The Difference is You Conference 2026

  • Difference is You (DIY) Conference: is the only statewide conference especially for support staff and non-MLS librarians
  • Date: Friday, September 25, 2026, 9:00 AM to 3:45 PM, Eastern
  • Location:  Indiana State Library, 140 North Senate Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana
  • DIY Award nominations – nominations are closed
  • Registration fee ($30) – Click here to register – registration closes Friday, August 7 & payment is due Friday, August 21
  • Presentations & Schedule:  see “List of presenters & sessions” below, specific times to be determined
Pro tips for attending conference:
  • Make sure you dress in layers (some rooms are warm & others cooler)
  • Bring these items if needed – a water bottle, notebook, tote bag
  • Make sure to bring your parking voucher in with you so it can be validated at the registration desk
  • Indiana State Library nearby parking – includes a map of complimentary DIY conference parking
  • Floor plans for the 2nd and 4th floors of the Indiana State Library
  • Construction – Ohio Street has had restrictions & Senate Avenue east of the State Library has had restrictions.  It is probably best to take the Ohio Street entrance.

Rooted in Connections: Reaching out in Service

Difference is You Conference Schedule 2026 (times subject to change)

Registration – 8 to 9:15 am

  • Great Hall desk

Welcome & DIY Award – 9:30 to 9:45 am

  • History Reference Room – Jacob Speer, Director, Indiana State Library

Table Talks – 9:45 to 10:45

We are trying something new this year! There will be table talks on different topics led by staff members who work in these departments or with these issues.  This will be a great time to discover, network and discuss various aspects of working in a library.  Attendees will be able to go between the table talks. Here are the table topics and name of people hosting the topic:

  • Book challenges – Ashley Fletcher (West Lafayette), Kristin Shelley (Hussey Mayfield), Julie Wendorf (Crown Point) & Vanessa Martin (Bartholomew)
  • Children’s/Teen – Celeste Swanson (Hamilton East), Carrie Smith (Indianapolis), Tammie Buchanan (Indiana State Library)
  • Circulation – Steph Niemeyer (Monroe County), Rayjeana Duty (Indiana State Library)
  • Genealogy – Sarah Ankenbauer (Aurora), Jamie Dunn (Indiana State Library), Reann Poray (Plainfield)
  • IT/Security/AI – Rich Weiland (Adams)
  • PR/Marketing – Jamie Long Smith (Eckhart) and Justin Clark (Indianapolis)

Session 1 (11:00 to 12:00)

  • Empowering Powerful Connections Throughout Your Library Community: Teaching Books an INSPIRE Database | Presented by Crystal Ballard
    Description: Spread the word about TeachingBooks to your patrons and staff this spring. Find programming materials, book trailers, author interviews for recent award-winning titles, and homeschool support. Additionally, set up Libby Discovery to access titles in your digital collections on TeachingBooks.
  • Our Iceberg is Melting | Presented by Stephanie Rawlins
    Description: Delivering excellent customer service in times of turmoil and shifting tides is difficult to say the least. Join me in a discussion of the different ways team members view and react to change through the eyes of the characters in the book, “Our Iceberg is Melting,” by John Kotter. We will discuss strategies for team members to deliver excellent service and recognize the ways to ensure the patron remains the center of our future, no matter the trials.
  • Staying Focused in this “Age of Distraction” | Presented by Lacey Klemm
    Description: The “Age of Distraction” refers to the contemporary era of information overload, where constant digital connectivity—social media, notifications, and short-form content—severely erodes our ability to focus, reduces productivity, and causes cognitive fatigue. 1. How do we stay focused in this age of cell phones, smart “everything”, and social media? 2. How do we keep “multitasking” from going off the rails? 3. How do we give excellent customer service when distractions are coming from all around us? In this highly interactive session, with hands-on activities, we will learn how to navigate the distractions so that we stay focused, productive, and engaged.
  • Tour 1 – Meet at the Great Hall Desk (tour is limited to 15 attendees – it will be noted on your nametag)

Lunch – 12:15 to 1:15

  • Boxed lunches will be on the tables near the Great Hall desk

Session 2 (1:30 to 2:30)

  • Beyond “Bad Behavior”:  What’s Really Going on with the Teens in Your Library | Presented by Dr. Megan Kirk
    Description: Teen behavior in public spaces can be confusing, frustrating, and even exhausting for staff who weren’t trained to handle it. But what looks like defiance, disrespect, or disruption often tells a much deeper story.
    This session introduces participants to the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma-informed care as a practical framework for understanding why teens act the way they do and what staff can do differently in the moment. Participants will leave with a clearer picture of adolescent development, a reframe on “behavior issues” that reduces frustration and reactivity, and concrete strategies for responding in ways that de-escalate rather than escalate.
    No clinical background required. This session is designed for all library staff, from youth services to support roles, who interact with teens and want to feel more confident and less reactive when things get hard.
  • From the Stacks to the Statehouse | Presented by Julie Wendorf & Vanessa Martin
    Description: 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.
  • Grants for Public Libraries: $116K in 6 Years! | Presented by Sarah Morbitzer
    Description: Grants can bring in thousands of dollars for library initiatives that fall outside of the annual budget.  However, the process of finding and applying for grants can often seem overwhelming.  Many library staff are doing the work of three people.  Is it really possible to add one more thing to an already overloaded plate?  In the past 6 years, Sarah Morbitzer has won over $116,000 worth of grants while staying on top of all the regular duties of a Children’s Department Manager.  In this enlightening session, she shares her extensive list of grants librarians should apply for, discusses building capacity for the application process, and talks about what to expect when you apply.  Informed by her experience serving on a grant review committee, she will also dive into what grantors do and do not want to see on an application.  The session will wrap up with a bonus rundown of non-grant resources that librarians will definitely want to take advantage of!
  • Tour 2 – Meet at the Great Hall Desk (tour is limited to 15 attendees – it will be noted on your nametag)

Session 3 (2:45 to 3:45)

  • Data in Action: Wrong Number?! | Presented by Katie Springer
    Description: This session is an overview of sources for searching for and finding reliable research data as well as a discussion about how we verify the reliability of our data sources at a time when everyone is using AI tools. We’ll also include a broader conversation on the trustability of information during the age of AI. Let’s work together to find the right numbers!
  • Exploring the Paranormal: Ghost Hunting Stories, Tools & Techniques | Presented by Beth Gaff
    Description: Outside of her library work, Beth has spent most of her life exploring the paranormal and investigating reports of unexplained activity. Her lifelong interest in paranormal research has led her to share her experiences and knowledge with audiences of all ages through engaging presentations and community programs. Combining history, investigation techniques, and discussions of unusual phenomena, she enjoys encouraging curiosity and critical thinking while exploring the mysteries that continue to fascinate people.
    Beth is especially passionate about bringing paranormal investigation programs to libraries, where history, storytelling, and local legends often intersect. She enjoys working with communities, sharing experiences, discussing investigative methods, and creating programs that spark conversation and imagination. Whether she is helping library patrons navigate technology or leading discussions about the unexplained, Beth’s goal is to inspire learning, exploration, and community connection.
  • The Indiana State Library Young Reader’s Center and the Indiana Affiliate Center for the Book: What Can We Do for You? | Presented by Tammie Buchanan
    Description: This session will share all about the Indiana State Library Young Reader’s Center and the Indiana Affiliate Center for the Book. Participants will learn who we are, where we are, and what we do. Participants will be introduced to services that we can offer to their home libraries across Indiana.

Presenter biographies

  • Beth Gaff – Peabody Public Library / Head of Circulation Services
    Beth Gaff has been a dedicated member of the Peabody Public Library team for more than 20 years, serving the community through a variety of roles and helping the library adapt to changing technology and community needs. Over the course of her career, she has developed extensive experience in library services, technology, and public engagement, becoming a valued resource for both patrons and colleagues.
  • Crystal Ballard – TeachingBooks / Implementation & Training Specialist Partner Services
    Crystal Ballard is an Implementation and Training Specialist with TeachingBooks, an OverDrive company. She taught first and second grade before becoming a school and district librarian, prior to her work at OverDrive. She has a passion for early literacy and continues to learn, share, and implement best practices for teaching reading.
  • Julie Wendorf – Crown Point Community Library / Director
    Julie Wendorf is the Director of the Crown Point Community Library in Crown Point, Indiana, where she leads with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and community-centered service. Since becoming director in 2018, she has strengthened partnerships, expanded outreach, and positioned the library as a vital civic resource for residents of all ages.
    Julie is deeply engaged in library advocacy at the state level and currently serves as Advocacy Co-Chair for the Indiana Library Federation (ILF), where she works to advance policies that protect library funding, governance, and access. She is a frequent speaker on legislative and funding issues impacting Indiana libraries and is committed to empowering library leaders and stakeholders to be effective advocates in their communities.
    Under her leadership, the Crown Point Community Library has been recognized for its collaborative efforts and innovative programming. Julie brings a strong belief in libraries as essential public institutions that support education, economic opportunity, and civic engagement.
  • Katie Springer – Indiana State Library / Director of the Indiana State Data Center
    Katie Springer directs the Indiana State Data Center at the State Library, a federal-state cooperative program between the Census Bureau and the State of Indiana. She is a Reference Librarian who loves spending time on the desk, helping the world with resources one patron at a time. Her special interests include Government Information, public data, geography, ancient history, modern art, and food & travel literature.
  • Lacey Klemm – East Chicago Public Library / Associate Director of Public Services
    Lacey Klemm is the Associate Director of Public Services at the East Chicago Public Library. Over her 20+ years working in library’s Lacey has checked in and out several hundreds of books, sang and danced with full of energy preschoolers, answered a million “Can I have the phone number to…?” questions, fostered the love of reading in all ages, shoveled snow, and cleaned a toilet or two! She earned her MLS from IUPUI in 2007, which did not teach her at all what it was really like working in a library (referring to the shoveling snow and cleaning toilets!). In Lacey’s free time she enjoys reading, writing, watching Asian dramas, cooking and baking, and spending time with her fur babies.
  • Dr. Megan Kirk – Family Links / Director of School Partnerships
    Dr. Megan Kirk is Director of School Partnerships at Family Links, where she supports schools and communities across Indiana in building trauma-informed, prevention-focused approaches to student and staff wellbeing. With a background in school psychology and over a decade of experience in school-based mental health, she specializes in translating complex research on ACEs and adolescent development into accessible, practical training for the adults who work with kids every day. She is also a certified ACE Interface Master Trainer and Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor.
  • Sarah Morbitzer – North Manchester Public Library / Children’s Department Manager
    Sarah Morbitzer is the Children’s Department Manager at the North Manchester Public Library.  She is energized by finding new partnerships and resources to expand the capacity of her small town library!  To date she has been awarded 21 grants, including the T-Mobile Hometown Grant and two American Library Association grants.  She enjoys spending time with her 9-year-old son, paddleboarding, trying out recipes from other regions of the world, and of course, reading.
  • Stephanie Rawlins – Pike County Public Library / Director
    Stephanie Rawlins has been the Director of the Pike County Public Library for over 10 years. She is an avid mystery reader and loves cats. She has a MLIS, a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with Reading and Special Education Minors from Indiana University. The best part about working in a library are all the wonderful people from the community you get to see daily.
  • Tammie Buchanan – Indiana State Library / Librarian Indiana Young Readers Center and Director for the Center for the Book
    Tammie Buchanan is the librarian at the Indiana State Library Young Readers Center and the Director for the Library of Congress Indiana Affiliate Center for the Book. She was previously a youth librarian at Indianapolis Public Library at the Eagle Branch for 6 years, a school librarian for 7 years, and a classroom teacher for 9 years. In her time as a school librarian, she was awarded the ILF Outstanding New Media Specialist Award and the ILF Blue Ribbon School Media Program Award. At the public library she hosted juvenile programs including pajama storytimes, teen advisory board, art hacks, Storywalk, Hogwarts Day, escape rooms, dungeons and dragons, family game nights, multicultural holiday programs, school break storytime programs for older kiddos, and more! At just a couple months in at the State Library, she is excited for the opportunities to continue to offer programs and resources for the Indiana community.
  • Vanessa Martin – Bartholomew County Public Library / Interim Director
    Vanessa Martin serves as the Interim Director of the Bartholomew County Public Library and brings more than 20 years of experience working in Indiana public libraries. Since 2020, she has been an active member of the Indiana Library Federation Advocacy Committee and has served as Co-Chair since 2022. Like many librarians, Vanessa has held a variety of roles throughout her career, beginning at the circulation desk and later serving as a library director. She was also heavily involved in Evergreen Indiana serving on various committees throughout her varied roles.  Vanessa is passionate about libraries and serving others.

Table Talk leader biographies

  •  Ashley Fletcher – West Lafayette Public Library / Adult and Teen Services Department Head 
  • Carrie Smith – Indianapolis Public Library / Public Service Librarian
    I have been a teen librarian or a children’s librarian who specializes in teens for most of my career. I love coming up with creative programs that will be engaging for teens and won’t burn out our staff.  I can do a lap sit storytime, and I can host school groups, but teens are my absolute favorite!
  • Celeste Swanson – Hamilton East Public Library / Director of Youth Services
    Celeste Swanson is the Youth Services Director for the Hamilton East Public Library in Fishers. She holds a Master of Library Science from Indiana University in Indianapolis and has worked in Youth Services for over 14 years. She is active in both ALSC and YALSA, and during her time working in Ohio, Celeste served as a trainer for Early Literacy 101 and Reimagining School Readiness.
  • Jamie Dunn – Indiana State Library / Supervisor, Genealogy Division
    Jamie Dunn is the Genealogy Division supervisor at the Indiana State Library, a position she has held for over five years. She has been an avid genealogist for 20 years and is a ninth generation Hoosier. She has an MLS and an MA in Public History from Indiana University Indianapolis.
  • Jamie Long Smith – Eckhart Public Library / Public Relations Manager
    Jamie Long Smith originally wanted to be a librarian with superpowers at the age of 5. Instead of pursuing otherworldly powers, she studied communication and literature at Manchester University, graduating with a B.S. in Communication Studies with a specialization in public relations. After graduation, she pursued library classes. Nearly 20 years later, she is the Public Relations Manager and in deep denial about the passage of time. Jamie is passionate about the access to information and ideas along with a free press and public broadcasting. A former PBS Kid, she gets very emotional about space and Muppetry. She’s never met a cheese she didn’t find comfort in and currently lives in Whitley county with her husband Jim and cat Wanda. Jamie has been at Eckhart Public Library since 2008 and was part of the management team during their 2017 fire and recovery process.
  • Julie Wendorf (see above in Presenter biographies)
  • Justin Clark – Senior Manager, Digital Marketing Strategy and Analytics
    Justin Clark is a public historian and serves as the Senior Manager, Digital Marketing Strategy and Analytics at the Indianapolis Public Library. He holds a B.S. in History/Political Science from Indiana University Kokomo and a M.A. in Public History from Indiana University Indianapolis. A specialist in intellectual history and digital humanities, his writing has appeared on the Indiana Historical Bureau’s Untold Indiana blog and in The Sower and the Seer: Perspectives on the Intellectual History of the American Midwest. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Kalie, and their two cats, Bowie and Luna.
  • Kristin Shelley – Executive Director of the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library
    I love sharing the “wonderments” of libraries with anyone who is willing to listen. As Executive Director of the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library, I’m especially happy to be doing so in my home state of Indiana. I was born in South Bend and attended Indiana University, and my move to central Indiana has allowed me to be closer to family.
    I have spent several years serving in libraries in Ohio and Michigan, leading staff through the ongoing process of expanding services to better support their communities. Directly collaborating with community members and staff to develop innovative services remains one of my greatest passions.
    Over the years, I have had the pleasure of guiding multiple library renovations and building projects, so I am particularly excited about the opening of our second location in Whitestown. This new facility includes features that offer many exciting possibilities for patrons, including outdoor programming space a MakerStudio and sound recording booth, and a quiet reading area with a working gas fireplace.
    Contributing to the community through involvement and service is something I value deeply. I have previously served on city- and state-wide boards and committees in Michigan and Ohio, was a Rotary Club board member, and received awards for my work with the Columbus Literacy Council to offer English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes at the library. During my tenure, the East Lansing Public Library also received a series of awards for excellence, including the State Librarian’s Excellence Award in 2017 from the Library of Michigan. In Zionsville I served on the Town’s Comprehensive Plan Committee, and I am a member of the Zionsville Lions. In addition, I am on the Indiana Library Federation Intellectual Freedom and the INFreadom Read committees.
  • Rayjeana Duty – Circulation Supervisor / Indiana State Library
    By day, I manage the books as the Circulation Supervisor at the Indiana State Library (a role I’ve loved since 2019!). By night, I’m usually reading a different kind of book—cookbooks! Passionate about public service, getting to know our patrons, great stories, and excellent food!
  • Reann Poray – Manager, Indiana Room Local History/Genealogy Services / Plainfield Public Library
    Reann has been working with genealogists in public libraries for 35 years, and loves the variety of interactions  this provides. It is fun helping people discover their own history.  She has a BA History from Taylor University and an MLS from Indiana University.  She was the Manager, Indiana Room, Monroe County Public Library (1991-2001), Bloomington, IN.  And currently is the Manager, Indiana Room, Plainfield Guilford Township Public Library, Plainfield, IN.
  • Rich Weiland – Systems Administrator / Adams Public Library System
    I have about 25 years in the IT field with multiple different positions. Seventeen of those years have been in the Library world. I am also on the board of NICCL, and coordinate the NICCL IT Roundtables that are held in various libraries throughout the state.
    I enjoy educating staff and patrons about technology, cybersecurity and how to prevent from becoming a statistic, proper and ethical ways of using AI, and also being the manager of our Library’s Makerspace.
  • Sarah Ankenbauer – Library Assistant / Aurora Public Library District
    Sarah picked up genealogy as a hobby nearly 30 years ago and hasn’t stopped since.  At Aurora Public Library District, she provides reference assistance at the Local History Library @ The Depot.
  • Steph Niemeyer – Circulation Services Manager / Monroe County Public Library
    Steph completed her MSLS at the University of Kentucky in 2011 and has worked for the Monroe County Public Library in Bloomington Indiana since 2019. She was hired as the Assistant Manager and was promoted to Department Manager in late 2020. Steph has worked in some iteration of Circulation Services for her tenure at MCPL and has helped the department change and grow through the installation of a new automated materials handling machine, a service-model change, creating a pest-control policy with robust workflow adjustments, and reducing staff-turnover in the department.
  • Tammie Buchanan (see above in Presenter biographies)
  • Vanessa Martin (see above in Presenter biographies)

The Difference is You Support Staff Award 

Difference is You Award Winners

  • 2025 Amanda Wright
  • 2024 Hannah Perin & Scott Winders
  • 2023 LeRaye Cameron
  • 2022 Maureen Haab
  • 2021 Brandi Winston
  • 2020 Agnes Dombrowski & Teri Schmidt
  • 2019 Holly Poling
  • 2018 Terri Nicholson
  • 2017 Trina Evans
  • 2016 Duane Herendeen

2025 DIY Award Nominees

  • Sarah Audiss
  • Matthew Beckham
  • Julie Christian
  • Betty Earle
  • Cathy Ervin
  • Brittany Fletcher
  • Linda Francis
  • Jenny Hughes
  • Juana Lopez
  • Lesli Mackey
  • Corlan McCollum
  • Danijela Milinovic
  • Heather Petro
  • Ashley Poindexter
  • Linda Ruhl
  • Christine Sneed
  • Anthony Suggs
  • Ashley Wolfe
  • Amanda Wright