BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 X-WR-CALNAME:islws2026 X-WR-CALDESC:Event Calendar METHOD:PUBLISH CALSCALE:GREGORIAN PRODID:-//Sched.com Illinois School Library Workers Symposium 2026//EN X-WR-TIMEZONE:UTC BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T133000Z DTEND:20260916T134500Z SUMMARY:Welcome DESCRIPTION:Hello all! \;\n\nWelcome to the 2026 Illinois School Library Workers Symposium. Meet us in the MAIN room Zoom for the morning welcome and first session. If you need help\, use the chat feature on Sched or the MAIN room Zoom chat. \; CATEGORIES:KEYNOTE LOCATION:MAIN\, https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/93384812323 SEQUENCE:0 UID:654db0ecf98d85501a597ef2c9dcc235 URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/654db0ecf98d85501a597ef2c9dcc235 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T134500Z DTEND:20260916T143000Z SUMMARY:Intellectual Freedom 101: What It Means\, Why It Matters\, and How You Can Be a Champion For Your Students in the Library DESCRIPTION:Providing access to a wide range of books is not only good practice\; it’s also essential for helping young people foster a love of literature. This session is a primer on what intellectual freedom is\, including defining what constitutes book censorship. It will highlight some of the ways Illinois has been a leader in protecting the right to read\, while also being frank about how too often\, censorship still happens across the state.  \;Prepare to expand your understanding of what it means to be a champion for your students through championing their freedom to read. \; CATEGORIES:KEYNOTE LOCATION:MAIN\, https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/93384812323 SEQUENCE:0 UID:2aab2d1a155a39ede7de5291b60664d6 URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/2aab2d1a155a39ede7de5291b60664d6 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T143500Z DTEND:20260916T152000Z SUMMARY:When they say reading is boring DESCRIPTION:"Reading is boring." "I can't find anything to read." We've all heard it — and too often we respond by trying to convince kids reading is fun\, or by handing them another book we're sure they'll love. But what if the real answer isn't a better pitch for reading? It's giving students genuine ownership over their own reading lives.\n In this session\, we'll dig into what kids are really telling us when they say they don't like reading\, and practical conversation tactics that open doors instead of closing them. We'll also talk about why reading was never meant to compete — not with screens\, not with other subjects\, not with anything — and what changes when we stop treating it like something to win kids over to\, and start treating it like something that belongs to them.\n You'll leave with language you can use tomorrow\, and a shift in how you see the reluctant reader in your room. CATEGORIES:KEYNOTE LOCATION:MAIN\, https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/93384812323 SEQUENCE:0 UID:03f31adc7e10c05f84006d2071716350 URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/03f31adc7e10c05f84006d2071716350 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T153000Z DTEND:20260916T161500Z SUMMARY:Copyright DESCRIPTION:As a School Library Worker\, copyright is something you will likely teach to students and need to be familiar with for other teachers\, administrators\, and staff. I'm guessing when folks have quesitons about copyright\, they turn to you--the librarian! \; Well\, have no fear\, because in this session we will discuss some typical issues around copyright that might arise in your daily work. Join me for a fun and engaging glimpse into copyright. CATEGORIES:BEACH LOCATION:Beach\, https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/94780281226 SEQUENCE:0 UID:618f673a6c5fa76604092fb7e25b30f1 URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/618f673a6c5fa76604092fb7e25b30f1 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T153000Z DTEND:20260916T161500Z SUMMARY:I Feel the Need to Weed!: Weeding 101 DESCRIPTION:Ready to breathe new life into your library collection? This practical session will demystify the art (and library science!) of weeding. Learn why regular weeding is essential for a vibrant\, relevant collection\, how to evaluate materials using ALA and AASL recommendations\, strategies for using circulation data to guide your process\, and managing discarded materials (without a “dumpster disaster!). Whether you’re new to weeding or looking for fresh inspiration\, you’ll leave ready to cultivate a vibrant\, relevant\, and appealing collection to make space for books your students actually want to read. CATEGORIES:CITY LOCATION:City\, https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/94923044914 SEQUENCE:0 UID:15889781717406d2d8fa46d5c1baea21 URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/15889781717406d2d8fa46d5c1baea21 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T153000Z DTEND:20260916T161500Z SUMMARY:AI Ethics DESCRIPTION:As AI transforms the information landscape\, libraries must balance innovation with responsibility. This session introduces library professionals to practical AI tools\, key security and ethical considerations\, and innovative approaches to enhancing library services and engaging patrons in meaningful ways. CATEGORIES:DESERT LOCATION:Desert\, https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/95668565475 SEQUENCE:0 UID:3ddee0aa68bd595030754b8575f09a03 URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/3ddee0aa68bd595030754b8575f09a03 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T153000Z DTEND:20260916T161500Z SUMMARY:Canva Basics DESCRIPTION:Curious about Canva but not sure where to start? This session is designed for school librarians looking to create eye-catching displays\, newsletters\, book lists\, and event flyers without needing a design background. In this intro session\, we'll cover the Canva workspace\, finding and customizing templates\, working with text and images\, and exporting designs for print and digital use\, as well as some of my favorite tools and time-saving tips. \; CATEGORIES:MOUNTAIN LOCATION:Mountain SEQUENCE:0 UID:4bb605a9e799101d9326229a6853a9cf URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/4bb605a9e799101d9326229a6853a9cf END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T161500Z DTEND:20260916T170000Z SUMMARY:Genrefying Middle School DESCRIPTION:Curious about genrefication\, but not sure where to start? Not sure if it's actually worth it\, or how to tackle such a large project with limited time and funds? Join this session and gain practical tips on the why's and how-to's of genrefying a middle school library. Participants will receive genrefication frameworks\, guidelines for inclusive genrefication\, strategies for different budget sizes and time constraints\, and more. CATEGORIES:BEACH LOCATION:Beach\, https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/94780281226 SEQUENCE:0 UID:4d6faa16efbb323ffa0d8f3f13ee5f21 URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/4d6faa16efbb323ffa0d8f3f13ee5f21 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T161500Z DTEND:20260916T170000Z SUMMARY:Genrefying High School DESCRIPTION:Genrefying your fiction collection is one of the single best ways to spike circulation\, empower student readers\, and make your space genuinely easy to navigate. Ten years after ditching traditional arrangements in her own high school library\, Kelsey Bogan is sharing the real talk\, practical workflows\, and hard-earned lessons learned along the way. Join us as we dive into the \;why \;and \;how \;of collection reorganization\, tackle common hurdles\, and explore the awesome perks of going genre-first (spoiler alert: your circulation numbers are going to love it!). You'll walk away with a clear roadmap for how to get started\, plus ideas for how to take your genrefication to the next level if you've already begun. CATEGORIES:CITY LOCATION:City\, https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/94923044914 SEQUENCE:0 UID:95d7ae57ac530f417c61ec1e0ab799b6 URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/95d7ae57ac530f417c61ec1e0ab799b6 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T161500Z DTEND:20260916T170000Z SUMMARY:Battle of the Books DESCRIPTION:Getting today's teens motivated to read can be a struggle at times. \; One thing that can work is by appealing to their competitive nature. \; Book Battles and other bookish events can be a great way to accomplish this. \; This session will explore key components of organizing a successful event\, from book selection and funding to logistics and student engagement. Hear about how high school librarians worked together to bring the book battle to the secondary level for the first time. \; \nLearn how to navigate common obstacles like scheduling conflicts\, technology issues\, and resource limitations while discovering creative solutions and best practices. Whether you're looking to start a new competition or improve an existing one\, this session will provide actionable strategies to take back to your library or school. Join us to gain insights\, share experiences\, and leave with the tools to create an engaging and impactful literacy event in your community! CATEGORIES:DESERT LOCATION:Desert\, https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/95668565475 SEQUENCE:0 UID:8ba3965e74ac23bcec0bfb407cb40076 URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/8ba3965e74ac23bcec0bfb407cb40076 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T161500Z DTEND:20260916T170000Z SUMMARY:Genrefying Elementary/ Picture Books DESCRIPTION:We genrefied more than 11\,000 picture books in under three months...and you can too! Join the St. Charles Public Library as we share how we transformed our picture book collection through subject genrefication. We'll cover the good\, the bad\, and everything in-between\, from initial planning and category decisions to the processes that helped us complete this project in such a short time. We'll also discuss what happened after the labels were applied and the shelves were shifted\, including patron feedback and lessons we learned. Whether you're just exploring the idea of genrefying a collection or ready to start a project of your own\, you'll leave with strategies\, helpful tips\, and everything else you need to begin your own genrefication project.\n \n CATEGORIES:MOUNTAIN LOCATION:Mountain SEQUENCE:0 UID:059a62ccfbb94cdf2eb497769f5bc3e0 URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/059a62ccfbb94cdf2eb497769f5bc3e0 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T170000Z DTEND:20260916T173000Z SUMMARY:LUNCH DESCRIPTION:Feel free to eat on your own\, or join us in the MAIN room for lunchtime chatter! CATEGORIES:KEYNOTE LOCATION:MAIN\, https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/93384812323 SEQUENCE:0 UID:044e109621d48acc18db4bb7484b3615 URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/044e109621d48acc18db4bb7484b3615 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T173000Z DTEND:20260916T181500Z SUMMARY:Collaborating with the Public Library DESCRIPTION:Kimberly and Mary are excited to share ideas for building a strong partnership with your public library—or strengthening the relationship you already have. We hope you'll leave with practical program ideas and collaboration strategies that you can take back and explore with your public librarians. CATEGORIES:BEACH LOCATION:Beach\, https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/94780281226 SEQUENCE:0 UID:dd56c04f82adaa319c6e41383aa37a8b URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/dd56c04f82adaa319c6e41383aa37a8b END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T173000Z DTEND:20260916T181500Z SUMMARY:Library Classroom Management DESCRIPTION:Join two veteran school paraprofessional librarians as they share their decades of experience in classroom management. Learn real world tips and tricks for building relationships while managing behavior and promoting a building wide reading culture. This session will cover grades K-8. CATEGORIES:CITY LOCATION:City\, https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/94923044914 SEQUENCE:0 UID:f87138fc8891e6d510b0cc8eabf90def URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/f87138fc8891e6d510b0cc8eabf90def END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T173000Z DTEND:20260916T180000Z SUMMARY:Budget 101: Know the Basics DESCRIPTION:The library is one of the most expensive classrooms in the school\, and where and how we spend our funds reflects what we value.  \;As collaborative school partners\, we often want to say yes to every request for books or materials\, and yet we also know that we have to prioritize or else we will run out of funds by October.  \;How do we make these decisions fairly?  \;How can we justify these decisions with our stakeholders without it seeming like we are just playing "favorites" with students or staff? In this presentation\, we will discuss FREE methods to track spending and purchases as well as FREE resources and ideas for obtaining resources to secure "extra" items that you know your students and staff have been craving.  \;Attendees will learn how to leverage local resources and consider potential opportunities for collaboration and community partnership. CATEGORIES:DESERT LOCATION:Desert\, https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/95668565475 SEQUENCE:0 UID:476dd9f5acba38a8a571165036618fbe URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/476dd9f5acba38a8a571165036618fbe END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T173000Z DTEND:20260916T181500Z SUMMARY:Master AI with Google Gemini: Essential Prompting\, Custom Gems\, & Smart Tools DESCRIPTION:Discover how Google Gemini can serve as a powerful co-pilot for your everyday library operations. In this hands-on workshop\, we will demystify generative AI and cover the art of effective prompting for common library tasks\, including how Gemini leverages live search grounding to provide verified citations and real-time facts. We will explore how Gemini is embedded directly across the Google ecosystem\, step through creating Custom Gems (personalized AI assistants) to automate your most repetitive workflows\, and look at Google NotebookLM to convert text into grounded study aids and podcast-style Audio Overviews. Participants will leave with ready-to-use prompt templates\, a custom Gem built during the session\, and practical strategies to save time and work more intentionally. CATEGORIES:MOUNTAIN LOCATION:Mountain SEQUENCE:0 UID:cd112fdf1ba36a07f487e7b9061758db URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/cd112fdf1ba36a07f487e7b9061758db END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T181500Z DTEND:20260916T190000Z SUMMARY:The Shared Experience; Graphic Memoirs and Travelogues DESCRIPTION:It’s hard to compare the singular experience of sharing a true story through the medium of comics. Cartoonist Lucy Knisley has written and drawn a number of graphic memoirs\, travelogues\, and graphic novels based on real life. In this talk\, she shares some of her thoughts and experiences connecting with readers through this format\, and how one might encourage young people to tell their own story through drawings and words. \; CATEGORIES:KEYNOTE LOCATION:MAIN\, https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/93384812323 SEQUENCE:0 UID:79f754e90e3748e82c4b7736df3ab5bc URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/79f754e90e3748e82c4b7736df3ab5bc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T190000Z DTEND:20260916T194500Z SUMMARY:IRIS (Illinois Reliable Information Sources) Show & Tell DESCRIPTION:Explore the EBSCO databases available for the entire state of Illinois through IRIS. Look at what kind of information is available\, tips and tricks of how to navigate around these databases\, and how you can use these to help your students and your educators. CATEGORIES:KEYNOTE LOCATION:MAIN\, https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/93384812323 SEQUENCE:0 UID:4903155c9effbb0ccb7f24a07b00f179 URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/4903155c9effbb0ccb7f24a07b00f179 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T194500Z DTEND:20260916T201500Z SUMMARY:Table Talks DESCRIPTION:During this time\, we will have discussion and networking. You will be able to choose which topic you are interested in discussing in various breakout rooms. Each breakout room/ table topic will have a discussion facilitator to answer questions and lead conversations.\nTable Topics Include: \;\nGeneral Conversation\nAISLE\nCareer Paths\nFundraising/ Grants\nReader's Advisory\nReading Incentives\nWorking with Admin \;\nVarious Library Management Systems\nTrends in School Libraries\nBook Challenges\n\n CATEGORIES:TABLE TALKS LOCATION:MAIN\, https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/93384812323 SEQUENCE:0 UID:2b2227be2942060f86dce52944d2d7b7 URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/2b2227be2942060f86dce52944d2d7b7 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260912T200753Z DTSTART:20260916T201500Z DTEND:20260916T210000Z SUMMARY:Illinois Reading Lists DESCRIPTION:Robin Jacob - Monarch \;Michelle Glatt - Caudill \;(www.aisled.org/caudill)Bonnie Matheis - Read for a Lifetime \;Jessica Tarnowski - Bluestem \;Whether you're new to Bluestem or looking to become more involved\, this session will cover the award process\, available resources\, student engagement opportunities\, and ways to join the Bluestem Committee. See slides here. \;\nMichelle Winslow - Lincoln (aisled.org/lincoln) \;Sheryl Sejnost - Illinois Reads \;Martha Meyer - Blueberry Awards \;\n CATEGORIES:KEYNOTE LOCATION:MAIN\, https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/93384812323 SEQUENCE:0 UID:a9caf41b30425d9e0dae437b23e30a8e URL:http://islws2026.sched.com/event/a9caf41b30425d9e0dae437b23e30a8e END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR