Beyond Hope 2025: Full Schedule

Add sessions to your personal schedule to register your attendance (Check-In).

10:00am PDT

In the Cloud: Elevating Streaming Music Collections for Library Patrons LIMITED

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 206

Description of music librarianship and patron services, overview of streaming music platforms available to libraries, how to get the most out of music services for library patrons, and a description/tour of UBC's music collection

Speakers

David Haskins

Music Librarian, Music, Art & Architecture Library, University of British Columbia

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 206 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, V2L5T6

Session, Collections

10:00am PDT

Pay No Attention to the Bot Behind the Curtain: ChatGPT for Library Work Demystified LIMITED

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 207

AI isn’t magic, but it can feel like it when used well. This session will explore how ChatGPT can help with programming, marketing, administration, and more—freeing up time for the creative, people-centered work that makes libraries special. We’ll cover practical tips, common mistakes, and real-world examples so you can make ChatGPT work for you. No spells required!

Speakers

Cari Lynn Gawletz

Library Director, Grand Forks & District Public Library

Cari Lynn Gawletz has over a decade of experience in various public library roles and is currently the Library Director of the Grand Forks & District Public Library and the Chair of the Association of British Columbia Public Library Directors.

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 207

Session, Information Technology

10:00am PDT

The Aberdeen Tiny Library: Not Just for Munchkins LIMITED

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Prince George Public Library, Keith Gordon Room

After many years of searching for a South West location in Kamloops, the TNRL settled upon a small lease in the Aberdeen Mall as a trial to see if the area would support a third Kamloops library. In a case of wait and hurry up, the library went from concept to opening in three short months! In concert with RFID self check technology, the 253 square foot spot has proven that small libraries can do big things. Join Mike to explore the quick start up, new technology, collection decisions, and community connection approach to the Aberdeen Tiny Library’s success.

Speakers

Mike Brown

Branch Head, Aberdeen Tiny Library / Thompson-Nicola Regional Library

After growing up on a farm and driving very large things for a living, Mike came to the Thompson-Nicola Regional Library 17 years ago, first as the Driver, then the Branch Head of the Bookmobile/Mobile Library with short stints as Branch Head of the Chase and Merritt libraries. Mike... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Prince George Public Library, Keith Gordon Room 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, V2L 5T6

Session, Facilities

10:00am PDT

The Mobile Response Team: Supporting Frontline Library Workers in an Ongoing Toxic Drug Crisis LIMITED

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 208

The Mobile Response Team (MRT) offers psychosocial support, education, and consultation to organizations and agencies working within British Columbia’s toxic drug crisis public health emergency. The MRT was created with support from the BC Ministry of Health in recognition of the psychosocial impact of the toxic drug crisis public health emergency on frontline workers, people with lived experience/peers, and first responders. In communities where libraries are often providing supports to vulnerable populations, library workers can navigate unique challenges in regards to the ongoing crisis. Session will provide an introduction to MRT’s services and discuss ways in which some library workers are uniquely positioned as frontline workers within their communities.

Speakers

Alexis Redenbach

Crisis Intervention Specialist, Mobile Response Team, Provincial Health Authority

I am a Crisis Intervention Specialist with the Mobile Response Team. As the coordinator for supports for Frontline Workers across Northern BC, my goal is to identify the unique ways in which communities are navigating substance use related harms. We define frontline work broadly... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 208 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, V2L 5T6

Session, Health & Safety

10:00am PDT

What Was New Is Old Is New Again: The Return of the Co-Op Gaming Experience LIMITED

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Prince George Public Library, Teen Area

Libraries are continually evolving third places for the communities they serve, and one vital way in which libraries have developed as third places for people from all backgrounds is through gaming. Though one may assume in 2025 that these gaming experiences are purely digital or electronic, there is now a growing return to older ways of gaming – whether old in terms of time since its inception or a gaming medium viewed as only for those of an older age – what was new became old and is now new again. This session will explore the use of video games, analogue gaming such board games to jigsaw puzzles, to pen & paper games such as Dungeons & Dragons or the daily crossword, and how the inclusion of these tools into your library spaces fosters cross-generational social development.

Speakers

Christopher Knapp

Branch Librarian, London Public Library

Christopher Knapp, a PhD LIS Student at Western University, has been conducting ongoing research on the topic of providing access to information for LGBTQ+ children, youth, and families via collection development and professional behavior standards since 2016. Prior to starting his... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Prince George Public Library, Teen Area 888 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, V2L 5T6

Session, Programs & Events

11:15am PDT

Building Anti-Racism Resources to Support Learners LIMITED

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 206

Explore what the SD57 District Learning Commons has built to support anti-racism education in Prince George. We will have samples of our kits and novel sets available and will be sharing about our process to build them and how they can be adapted for other institutions.

Speakers

Joseph Jeffery

District Learning Commons Teacher-Librarian, School District 57

Joseph Jeffery is the District Learning Commons Teacher-Librarian in School District 57 – Prince George, BC where he supports teacher-librarians in creating and maintaining information literacy rich library learning commons programming, designing participatory and flexible learning... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 206 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, V2L5T6

Session, Collections

11:15am PDT

Restorative Practice: A Philosophy and Practical Approach for Libraries LIMITED

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 207

This introductory session will explore how Public Libraries can implement Restorative Practices to achieve our mandate as learning institutions. Restorative practices are both a philosophical perspective and a series of practical processes. At it’s heart, restorative practice is the art of having difficult conversations and turning bad situations into good learning opportunities.
A brief overview of the history, philosophy and science behind restorative practice will be offered. Library staff who have participated in formal Restorative Justice Circles will have an opportunity to share their experiences.

This session will also feature contributions from staff of the Prince George Urban Aboriginal Justice Society.

Speakers

Toby Mueller

Library Director, Lillooet Area Library Association

Toby Mueller is the Library Director for the Lillooet Area Library Association. Short on credentials, but long on experience, she brings years of community based organizing to her work as a Community Librarian and administrator. After working toward a degree in Environmental Studies... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 207

Session, Public Service

11:15am PDT

The New Clicklaw: A Lesson in Legal Sourcery LIMITED

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT

Prince George Public Library, Skylab

In this training workshop, we will introduce you to the new and redesigned Clicklaw website, a go-to resource for reliable BC legal information for the public. The new Clicklaw website officially launched in fall 2024 and features content created and curated by Courthouse Libraries’ law librarians with years of experience helping the public answer their legal questions. You’ll have the chance to use Clicklaw to practice finding resources related to common legal issues your patrons experience, including divorce & separation, wills & estates, tenancy, personal planning, and employment. Participants are invited to bring their own device so they can take part in the practice exercises.

8 PC stations + 6 additional seats for participants with laptops

Speakers

Alise Nelson

Librarian, Courthouse Libraries BC

Alise Nelson (she/her) is a graduate of Simon Fraser University and holds an MLIS from the University of Alberta. She previously worked at the Prince George Public Library doing collections and youth programming before transitioning to Courthouse Libraries in the spring of 2020 where... Read More →

Megan Smiley

Program Manager, LawMatters Program & Local Libraries

As LawMatters program manager, Megan works with public libraries to enhance public access to legal information in communities throughout British Columbia. She draws on her years of experience as a law librarian to offer peer-to-peer collection development support and legal reference... Read More →

Rachel Carlson

Outreach & Reference Librarian, LawMatters program and Courthouse Libraries

Rachel splits her time between the LawMatters program and Courthouse Libraries’ reference services. In her work with LawMatters, she provides legal reference training, co-creates recommended title lists for the grant program, and creates website content and communications to public... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT
Prince George Public Library, Skylab 888 Canada Games Way, V2L 5T6

Session, Public Service

11:15am PDT

Through the Mental Health Looking Glass: Supporting the Well-Being of Library Staff in BC LIMITED

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 208

Library staff are vital connectors in their communities—offering support, safety, and access to resources. But as the role of libraries expands, so too does the emotional labour of those working within them.
This engaging session invites BC library staff to explore their own mental health through a compassionate and empowering lens. Together, we’ll look at the state of mental health in BC and Canada, and unpack common challenges such as compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and even PTSD resulting from crisis situations. We’ll also break down myths and stereotypes about mental illness, helping to reduce stigma and foster more open, supportive conversations.
Led by a lived experience expert, this session blends storytelling, reflection, and group discussion. Participants will brainstorm practical tools, resources, and strategies to strengthen well-being—both individually and across their organizations.
Whether you're on the front lines or behind the scenes, this session is for anyone who believes that mental health matters and that taking care of ourselves is essential to caring for our communities.
Join us for a transformative conversation Through the Mental Health Looking Glass.
Participants are encouraged to send questions or discussion topics in advance to help shape a meaningful and relevant session.

Speakers

Elaine Laberge

Executive Director, Canadian Mental Health Association of Northern BC

Elaine Laberge, Ph.D., M.A., is the Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) of Northern BC. With a Ph.D. in Education and a Master's in Sociology, she brings over 15 years of leadership experience in mental health, social policy, and advocacy. Laberge is... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 208 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, V2L 5T6

Session, Health & Safety

11:15am PDT

Update from the Public Library Accessibility Working Group LIMITED

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT

Prince George Public Library, Keith Gordon Room

Find out what the Public Library Accessibility Working Group (PLAWG) has been working on, some resources and tools available to support libraries in becoming more accessible, and what additional supports are upcoming in 2025. Share your library’s successes and learn from what your colleagues have tried; share your library’s challenges and gain suggestions and insight from others.

Speakers

Rina Hadziev

Executive Director, BC Library Association

I love discussing almost any aspect of libraries, especially BCLA's key priorities right now: accessibility, advocacy, anti-racism, climate action, intellectual freedom, and professional development. I always want to hear how I can help to support libraries and library workers, how... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT
Prince George Public Library, Keith Gordon Room 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, V2L 5T6

Session, Public Service

1:30pm PDT

Dancing through Data: Using the Canadian Census of Population to Understand the Population you Serve LIMITED

Monday June 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Prince George Public Library, Skylab

Who lives in your library’s service area? How is the population changing over time? In this session participants will learn how to navigate free Statistics Canada products to learn about the demographics of the populations they serve. The session will cover the following topics, and include a guided hands-on activity: -Statistics Canada geography definitions, and how they correspond to legislative boundaries such as municipalities and regional districts -An overview of the Census program, including how it differs from other surveys conducted by Statistics Canada -Accessing current and past census data using the web interface -Downloading data for further analysis into Excel

Speakers

Susie Wilson

Data Services Librarian, UNBC

Monday June 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Prince George Public Library, Skylab 888 Canada Games Way, V2L 5T6

Session, Public Service

1:30pm PDT

I'm Not that Branch: A Sharing Knowledge Circle for Leaders of Small Public Libraries and Branches LIMITED

Monday June 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 207

Join us to ask questions and share knowledge while discussing the unique challenges facing small library leaders.

Speakers

Leslie Hilder (she/her)

Nechako Branch Coordinator, Prince George Public Library

Leslie’s road at Prince George Public Library has taken her on a journey through three different departments: Customer Experience, Community Engagement, and Collections. Currently, she can be found up the hill as the Nechako Branch Coordinator where her position requires her to... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 207

Session, Facilities

1:30pm PDT

There’s No Place Like Accessible Social Media and Newsletters LIMITED

Monday June 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Prince George Public Library, Keith Gordon Room

This presentation will explore how libraries can create accessible social media and newsletters for their patrons. From creating alt-text to formatting hashtags and understanding the importance of using headers in your newsletter, this presentation will cover the best practices you can apply to engage all your patrons. Let’s make your marketing accessible and available for everyone!

Speakers

Megan Sellmer

Outreach Coordinator, National Network for Equitable Library Service

Megan Sellmer is the Outreach Coordinator for the National Network for Equitable Library Service. She is passionate about accessibility and helping libraries provide accessible services for patrons with print disabilities. She received her graduate degree in Digital Humanities and... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Prince George Public Library, Keith Gordon Room 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, V2L 5T6

Session, Marketing & Communications

2:45pm PDT

Building a Sensory Musical Storytime Nest (And Leaving with Your Ukulele at the End of the Day) LIMITED

Monday June 9, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 206

As we know, there are many different types of brains that attend library story times - this workshop will explore how we can use sensory based musical activities to increase language abilities, build social connections, increase fine and gross motor skills, and just have an amazing time building life-long library memories. Join Sandra and Erin, to learn more about our most engaging musical tips and tricks for library kids & library adults, and why music is so important in creating a more inclusive space for sensory seekers and avoiders.

Speakers

Erin Cockriell

Circulation & Volunteer Coordinator, Smithers Public Library

Erin Cockriell is the Circulation & Volunteer Coordinator at the Smithers Public Library. She has been plucking the happy strings of the Ukulele for story times, children’s concerts and young students for a decade. Erin is also the facilitator of the Telkwa Reading Centre and a... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 206 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, V2L5T6

Session, Programs & Events

2:45pm PDT

Looking Behind the Curtain: You Don’t Need to be a Wizard to do Collection Maintenance LIMITED

Monday June 9, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 207

Have you ever had patrons frustrated because the item’s not on the shelf even though it says available? Thought you had a title only to find it was lost 6 months ago and never replaced? Have no room on the shelf for brand new titles? Collection maintenance may not usually be visible to your patrons but it’s essential for your collection. This session will look at workflows, tools, and reports to help you with the sometimes daunting task of maintaining your collection. This session will cover running a full or partial inventory, where to find reports for weeding, and strategies for handling lost and missing items in Sitka’s Evergreen.

Speakers

Jennifer Pringle

Co-op Support Training Lead, BC Libraries Cooperative

Jennifer Pringle is a support specialist and the training lead at the BC Libraries Cooperative. She creates documentation and plans training for the Sitka libraries on the shared Evergreen ILS. Jennifer is an active member of the Evergreen community participating in multiple working... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 207

Session, Collections

2:45pm PDT

Toto's Corner: De-Stress with the St. John's Ambulance Therapy Dog Program LIMITED

Monday June 9, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm PDT

Prince George Public Library, Keith Gordon Room

The St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program allows participants to reap the therapeutic benefits of the unconditional companionship of a four-legged friend. Attendees at this session can de-stress by spending some time with a therapy dog in a quiet space in the library. The amount of time each participant can spend with the dog and handler is determined by the number of registrants for the session and the number of therapy dog teams available.

Please be respectful of our furry guests and do not bring any food or beverages into the room.

Monday June 9, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm PDT
Prince George Public Library, Keith Gordon Room 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, V2L 5T6

Session, Health & Safety

9:00am PDT

Climate Change Adaptation in Your Library and Community LIMITED

Tuesday June 10, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 208

An introduction to disaster planning for your library, covering lessons drawn from climate adaptation research, emergency management fundamentals, and examples from around the continent where libraries have come face-to-face with the impacts of climate change in their community.

Speakers

Dan Hackborn

BCLA Climate Action Committee

Daniel Hackborn (he/him) is a former public library worker originally hailing from Treaty 6 Alberta. He's currently a PhD student at the UBC School of Information exploring the role of librarianship amid a changing climate. He is a standing member of the Climate Action Committees... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 208 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, V2L 5T6

Session, Administration & Governance

9:00am PDT

ID for All: Reducing Barriers to Identification Services LIMITED

Tuesday June 10, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 207

What does it mean to be a person without ID? Without a legal identity, it can become nearly impossible to access essential services including food banks, healthcare, housing and social programs. The stress of navigating a complex government (or multiple government) systems to get the proper ID, in the proper order, in the proper place, can be overwhelming at best and devastating at worst. For any individual, and especially those facing compounding barriers, the lack of identification can be a painful and dehumanizing maze. On top of daily needs, the lack of ID can block access to some legal rights and protections, including voting, registration for services, and resolving legal issues. For those whose identification does not match their name or gender the above problems can be compounded.

Speakers

Megan Clark

Megan Clark is a public services librarian at the Oak Bay branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library working in the healthy communities portfolio. In her previous lives she drove a bookmobile, worked as an arts reporter for the CKUA Radio Network, and lived on a houseboat on Great... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 207

Session, Public Service

9:00am PDT

Reimagining Library Vendor Relationships - One Path to a Reset Future LIMITED

Tuesday June 10, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Main Auditorium (#103)

Using data from primary research and practical vendor experiences, the presenter will provide attendees the tools to understand, evaluate and create a true culture of trust, value and productivity when working on projects with library vendors.

Speakers

Jeff Narver

Director of Infrastructure and Resources, Fraser Valley Regional Library

Jeff is responsible for many of the support departments at FVRL, including IT, Collections & Digital Services, Facilities, Shipping & Receiving, and Purchasing. Before FVRL, Jeff worked for 3M Canada for 27 years in various sales, marketing and business development roles. His last... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Main Auditorium (#103) 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, V2L 5T6

Session, Collections

10:15am PDT

Sensing the Possibilities: Creating Inclusive Library Spaces for All LIMITED

Tuesday June 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 208

Explore how libraries can shape their environments and programs to support regulation of the nervous system. By delving into the eight senses of the body—touch (tactile), balance and movement (vestibular), (body awareness (proprioception), sight (visual), hearing (auditory), smell (olfactory), taste (gustatory), and internal body sensations (interoception)—session attendees will gain insights into how sensory processing impacts learning, behaviour, and overall engagement. Session will feature a variety of resources and tools for attendees to explore.

Speakers

Jenne Amell

Occupational Therapist & PGPL Board Vice Chair

Occupational Therapist, 16 years experience across the life span with special interest in regulation and the nervous system.

Tuesday June 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 208 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, V2L 5T6

Session, Public Service

10:15am PDT

The Emerald City of Access: Cataloguing, Reporting, and Digital Literacy for Accessible Resources LIMITED

Tuesday June 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 207

This session will provide an overview of different print disabilities in your community, discuss best practices for cataloging accessible devices and formats, and explain how to create reports on the usage of these materials in Sitka’s Evergreen based on those best practices. Additionally, it will cover the training materials available to support the use of accessible devices and assistive technologies offered by your library.

Speakers

Jennifer Pringle

Co-op Support Training Lead, BC Libraries Cooperative

Megan Sellmer

Outreach Coordinator, National Network for Equitable Library Service

Tuesday June 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 207

Session, Collections

10:15am PDT

Uncovering Northern BC’s 2SLGBTQIA+ History: Preserving and Sharing Our Stories LIMITED

Tuesday June 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 206

Uncovering Northern BC’s 2SLGBTQIA+ History: Preserving and Sharing Our Stories Session Description: This presentation will explore the Northern Queer History Project, an initiative dedicated to documenting, preserving, and sharing the rich 2SLGBTQIA+ history of Northern British Columbia. Attendees will learn about the significance of this work, the challenges and triumphs of queer communities in the North, and how libraries and community organizations can contribute to the preservation of marginalized histories.

Speakers

Jessica Davey

Project Manager, Northern BC Queer Connection Society

Jessica Davey is a dedicated advocate for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community with deep roots in Prince George. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from UNBC and has been actively involved in queer activism and community building for many years. Jessica was the first treasurer of the Northern... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 206 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, V2L5T6

Session, Public Service

11:30am PDT

"Popular! I'll Help You be Popular!": An Introduction to Social Media Strategies and Graphic Design LIMITED

Tuesday June 10, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 206

An introductory session to the free graphic design tool, Canva, plus practical organizational strategies for managing your library's social media accounts. Learn how to utilize the features of Canva with confidence in order to produce engaging, comprehensive designs for in house materials and how Larissa B. maintains a schedule for social media engagement. Attendees will receive a virtual package to help implement the knowledge they have gained.

Speakers

Chenoa Smeds

Customer Experience Shift Leader, Prince George Public Library

Chenoa is a Customer Experience Shift Leader at the Prince George Public Library. In the back room of the library, you can often find her talking about books and their covers. She graduated from the College of New Caledonia with a Web and Graphic Design Certificate.

Larissa Bezerra

Visual Marketing Assistant, Prince George Public Library

Larissa is the Visual Marketing Assistant at the Prince George Public Library. She is a communication specialist, graphic designer, content strategist, and bilingual social media professional with experience in different areas of Communication, including marketing companies, public... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 206 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, V2L5T6

Session, Marketing & Communications

11:30am PDT

Introduction to SOGI 123 and SOGI-inclusive Literature LIMITED

Tuesday June 10, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 208

This session will enable participants to understand SOGI 123, a network of educators support sexual orientation and gender identity lists, and we will close with scenarios and discussions on supporting 2SLGBTQ+ children and families.

Speakers

Taylor Morton

SOGI 123 Lead BC, ARC Foundation

Taylor is a skilled human rights educator and facilitator and is passionate about developing and leading participatory learning environments where lived experience is honoured and young people are authentically engaged. She has experience working with diverse partners and stakeholders... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 208 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, V2L 5T6

Session, Public Service

11:30am PDT

Online Resources for Indigenous Education - Local and Beyond LIMITED

Tuesday June 10, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 207

This session will show participants the wide range of online resources for Indigenous Education available to them, including language dictionaries, locally created resources, SD57 LibGuides for significant dates, and more! Participants can watch as the presenter demonstrates how to find the various resources or follow along with their own laptops. A PDF summary with helpful links will be provided.

Speakers

Jessica Brown

Library Technician, Indigenous Education Department, School District No. 57

Jessica Brown was born and raised in Prince George, and is of white settler descent. She is thrilled to be a library technician for the Indigenous Education Department with School District 57. This year has been an exciting one, full of new projects! She got her start working in SD57... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 207

Session, Collections

1:30pm PDT

Harm Reduction & Naloxone Training LIMITED

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Main Auditorium (#103)

This session will provide library workers with Naloxone training and harm reduction information so they can effectively assess and respond to substance crisis events. The training will follow the SAVE ME acronym from towardtheheart.com

Speakers

Katherine Schemenauer

Registered Nurse, Northern Health

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Main Auditorium (#103) 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, V2L 5T6

Session, Health & Safety

1:30pm PDT

Navigating Accessibility: Okanagan Regional Library’s Action Plan for Implementing BC Accessibility Act LIMITED

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 208

In this session, we explore the journey of Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) and University of British Columbia, Okanagan (UBCO) in enhancing accessibility with support from a Community-University Engagement Support (CUES) Funt grant, guided by the newly released BC accessibility standards and the BC Accessibility Act. This collaborative effort combines academic insights with practical library experiences that have resulted in an Open Source Action Plan for other libraries to use and adapt. Attendees will learn how: (1) to assess their organization’s current state of accessibility; (2) the strategies employed to meet the standards; and (3) the ongoing processes to ensure ORL and other libraries remain inclusive and accessible to all community members.

Speakers

Tara Thompson

Community Engagement Coordinator, Okanagan Regional Library

Tara Thompson is the Community Engagement Coordinator at Okanagan Regional Library in the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territory of the nsyilxcən speaking people (Kelowna, BC). She has over 29 years of experience in libraries and specializes in accessibility, adult services... Read More →

Fiona P. McDonald

Assistant Professor (Anthropology), Director of the Collaborative + Experimental Ethnography Lab, University of British Columbia, Okanagan

Fiona P. McDonald (she/her) is an assistant professor of visual anthropology at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Okanagan on the ancestral and unceded Syilx Territory. She is the founder and Director of the Collaborative + Experimental Ethnography Lab (www.ce2lab.org). Her research explores material culture, digital tools, social change, accessibility, and climate justice... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 208 808 Canada Games Way, Prince George, BC, V2L 5T6

Session, Administration & Governance

1:30pm PDT

The Wizard and AI: Conjuring an Escape Room on a Budget LIMITED

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 207

We did it, so you can do it too! This session will break down how AI helped create an escape room in a small-town library on a limited budget. Using ChatGPT, we developed a literary-themed game with engaging, solvable challenges. We’ll outline the design process, including storyline development, puzzle construction, and expected vs. actual audience participation. Maximizing limited space and resources was key. We’ll cover prop sourcing, DIY set pieces, and adapting library spaces for interactive programming. We’ll also discuss logistical challenges, from working within library policies to balancing budget constraints and programming time. The escape room’s popularity exceeded expectations. We’ll share what worked, what didn’t, and what we’d change for future iterations.

Speakers

Rebecca Brook

Programs & Outreach, Grand Forks & District Public Library

Rebecca is the lead programmer at the Grand Forks & District Public Library. New to both the library world and Grand Forks, she joined the team a year ago. With a knack for innovation, she brings fresh ideas that engage the community in creative and unexpected ways.

Morgan Paterson

Assistant Programmer, Grand Forks & District Public Library

Morgan, the assistant programmer at Grand Forks & District Library, first joined the team as last year’s Summer Reading Club Coordinator. Like Rebecca, they are new to the area and bring fresh energy to the library’s programming.

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Prince George Conference & Civic Centre, Room 207

Session, Programs & Events