Description

The Colorado Chapter of the ACRL invites Colorado academic librarians to come together for a 1-day conference on June 15, 2026, from 10am-4pm at the Anderson Academic Commons on the University of Denver campus. The day will include a keynote address, roundtable conversations, and plenty of time for networking with your colleagues.

Breakout Session 1 (11:15am-12:15pm)

Room 1

Digital Care Work: Exploring Trends from Europe

Katelyn Arasin, Library Technician, McDermott Library and MLIS student (San José State University)

Digital Care Work identifies the hidden and unacknowledged tasks required to participate in a digitized world. This terminology originated in Europe in 2022 and melds conscious compassionate care ethics with the ever-increasing demand for digital services to accomplish everyday needs. Often the purpose of moving services online is to make them more accessible, however digitalizing resources also creates barriers to access, and these barriers are often felt strongest by the most disadvantaged patrons in our communities. The process of providing ethically based technological services helps uplift our communities toward an equitable future. The purpose of this presentation is to introduce the concept of Digital Care Work to American libraries, identify the digital divide and barriers to access that students, faculty, and other patrons may face, and provide frameworks that academic libraries may engage with to promote equitable services.

Minds of All Kinds: Practical Steps Toward a Neuro-Affirming Workforce 

Elyse Johnson, Collection Management Librarian, University of Wyoming Libraries

While academic libraries have improved inclusive hiring, retention often relies on a model that requires employees to "fix" themselves to fit the workplace. For neurodivergent staff or those managing things such as anxiety or depression, the labor of masking can lead to rapid burnout.

This session proposes a shift toward the social model of disability, focusing on adapting the library environment to the individual. We will explore practical, low-cost strategies for neuro-inclusive retention, including sensory-informed workspaces (lighting and noise control), asynchronous communication norms to reduce cognitive fatigue, and implementing trauma-informed supervision that prioritizes psychological safety. Attendees will leave with ideas to audit their current library culture, and ideas to create a sustainable, neuro-affirming workplace.

Room 2

Algorithmic Bias: What It Is and How Academic Libraries Can Teach It

Caitlyn Zimmer, Teaching and Learning Graduate Student Assistant, Auraria Library

This presentation will define algorithmic bias and explain how it operates within research tools such as Google and ChatGPT. It will demonstrate how algorithmic bias can be taught in academic libraries through real-world examples that show how these systems can perpetuate discrimination against marginalized populations. The presentation will also model a sample learning activity in which participants search selected terms across different search engines and engage in a guided group discussion. Finally, it will examine how information cocoons and data voids affect student research and highlight the importance of algorithmic literacy as a core component of information literacy.

Room 3

Building Compassionate Organizations: The Role of Flexible and Hybrid Workplaces in Academic Libraries

Rebecca Kuglitsch, Faculty Director for Branches & Services, CU Boulder; Juliann Couture, Faculty Director for Research & Engagement, CU Boulder; and Jennie Gerke, Associate Dean for Success & Engagement, CU Boulder

In this session we will highlight the importance of equitable flexible and hybrid working arrangements, grounding it in the context of building a compassionate organization that is rooted in an ethic of care. The presenters will explore the lived experience of academic library workers, examining the benefits and pitfalls of flexible work from a range of organizational contexts. After exploring these responses together, we will segue into a discussion of our own lived experiences implementing these modalities across a larger organization with both a robust central library and smaller branches. Considerations include equitable if not equal flexibility, job duties, job classifications and ranks, and workload balancing. Finally, we will bring together these experiences so that participants can walk away with considerations in advocating for and working to create an equitable flexible and hybrid working environment.

Poster Sessions (lunch time)

Library Workers and Burnout: Preliminary Results from a Nationwide Survey

Jayne Blodgett, Associate Professor, Collections & Discovery, University of Northern Colorado; Annie Epperson, Professor, Teaching, Research & Engagement, University of Northern Colorado; and Kris Kang, Assistant Professor, Mathematical Sciences, University of Northern Colorado

Faculty at the University of Northern Colorado have collected data from more than 800 librarians, representing all library types and all 50 states in the US about the intersection of burnout and mental health interventions. The initial analysis presented here will explore burnout rates for librarians in relationship to personal burnout, work-related burnout and patron-related burnout. There will also be a discussion around the relationship between mental health interventions, self-care, and burnout.

Tell Us What You Really Think: Initial Explorations of Student Perceptions of Welcomeness and Belonging

Cat Hildebrand, Operations Manager, University of Northern Colorado; Teesha Prichard, Training/Projects Student Supervisor, University of Northern Colorado; Jen Mayer,  Interim Associate Dean,University of Northern Colorado, Annie Epperson,Professor, Teaching, Research & Engagement, University of Northern Colorado; and Natasha Floersch, Program Coordinator, University of Northern Colorado

This poster summarizes the initial findings of a three-part research project that took place at two libraries on an academic campus. The project included patron responses to weekly whiteboard questions, an initial screening survey designed to intentionally recruit underserved populations, and two focus groups. Patrons who completed the screening survey and expressed interest in further participation were invited to participate in a focus group of their choosing at either library branch. Through these methods, patrons provided insight into their preferred library spaces and how they use them. Data from this project will be used to inform changes to library spaces and practices that support student welcomeness and a sense of belonging within the libraries.

Breakout 2 (1:30-2:30pm)

Room 1

Gone Walkabout: Increasing and Deepening Library Outreach to Faculty and Staff

Christopher J.J. Thiry, Academic Outreach Coordinator, Colorado School of Mines

Library outreach and engagement is most effective when it is in-person and one-on-one. Armed with a positive attitude and facts about services and resources, librarians can create strong and tangible relationships with faculty and staff members.

I will summarize how I have established relationships with over 500 individuals on my campus. I will explain how these connections have enabled me to channel service and resource requests to the appropriate library staff members. My work has helped diminish the problem of poor library integration on campus; my efforts have created an atmosphere where library personnel, services, and interactions are welcome in all corners of campus. I will discuss lessons learned that led to revised approaches that improved outcomes. My walkabouts have led to an increased demand for library services and resources. Attendees of my talk will learn how to do highly effective outreach to faculty and staff members.

No Time, No Staff, Very Little Money: How our Information Literacy Fellow Saved Our Tutorials Collection

Emily Gillette, Information Literacy Fellow, University of Denver; Brianna Buljung, Teaching and Learning Librarian, Colorado School of Mines; and Seth Vuletich, Scholarly Communications Librarian, Colorado School of Mines

In this short session, we will share insights into how to update and manage an online learning objects collection with limited budget and staff capacity. We will reflect on an ongoing online library tutorial revision project, which involved 1) assessment of existing information literacy tutorials, 2) making updates to those materials, and 3) creating new materials for the collection. Our goals were to update existing content, tailor user interface and content based on feedback from students and colleagues, and increase accessibility of these materials. We utilized a fellowship with a limited number of hours to complete this project, and thus, learned how to prioritize certain tutorials for updates and creation over others. Through these experiences, we hope to inspire others to think creatively about their information literacy materials collections given existing constraints. Our presentation will share lessons learned and tips from both the fellow and librarian perspectives.

Room 2

Share Your Expertise: How to Write and Publish a Professional Development Book

Jessica Gribble, Senior Acquisitions Editor, Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited

During years of working in an academic library, you’ve developed deep knowledge and expertise. What’s the best way to share your hard-won skills and know-how? Write a book that contributes to the field of library and information science! Learn from a senior acquisitions editor at Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited how to bring your ideas to a wider audience by publishing a book. New professional development materials are urgently needed, and it’s more important than ever for diverse authors to contribute to the discipline. Learn how to pitch a book idea and what the process will look like through publication. Who will review your proposal? What does a contract look like? How long does it take to write a book? What support will you receive during the writing process? How will the published book be marketed? Attendees are invited to bring questions and book ideas to workshop.

Room 3

The Power of “Good Gossip” and Forming Strong Work Relationships

Alejandro Marquez, Science and Engineering Librarian, University of Denver

Library environments often feel like the reality show Survivor. Just like this show, library staff use gossip as a vital channel of communication. While society tends to view it negatively, this presentation aims to reframe the concept as 'good gossip.' In environments where certain information may be withheld or inaccessible due to bureaucratic structures or power dynamics, "good gossip" can serve as a means for individuals to stay informed and connected.

This shift in perspective could foster a culture of openness and transparency within the workplace, where employees feel encouraged to share important insights and experiences with one another. It also creates a more equitable and supportive work environment that could lead to the implementation of strategies aimed at mitigating toxic behaviors that often plague library workplaces.

Breakout 3 (2:45-3:45pm)

Room 1

AI & Copyright

Hannah Pollard, Scholarly Communications Informationist, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

This session will examine copyright law, how it applies to and interacts with generative artificial intelligence, and the current best practices for librarians who want to advise patrons. We will explore three critical areas: the use of copyrighted materials in AI training datasets, who holds the copyright to AI-generated content, and potential infringement risks.

Building Media Maker Spaces in Libraries: Enhancing Digital Content and Community Engagement

Hayley Blackburn, Innovation and Design Librarian, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Kraemer Family Library

The session will introduce practical strategies for establishing media spaces that empower library patrons and library staff to produce quality video and audio content, sustain teaching and learning programs, and expand your library’s marketing reach. Drawing on findings from a sampling of library video creation practices and the experience of building a media presence in my home library, I'll highlight real-world examples and lessons learned. Participants will gain insights into how media studios foster innovation, enhance OER initiatives, and provide vital services in response to the growing demand for online content. Building a library media presence can position your library as a central hub for creativity, collaboration, and digital engagement with reasonable budgets, space, and management needs. Join me to explore the benefits, key practices, and future opportunities for library-led media production.

Room 2

Training the Next Generation: Managing and Mentoring MLIS Student Employees and Their Supervisors

Mariana Prestigiacomo, Collection Development Librarian, Auraria Library; Kelly McCusker, Collection Development Program Lead Librarian, Auraria Library; and Teresa McGinley, Collection Development Librarian, Auraria Library

We will discuss three levels of library workers – student employees working towards an MLIS, student employee supervisors, and the supervisor’s supervisor – and how they work together. Much literature has been published on how to best support student employees, but little about the support student employee supervisors may need. Often, a librarian’s first experience with management is supervising student employees; however, there are unique challenges, interests, and factors to consider when supervising student employees. In this session, we will first discuss ways in which the student employee supervisor can best support student employees earning an MLIS through training, mentoring, and management so they can be successful in their first professional library position. Second, we will discuss the training and support, or lack thereof, student employee supervisors receive before and during their transition to being a supervisor. Finally, we will talk about lessons learned when first becoming a student employee supervisor and when transitioning to supervising employees who supervise others.

Room 3

Coe-laboration, Coe-mmunication and Coe-creating for Student Wellness

Jessica Rardin, Interim Chair of Public Services/User Experience Librarian, University of Wyoming Libraries and Jennifer Kirk, Marketing & Communications Manager, UW Libraries

The UW Libraries hosts end-of-semester wellness and de-stress events for students, collaborating with various campus partners. Most activities take place at our main branch, Coe Library, which offers many fun puns and marketing opportunities. Over the past five years, these events have expanded due to new partnerships, creative marketing, and feedback from students. We will discuss the changes we've made to better meet student needs and keep the programming relevant. In this presentation, we will share our strategies for building campus partnerships and communicating effectively, ensuring that students can take a break and focus on their wellness during a stressful time of year.