Theater

Plant Club: Co-creating Library Programs with the Community

Clifton Branch Library’s Plant Club began in September 2022 and has been growing ever since. The group aims to build community and connection through a shared interest in plants. Plant Club welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience with plants. Suggested by a community member during a plant swap, Plant Club continues to be largely shaped by those who attend the monthly meetings. During this session, we will talk about Plant Club’s formation and best practices for facilitating social connection, including continually gathering community input.

Katie Burnside joined the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Library staff in 2013. She has a love for the outdoors and the special relationships forged while being with others in nature. She draws on this experience and enthusiasm for nature to develop and support community-based programming at the library. Katie co-hosts a monthly Plant Club, a group that brings together plant enthusiasts from all backgrounds to explore the world of plants while connecting with each other. She has also worked with library staff and the Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of Cincinnati to develop a weekly program “Wellbeing Walks” in Burnet Woods.

 

Room 1

Planning Popular Programming for Pennies: Adult Programming on a Budget

Librarians across the country are bracing for budget cuts. Don't worry (too much)! We have some tips for you! We will talk about our library's most popular adult programs, share our tips and tricks for saving money, and how to create lasting partnerships with organizations in your community.

Lacy Gibson has worked in Adult Programming for over 6 years at the Greensburg Decatur County Public Library in Greensburg, Indiana. She loves connecting with her community as much as possible! In her free time she loves to garden, hang out with her family and pets (she has 4 cats, 2 fish, and 1 dog), and watch movies.

 

Room 2

Youth Media Cultures: Empowering Parents to Assess Digital Materials

As today's teens and tweens navigate an ever-evolving landscape of apps, platforms, and digital content, parents often struggle to keep up. As youth services librarians, we are uniquely positioned to guide families through this digital world with confidence and curiosity. This session will explore practical strategies for educating parents about the media cultures their children engage with, from social platforms to interactive storytelling tools. Participants will learn how to help families develop a personalized “digital materials rubric” that supports informed decision-making around content quality, security, data privacy, and developmental appropriateness, while also encouraging a healthy, open mindset toward technology. We’ll also touch on how pairing digital media with traditional books can strengthen literacy skills, deepen engagement, and create more positive reading experiences for young people. Attendees will leave with actionable tools and conversation frameworks to empower parents as thoughtful, tech-savvy partners in their children’s reading and media lives.

Kaylee Diane Raines serves as an intergenerational service specialist at the Owensville Branch of the Clermont County Public Library. In her role, Kaylee drives the library van and conducts pop-up libraries for seniors and other outreach services. Outside of work, Kaylee serves as an adjunct instructor in English for Sinclair Community College and is pursuing her MLIS from Kent State University with hopes of continuing her work in the field of public librarianship.

 

Room 3

Unearth a Story with Hands-On Activities for Kids

Whether you are using the theme or not, you are welcome to join us for a look at hands on activities such as digging for dinosaurs or creating a plant buddy. 

Alice Beresford uses her degree in Recreation and 20 years experience in teaching followed by 20 years as a Youth/Children's Librarian to create and share hands on experiences for all ages including families and seniors.

 

Room 4

Roaring Adventures: Engaging Teens with Dino-Themed Programs through Gaming

Unleash prehistoric fun in teen programming with a dinosaur twist! This session explores how to build engaging programs that combine the excitement of dinosaurs with the creativity of gaming. Learn how to design interactive programs featuring board games, Pokémon-inspired activities, and tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons—all tailored to spark curiosity, collaboration, and storytelling. Participants will leave with ready-to-use ideas, adaptable templates, and strategies for connecting teens through play, discovery, and the thrill of adventure.

Morgan Lockard-Ellis is the Branch Manager at the Campbell County Public Library with over a decade of experience creating programs for all ages. A passionate gamer and seasoned Dungeon Master, Morgan brings creativity and connection to the library through tabletop adventures and interactive activities. A lifelong Pokémon enthusiast, Morgan turned that passion into a thriving Pokémon program for tweens, inspiring curiosity and community through the power of games.