Embedded Files
Beyond the Veil: The Library Search :
Children's literature on death may be utilized for helping youth grieve. This study examined recommendations for this literature by contacting 251 libraries across the country. After following up, libraries provided 664 unique book recommendations which were analyzed to determine commonalities in book type, accessibility (e.g., format, language diversity), marketing age, and publishing year. This presentation will share the findings, top recommended books, and discuss the implications of the recommendations.
Daphne Lynd (she/her) is a graduate student at the University of North Texas in the Master’s of Library Science program. Her scholarly background is in educational studies, education accessibility, and literacy.
Breaking Down Barriers for Teens at The Hive Makerspace:
A public library makerspace can open up a world of creativity, collaboration, and experimentation with technology and tools, and many teen library patrons are intrigued by the limitless possibilities makerspaces present. But teens may face many roadblocks when it comes to using the public library makerspace: financial barriers (lack of supplies), bureaucratic barriers (lack of a library card or parent permission), knowledge barriers (lack of technical knowledge or available instruction), or personal/social barriers (too intimidated or uncomfortable to use the space). Learn how a Teen Librarian and a Makerspace Librarian teamed up to break down those barriers and bring teens ages 13-18 into the makerspace to unleash their potential, and how you can too. Projects made with/by teens will also be on display.
Don't Run!:Behavior Management:
Located between a high school, middle school, and elementary, our library faced rampant behavioral issues. Through community relationship building, a refined suspension policy, and collaborative teamwork across departments, we've implemented new behavior management strategies for the whole library. Join us to discover effective solutions for your library and learn how to address challenging behaviors effectively.
Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: Teen Library Advisory Boards and Volunteer Opportunities :
Effective teen volunteer programs balance autonomy, structure, and accountability. As teens transition from childhood to adulthood, libraries can provide positive working environments by offering engaging volunteer opportunities in the form of Teen Advisory Boards (TABs). Well-designed TABs offer participants opportunities to gain skills in leadership, collaboration, project management, and communication. In turn, teen participants provide the library with insights into a vital user group with unique social and information needs.
In this session, you will learn to establish goals that benefit both teen volunteers and the library with a collaborative engagement model and clear expectations. The presenters will share examples from the Plano Public Library Teen Street Team in their exploration of how your library can establish a Teen Advisory Board or enhance an existing program.
Learning Objectives:
• Gain concrete strategies for assessing current teen volunteer programs and identifying opportunities for improved engagement
• Learn metrics to assess the long-term benefits for participants
• Be able to develop a program framework that combines clear project goals, communication practices, and accountability standards to support the experiences of both teen volunteers and the library
• Understand how to evaluate a library's teen volunteer program by implementing a review process that leverages feedback from participants, surveys, and advisory questions
Full STEAM Ahead: Maximizing Wonder and Learning in Library Programs :
High quality STEAM programs serve as a gateway to lifelong learning for library users of all ages, but their effects are often most pronounced in early years when an innate sense of wonder meets a desire to understand and explain the world. The STEAM model is especially powerful because of the internal linkages between its components. However, families, educators, and librarians may be hesitant to include STEAM concepts due to perceived lack of expertise or excess complexity.
Plano Public Library will discuss its experience developing, delivering, and evolving STEAM programs for children from toddlers through tweens. We will share ideas for the development of high-impact, low-cost programs that are both easily adaptable based on age group and scalable for audience size. We will show how library staff of all experience levels can encourage young learners to engage with foundational STEAM concepts by utilizing trusted early literacy models and encouraging unstructured exploration. Finally, we will discuss how library staff can encourage and support parents and caregivers to continue learning activities at home so children can explore their world in more depth to build inquiry skills that will prepare them for future educational and career experiences.
Guerilla Storytime:
Share ideas and troubleshoot challenges with other storytime leaders in a fun and collaborative session!
Locked In to Lock-ins: A Blueprint for After Hours Youth Programming:
Through our presentation, attendees will learn about our model for after-hours programming that serves older elementary - high school students. We will discuss the origin of this type of program within our library, the types of activities we include and why, the planning process we use, the staffing requirements, as well as some examples of activities that did not work for our programming/community, and how we are expanding the program going forward. Attendees will leave our presentation with the confidence and structure to successfully tackle after-hours tween programming!
No Drama: Reader's Theater Programming:
Discover how Reader’s Theater can become a dynamic, low-cost addition to your library’s programming toolkit! This session will explore how to implement engaging Reader’s Theater programs that promote literacy, build empathy, and bring stories to life for youth and families. Attendees will learn how this versatile format scales across age groups, with tips on adapting performances for younger and older readers alike.
We’ll highlight best practices for using the ready-made scripts provided by the Texas Library Association for their Bluebonnet Award books, and discuss how to facilitate meaningful, inclusive activities that connect young readers with quality literature. Additionally, participants will receive a curated resource list of free Reader’s Theater scripts to help diversify and expand their programming.
The session will also include guidance on forming partnerships with colleges, local theater groups, and community volunteers to enhance your program’s reach and sustainability. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to refresh an existing program, you’ll leave with practical tools, creative ideas, and inspiration to make stories leap off the page at your library.
Summer Meals in Texas Public Libraries:
Summer is the hungriest time of the year. During the school year, 2.8 million Texas students receive free or reduced-priced meals, yet only a fraction of these children receive free meals during the summer. Without consistent and quality nutrition, they are more likely to become sick, have less energy, and have difficulty focusing on reading and learning. The good news is that free and healthy meals are available to children and teens through age 18 at Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sites throughout Texas and the U.S. Learn how Texas public libraries can become one of those sites and help feed children in your communities.
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