Monday, April 28, 2025
Session 6: Breakouts
2:30-3:20 PM

Mystic Ballroom AD

What the sigma, the skibdi and the cringe: Gen Z + Alpha Slang 101

Presenters: Mary N.S. Richardson, Simsbury Public Library; Sage Gentry, Farmington Libraries; Stephanie Smith, Connecticut Library Consortium, Meriden Public Library

Join three teen librarians for an interactive session on Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang. Learn how to decode teen lingo and engage with today’s youth, building stronger connections. Understand why language matters in fostering relationships and increasing your influence as a mentor and ally. Get the tools to communicate effectively, even if it makes them cringe a little!

Sponsor: Young Adult Section

young adult services

Objectives & Takeaways:

Mystic Ballroom BE

LinkedIn For Librarians

Presenters: Amanda Stern; Sarah Eiseman, Head of Workforce Development & Digital Inclusion, East Hartford Public Library

Discover how LinkedIn can be a powerful tool for connecting librarians with their communities. Learn to share local resources, engage in community discussions, and foster partnerships. From promoting library events to collaborating on community projects, LinkedIn offers a unique opportunity to make a positive impact.

Sponsor: Career Development Committee

administration, management & leadership

Objectives & Takeaways:

Mystic Ballroom CF

Supporting Mental Health in Your Library 

Presenters: Anne M. Romano, MLIS-Director of Library Services/CME Coordinator at Silver Hill Hospital; Bennie Finch, MSW, MLIS-Education & Outreach Coordinator at Network of the National Library of Medicine, Region 7


Interested in supporting mental well-being in your library? This presentation addresses increasing health information access and use, highlighting Connecticut specific and national resources to support patrons, their families, and friends. Also gather programming ideas across the lifespan. 

Sponsor: CLA Member

adult services and programs

Objectives & Takeaways:


Conference Room 1

You BOT this! Library/School Partnerships for Robotics Programing

Presenters: Molly Virello, Southington Public Library; Stacey Hilton, Lead Mentor, CyberKnights Robotics

Looking for a way to incorporate STEAM and robotics into your children’s programming? Want to work on community partnerships? 

Join Molly Virello, Head of Children’s Services, and Stacey Hitlon, advisor of SHS Robotics Club the Southington Cyber Knights, as they discuss how to partner with your local high school’s robotics team to bring dynamic robotics themed programming to your library!

Sponsor: CLA Member

school and youth services

Objectives & Takeaways:


Conference Room 2

Inclusive Metadata: Changing the Subject at Fairfield University

Presenter: Ann Victor, Acquisitions & Cataloging Strategies Librarian at Fairfield University

Now more than ever it is important to recognize that words have the power to alienate, or to embrace. This presentation will provide an overview of the work we have done at Fairfield University to incorporate inclusive language in the catalog.

Sponsor: Technical Services Section

technical services and collections management

Objectives & Takeaways:

Conference Room 3

Press Start: A Guide to Launching Gaming Programs in Libraries

Presenter: Sarah Zaresk, Derby Neck Library

Explore how gaming programs can build community, foster social development, and provide a safe space for teens. We’ll cover the benefits of gaming programs, getting started, common concerns, and gaining support from your community and administration. Join us for an engaging session that explores practical ways to incorporate gaming into library programming- including live demonstrations!

Sponsor: CLA Member

young adult services

Objectives & Takeaways:


Conference Room 5

NASA's Connecticut Space Grant:
An Out of This World Opportunity

Presenters: April Michaud, NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium; Bina Williams, MLS, North Branch Bridgeport Public Library; Chris Johnson, Waterford Public Library; Nicole Dolat, Bloomfield Public Library; Tori Congdon, Public Library of New London

Join April Michaud from Connecticut Space Grant and a panel of librarians to learn about integrating astronomy programs at your library. April will be telling us about the opportunities that CT Space Grant provides to libraries across the state. Get ideas about how to apply space programming at your library through a Q&A panel session with local libraries.

Sponsor: CLA Member

public services and resources

Objectives & Takeaways:

Conference Room 7

Inspire Action with Empathetic Communications 

Presenter: Marissa Latshaw, Latshaw Marketing

Libraries are empathetic places. Are your communications a natural extension of the library experience? Do they reflect your community’s collective values and inspire action with the people you serve? During this interactive session, we'll explore the power of empathy in communications to strengthen connections, reach new individuals, improve participation, and encourage donor/volunteer support.

Sponsor: CLA Conference Committee

career and professional development

Objectives & Takeaways:

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