be Friends: What We Can Learn From Preschoolers (Or, Intersectionality Between Public and Academic Libraries)

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

When I started my current position, dropping from Director to a mid-level supervisor and librarian (that had to do RESEARCH), I was... trepidatious. However, in my first year as an academic librarian, I have found lovely points of intersection between public and academic librarianship, as well as opportunities for lucrative partnerships. This will explore some of these points and offer some ideas...
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Speakers

Maddie Sharpe

Downtown Campus Librarian, North Dakota State University

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Concurrent Session, Public Libraries

about

5:00pm PDT

Silent Auction Opens!

Thursday October 8, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Thursday October 8, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Event

about

5:00pm PDT

Vendor Social

Thursday October 8, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Thursday October 8, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Event

about

6:00pm PDT

Awards Banquet & Auction

Thursday October 8, 2026 6:00pm - 9:00pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Thursday October 8, 2026 6:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Event

about

8:00am PDT

Registration & Breakfast Open

Friday October 9, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Friday October 9, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Event

about

8:30am PDT

Keynote Speaker

Friday October 9, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Speakers

Faye Seidler

Faye Seidler is an award winning advocate that specializes in suicide prevention, LGBTQ+ populations, and state data. She was born and raised in North Dakota and has a decade of experience in community organizing, public speaking, and professional development training. She is known... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Keynote Speaker

about

10:00am PDT

Librarian of Things

Friday October 9, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

In this session we will explore the evolution of a specific kind of collection - the Library of Things! We'll take an in-depth look at collection development, potential funding opportunities, developing policies, and what to do when the mixer goes missing!

Speakers

Tina Stockdill

Tech Specialist, ODIN

The Loud Librarian - I've spent more than 10 years in libraries: special, school, and academic, and now working with ODIN to provide support to our consortium libraries and their communities. I love my family, reading, gardening, kayaking, animals, and have even been known to explore... Read More →

Library of Things pptx

Friday October 9, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Concurrent Session, Public Libraries

10:00am PDT

Playing to Your Strengths: Maximizing Your Potential

Friday October 9, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Discover how recognizing and leveraging your natural strengths can boost your confidence, improve teamwork, and make your daily work more energizing. In this session, we’ll explore simple strategies for identifying what you do best, aligning tasks with strengths, and building a workplace where everyone shines. Come ready to reflect, share, and leave with practical tools to help you do more of...
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Speakers

Mary Soucie

State Librarian, North Dakota State Library

Friday October 9, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Concurrent Session, for all libraries

10:00am PDT

Tabling with Pride - Meeting your Queer Community Members at their Point of Need

Friday October 9, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Join EDI/LGBTQ2S+ Committee Chair Montana Ackman as she combines peer-reviewed research and lived experience to show you the unique needs and challenges facing your local LGBTQ2S+ community members. She will explain how tabling at local Pride events allows libraries to build trust with our local LGBTQ2S+ community members and why it is so important to meet them at their point of need. She...
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Speakers

Montana Ackman

EDI/LGBTQ2S+ Committee Co-Chair, NDLA

Montana Ackman is the Administrative Assistant for the Williston Community Library and is a 2026 Chair of the EDI/LGBTQ2S+ Committee of NDLA.She is a library kiddo turned library staff member who was beyond ecstatic when she was hired as a part-time Circulation Clerk at the Williston... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Concurrent Session, for all libraries

11:00am PDT

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

This presentation will give an overview of copyright, OER, and Open Access geared towards public and K-12 librarians.

Speakers

Kelly Kornkven

Library Director, Mayville State University

Kelly Kornkven is the library director at Mayville State University. As part of her position she is the administrator for the university’s library science minor which includes the coursework required for K-12 teachers to become credentialed school librarians. She has participated... Read More →

Brittany Fischer

Librarian, Unaffiliated

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Concurrent Session, School Libraries

11:00am PDT

LSTA Input Forum

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Jason Matthews will facilitate an input forum for all interested NDLA attendees, including librarians and library employees, to share their thoughts on NDSL's current LSTA programs and services. We will review current programs and services and identify needs and wants, which NDSL will consider as part of its upcoming five-year LSTA plan.

Speakers

Jason Matthews

Consultant - Conducting LSTA Evaluation for North Dakota State Library, JM Strategies, LLC

Jason Matthews is the owner of JM Strategies, a Bismarck-based firm providing strategic planning, facilitation, research, public relations, and public affairs services. The North Dakota State Library has contracted with JM Strategies to evaluate its Library Services & Technology Act... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Concurrent Session, for all libraries

11:00am PDT

Small Changes, Big Impact: Affordable Ways to Implement Universal Design

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Adjusting your library for Universal Design doesn’t have to break the bank! There are strategies for making library spaces more accessible with little to no cost. This program will discuss practical accessibility ideas, including free and low-cost changes. Presenters will also provide aspirational ideas for bigger budgets. Topics include digital spaces, physical spaces, and event planning.

Speakers

Karlene Clark

Education & Human Development Librarian, Chester Fritz Library

Hannah Beebe

Research & Instruction Librarian, VCSU

Hannah Beebe (they/them) is the Research & Instruction at Valley City State University. They are the lead of digital accessibility work at the VCSU library and have been a member of the NDLA EDI committee since 2024. They were diagnosed with ADHD in graduate school, which spurred... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Concurrent Session, for all libraries

12:00pm PDT

Lunch

Friday October 9, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Friday October 9, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Event

about

12:00pm PDT

General Membership Meeting

Friday October 9, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Friday October 9, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Meeting

about

1:30pm PDT

Legislative Bootcamp: The Who, What, When, Where, and Why of the North Dakota Legislative Process and How libraries can be involved

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

Legislative processes can be convoluted at the best of times and downright enigmatic at the worst. This session’s goal is to provide an overview of the ND legislative process and what can be expected at each step along the way. Approaches libraries can take to help advocate for themselves, as well as keep patrons informed on pending legislation without violating anti-corruption laws, will also...
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Speakers

Dylan Gonser

Adult Services Librarian (Outreach Lead), Grand Forks Public Library

Dylan is an adult services librarian and has worked for the Grand Forks Public Library since 2021. Originally from Dickinson, he received his B.A. in History from Dickinson State University and after starting at Grand Forks Public Library, earned his MLIS from Louisiana State University... Read More →

ND Legislative Process Flowchart docx

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Concurrent Session, for all libraries

1:30pm PDT

What lies beyond the OPAC? Boldly going where the patrons are!

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

As patron expectations shift toward intuitive, app-driven interfaces, the traditional OPAC is no longer the Final Frontier for discovery of your collection. This session explores how ODIN is moving beyond traditional catalog searches to create a dynamic, patron-first digital ecosystem. We will fly over Undiscovered Country and dive into our recent implementation of Vega Discover and Mobile,...
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Speakers

Online Dakota Information Network

ODIN Director, NDUS CTS - ODIN, NDLA

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom 1505 N Broadway, Minot, ND 58703, USA

Concurrent Session, for all libraries

about

1:30pm PDT

What Should I Read Next? A Roundtable on the Best Books for Middle and High School Readers

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Grand Oasis Hotel Minot - Grand Ballroom

The presenters will identify and discuss the best books for middle and high school readers. The presenters will invite collaboration from participants in sharing the most popular genres and reading trends in an effort to help librarians curate their collections with things kids truly want to read. Presenters will share their top and bottom checkouts as well as highlight reading trends from their...
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Speakers

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