ULA Annual Conference 2025

Libraries are essential, but ensuring decision-makers recognize their value requires effective advocacy. This hands-on session will equip participants with practical tools to confidently share their “library story” with legislators and community leaders. Attendees learn the importance of different types of advocacy including grassroots, relational, and institutional, while busting common myths, such as whether public employees can engage in advocacy. Through practical, interactive exercises, and peer storytelling, participants will refine their messaging, align their advocacy with policymakers’ priorities, and leave with the knowledge, tools, and confidence they need to take effective action. Whether you're new to advocacy or looking to refine your approach, this workshop will provide the skills, confidence, and strategies needed to champion your library effectively.

Intellectual property (IP) underscores every aspect of our lives. In today's global economy, understanding IP is crucial for knowledge workers and IP-intensive industries employees. IP-intensive industries are vital to our economy with those workers having higher lifetime earnings and more social mobility. With the recent changes in both accessing and searching patents and trademarks in the United States, it is crucial that librarians and library users increase their IP knowledge. This "train the trainer" workshop will include hands-on activities and discussions on the significance and types of IP, searching for trademark and patents, and providing equity-focused resources and opportunities.

PAVE Prevention recognizes that libraries across the United States are experiencing increased public aggression toward their workers, as highlighted in the 2022 Urban Library Trauma Study. To address these challenges, PAVE offers comprehensive training sessions focused on critical skills for library staff. The training covers topics such as building situational awareness, ensuring physical, emotional, and mental safety, and employing de-escalation techniques—both verbal and non-verbal. Participants will also learn grounding techniques, self-care practices, bystander intervention strategies, boundary setting, conflict resolution, and effective intercultural communication. Additionally, the training incorporates principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility (DEIJA), as well as cultural humility and competency. All PAVE modules utilize adrenalized, real-life scenario learning, which has proven to be one of the most effective training methods for adult learners. PAVE has successfully trained library workers nationwide in trauma-informed, DEIJA-inclusive human safety skills. As part of this initiative, PAVE will deliver a 3-hour workshop for ULA participants, equipping them with the tools needed to navigate their complex working environments.

This workshop is intended to help professionals at all levels understand and put their data to use and enhance their data literacy and analytical skills. No prior experience in data analysis is required. Roughly the first hour of the workshop will be dedicated to sharing best practices, case studies, and success stories to help participants understand the value of the data they collect. Once the basics are covered, participants will be guided through creating goals, and choosing a product to create with their data. Finally, participants will have time to work on their project with guidance from presenters. Ideally, participants will leave this session with an understanding of how data can enhance and enable positive and productive discussions and take home a ready-to-use product of their own design. Participants should bring their own laptops and datasets; discussion, Q&A, and bad jokes will be provided and encouraged throughout the session. Multiple data professionals will collaborate on the presentation.

Public librarians, get ready for an immersive training workshop where we will explore the exciting new Gale resources available from Utah's Online Public Library. Join us for a deep dive into the vast collections, rich content, and powerful features and tools that will revolutionize the way you serve your patrons. Through interactive activities, you'll gain experience and discover innovative ways to leverage these resources to engage and empower your community. Don't miss this opportunity to unlock the full potential of Utah's Online Public Library's new Gale resources!