2026 Wyoming Library Association Conference: Full Schedule

2:30pm MDT

Book Talk & Swap

Wednesday September 30, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

Bring some gently used books you would like to give away. We will have a time to booktalk and share these books. The goal is to let go of some books we have already finished and take home another gem for our TBR! This is the fun part of Librarianship, right?

Speakers

Jennisen Lucas

District Librarian, Park County School District

Jennisen has been a school librarian for 24 years, but has worked in all types of libraries for 38. She is a past chair of the School Library Interest Group, and served as AASL President from 2021-2022.

Wednesday September 30, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm MDT
Sheridan Room

3:00pm MDT

The Wellbeing Workshop: A Hands-On Lab for the Art of Journaling

Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

Sheridan Room

Join me for an interactive lab focused on the experience of journaling! Whether you’re a lifelong journaler or haven’t picked up a pen in years, this session offers a restful space to experiment with new wellness habits. We’ll go over how research shows regular journaling is linked to both short-term and long-term benefits on physical and emotional health, including boosted immunity, blood pressure regulation, trauma processing, and improved interpersonal relationships. In this workshop, you’ll have access to creative materials, peer-to-peer support, take-home handouts on various journaling techniques and mental wellness habits, and all-around lofi vibes. Each participant will receive a curated journaling kit, including a notebook and pen, to keep on their journey to thrive.

Speakers

Jessica Otto

Research and Statistics Consultant, Wyoming State Library

Jessica’s time at the WSL working with national-level data peers has driven her passion for highlighting the impact of libraries and the communities they serve.

Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Sheridan Room

9:30am MDT

Helping Libraries Thrive: Grant Opportunities & Grant Writing Basics

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am MDT

Sheridan Room

In this session, attendees will hear from Wyoming Community Foundation staff about grant opportunities available to libraries across the state, including the Competitive Grant Cycle and Continuing Staff Education (CSE) grants through the WYCF McMurry Library Fund.

Alongside an overview of available funding opportunities, attendees will also receive practical Grant Writing 101 guidance designed to help libraries craft stronger proposals. This session will explore how to communicate impact, align requests with funder priorities, and tell meaningful stories about the role libraries play in their communities.

Speakers

Ben Kinion

Scholarship and Grants Coordinator, Wyoming Community Foundation

Ben works at the Wyoming community Foundation as a Scholarship and Grant Coordinator. He also attends the University of Wyoming, where he is pursuing his Masters in Public Administration with a focus in nonprofit management

Thursday October 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am MDT
Sheridan Room

2:00pm MDT

Destination Imagination: Creative Problem Solving Programming at Your Library

Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm MDT

Sheridan Room

Destination Imagination® (DI) is a global, volunteer-led nonprofit organization that encourages student participants to work together to solve open-ended challenges using storytelling, engineering, improvisation, art and critical thinking. Destination Imagination is a strong fit for library programming because it is inclusive, low-budget and encourages hands-on learning for a wide range of ages and interests. Learn about Destination Imagination and how to implement it into your afterschool and homeschool programming. Practice your own creative problem-solving skills with hands-on “Instant Challenges.” For the Instant Challenges, you will use everyday materials like straws, paperclips, and mailing labels to create STEAM-driven solutions (think building a bridge to hold pennies, designing a fish that could survive on Mars, etc.)

Speakers

Stephanie Birr

Youth Services Specialist (applying as a board member of Destination Imagination), Campbell County Public Library (applying on behalf of WACY-Wyoming Association of Creative Youth)

Stephanie Birr is a Youth Services Specialist at the Campbell County Public Library. She participated in Destination Imagination as a student and loves promoting it.

Thursday October 1, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm MDT
Sheridan Room

3:00pm MDT

Library Shark Tank

Thursday October 1, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm MDT

Sheridan Room

Library Shark Tank is an interactive, game show–style session designed to showcase innovative, low-cost programming ideas while fostering collaboration across Wyoming libraries of all types and sizes.
Participants will experience firsthand how collective creativity, supportive leadership, and shared resources can strengthen communities statewide. This session emphasizes that impactful ideas don’t require large budgets; just collaboration, adaptability, and a willingness to try something new.

Speakers

Lisa Scroggins

Executive Director, Natrona County Library

Thursday October 1, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm MDT
Sheridan Room

8:00am MDT

YSIG-Youth Services Interest Group Meeting

Friday October 2, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT

Sheridan Room

Friday October 2, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Sheridan Room

9:00am MDT

Wyoming Summer Reading: Thriving Together by the Numbers

Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT

Sheridan Room

Explore how Wyoming’s summer reading data fuels statewide success. We’ll analyze recent survey results to identify trends, celebrate collective triumphs, and share actionable insights. Discover how regional collaboration and data-driven decisions empower our libraries to move beyond individual efforts and truly thrive together for our communities.

Speakers

Joanne Pruitt

Youth Services Consultant, Wyoming State Library

Youth Services Librarian and former teacher "booked" for life. Between co-hosting the PB&J webinar and writing The WY-YS Librarian Lowdown eNewsletter, I stay busy crafting youth-minded resources for librarians across Wyoming!

Friday October 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am MDT
Sheridan Room

10:30am MDT

Nontraditional Pathways to Librarianship

Friday October 2, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am MDT

Sheridan Room

In many rural libraries, staff are hired directly from the community and may not have prior library experience or formal training. If that sounds like you, have you ever wondered where to go from here? Whether you’re interested in pursuing a library degree or are simply looking for ways to strengthen your resume and expand your opportunities, this session is designed with you in mind. We’ll explore practical ways to build knowledge and skills in the field, outline steps for getting started on a degree path, and highlight funding opportunities available to support whichever direction you choose.

Speakers

Judi Boyce

Assistant Director, Sublette County Library

Judi is presenting from experience in this session. She began her library career as a part-time circulation staff member, was hired full-time a year later as the adult programmer, and worked very deliberately to put herself in a position to be hired as Assistant Director, including... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am MDT
Sheridan Room

11:30am MDT

The Crafty Librarian's Guide to Book Yoga and Spine Surgery: Book Repair for Beginners

Friday October 2, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

Sheridan Room

We've all got our 2009 Nora Roberts mass markets that are too old to replace; our Dogman Comics that we just bought this year that are already so grubby; our brand-new photographic cook books that already feel loose in the spine. And whether it be budgets, time, or a long holds list, reordering isn't always possible. From prevention to complete reassembly, we'll show you basic types of repair to get those books back in the hands of hungry patrons. Troubled case? Bring a title with you and we'll give some individual advice!

Speakers

Lindee Strandgard & Aurora Keffeler

Friday October 2, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
Sheridan Room

2:30pm MDT

3:00pm MDT

9:30am MDT

2:00pm MDT

3:00pm MDT

8:00am MDT

9:00am MDT

10:30am MDT

11:30am MDT

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