ULA Annual Conference 2025

Libraries have always been a place to find information, providing essential resources to people, and being helpers in the community. Having a social worker extends the work that libraries provide by connecting people with community resources to improve their lives. The Weber County Library System has focused on connecting people with resources whether it is providing research and/or reading material or working with other social service organizations to offer assistance beyond the scope of what traditional library services provide. This presentation will focus on ways small and medium sized libraries can utilize social workers to provide much needed resources to their communities.

A how-to session for ULA Annual Conference attendees. Learn to navigate the exhibits, decipher the conference program, how ULA really works, and ways to get involved. Ask questions and hear from active ULA members about staying connected and engaged in the ULA organization and how to make the most of your professional development.

Through personal narratives, we will discuss our paths to librarianship, how we defended ourselves as part of marginalized groups, and how our colleagues supported us through our journey. Resources will be shared.

Utah libraries can uncover innovative programming opportunities by teaming up with public health agencies and community organizations. Libraries are great partners for collaboration and have potential to partner on public health education and interventions in their communities. Many of their services and programs support Healthy People 2030 objectives and goals identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program-description presentation will highlight the breadth of programs and resources public libraries offer that support public health initiatives in both direct and indirect ways. After offering a brief overview of the NNLM program, the presentation will examine the distribution of public libraries and public health locations in Utah. We will then provide examples of how libraries are supporting public health initiatives as well as free resources that can be used in health outreach to the public.

As a self-professed “librarian gamer,” I've come across a number of "library-related" board games & video games, and I’d like to share them with all of you! Each game mentioned in this session will have a specific focus on libraries and/or library work as a central theme of gameplay. Each game asks its players to utilize different skills & tackle scenarios that real librarians might encounter, & thus could be useful for developing programs or collections (especially anything intended to highlight a library's usefulness to patrons, or various aspects of librarianship to prospective library students).

The idea of library outreach can often feel overwhelming. Come learn how you can take some of the programs and services you already do inside your library, out into the community. The Provo City Library Outreach Librarians will share several different aspects of our outreach services like preschool story times to Title 1 schools, homebound outreach and offsite programs. We’ll also share the logistics of how we schedule our visits and some of the tips and tricks we’ve figured out along the way, so you can learn from our mistakes!

As part of an ongoing floor-by-floor renovation within the BYU Library, subject librarians have been asked to assess their current physical collections. The renovations are currently approaching the Humanities department on the 5th floor and in this session, two Humanities librarians in the BYU Library will discuss their ongoing collection assessment or “weeding” projects. They will speak about the overarching aspects of the assessment, such as specific library priorities and parameters, and how conducting an assessment in the Humanities presents some unique challenges. Additionally, each will discuss their experiences in conducting the assessments in relation to effective processes, selection criteria, time management, student mentorship, as well as lessons learned. This session will offer participants valuable perspectives and insights on collection assessments that can be applied to collections within academic libraries specifically, as well as all libraries generally.

Library workers experience high levels of stress for a variety of reasons, such as increased public scrutiny, book challenges, budgetary constraints, and toxic interactions with patrons and co-workers. In addition, many libraries face severe staffing shortages, requiring library workers to take on added responsibilities, often with little to no additional compensation. As a result, burnout in the library profession is on the rise. As many of these stressors are caused by outside influences, what can an individual library worker do to decrease burnout and find inner peace? This session explores the importance of self-care for the overworked, stressed-out library worker. Topics addressed include developing mindfulness practices, engaging in physical activity, fostering supportive relationships, and creating uplifting physical environments. Come learn why self-care is not the same as self-indulgence but is an essential (and often overlooked) aspect of professionalism.

Libraries are a trusted, neutral place for accurate information in our communities. Learn how to become a Certified Designated Organization to offer assistance finding affordable health insurance on the healthcare marketplace. Our session will cover the pros and cons, tips for success, the training and resources available, successful onboarding for staff, and how to register.

Be empowered to disrupt and discourage inappropriate behavior by patrons and staff through boundary setting and learn strategies to effectively back up a staff member receiving negative behavior.

How do we move beyond the performative and truly engage with the communities whose land we occupy? Reparative work goes beyond a basic show of support for underrepresented communities and intentionally collecting authentic voices. Building trust between libraries and communities starts with reciprocity, the act of giving back, sharing, being accountable, and developing consistent cultural connections. Beginning with a growth mindset, respecting the diversity found in humanity, and practicing humility are essential starting points to building trust and respect. Being proactive in building connections, working with a cultural liaison, centering marginalized voices, and creatively using new technology are methods to build relationships based on mutual respect. With trust comes expanded access for all users and creates a more inclusive library.

Two years after the Eccles Health Sciences Library's 50th anniversary in 2021, the library began a journey of transformation with a seismic retrofit project. This project provided an opportunity to preserve history in another unique way—a time capsule, to be placed in the new building core constructed for restrooms, elevators, and earthquake safety. This presentation will detail the process undertaken by a team of four librarians and five staff members to curate and create the time capsule without overburdening anyone’s schedule.