BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 X-WR-CALNAME:slss26 X-WR-CALDESC:Event Calendar METHOD:PUBLISH CALSCALE:GREGORIAN PRODID:-//Sched.com Southern Library Support Staff Conference 2026//EN X-WR-TIMEZONE:UTC BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260527T134500Z DTEND:20260527T151500Z SUMMARY:Opening Keynote - Lead from the Heart\, but Don’t Forget Your Medication DESCRIPTION:\n CATEGORIES:KEYNOTE LOCATION:Community Room\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:de6c7fec49309883ce1d2ebaf19792c4 URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/de6c7fec49309883ce1d2ebaf19792c4 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260527T153000Z DTEND:20260527T163000Z SUMMARY:Leveling Up Your Libraries' Defenders DESCRIPTION:Are your library supporters adequate advocates? We know that people love your library and use your library\, but how do you get them to be vocal about their support? Join us as we teach you how to level up your library supporters into advocacy. You'll leave with ideas for increasing their visibility and ideas for increasing your brand recognition. CATEGORIES:GENERAL LOCATION:Community Room\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:411d724575c899717b5c4094aa71885f URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/411d724575c899717b5c4094aa71885f END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260527T153000Z DTEND:20260527T163000Z SUMMARY:Meeting student needs in a 24 hour library DESCRIPTION:When students need a highlighter at 3 a.m. or a flash drive between classes\, traditional service hours often fall short. This session shares the real-world implementation of an office supply vending machine at an academic library--an initiative led by frontline Public Services staff who know student needs firsthand. While the project took place in an academic setting\, the approach and lessons are widely applicable to multiple library types. This presentation highlights how this initiative supports academic success\, student affordability\, equity\, and accessibility. In our talk\, we emphasize how staff at all levels can contribute to strategic initiatives.Attendees will walk through the full project lifecycle: identifying the gap through usage patterns and student feedback\, working within budget constraints\, navigating procurement\, and managing vendor and campus relationships. The session will detail how the team selected and customized the machine (from stocking items to integrating with campus payment systems)\, handled logistics\, and launched the service.Participants will also hear tips on campus collaboration\, marketing strategies that actually work\, and what was learned after launch. Whether an organization is looking for a new student service\, is thinking about affordability and access\, or just loves a good implementation roadmap\, this session will leave attendees with concrete steps to adapt this idea to their own library. CATEGORIES:GENERAL LOCATION:Divinity 211\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:14d6b32920819facd04ab7c73a49005b URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/14d6b32920819facd04ab7c73a49005b END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260527T181500Z DTEND:20260527T191000Z SUMMARY:Lightning Talks: AI DESCRIPTION:Algorithms\, Influence\, and the Library’s New Role in the Age of AI - Charisse Brent\nWith this lightning talk presentation\, I aim to explore how artificial intelligence has transformed propaganda from something visible and centralized into something invisible and personalized. What once appeared in posters or broadcasts now lives in algorithms that predict and manipulate human behavior—deciding what we see\, believe\, and even feel. This new wave of AI-driven propaganda thrives not on persuasion alone\, but on precision—learning from our data\, feeding our emotions\, and shaping our worldviews without our awareness.\nIn this talk\, I argue that libraries—long defenders of truth\, access\, and equity—stand at a critical crossroads. As AI becomes embedded in search systems\, discovery tools\, and metadata\, libraries must evolve from being passive providers of information to active mediators of algorithmic influence. The presentation calls on librarians to champion algorithmic literacy\, demand transparency in AI systems\, and uphold human-centered ethics in technology use. Ultimately\, it’s a call to action: in a world where machines increasingly shape what we know\, libraries must lead the movement to ensure that knowledge remains a human right\, not a data product. \n\nFrom Archive to Algorithm: Turning Staff Expertise into AI Power - \;Jim Duran\nLibrary special collections rely on experienced staff and so do effective AI tools. At the Vanderbilt Television News Archive\, domain expertise from long-serving staff is helping shape smarter machine learning tools. This session highlights how staff knowledge is translated into AI applications that improve processing\, cataloging\, and research support. \n\nTroubleshooting AI Requests for Interlibrary Loan - Amanda Hardin\, Kathy Foushee\nThis presentation will focus on Western Kentucky University Libraries’ experience with incorrect citations created by AI and their effect on Interlibrary Loan requests. We will share our experience with actual AI created Interlibrary Loan requests and provide examples to assist others in identifying AI generated citations. CATEGORIES:LIGHTNING TALK LOCATION:Community Room\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:99dd6af19588ea7aeb8aa0b0f091c43d URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/99dd6af19588ea7aeb8aa0b0f091c43d END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260527T181500Z DTEND:20260527T191000Z SUMMARY:Lightning Talks: Student Engagement DESCRIPTION:The Hiring and Motivation of Student Assistants - Pearl ChaiIn this talk\, I will focus primarily on what I do to foster connections\, establish relationships and build “community” with the students we are privileged to have working at our library. Even before the students are hired to work for us\, I set out to make them feel motivated to work by mindfully remembering traits about them that stand out in the pre-hiring form and resume and working in these tidbits of information in my conversations with them. The aim here is to get a sense of each student as a person and to find out where they are “coming from.” This helps them to feel welcomed and acknowledged. Throughout the semester\, I invest time in getting to know the students by checking in with them from time to time and enquiring about their general well-being. We have casual conversations about current events that occur both in their life and in the world at large. The EBL hosts a well-attended semester-end shindig twice a year\, in November and April\, to celebrate the hard work put in by everyone and to honor the graduating students. I check in with graduating students regarding their future plans and we make plans to keep in touch.\n\nReimagining Technology Lending: A Dual-Model Approach to Student Engagement and Access - Audrey Bentch\; Rachel Oakley\nThis presentation explores an innovative redesign of academic library technology lending services that address critical access barriers while enhancing patron engagement. Through transformative leadership and strategic planning\, our institution is implementing a dual-collection model that combines advance reservations with on-demand walk-in access. This session will demonstrate how this innovation reduces friction points in traditional technology lending\, increases accessibility for last-minute needs (currently 1/3 of all requests)\, and creates opportunities for hands-on patron engagement with equipment. Attendees will learn practical strategies for streamlining technology services\, empowering student staff through expanded leadership roles\, and leveraging existing resources to innovate service delivery. The presentation will cover implementation challenges\, benefits including improved accessibility and reduced staff workload\, and lessons learned from similar programs. Ideal for library administrators\, technology services coordinators\, and circulation managers seeking to enhance user engagement through innovative service models. \n\nStudent Engagement Inside and Outside the Library - \; M. Roberts\nWhile completing my MSLS last year\, I worked as a Graduate Assistant in one of the libraries at the institution where I completed my degree. At that library\, we struggled with how to bring students into the library beyond using it as a study space. In this lightning talk\, I will describe how and why we worked to engage students both in a virtual\, social media space via Instagram and in an in-person space beyond studying by hosting Crafternoon events in the library. I will talk about successes and challenges of both types of engagement\, and how they ultimately worked best when used together. I will also discuss how we worked with a class to audit our social media presence and the insights that provided. Finally\, I will wrap up with some quick tips and tricks that library staff at any type of library can use to implement similar outreach in their libraries. CATEGORIES:LIGHTNING TALK LOCATION:Divinity 211\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:9b7a5758f0a550a6c9023adec27c2833 URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/9b7a5758f0a550a6c9023adec27c2833 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260527T193000Z DTEND:20260527T203000Z SUMMARY:Meaningful Connections Inspired through an Unforgettable Library Art Exhibition DESCRIPTION:A journey through one inspiring \;art exhibition centered on life changing reading journeys told through an unconventional lens. This exhibition shines a light on the often solitary journey of readership by blending storytelling and visual design into an engaging viewer experience. The personal accounts incorporated into each design have inspired continuous conversation and a wildly popular interactive addition to the exhibition.\nIn this session\, we will discuss the integration of visual art in library interiors\, exhibition planning\, and design strategies for nurturing meaningful discourse and unity amongst staff and patrons. Participants will gain practical ideas to nurture connection and vitality within their \;library communities. CATEGORIES:GUIDED TOUR LOCATION:Divinity 211\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:d1d07d5559f33ed6fa9172b9075b78a9 URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/d1d07d5559f33ed6fa9172b9075b78a9 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260527T193000Z DTEND:20260527T203000Z SUMMARY:Safety and Security Procedures Explained at Western Kentucky University Libraries DESCRIPTION:This presentation will be a panel discussion that will provide an overview of safety and security at Western Kentucky University Libraries. The panel will be available to field questions about handling emergency situations\, overseeing student patrollers\, communication\, cameras\, tools and other issues relating to safety and security in an academic library. Panel members from Western Kentucky University Libraries' Access Services Dept. are: Amanda Hardin\, Tishiba Roberson\, Jessica Simpson\, Daniel Newman and Josh Salley. CATEGORIES:PANEL LOCATION:Community Room\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:f387b8808f8ea45db0b15cf276f5c8ec URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/f387b8808f8ea45db0b15cf276f5c8ec END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260527T204500Z DTEND:20260527T214500Z SUMMARY:Thinking Outside the Chat Box: Building Chatbots for Any Topic with Springshare DESCRIPTION:Do you seem to receive the same questions over and over? Are you looking to reach patrons outside traditional library hours? A custom chatbot might be a great way to easily and accurately answer your users' questions any time of the day or week! This workshop will equip you with the knowledge to build a rule-based chatbot within Springshare's LibAnswers system from the ground up without prior knowledge of coding. Rule-based bots ensure answers are reliable and correct every single time\, and LibAnswers integration allows for easy follow-up via tickets or live chat assistance so your patrons still get access to expert librarians. Participants should come with an idea of questions or topic areas they would like to apply a chatbot to\, and a laptop with access to an existing Springshare account is recommended but not required. CATEGORIES:GENERAL LOCATION:Divinity 211\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:5b10e0201948789d31826317b95ed145 URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/5b10e0201948789d31826317b95ed145 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260527T204500Z DTEND:20260527T214500Z SUMMARY:Support your Intern\, Develop your Future Colleague DESCRIPTION:The David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Duke University employees 10-15 interns each year. These interns are spread across four departments (Research Services\, University Archives\, Collection Development\, Technical Services) and two physical locations. Internships are designed to give students interested in libraries and archives experience with reference\, public service\, instruction\, and processing. What these internships are not designed to do is facilitate connections amongst the interns or offer opportunities to build rapport and create networking opportunities with staff other than their direct supervisors.\n\n\nThis panel will discuss the evolution of intern engagement within the Rubenstein Library- recognition of the intermediate space interns inhabit in organizational hierarchies - more skilled than student workers\, but less qualified than staff\; the hard skills they are taught and the “soft-ish” skills they are expected to pick up\; and how the earliest opportunities for establishing rapport and building networks must be seeded by staff.  \;Interns are future librarians\, archivists\, community activists\, and leaders. The support we provide during their internships will play a critical role in their development as professionals and future colleagues. CATEGORIES:PANEL LOCATION:Community Room\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:41f991224ed2f1cbd1f72e863717d284 URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/41f991224ed2f1cbd1f72e863717d284 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260528T140000Z DTEND:20260528T150000Z SUMMARY:**CANCELLED** Leveraging Emotional Intelligence to Foster Community Within and Beyond the Library DESCRIPTION:Libraries are uniquely positioned as community-centered institutions\, yet the emotional labor required of library staff is often underrecognized and underdeveloped. This session explores how cultivating emotional intelligence (EI) among library employees can strengthen internal workplace culture while deepening meaningful connections with patrons and community partners.Drawing on practical examples from library settings\, the presentation highlights how emotionally intelligent practices—such as empathetic communication\, emotional self-awareness\, and trauma-informed service—support collaboration\, reduce workplace conflict\, and promote staff well-being. Participants will examine how these same skills extend outward\, shaping more inclusive\, welcoming patron interactions and strengthening the library’s role as a trusted community hub.Attendees will leave with actionable strategies for embedding emotional intelligence into staff training\, leadership practices\, and daily service interactions. By intentionally leveraging emotional intelligence\, libraries can foster resilient teams\, build authentic relationships\, and create spaces where both employees and community members feel seen\, supported\, and connected. CATEGORIES:GENERAL LOCATION:Community Room\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:35bc417356bb0df5f28db6b049e4cb6f URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/35bc417356bb0df5f28db6b049e4cb6f END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260528T140000Z DTEND:20260528T150000Z SUMMARY:Forging Lasting Connections at a R1/Top 100 University Through Human Interaction and Embracing Technology DESCRIPTION:In an age when the very foundation of library service undergoes swift and unrelenting change\, a solemn obligation to bind patrons to knowledge through profound and inventive means stands even more imperative.  \;This session presents a practical\, relationship-centered approach to strengthening library engagement while responding to rapid changes reshaping library services at a R1/Top 100 research institution to support faculty and students in their research endeavors. This is done through the forging of powerful and creative library instruction and leveraging multiple software platforms with the end goal of creating that genuine human connection.  \;\n\n\nRather than relying solely on traditional one-shot library instruction sessions\, the presenters will focus on sustained engagement: showing up in student spaces\, attending organization meetings\, collaborating on events\, and using those relationships to design more relevant and effective instruction experiences and memorable moments for the patron. Along with the direct human engagement\, the presenters will focus on technology’s measured yet informative role to extending the library’s outreach beyond the classroom. The use of LibGuides to create impactful subject guides with curated information and library resources\, leveraging software platforms like LibCal through Springshare to create a in real-time-research consultation booking platform\, where students and faculty can book specific time slots with a librarian\, and redesigning the library’s web presence so information is easily accessible in the chaotic world wide web.  \;\n\n\nTogether\, these approaches highlight relationship-building\, student-centered teaching\, and purposeful use of technology—elements that\, when combined\, spark innovation and deepen human connection. The session will feature real-world examples and candid reflections on both successes and challenges. Attendees will leave with adaptable ideas they can bring back to their own libraries to foster student success through personal engagement and effective use of technology. \; CATEGORIES:GENERAL LOCATION:Divinity 211\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:ae8e92594f78cb448de1ea0e26165fe3 URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/ae8e92594f78cb448de1ea0e26165fe3 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260528T140000Z DTEND:20260528T150000Z SUMMARY:Let’s Talk About Books DESCRIPTION:Join me for a fun\, relaxing session as I share with you some of the books I have read this year\, loved\, disliked\, thought-provoking.  \;And then ask that everyone participate in sharing something they have read this year\, with the hopes that everyone has a few adds to their TBR list. \; CATEGORIES:GENERAL LOCATION:Community Room\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:e30afb14d0596e7d1f9386ee452dd80c URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/e30afb14d0596e7d1f9386ee452dd80c END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260528T151500Z DTEND:20260528T161000Z SUMMARY:Lightning Talks: Outreach DESCRIPTION:Community On Full Display: How Book Displays Strengthen Connections in the Library - Cyrenity Augestin\nThis lightning talk will explore and expand upon the way that book displays\, a task typically overlooked\, can serve as a stage for larger conversations. Through taking the initiative of including personal anecdotes and reaching out to patrons within the community for title contributions\, the library can add a personal touch to their book displays and create connections between the patrons that visit the library. Furthermore\, it allows patrons to learn more about the people who make the library such a special place\, whether that is through their interactions at the desk\, or the unseen work behind the scenes. Creating book displays in an intentional and meaningful way not only creates connection between patrons but also allows patrons to further connect with the people they see every day behind the circulation desk. \n\nSowing Knowledge: Seed Libraries as Outreach - Kelseigh Bien\; Taylor McPeake\nUT Libraries' Seed Library is a free resource for the campus community to "check out" seeds for growing herbs\, vegetables\, flowers\, and more! We will discuss how this initiative has presented numerous unique outreach and collaboration opportunities that have immensely contributed to our engagement efforts. This program has offered us a creative new approach to engagement overall\, and we will share in detail how this has benefitted both the Libraries and the patrons we serve.\n\nSurprise Date with a Book - Your library's path to inclusivity and patron engagement. - McKindree Borges & Nichaela Williams\nAt the end of the day\, everything we do is done for the patrons. Therefore\, patron engagement should always be top of mind when it comes to any involvement activities. At the University of Florida’s Marston Science Library\, one of our biggest engagement days of the year is February 14th\, also known as Valentine’s Day. We hand-wrap books\, write witty descriptions about them\, include student engagement materials in the wrapping\, and make pin-back buttons for students. Patrons will come up and check out a book without ever seeing the cover or knowing the title! Notably\, this event requires pulling books to wrap that are representative of the demographics of the patrons in your library. That is why our curated list of books includes LGBTQIA+ authors\, Black authors\, Female authors\, and other marginalized voices that are often forgotten in such activities. This interactive workshop will include a presentation about why and how we do Surprise Date with a Book\, real feedback from patrons about the event\, and a how-to session working with attendees on actually making and wrapping books and materials. CATEGORIES:LIGHTNING TALK LOCATION:Community Room\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:1eabcd06e4f27aeb6e9e322a7e67a43c URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/1eabcd06e4f27aeb6e9e322a7e67a43c END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260528T151500Z DTEND:20260528T161000Z SUMMARY:Lightning Talks: Technical Services DESCRIPTION:Whose Catalog?: Homosaurus as a Pathway to LGBTQ+ Belonging - Jude Romines (PowerPoint uploaded\, link below speakers)\nSince 2021\, Emory University Libraries (EUL) has been adding Homosaurus\, a linked data vocabulary of LGBTQ+ terms\, to bibliographic records in the catalog. The goal of this project is to increase the discoverability of LGBTQ+ resources\, which are often under-described due to various factors\, including representational gaps in Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) and the challenge of retroactively enhancing older records. While correcting outdated and harmful language and increasing access have been at the forefront of EUL's Homosaurus project\, positive feedback from faculty\, staff\, and students has demonstrated another benefit: fostering a sense of belonging and affirmation in catalog users. This presentation will explore Homosaurus as a cataloging tool at EUL\, share lessons learned from our outreach efforts\, and discuss how this work creates pathways for education while nurturing the library community's sense of representation and ownership in catalog systems.\n\nIt takes a village: Collaborating with a family resource center to improve access to consumer health information - Kayce Gill\nThe Family Resource Center (FRC) staff at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center faced significant challenges impacting their ability to provide health information to patients and their families. Some of the challenges included inadequate staff access to Alma\, missing items\, catalog records with incomplete and/or wrong metadata\, and a paper-based checkout process. To address these issues\, the Eskind Biomedical Library staff collaborated with the FRC staff to implement a multi-faceted plan: establish Alma accounts and staff training\, conduct a systematic print inventory using Alma's print inventory tool\, reconcile discrepancies between physical holdings and Alma records\, and withdraw obsolete materials. Eskind staff also created shelf categories to make browsing easier for patrons and developed an Alma Analytics dashboard with key data to assist the FRC staff with loan statistics. Future projects include developing a plan for lost items as well as finding a way to combine print books and ebooks into one catalog. \;\n\nMeeting Students Where They Are: Promoting Electronic Resources at University of Florida's Annual Fall Fest - Sheri L. Edwards\nEach Fall semester\, the University of Florida (UF) Libraries engages in a self-created outreach program known as "Fall Fest."  \;The program is designed to draw students of all levels to information booths that promote various services and resources the UF Libraries offer.  \;Fall Fests in 2024 and 2025 revealed a gap in the promotion of electronic resources specifically\, resulting in the electronic resources unit (ERU) creating various pocket-sized cards to denote databases of electronic resources geared toward for various majors.  \;This lightning round describes the processes and work that went into the ERU making connections with students outside our typical behind-the-scenes work of setting up and troubleshooting access to electronic resources.  \;This lightning round also discusses learning objectives for our audience and recommended electronic resources-based outreach for future Fall Fests. CATEGORIES:LIGHTNING TALK LOCATION:Divinity 211\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:ba3c9052b0c805bfcc0ac5da76b33473 URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/ba3c9052b0c805bfcc0ac5da76b33473 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260528T181500Z DTEND:20260528T191500Z SUMMARY:Finding New Ways to Connect Patrons with the Collection: WKU Libraries A&P Bones Study Sessions DESCRIPTION:How can we expand access in our collections to patrons who need our materials but are unable to get that access? Whether that lack of access is through lack of adequate copies or simply lack of knowledge that the materials exist. By using WKU Libraries BIOL 131 A&P Bones Study Sessions program as an example\, we will explain how to best assess your collection and see if there is need that is not being met and how to create a program to address that. CATEGORIES:GENERAL LOCATION:Divinity 211\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:254d5501cfb32274924c79a14db7724e URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/254d5501cfb32274924c79a14db7724e END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260528T181500Z DTEND:20260528T191500Z SUMMARY:From Life to Desk: Transferable Skills from Unlikely Places DESCRIPTION:Past experiences often define who we are today.  \;Our past has led and shaped each of us into the person we are now\, but no one shares the same path in life.  \;Differences in backgrounds are what make each of us unique in our daily lives and future pursuits.  \;Today we'll hear from three individuals working in the same field of information science\, each with very different pathways that led them to where they are now. \; Bryn Murphy\, Joanna Tuskey\, and Riley Vagis share more about their individual pathways and stories and discuss the skills they have learned and utilized along the way in their professional pursuits. CATEGORIES:PANEL LOCATION:Community Room\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:842c441f0fe0b574ab6a615b5083e72f URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/842c441f0fe0b574ab6a615b5083e72f END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260528T193000Z DTEND:20260528T203000Z SUMMARY:Rising to the Occasion: Personal Narratives of Transformative Practice DESCRIPTION:Library users and their expectations for services and collections are evolving\, resulting in libraries being proactively responsive to providing services. In the 2020 Spring Semester\, the University of Houston Music Library\, along with the rest of the world\, transitioned to a fully online remote environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This transition required creative solutions to maintain mission-critical library services in a digital environment. This pivot was transformative to the workplace and to the life of the patron and included: digitization on demand\, curbside pickup\, virtual reference and library drop boxes. \;\nIn 2025\, a music faculty member requested the assistance of a library staff to support the advanced research needs of visually impaired students in the music library\, at the University of Houston. Collaboration with University of Houston’s Justin Dart\, Jr. Student Accessibility Center. [1] and UH Libraries administration\, led to the access and circulation of a Da Vinci Pro Device. [2] \;\nIn this presentation\, Eric Larsen and Michelle M. Joseph\, support staff at the University of Houston Music Library\, will share their personal narratives of crucial decision-making in times of high-change and high-stakes. Eric and Michelle will further engage participants\, through \;a guided reflection\, on their transformative practices using the formative assessment tool\, Plickers.[3] \;\n \;\n \;\n \;\n[1] See \;https://www.uh.edu/accessibility/index.php\n[2] Da Vinci Pro device “a high-performance desktop video magnifier for individuals with low vision.”\n[3] Plickers “collect real-time formative data\, that gives participants feedback which determining learning pathways.” CATEGORIES:GENERAL LOCATION:Community Room\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:9b436b3f76c29a3eb46b7c9f5ac6bb4e URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/9b436b3f76c29a3eb46b7c9f5ac6bb4e END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260528T193000Z DTEND:20260528T203000Z SUMMARY:We're All In This Together: Modeling Leadership & Professionalism in Access Services DESCRIPTION:In the demanding environment of Access Services\, we can often “lose the forest for the trees” by letting daily operational demands overshadow core principles that ensure departmental success. This session explores a strategic approach to leadership that fosters a productive and healthy work environment by mentoring and supporting library staff to model departmental expectations and core principles for student employees at an academic library. This methodology emphasizes the importance of adapting leadership styles to the unique needs of individual team members while maintaining a consistent standard of accountability at all levels. \;\n\n\nUsing three real-world examples\, this presentation will illustrate how a healthy work environment is maintained through intentional collaboration\, self-reflection\, and compassionate conflict resolution. The presentation will also examine how the performance\, morale\, and retention of student employees serves as a direct reflection of the culture and collaborative spirit established by library leadership and staff. \;\n\nThe presentation will be divided into three parts: an introduction\, a description of the three real-world examples from the speaker's library and how they serve a thriving work environment\, and a guided self-reflection for attendees to apply some of the methods discussed to meet needs and challenges at their home institutions. \; CATEGORIES:GENERAL LOCATION:Divinity 211\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:e85ed91c01888903d15a6024abb3ce77 URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/e85ed91c01888903d15a6024abb3ce77 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260602T021146Z DTSTART:20260528T204500Z DTEND:20260528T213000Z SUMMARY:Finale Keynote: The Emotional Economics of Libraries: Why Human Connection Is Our Greatest ROI DESCRIPTION:\n CATEGORIES:KEYNOTE LOCATION:Community Room\, Jean and Alexander Heard Library- Central & Divinity Libraries\, 21st Avenue Sout SEQUENCE:0 UID:03c6333f996554b7dfacbaa474b48c96 URL:http://slss26.sched.com/event/03c6333f996554b7dfacbaa474b48c96 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR