2026 Regional Conference Schedule

South Bend - May 15th

9:00 - 9:45am - Registration

9:45 - 10:50am - Keynote, Edra Waterman

Keep Your Cool, Know Your Purpose, Trust Your Team: Navigating Politics and Culture Wars While Remaining Committed to Library Service for All

11:00 - 11:50am - Breakout Block #1

Presenter(s): Daniel Lichty
Ever spent three meetings fixing a problem… only to realize it wasn’t the real issue?
A3 problem-solving is a clear, disciplined framework that forces teams to slow down, articulate the real problem, and align on measurable next steps. In this energetic session, we’ll walk through how A3 works, why most teams skip the hardest part, and ways to get started.

Reading Levels and Lexiles and Libraries, Oh My!: A Library Worker’s Survival Guide to Recommending the Best Books for Parents and Students

Presenter(s): Lori Caskey-Sigety
Recommending the Best Books for Parents and Students
How do you recommend a book for a 16-year-old reluctant reader?
What about a gifted 11-year-old who has exhausted the fic collection?
What if a parent asks about AR books?

Presenter(s): Julie Wendorf
Advocacy extends beyond the library walls, reaching from the library stacks to the Statehouse. This session offers a concise overview of Indiana’s legislative structure and process, highlighting where and how library voices can make an impact. Learn how the Indiana Library Federation advances advocacy for public, school, and academic libraries through a multifaceted approach that includes grassroots engagement, partnerships, and direct legislative outreach. The session will also include a brief review of the most recent legislative session and ILF’s response, providing key insights and takeaways for future advocacy efforts. Walk away with a clearer understanding of the process and your role in ensuring libraries remain strong and supported across Indiana.

Presenter(s): Bridget Morrey & Onjanette Dancler
How do Library Administration, the Business Office, and Support Organizations work together for a shared goal? Join a CFO and Development Director for a candid roundtable where we share the Indiana State Code and IRS-based information we are using to navigate our own partnership. We are in the early stages of this journey and want to hear from you. Come prepared to share when your support organization was formed and how you currently divide tasks—from marketing to finance—as we explore ideas for efficiency and strategic progress together.

11:50am - 12:50pm - Lunch

12:50 pm - 1:00 pm - Group Photo

1:00 pm - 1:50 pm - Breakout Block #2

Presenter(s): Ross Hanney
In this workshop-style session, we will explore how to craft SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) that are meaningfully connected to the library's strategic plan and vision. We will dive into practical strategies for creating individual employee goals with organizational priorities and context in mind. This session wraps up with the opportunity to draft and refine your own SMART goals, drawing on real examples from your library's strategic plan or vision.

Presenter(s): Zachary Benedict & Ben McHugh
As technology continues to affect the service models of libraries with digital collections, programming, and education, when and where do we trade our hammer for AI? In our ever-expanding technological world, industry experts in every field are pushing us towards using AI technology to accomplish a variety of tasks, from data tracking to customer service. This session will explore where this technology makes sense for libraries, and where modern anchor institutions should prioritize boundaries to protect human-to-human connections.

Presenter(s): Roanna Hooten, Jenni Blye, & Sarah Morbitzer
In this panel, we will address the question, "how can libraries support homeschooling families?" Each panelist will approach the question from her own perspective followed by time for Q&A.

Presenter(s): Nick York
Discover how digital collections can bring local history to life while strengthening community identity. Featuring practical examples from the La Porte County and St. Joseph County Public Libraries, this session showcases how libraries and cultural institutions are using digitization to preserve stories, support place-based learning, and build partnerships that amplify cultural visibility and public engagement.

2:00 pm - 2:50 pm - Breakout Block #3

Presenter(s): Stephen Platt & Lici Walker
Stephen Platt (Georgetown Branch Manager) and Lici Walker (Georgetown Branch Assistant Manager) share the Allen County Public Library’s evolving approach to supporting large groups of middle school patrons in a busy branch environment. Located in a shopping center and within walking distance of a local middle school, the Georgetown Branch regularly serves 80–100 youth after school each weekday.

Reading Levels and Lexiles and Libraries, Oh My!: A Library Worker’s Survival Guide to Recommending the Best Books for Parents and Students

Presenter(s): Lori Caskey-Sigety
Recommending the Best Books for Parents and Students
How do you recommend a book for a 16-year-old reluctant reader?
What about a gifted 11-year-old who has exhausted the fic collection?
What if a parent asks about AR books?

Presenter(s): Stephanie Murphy
Do you have ambitions to be a library director? Or maybe your just looking for that next promotion? We'll explore the real pros and cons of pursuing a promotion in the library world, including the questions you might not have thought to ask yourself. For example, are you truly ready to trade storytime for strategic planning and budget meetings. Learn more about how a typical director search committee works and discover some concrete steps that you can take to position yourself for a leadership role.

Presenter(s): Mark Dehmlow
Crossroads: The Journal of Indiana Libraries is a new peer-reviewed, open access journal published by the Indiana Library Federation. This session introduces the journal’s purpose, submission process, and types of articles, while helping practitioners turn everyday library work into publishable contributions. We will also address common concerns about writing and peer review to help attendees get started.

3:00 pm - 3:50 pm - State of the ILF

The ILF Past President and Executive Director will discuss past, current, and future business of ILF, ensuring all participants walk away with information on how to get more involved, advocate for libraries, and engage their networks/communities.