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

List of presenters & sessions – final schedule is to be determined

Table talks – 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), Rajeana Duty (Indiana State Library)
  • Genealogy – Sarah Ankenbauer (Aurora), Jamie Dunn (Indiana State Library), Reann Poray (Plainfield)
  • IT/Security/AI – Rich Weiland (Adams) & Beth Gaff (Peabody)
  • PR/Marketing – Jamie Long Smith (Eckhart) and Justin Clark (Indianapolis)

Sessions:

  • All about the Indiana Young Reader’s Center & Center for the Book – Tammie Buchanan
  • Beyond “Bad Behavior”: What’s Really Going On With the Teens in Your Library – Dr. Megan Kirk, Director of School Partnerships at Family Links Indiana
  • Data in Action – Katie Springer, Director, Indiana State Data Center, Indiana State Library
  • Empowering Powerful Connections Throughout Your Library Community – Crystal Ballard, TeachingBooks Implementation & Training Specialist II Partner Services, Teaching Books
  • Exploring the Paranormal: Ghost Hunting Stories, Tools & Techniques – Beth Gaff, Head of Circulation at the Peabody Public Library
  • From the Stacks to the Statehouse – Julie Wendorf, director of the Crown Point Community Library & ILF Advocacy co-chair and Vanessa Martin, interim director of the Bartholomew County Public Library
  • Grants for Public Libraries: $116K in 6 years – Sarah Morbitzer, Children’s Department Manager, North Manchester Public Library
  • Happy to help (Positive Customer Service) – Stephanie Rawlins, director of the Pike County Public Library
  • Indiana State Library tours – there will be two tours offered at two different sessions (each tour is limited to 15 people)

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