Tag Archives: Trends

Story and Strategy a Library Con – 1 LEU

Programming, , , , , ,

Want to bring Library Con to your library? Learn how our library held a full day, system-wide library con across three locations. We’ll share our strategy for working with community partners to offer LARP demonstrations, Dungeons & Dragons and other TTRPGs, cosplay demos and miniature painting, a costume contest, and an outdoor movie night. All of this and more to engage new library patrons while highlighting services, programs and collections.

Date Recorded: 2/11/2026

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Caele Pemberton, Head of Marketing and Community Engagement and Ben Rutz, Digital Media Coordinator / Kokomo-Howard County Public Library

 

Working with Community Partners to Bring Adventure to the Library – 1 LEU

Programming, , , , , ,

board game pieces wizard, archer and ogreLearn how our library works closely with community partners to bring fun adventures to our patrons. By working closely with our local game shop, toy store, comic book store, volunteer GMs, a local brewery (the list could go on and on), we’re able to provide an array of fun events related to gaming, filmmaking and more. These events bring new users to the library who sometimes have never set foot inside before. Find out how we make it work and strategies we suggest to work with partners in your community.

Date Recorded: 1/14/2026

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Caele Pemberton, Head of Marketing and Community Engagement and Ben Rutz, Digital Media Coordinator / Kokomo-Howard County Public Library

 

How to run a tabletop game design workshop at your library – 1 LEU

Trends,

game map with multi sided diceDo you want to turn your library into a game lab for a day? Join ENNIE-nominated game designer John Mulligan from Exeunt Press (Exclusion Zone Botanist, Eleventh Beast) to learn how to run a tabletop game design workshop at your library. Explore how teaching game design fundamentals builds literacy, enhances your library’s programming, and strengthens connections within your community. We’ll cover how to define the workshop’s scope (board games, TTRPGs, or both) and choose core topics like the different kinds of fun, game loops, and theme vs. mechanism. You’ll get tips on incorporating engaging, hands-on activities and promoting the class, so people show up ready to learn. We’ll also share resources to help you create your own program materials. Skeleton Code Machine is an ENNIE Award-nominated weekly publication that explores tabletop game mechanisms in board games and roleplaying games. Spark your creativity and think differently about how games work. Join thousands of other readers and get game design inspiration delivered to your inbox each week: www.skeletoncodemachine.com Exeunt Press is an independent tabletop game design studio creating innovative games that blend storytelling with structured mechanisms. Explore a dark forest, sell cursed items to unsuspecting customers, or become a stale muffin. Weird and wonderful games await. Learn more at https://www.exeunt.press/.

This webinar is co-sponsored by ALA’s Games and Gaming Round Table

Date Recorded: 11/12/2025

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: John Mulligan, Owner / Exeunt Press

 

AI Literacy for Librarians: Understanding and Teaching AI – 1 LEU

Trends, , , ,

artificial intelligence robot with lightbulb and written notes for AI ideasEquip library staff with foundational AI knowledge to support patrons. Cover AI fundamentals, common misconceptions, and practical applications, enabling librarians to educate and guide users effectively.

Presenter Dr. Treg Hopkins is the Co-Founder of Connectable, an Indiana-based nonprofit committed to enhancing adult education programs across more than 20 states through advanced data systems and artificial intelligence. As a Certified Quantitative Methodologist, his research focuses on neurodiversity, aging, and the role of technology in these areas. Hopkins has extensive leadership experience, serving on multiple boards and advising nonprofits and government entities on strategic planning. His expertise in library innovation includes serving on a long-term library planning board and previously delivering a keynote address at the Indiana Library Federation’s FOIL conference.

Date Recorded: 10/8/2025

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Dr. Treg Hopkins / Co-Founder of Connectable

 

More than Alt Text: Game Design for Accessibility – 1 LEU

Trends,

game board with different sided dice in front of boardFrom braille editions to designing content for neurodiversity, we’ll discuss the current methods of creating & editing games to work towards a more inclusive game space. Join our experts for this participatory discussion of accessibility in game design, space design for patrons with disabilities, and how libraries working with game designers is a win for all. This will be similar to the presentation that this panel gave at GenCon 2025 as part of the Game Design Academy.

This webinar is co-sponsored by ALA’s Games and Gaming Round Table

Date Recorded: 9/24/2025

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Chris Hopper – Accessibility Consultant; Steph Campbell / TTRPGkids; Katie Lear – Therapist & Founder / Young Dragonslayers; George Bergstrom, Southern Region Coordinator / Indiana State Librayr & Past President of GameRT; and Sara Nurrenenbern, Disability Advocate

 

AI for Librarians Saving Time and Boosting Efficiency – 1 LEU

Trends, , , ,

robot with the letters ai for artificial intelligenceDiscover how AI can automate repetitive tasks, improve workflow efficiency, and enhance library services. Explore tools for automated metadata tagging, chatbots for patron assistance, and AI-driven content curation to free up time for high-value tasks.

Presenter Dr. Treg Hopkins is the Co-Founder of Connectable, an Indiana-based nonprofit committed to enhancing adult education programs across more than 20 states through advanced data systems and artificial intelligence. As a Certified Quantitative Methodologist, his research focuses on neurodiversity, aging, and the role of technology in these areas. Hopkins has extensive leadership experience, serving on multiple boards and advising nonprofits and government entities on strategic planning. His expertise in library innovation includes serving on a long-term library planning board and previously delivering a keynote address at the Indiana Library Federation’s FOIL conference.

Date Recorded: 9/10/2025

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Dr. Treg Hopkins / Co-Founder of Connectable

 

Video Game Collections in Libraries, Pt. #3 – 1 LEU

Trends, , ,

man sitting playing a video gameIn parts one and two of our “Video Game Collections in Libraries” webinar series, we first outlined effective pathways for video game selection and acquisition, and followed that up by showcasing how to “librarianize” your acquired games via processing, cataloging, and displaying best practices. So – you’ve got games on shelves, and they’re checking out; done! Mission accomplished? … Not so fast!! There are additional steps needed to maintain that collection and keep it healthy, with further opportunities to implement “value-added” services that will support your video game collection. Finally, it’s important that we collectively ask: what will our video game collections look like in 5 to 10 years, where most games will likely be “all digital”? How can a librarian prepare for that inevitable shift?

In part #3 of our “Video Game Collections in Libraries” webinar (the final part!), we will dig into suggested protocols for weeding and repairing discs, recommendations for “wraparound” services like video game programs, circulating game consoles, and helping your patrons acquire necessary video game patches/updates – along with a deep (but brief) exploration into important questions like “What will libraries do when video games transition to all digital?”, “what impact would all-digital video games have on offering library game collections?”, and, most importantly, “who is working on what in this space right now?” – to set our libraries up for success in the future!

This webinar is co-sponsored by ALA’s Games and Gaming Round Table

Date Recorded: 5/28/2025

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Chris Baker, Public Library Consultant and Games & Learning Consultant/ Library Services Team of the Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction; Jenna Gilles, Youth Services Associate / Chippewa Falls Public Library; and Jamie Hein, Library Director / Clintonville Public Library

 

Libraries in the age of AI: Bridging Technology and Society – 1 LEU

Trends, , , ,

woman sitting in chair next to robot who represents artificial intelligenceTechnology evolves at an exponential pace—a concept that can be challenging to grasp. Modern public libraries play a vital role in helping patrons navigate and adapt to these rapid societal changes. We provide access to digital literacy tools, cutting-edge technology, and resources for cultural adaptation and inclusion.

As artificial intelligence continues to advance, the coming decade could bring transformations comparable to those witnessed over the past century. To prepare, it is crucial to understand the various types of AI models and their applications. Equally important is a shift in our perspective: from focusing solely on local issues and linear projections to embracing a global outlook that acknowledges exponential growth. Such growth will transcend national borders and impact humanity on a universal scale.

MIT Predicts society will fall by 2040, futurist Ray Kurzweil predicts we will be living in abundance. Either way, I think we are in for a wild ride.

Date Recorded: 1/29/2025

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Michael Acsbok, Associate Director of Information Technology and Nicaris Daniels-Porter, IT Support Technician / East Chicago Public Library

 

Introduction to IN.GOV websites – 1 LEU

Trends, ,

image of the seal of Indiana with the buffalo and the man chopping down a tree with a sunset over the grassy hillThis webinar is an overview of the in.gov websites. Information covered is how to begin, the process of building your website and a library who has already made the switch.

Date Recorded: 9/2/2025

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenters: Brett Edstene (IOT), Clarissa Rodda (Tyler Technologies) and Rich Weiland (Adams Public Library System)

Resources

 

Small Adjustments for Big Change – 1 LEU

Trends, , , , , , , ,

image of drawn public library buildingHear about the programs that have influenced one library’s community, including diversifying collections, creating spaces for different age groups, implementing food security programs, getting outside of library walls, implementing 24-hour book pickup, and offering take-home crafts, all on a small budget in a small building. You’ll look at how some of the programs were planned and work together as a team to share successful programs and identify other ways to make big changes with small adjustments.

Date Recorded: 5/14/2025

Format: Archived YouTube Video

Presenter: Brenda Hornsby Heindl / Director/Librarian, Liberty Public Library (Liberty, North Carolina)