MASL 53 Annual Conference 2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to #MASL53! We are glad you are here.

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

arrow_back View All Dates

9:15am EDT

Breakout Session - Michigan Authors & Illustrators: A Teaching Tool with a Huge Cast of Characters

Friday October 30, 2026 9:15am - 10:00am EDT

Michigan Authors and Illustrators Online is a powerful tool for librarians and teachers to use for teaching and research purposes. This session will strengthen the knowledge of Michigan as a literary resource and provide ways to use this tool within the state curricula standards.This session will demonstrate the usage of MIAI in literary instruction with lesson ideas at various grade levels.

Speakers

Julie Harris

Information Literacy Specialist, Rochester Community Schools

Karen Becknell

Friday October 30, 2026 9:15am - 10:00am EDT
West 2

Sessions

Conference Strands Collaboration, Curriculum & Programming, Literacy Resources
Interest Level All

9:15am EDT

Breakout Session - Plot Twist: From Research Tool to Everyday Classroom Essential with Gale

Friday October 30, 2026 9:15am - 10:00am EDT

Vanderbilt

Research projects aren't the only place Gale shines. Plot twist: Gale can become one of the most valuable instructional resources in your school. Explore practical, classroom-ready strategies that help librarians partner with teachers across grade levels and content areas using Gale statewide resources. From Claim evidence reasoning (CER) and inquiry to AI literacy, current events, bell ringers, discussion starters, and differentiated instruction, you'll discover ways Gale can play a part of everyday teaching and learning. We'll also highlight additional Gale resources that complement state initiatives. Leave with a ready-to-use Gale Classroom Playbook filled with ideas you can share with teachers tomorrow.

Speakers

Lindsey Dzyngel

Friday October 30, 2026 9:15am - 10:00am EDT
Vanderbilt

Sessions

Conference Strands Collaboration, Curriculum & Programming
Interest Level All

1:00pm EDT

Breakout Session - Beyond the Library: Whole-School Library Programs

Friday October 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT

Conservatory

This presentation explores how schools can build a culture of reading through intentional, school-wide programs that go beyond the library walls. It highlights strategies that encourage the entire school community to engage with reading. Participants will learn about initiatives such as reading challenges, cross-grade activities, and celebrations that motivate consistent reading habits. The session also provides practical ideas for sustaining enthusiasm for reading throughout the school year.

Speakers

Kelly Hincks

School Librarian, Detroit Country Day Lower School

I am the librarian at Detroit Country Day Lower School in Bloomfield Hills, MI. I have worked as a librarian for the past 15 years. I was a classroom teacher for four years before that. I have worked in charter, public, and private schools. My favorite thing about being a librarian... Read More →

Friday October 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Conservatory

Sessions

Conference Strands Collaboration, Curriculum & Programming
Interest Level Elementary

1:00pm EDT

Breakout Session - Beyond the Stacks: Boosting Impact with REMC

Friday October 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT

West 2

School librarians are uniquely positioned to drive systemic change, but expanding your reach requires the right support. Discover how to leverage free resources, frameworks, and professional learning from the REMC Association of Michigan to increase your capacity and position yourself as a vital district leader. This session will explore four key ways REMC resources can boost your district-wide impact. Learn how to support administrative staff and teachers with ADA Compliance and Accessibility Toolkits, partner with tech departments using Student Data Privacy initiative and TSES framework, and directly support classroom teachers through project such as Promoting STEM Through Literature (PSTL) and Tabletop Games for Critical Thinking. Attendees will walk away with free toolkits that save prep time, support diverse learners of all ages, and provide an actionable plan to maximize their library's impact throughout the school year.

Speakers

Melinda Waffle

Professional Learning Coordinator, REMC Association of Michigan

Melinda Waffle, who has a masters in Educational Technology, taught high school before moving into a district technology coordinator role in 2003 which was solely responsible for helping teachers rethink their classroom and curriculum through technology use. After eight years of serving... Read More →

Friday October 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
West 2

Sessions

Conference Strands Advocacy & Leadership, Collaboration, Curriculum & Programming
Interest Level All

1:00pm EDT

Breakout Session - Bring a Problem, Leave with a Plan: Secondary Library Problem-Solving Circles

Friday October 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT

Vanderbilt

Come with one real school library challenge and leave with practical solutions. In this interactive session, participants will join small groups to share problems, ask clarifying questions, brainstorm strategies, and build realistic action steps. Whether your challenge involves student engagement, teacher collaboration, scheduling, collection development, AI, advocacy, or library management, you will benefit from the collective wisdom of your peers. Bring one problem. Take one solution, or several.

Speakers

Melissa Lambert

Friday October 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
Vanderbilt

Sessions

Conference Strands Advocacy & Leadership, Collaboration, Curriculum & Programming, Management & Administration
Interest Level High School, Middle School

1:00pm EDT

Breakout Session - Starting a Friends of the School Libraries Organization in Your District

Friday October 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT

West 1

In 2024, a group of parent and community advocates formed the Friends of the Ann Arbor School Libraries to promote equity across libraries, facilitate volunteers, raise money for specific actions, advocate for libraries in the community, and help to address financial challenges. Working with the Library Services Department chairs as well as librarians across the district, the Friends group has since coordinated large-scale, community-wide book covering events, represented and promoted school library programs at broader community events, and increased awareness of and support for school library programs across the district. In this session, parent organizers and school librarians will share lessons learned and advice for starting a similar group in your district, including presenting sample mission statements, by-laws, and legal organization documents.

Speakers

Jennifer Colby

Teacher Librarian, Ann Arbor Public Schools

Rachel Goldberg

Friday October 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
West 1

Sessions

Conference Strands Advocacy & Leadership, Collaboration
Interest Level All

9:15am EDT

9:15am EDT

1:00pm EDT

1:00pm EDT

1:00pm EDT

1:00pm EDT

Get help with the event