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.

9:30am EDT

Preconference Morning Session - Navigating Conflict with Empathy: Looking for the Win-Win

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:30am - 11:15am EDT

We all have lenses through which we see the world, which help our brains sort information and make meaning out of the world around us. However, when we’re stressed, busy, or in conflict with someone, we often forget to consider that everybody else is doing the same thing, and our views might not align. In this participatory and practical session, we’ll examine our own filters and consider how they impact our perspectives. We’ll also discuss strategies to infuse a more empathetic mindset into your work and life in order to better navigate difficult interactions and work toward transforming conflicts into win-win situations.

Speakers

Jenny Kobiela-Mondor

Library Strategist, Midwest Collaborative for Library Services

A love of learning and passion for people led Jenny Kobiela-Mondor from journalism to libraries and now to the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services. In her role as a library strategist on the Engagement, Consulting, and Training Team, Jenny works with library staff and administration... Read More →

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:30am - 11:15am EDT
Conservatory

Preconference

Conference Strands Advocacy & Leadership, Management & Administration
Interest Level All

2:30pm EDT

Preconference Afternoon Session - Idea Exchange

Wednesday October 28, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

Grande 2 & 3

The Idea Exchange is a free-flowing, conversation generating, resource collecting session where participants roam from table to table to learn from one another’s expertise and leave with practical ideas you can adapt in your own practice and setting

Wednesday October 28, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
Grande 2 & 3

Preconference

Conference Strands Collaboration, Advocacy & Leadership, Literacy Resources, Curriculum & Programming, Management & Administration
Interest Level All

9:15am EDT

Breakout Session - Diversity by Design: Building Inclusive Book Collections

Thursday October 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:00am EDT

Conservatory

A collection that reflects our diverse world takes thought, data, and intentional action. In this practical and engaging session, participants will explore tools and strategies for assessing gaps in their library collections and transforming them into spaces that authentically represent and affirm all students. Learn how to use diversity audits, circulation data, and student feedback to guide collection development decisions while balancing curriculum needs and student interests. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas for building inclusive collections, increasing student engagement, and creating a library where every student feels seen, valued, and connected through books.

Speakers

Lauren Mobley

School Library Media Specialist, Promise Career Institute High School

Thursday October 29, 2026 9:15am - 10:00am EDT
Conservatory

Sessions

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

3:15pm EDT

Breakout Session - VW eLabs: Integrating Digital Fabrication to Meet AASL Standards and Boost Learning

Thursday October 29, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT

West 3

Spaces with digital fabrication tools support inquiry, design thinking, and real-world problem solving -- core competencies of modern school libraries. This practical session demonstrates how introducing digital fabrication tools in the library aligns directly with AASL School Library Standards, increases student engagement, supports classroom learning goals, and fosters school and community partnerships. Through four real-world project stories, attendees will see concrete examples of curricular integration, community collaboration, and strategies for developing a supportive learning environment for students and adults. Participants will also get a chance to play with some of the tools we use.

Speakers

Carrie Betts

Media Specialist, MAME Board Member, Birmingham Public Schools

Terry-Ann Whitfield

Jason Pesamoska

Melissa Wiercinski

Thursday October 29, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT
West 3

Sessions

Conference Strands Advocacy & Leadership, Collaboration, Curriculum & Programming, Management & Administration
Interest Level Elementary

9:15am EDT

Breakout Session - Engaging with Critical AI Literacies

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

West 1

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 - MackinVision: The LMS that Welcomes Everyone!

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

West 3

In this session you’ll discover MackinVision, a cloud-based library and resource management system built for today’s schools. Explore how its student-centered design unifies print, digital, and multimedia materials in one easy-to-use platform. In this demo you will see powerful age and language adaptive tools like STAR, an interface to support visual searching. The Teacher's Library Portal for classroom circulation lets teachers manipulate their classroom libraries. See how MackinVision streamlines library management, supports classrooms, and enhances the student experience.

Speakers

Lisa Maharry

Educational Sales Consultant, Mackin Educational Resources

Friday October 30, 2026 9:15am - 10:00am EDT
West 3

Sessions

Conference Strands Management & Administration
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 - Intellectual Freedom and the Law: A Practical Toolkit for School Librarians

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

West 3

School librarians are often on the front lines of intellectual freedom issues—yet many feel underprepared when concerns escalate into legal or policy-based challenges. This toolkit-style session grounds intellectual freedom in its legal foundations while keeping the focus practical and school‑appropriate. Participants will explore the constitutional principles, court decisions, and policy structures that shape intellectual freedom in K–12 libraries. Through real‑world scenarios and ready‑to‑use tools, attendees will learn how to respond confidently to challenges, communicate professionally with stakeholders, and protect both students’ rights and their own professional responsibilities. This session is designed for school librarians at all levels and emphasizes what librarians can rely on legally—even when community pressure is high.

Speakers

Jaclyn Martin

Friday October 30, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm EDT
West 3

Sessions

Conference Strands Advocacy & Leadership, Management & Administration
Interest Level All

9:30am EDT

2:30pm EDT

9:15am EDT

3:15pm EDT

9:15am EDT

9:15am EDT

1:00pm EDT

1:00pm EDT

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