2026 Regional Conference Schedule

South Bend - May 22nd

9:00 - 9:45am - Registration

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

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

  •  We’re Solving the Wrong Thing: A3 Problem Solving
    • 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?

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11:50am - 12:50pm - Lunch

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

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

  • Get Smart!: Setting and Evaluating S.M.A.R.T Goals
    • Presenter(s): Ross Hanney
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  • Everything Looks Like a Nail (When You Are a Hammer)
    • Presenter(s): Zachary Benedict & Ben McHugh
    • Session Description TBD
  • Homeschooling and Public Libraries: 3 Approaches
    • 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.
  • Getting Started with Digital Collections
    • 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

  • Busy Teens
    • 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.
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3:00 pm - 3:50 pm - State of the ILF

  • Presenter(s): Kyle Hickman & Austin Stroud