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Illinois School Library Workers Symposium 2026
Wednesday, September 16
 

8:30am CDT

Welcome
Wednesday September 16, 2026 8:30am - 8:45am CDT
MAIN
Hello all! 

Welcome 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. 
Wednesday September 16, 2026 8:30am - 8:45am CDT
MAIN https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/93384812323
  Keynote

8:45am CDT

Intellectual Freedom 101: What It Means, Why It Matters, and How You Can Be a Champion For Your Students in the Library
Wednesday September 16, 2026 8:45am - 9:30am CDT
MAIN
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,...
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Speakers
avatar for Kelly Jensen

Kelly Jensen

Kelly Jensen is a Senior Editor at Book Riot, the largest independent book website in North America. She is the author of three critically-acclaimed and award-winning anthologies for young adults, including (Don't) Call Me Crazy, which won a Schneider Family Book Award honor and Body... Read More →
Wednesday September 16, 2026 8:45am - 9:30am CDT
MAIN https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/93384812323
  Keynote

9:35am CDT

When they say reading is boring
Wednesday September 16, 2026 9:35am - 10:20am CDT
MAIN
"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. In this session, we'll dig into what kids are really telling us...
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Speakers
avatar for Pernille Ripp

Pernille Ripp

Teacher, Author, Creator, Speaker, Oregon School District
Since Pernille Ripp was a child growing up in Denmark, she knew she wanted to work with kids. She has loved being a 4th, 5th, and then 7th-grade teacher in the American public school system, as well as an educational coach for adults.  In her co-created teaching spaces, students... Read More →
Wednesday September 16, 2026 9:35am - 10:20am CDT
MAIN https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/93384812323
  Keynote

10:30am CDT

Copyright
Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am CDT
Beach
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Sara Benson

Sara Benson

Copyright Librarian, University of Illinois
Sara R. Benson is the copyright librarian and an associate professor at the Library at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and an affiliated associate professor with the Center for Global Studies, European Union Center, and the School for Information Science at the University... Read More →
Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am CDT
Beach https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/94780281226
  Beach

10:30am CDT

I Feel the Need to Weed!: Weeding 101
Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am CDT
City
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Ashlee Nishiya, MA, MLS

Ashlee Nishiya, MA, MLS

Coordinator, Library, Media, Reading, and Literacy, Ventura County Office of Education
Ashlee Nishiya is a Library & Literacy Coordinator with more than 21 years of experience in education and libraries. She has served in leadership roles at the Ventura County Office of Education, where she is the Librarian of Record for county schools and champions countywide literacy... Read More →
Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am CDT
City https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/94923044914
  City

10:30am CDT

AI Ethics
Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am CDT
Desert
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.
Speakers
avatar for Hajra Farooq

Hajra Farooq

IT Educator, St. Charles Public Library
Hajra Farooq is an IT Educator at St. Charles Public Library, dedicated to empowering learners through technology, digital literacy, and innovative teaching methods. She is passionate about helping staff and community members develop practical IT skills, fostering confidence, problem-solving... Read More →
Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am CDT
Desert https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/95668565475
  Desert

10:30am CDT

Canva Basics
Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am CDT
Mountain
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Gabriela Denton

Gabriela Denton

Graphic Designer, Oak Park Public Library
Gabriela Denton is the graphic designer at Oak Park Public Library. She has over eight years experience in communications & graphic design for government and non-profits and has been using Canva for over ten years.
Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am CDT
Mountain
  Mountain

11:15am CDT

Genrefying Middle School
Wednesday September 16, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Beach
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...
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Speakers
avatar for G Trupp

G Trupp

Middle School Librarian, Latin School of Chicago
G Trupp (they/them) has been working in school libraries for over 8 years, and is currently the Middle School Librarian at the Latin School of Chicago. They are passionate about creating inclusive learning spaces for young people and have presented to school librarians, teachers... Read More →
Wednesday September 16, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Beach https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/94780281226
  Beach

11:15am CDT

Genrefying High School
Wednesday September 16, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
City
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Kelsey Bogan

Kelsey Bogan

Great Valley School District
Kelsey Bogan, MSLIS, is a high school librarian, adjunct MLIS lecturer, and speaker who blogs at dontyoushushme.com. A passionate advocate for library reform, Kelsey loves helping library professionals break away from outdated traditions to build vibrant, inclusive, and accessible... Read More →
Wednesday September 16, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
City https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/94923044914
  City

11:15am CDT

Battle of the Books
Wednesday September 16, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Desert
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Lisa Marcum

Lisa Marcum

Library Media specialist, Plainfield Central High School
My name is Lisa Marcum.  I've been involved in education for about 20 years. I was an English teacher for 8 years, and I have been a high school librarian since 2014. I have been involved with several library organizations, including AISLE, AASL, RAILS, and ALA since starting my... Read More →
Wednesday September 16, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Desert https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/95668565475
  Desert

11:15am CDT

Genrefying Elementary/ Picture Books
Wednesday September 16, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Mountain
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Kate Boyle

Kate Boyle

Kate Boyle is the Early Childhood Librarian at the St. Charles Public Library. She is passionate about creating engaging, welcoming experiences that foster a lifelong love of reading. As part of a team, she helped develop a categorized picture book collection, making it easier for... Read More →
avatar for Julie Tegtmeier

Julie Tegtmeier

Project Manager, St. Charles Public Library
Julie Tegtmeier is the Project Manager for the St. Charles Public Library. She was previously the Cataloging & Data Librarian for SCPLD and oversaw collection reclassification projects designed to improve patron experience and collection accessibility. 
Wednesday September 16, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm CDT
Mountain
  Mountain
  • about <br>

12:00pm CDT

LUNCH
Wednesday September 16, 2026 12:00pm - 12:30pm CDT
MAIN
Feel free to eat on your own, or join us in the MAIN room for lunchtime chatter!
Wednesday September 16, 2026 12:00pm - 12:30pm CDT
MAIN https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/93384812323
  Keynote

12:30pm CDT

Budget 101: Know the Basics
Wednesday September 16, 2026 12:30pm - 1:00pm CDT
Desert
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Deb Will

Deb Will

I've served as the high school librarian at Zion-Benton Township High School for the past 26 years, and I've led our team to bring library program back to life.  I've served as the President of the Illinois Association of Teachers of English and the President of the Association of... Read More →
Wednesday September 16, 2026 12:30pm - 1:00pm CDT
Desert https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/95668565475
  Desert

12:30pm CDT

Collaborating with the Public Library
Wednesday September 16, 2026 12:30pm - 1:15pm CDT
Beach
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.
Speakers
avatar for Kimberly Damitz

Kimberly Damitz

Kimberly Damitz has been the School Outreach Librarian at the Algonquin Area Public Library District since 2021. When the position was created for her, the library had minimal relationships with the school system. With help from her teammates she has built a thriving program serving... Read More →
avatar for Mary Miller

Mary Miller

School Services Librarian, St. Charles Public Library
I'm a School Services Librarian at St. Charles Public Library.  I use my past experience as Library/Media Center Resource Director to build relationships and programs with the local schools.
Wednesday September 16, 2026 12:30pm - 1:15pm CDT
Beach https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/94780281226
  Beach

12:30pm CDT

Library Classroom Management
Wednesday September 16, 2026 12:30pm - 1:15pm CDT
City
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.
Speakers
avatar for Kellie Treece

Kellie Treece

Kellie Treece has worked with elementary students for two decades, including the last 9 years as a Media Aide/Paraprofessional in an elementary library in Southern Illinois. She recently earned her Illinois PEL. She will sit for the Library Information Specialist exam this fall. She... Read More →
avatar for LuAnn Grimm

LuAnn Grimm

Library Assistant, Oakwood Community Unit School District #76
LuAnn is beginning her 20th year in the school library setting and currently works primarily with 7th and 8th grade students at Oakwood Grade School. Creating a positive reading culture and a community of learners is her passion!  She is always looking for ways to promote the use... Read More →
Wednesday September 16, 2026 12:30pm - 1:15pm CDT
City https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/94923044914
  City

12:30pm CDT

Master AI with Google Gemini: Essential Prompting, Custom Gems, & Smart Tools
Wednesday September 16, 2026 12:30pm - 1:15pm CDT
Mountain
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Ashley Kolovitz

Ashley Kolovitz

Director of Digital Learning and Innovation, Lake Forest Academy

Wednesday September 16, 2026 12:30pm - 1:15pm CDT
Mountain
  Mountain

1:15pm CDT

The Shared Experience; Graphic Memoirs and Travelogues
Wednesday September 16, 2026 1:15pm - 2:00pm CDT
MAIN
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Lucy Knisley

Lucy Knisley

Lucy Knisley (she/her) is a bestselling comic artist and author with over a dozen titles ranging in readership from infant to adult.

She specializes in books about food, found-family, and felines.

She lives in Evanston, IL, where she enjoys playing with her partner and kiddo, eat... Read More →
Wednesday September 16, 2026 1:15pm - 2:00pm CDT
MAIN https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/93384812323
  Keynote

2:00pm CDT

IRIS (Illinois Reliable Information Sources) Show & Tell
Wednesday September 16, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
MAIN
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.
Speakers
avatar for Suzanna Jones

Suzanna Jones

Library Program Specialist, Illinois State Library
Suzanna is a Library Program Specialist at the Illinois State Library. She is the project lead for Illinois’ Reliable Information Sources (IRIS) project, also known as the Statewide Database program with EBSCO. She also assists with reviewing and monitoring grants. Before her time... Read More →
RF
Wednesday September 16, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
MAIN https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/93384812323
  Keynote

2:45pm CDT

Table Talks
Wednesday September 16, 2026 2:45pm - 3:15pm CDT
MAIN
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.Table Topics Include: General ConversationAISLECareer PathsFundraising/ GrantsReader's AdvisoryReading IncentivesWorking with...
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Wednesday September 16, 2026 2:45pm - 3:15pm CDT
MAIN https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/93384812323
  Table Talks

3:15pm CDT

Illinois Reading Lists
Wednesday September 16, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT
MAIN
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. Michelle...
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Speakers
avatar for Martha Meyer

Martha Meyer

Library Assistant and Blueberry Award Founder, Evanston Public Library
Martha Meyer is a library paraprofessional in the Early Learning and Literacy Department at Evanston Public Library, specializing in both infant/toddler literacy and on theater programming for elementary school kids. She spent years sharing new nature books with local preschool teachers... Read More →
avatar for Robin Jacob

Robin Jacob

School Librarian/Teacher, Rondout School
Robin is a veteran educator with 30 years of experience as a former classroom teacher and currently as a library media specialist. In addition, Robin is the chair of the Illinois state Monarch Book Award, which recognizes outstanding literature for students in kindergarten through... Read More →
avatar for Michelle Glatt

Michelle Glatt

School Librarian, Chiddix and Evans Junior High Schools
I have been a middle school librarian in central Illinois for 30 years. I am the Chair of the Steering Committee for the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award.
avatar for Bonnie Matheis

Bonnie Matheis

Program Coordinator, Illinois State Library, Illinois Center for the Book
In 2000, I launched my career at the Illinois State Library in Springfield, managing outreach for Find It! Illinois and expanding global library partnerships with the Mortenson Center. By 2004, I stepped into my current position as the Coordinator for the Illinois Center for the Book. In this role, affiliated with the Library of Congress, I have spent decades championing Illinois authors and fostering... Read More →
avatar for Jessica Tarnowski

Jessica Tarnowski

Youth Services Librarian, Bartlett Public Library District
Jessica is a Youth Services Librarian at the Bartlett Public Library and serves as the Chair of the Bluestem Award Committee.  She enjoys creating engaging programs that inspire children to read, learn, and explore through hands-on activities. Jessica is always happy to connect about... Read More →
avatar for Michelle Winslow

Michelle Winslow

Learning & Innovation Specialist, AISLE Lincoln Steering Committee Chair & Lake Zurich HS
avatar for Sheryl Sejnost

Sheryl Sejnost

Illinois Reads Chair, Illinois Reading Council
Wednesday September 16, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT
MAIN https://railslibraries.zoom.us/j/93384812323
  Keynote
 

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