MASL 53 Annual Conference 2026: Full Schedule

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9:15am EDT

Breakout Session - Engaging with Critical AI Literacies

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

What relationship do we want with AI? How can we best incorporate AI - or not - into equitable learning? In this workshop, we'll explore these questions together with activities inspired by Critical AI in K-12 Classrooms by Budhai and Heath. You'll walk away with critical perspectives to incorporate into your own practice, as well as practical strategies to use in your practice.

Speakers

Danielle Peck

Friday October 30, 2026 9:15am - 10:00am EDT
West 1

Sessions

Conference Strands Curriculum & Programming, Management & Administration
Interest Level All

9:15am EDT

Breakout Session - I Will Become a Little Boy: Reading Trans Narratives in Beloved Classics

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

Conservatory

Children's books often use metaphors to get at deeper issues of identity. This presentation will consider both contemporary and older examples, and provide a fresh way of looking at a familiar text.

Authors

Kyle Lukoff

Kyle Lukoff is the author of the middle grade novel "Too Bright To See," the Stonewall-award winning picture book “When Aidan Became A Brother,” "Explosion at the Poem Factory," and many more. While becoming a writer he worked as a bookseller for ten years, and then nine more... Read More →

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

Sessions

Conference Strands Curriculum & Programming, Literacy Resources
Interest Level All

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

West 2

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

9:15am EDT

9:15am EDT

9:15am EDT

9:15am EDT

1:00pm EDT

1:00pm EDT

1:00pm EDT

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