Library Journal Virtual Summit 2020

This event is no longer available

Join us for Library Journal’s annual summit: What’s Next? Libraries Adapt to the New Abnormal, taking place on October 6th.

With the COVID-19 pandemic upending strategic plans across the country, libraries have had to be nimble, flexible, and collaborative on a scale and time frame like never before. Fortunately, all three of those proficiencies are in the library wheelhouse.

In this free, day-long, virtual event, LJ will convene leaders at every level to share their learnings from the first phase of the crisis, how they’re preparing for the multiple possibilities of the medium term—and beyond—and positioning themselves to come out of the recovery strong.

Featured Speakers and Topics will Include:

Opening Keynote from Rep. Andrew Levin, cosponsor of the $2 billion Library Stabilization Fund Act to support libraries during and after COVID-19
Closing Keynote from Tracie Hall, Executive Director of the American Library Association
John Chrastka, founder of EveryLibrary, will present on advocating for library budgets in an austerity environment
Jill Bourne, San José city librarian, and others will speak on the library’s role in the community’s recovery
Jason Kucsma, director of Toledo Lucas County Public Library, OH; Pat Losinski, CEO of Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH; and others will speak on planning for staff and patron safety
Linda Braun, ALA Young Adult Library Services (YALSA) past president, YALSA continuing education consultant, and a learning consultant/project management coordinator at LEO: Librarians & Educators Online, will lead two Zoom convenings. Leading in Uncertain Times for directors and assistant directors and Feedback from the Frontlines for frontline workers.
Birds of a feather Zoom conversations for rural, suburban, urban, and academic librarians.
Plus, sessions on innovations in digital service; outreach and marketing in the pandemic; remote collections’ narrowing the digital divide; alternatives to policing in libraries; antiracism in libraries; virtual, distance, and open air programming; and supporting job seekers and small businesses.

We are anticipating an unprecedented number of library and education professionals to attend this summit, so you may find the environment or live sessions become full during the day.

But don’t worry! Sessions will be available for viewing on-demand within an hour of their initial broadcast, and the entire event will be available on-demand until January 26, 2021.

If you have any questions, email us at ljevents@mediasourceinc.com.

If you are a service provider or publisher and would like to sponsor the event, please contact
Advertising Director Roy Futterman.

Live Sessions

10:30 AM-11:00 AM ET| Visit the Exhibits

Booth Chats
10:30 AM -11:00 AM ET: 15 min presentation followed by Q&A about services and programs (Better World Books)
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM ET: Meet w/Tutor.com staff (Tutor.com)
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM ET: All day chat available to Ask a Data Expert (Gale)
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM ET: All day chat available Ask Questions (Gale)
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM ET: Private chat with Anthony Frey, Director of Marketing for Tech Logic (Tech Logic)
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM ET: Private chat with Beth Futch, Senior Solution Specialist for the Southeast Region. (Tech Logic)
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM ET: Private chat with David Degrandchamp, Senior Solution Specialist for the North Central Region. (Tech Logic)
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM ET: Private chat with Elaine Leonard, Senior Solution Specialist for the Pacific Region. (Tech Logic)
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM ET: Private chat with Gretchen L. Freeman, Principal Librarian/Strategist for Tech Logic. (Tech Logic)
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM ET: Private chat with John Kaplan, Inside Sales Specialist for the Great Plains Region. (Tech Logic)
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM ET: Private chat with Jeff McDaniel, Director of Sales and Business Development for Tech Logic. (Tech Logic)
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM ET: Private chat with Tim Lawson, Senior Solution Specialist for the South Central Region. (Tech Logic)
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM ET: Private chat with Tom Loy, Senior Solution Specialist for the Atlantic

11:00 AM-11:40 AM ET| Opening Keynote
The cosponsor of the Congressional $2 billion Library Stabilization Fund Act to support libraries during and after COVID-19 will address the crucial role of libraries to our nationwide COVID recovery, both social and economic.
Andrew Levin, U.S. Representative for Michigan's 9th congressional district

Booth Chat
11:00 AM - 11: 30 AM ET: Chat with Dan Karr, Founder of ValChoice (ValChoice)

11:45 AM-12:30 PM ET| Safety First
This live session will discuss the development and implementation of the Toledo-Lucas County Library’s staff safety–focused plan to reopen during COVID, the origins of the Reopening Libraries, Archives, and Museums (REALM) collaboration between CML, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, OCLC, and the Battelle research organization to determine the lifespan of the virus on library materials, what it has found, and next steps.
Jason Kucsma, Executive Director/Fiscal Officer, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, OH
Pat Losinski, CEO, Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML), OH
Will Richter, Principal Research Scientist, Battelle Memorial Institute, OH
Moderator: Meredith Schwartz, LJ Editor-in-Chief

12:30 PM-1:15 PM ET| Break to Visit the Exhibits

Booth Chats

12:30 PM - 12:40 PM ET: Introducing CloudSource OA (Sirdisynix)
12:30 PM - 12:45 PM ET: Chat with Staff to learn more about Social Explorer (Social Explorer)
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM ET: Meet w/Tutor.com staff (Tutor.com)
12:45 PM - 1:00 PM ET: Chat with Staff to learn more about Social Explorer (Social Explorer)
1:00 PM - 1:15 PM ET: Chat with Staff to learn more about Social Explorer (Social Explorer)

1:15 PM-1:55 PM ET| Advocating for Library Budgets in Times of Austerity
The economic fallout from the continuing pandemic is putting states, counties, and cities in a tough spot where they must make deep cuts or raise taxes on a population already experiencing hardship. Meanwhile, as in any recession, users need the library more than ever to help with finding new jobs, getting reliable health information to make informed medical decisions, participating in the census, supporting students new to remote learning, and more. The stakes have never been higher for library funding advocates. In this live session Chrastka will highlight key strategies for making your case when cuts are on the table, and take your questions.
John Chrastka, Founder and Executive Director, EveryLibrary

2:00 PM-2:45 PM ET| The Library’s Role in the Community’s Recovery
Crucial as libraries are to surviving the pandemic and all the other challenges of 2020, they don’t have to go it alone. In this live session, panelists will address how libraries can and should integrate into the larger strategic planning and implementation of their communities’ strategies to achieve shared goals.
Jill Bourne, City Librarian of San José, CA
Ayub Khan MBE, Head of Universal Services, Warwickshire County Council, UK
Moderator: Lisa Peet, LJ News Editor

Booth Chat
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM ET: Chat with Dan Karr, Founder of ValChoice (ValChoice)

2:45 PM-3:15 PM ET| Break to Visit the Exhibits

Booth Chats
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM ET: Chat with Staff to learn more about Social Explorer (Social Explorer)
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM ET: Meet w/Tutor.com staff (Tutor.com)
3:00 PM - 3:10 PM ET: Introducing Community Engagement Platform (Sirsidynix)
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM ET: Chat with Staff to learn more about Social Explorer (Social Explorer) 3:00 PM - 3:20 PM ET: Overview of Services available to your patrons (Brainfuse)

3:15 PM-3:55 PM ET| Strategies to Narrow the Digital Divide
Many patrons rely on their libraries for broadband access, but during the COVID pandemic, branches are often closed to the public. This live panel will share replicable ways that libraries can provide access offsite or after hours, keeping their communities connected.
Betsy Fowler, Director, Williamsburg Regional Library, VA
Mary Hastler, CEO, Harford County Public Library, MD
Dianne Connery, Director, Pottsboro Library, TX
Moderator: Matt Enis, LJ Senior Technology Editor

4:00 PM-4:40 PM ET| Closing Keynote: Hold, Fold, Walk, Run: A Playbook for Leadership in the Time of a Pandemic
Faced with leading the world’s oldest and largest library association through a pandemic which arrived on U.S. shores one week after she became the American Library Association’s tenth executive director, Hall gets real about the ins and outs of change management, organizational realignment, questioning our sacred cows, honest conversations about race in the LIS profession, and why we should never, ever, let a good crisis go to waste. This interactive and candid session is meant to examine the challenge of leadership in situations where decision-making is quick and highly visible, even when control is not entirely in your hands.
Tracie D. Hall, Executive Director, American Library Association

Live Zoom Conversations

10:40 AM-11:25 AM ET| Birds of a Feather: Academic Libraries
In this informal 40-minute convening, academic librarians and library workers can touch base with their colleagues about the most pressing issues they face, from supporting online, in-person, and hybrid courses (and unexpected toggles between them) to orienting remote first years, OER, falling budgets, and more.
Pre-registration is required, details to follow.

11:45 AM-1:15 PM ET| Leading in Uncertain Times
This 90-minute convening with breakouts, facilitated by Linda Braun, Learning Consultant with LEO, is for top library leadership. As libraries respond to the pandemic, budget challenges, and urgent calls for a reckoning on racial discrimination, many library administrators are finding their established decision-making processes, policies, and procedures need to be retooled to meet pressing needs while keeping staff and patrons safe. In this interactive Zoom session, directors and assistant directors can work together to diagnose where their systems’ challenges lie, and design potential solutions.
Pre-registration is required, details to follow.

1:45 PM-3:15 PM ET| Feedback from the Frontlines
This 90-minute convening, facilitated by Linda Braun, Learning Consultant with LEO, is for frontline librarians and other library workers. As the primary point of contact with patrons, frontline staffers have invaluable information on what works. But as library leaders balance the complex calculus of reopening, some workers feel their perspective is getting lost in the shuffle. In this interactive Zoom session, frontline library staff can share their lived experiences and brainstorm what managers need to know and how to make the case for re-thinking library services, policies, and structures for greater equity as well as safety.
Pre-registration is required, details to follow.

3:20 PM-4:00 PM ET| Birds of a Feather: Urban Libraries
In this informal 40-minute Zoom convening led by Urban Librarians Unite cofounder (and co-Librarian of the Year) Lauren Comito, urban librarians and other urban library workers can discuss with their peers the major issues they are facing.
Pre-registration is required, details to follow.

4:05 PM-4:45 PM ET| Birds of a Feather: Rural and Small Town Libraries
In this informal 40 minute Zoom convening, librarians and library workers in a rural or small town setting can discuss with their peers the major issues they are facing.
Pre-registration is required, details to follow.

4:50 PM-5:30 PM ET| Birds of a Feather: Suburban Libraries
In this informal 40-minute Zoom convening, librarians and library workers in a suburban setting can discuss with their peers the major issues they are facing.
Pre-registration is required, details to follow.

On-Demand Sessions
Available Starting at 10:30 AM ET

Antiracism in Libraries
In this 45-minute on-demand session, moderated by LJ Associate Editor Stephanie Sendaula, Svetha Hetzler, director of Wisconsin’s Sun Prairie Public Library, will discuss her racial literacy initiative, while Dr. Kawanna Bright of East Carolina University will address antiracism in an academic library setting.

Collecting Remotely
Collection development during COVID-19 presents an array of challenges: shifting publication dates, cancelled conferences, supply chain problems from publisher to distributor to library loading dock; increased demand for ebooks and databases, and more. In this 45-minute on-demand session, learn how Lacie Griffin, collection development manager at Johnson County Library, KS, is tackling this perpetually moving target.

Getting the Word Out
In this 45-minute on-demand session, Deborah Hakes, director of communications and marketing for the Georgia Public Library Service, will share tools, techniques, and tips for effective marketing of library services during COVID-19 building closures.

How to Fact Check the Election (Without Taking Sides)
With election season in full swing, the role of libraries as a source of reliable, vetted information for informed democratic participation is more vital than ever. In this 45-minute on-demand session Gary Price, editor of LJ’s INFOdocket, will share a wealth of resources that librarians can use to help their patrons make sense of the messages they receive on social media and elsewhere.

Libraries Work!
Although employment rates have picked up since the spring, the landscape for job seekers has changed with the pandemic. Libraries are ideally positioned to help adults looking to re-enter the workforce, those who need to add to or polish their skills, and small business owners who have to learn new ways to promote their products. This 45-minute on-demand session, moderated by John Chrastka, founder and executive director of EveryLibrary, will examine a range of programs libraries are using to help patrons find jobs and keep businesses afloat, from help for older job seekers and those with disabilities to multilingual suites of services to mentorships to digital marketing strategies. Panelists include Thomas Fortin, chief of the Main Library, San Francisco Public Library and Rebecca Stavick, executive director of Do Space, Omaha, NE.

Open Up
In this 45-minute on-demand session Dr. Roland Poellinger, head of eservices - library technologies and systems, Munich Public Library, on openness as a core library ethos and organizing principle: open access, open data, open (unstaffed) library hours, and more.

Practical Alternatives to Calling the Police
As societal awareness of bias in policing grows, many libraries seek to reduce their dependence on calling the police to ensure that all patrons feel safe and welcome. In this 45-minute on-demand session, librarians Laurel Johnson of Skokie Public Library, IL and Em Lane of Pima County Public Library, AZ will share their experiences with implementing restorative justice practices, peer navigators, on-site nurses, and more.

Programming at a Distance
In this 45-minute on-demand session, Erica Freudenberger, outreach and marketing consultant for the Southern Adirondack Library System, NY, will highlight the innovative and replicable ways that libraries are reaching their patrons with coronavirus-safe programming that provides education, entertainment, and connection to those otherwise isolated, from outdoor storywalks and scavenger hunts to low tech dial-a-storytimes to interactive virtual escape rooms.

PRE-RECORDED SESSIONS

An introduction to AM Explorer: subscription access to the core Adam Matthew Digital portfolio
Watch our video to find out more about AM Explorer - and visit our virtual booth to talk to our team about how we can support you with digital primary source content.

Spotlight Session: Cataloging Efficiencies and Digital Programming with Baker & Taylor
Aman Kochar of Baker & Taylor speaks with Ann Johnston of York County Public Library and Jenny Ransone of Marion County Public Library System about two of our newest services, BTCat and Highlights Activity Bingo.

Giving Back–One Book at a Time
Better World Books is honored to be presenting a virtual panel at this year's Library Journal Virtual Summit. Join us for Giving Back—One Book at a Time as we speak with our special guests and donate a piece of remarkable history to Enoch Pratt.

Helping Libraries with Bibliotheca
Keep people safe throughout COVID-19. Provide convenient access to resources. Strategically invest in technology.

Play on Literacy: How Technology Can Close the Word Gap from Findaway
65% of fourth graders in America do not read at a proficient level. How does this impact libraries and how can they continue to support their patrons, especially during a pandemic? This presentation explores the importance of early literacy and the path to success in reading.

We’re Here for What’s Next
From driving decisions with data and workforce development, Gale is here for everyone. We hope to strengthen the connections you’ve made by offering resources that can assist people at every stage of life. Hear a briefing from Brian Risse, VP Sales, Public Libraries, Gale, on how we can help you tackle challenges and continue to make an ongoing impact in your community.

How Libraries are Supporting Their Communities During COVID-19 with OverDrive
Topics include leveraging low-cost and no-cost simultaneous use titles to build your collection, how to provide access from a distance with Instant Digital Card, and ways that public libraries and schools can work together to support students doing remote learning.

Re-Open with Automation: Staff and Patron Solutions in a COVID-19 World
In a COVID-19 world we currently live in, simple and efficient automation solutions have never been more important for the safety of Library staff and patrons. Tech Logic catalog has a variety of solutions that can benefit the library’s workflow — both during the current COVID-19 Pandemic and beyond.

Beyond Material Recovery: Unique Customer Service Solutions for Libraries
Rob Klaus and Josh Neisler from Unique Management discuss Unique service offerings that are relevant to helping libraries provide virtual customer service in the COVID era. See how non-traditional patron service mediums are exploding in COVID times and how Unique Management is making these available to libraries in a cost-effective and efficient manner to stretch your current resources.

	Kafi-Ayanna Allah (k'FEE eye-YON-uh) is nearing her 13th year in public libraries. A graduate of the SLIS program at North Carolina Central University, she currently plans programs for middle schoolers through elders. She is also serving as a 2020 Youth Media Fellow for the Alliance Youth Media Network. Her passions within the field are: equitable service to marginalized groups; uplifting youth voice; manga; video games; fiction that tends to contain dragons; and nonfiction in general. She likes to laugh.
	Jill Bourne is the City Librarian for San Jose, California, and Director of the San Jose Public Libraries. With a focus on expanding access, partnerships, innovation, and educational outcomes, she is committed to enhancing the relevance and leveraging the value of public libraries in the communities they serve. Jill has been recognized as a “2009 Mover and Shaker” by Library Journal, one of the Silicon Valley Business Journall’s “2015 Women of Influence,” Library Journal’s “2017 Librarian of the Year,” a member of the 2018 “Upstart 50” by the San Francisco Business Times,” and, most recently, was honored with the “2019 Cinequest Visionary Award.”
	Linda W. Braun is a learning consultant with LEO. Her work focuses on designing high quality learning activities with library and out of school time staff and with youth, families, and communities. She manages the IMLS-funded YALSA Transforming Teen Services: Train the Trainer and Future Ready with the Library projects and is the co-author of the report, The Future of Library Services for and With Teens: A Call to Action.
	Dr. Kawanna Bright is Assistant Professor of Library Science at East Carolina University. Dr. Bright earned her doctorate in Research Methods & Statistics from the University of Denver in 2018 and her MLIS from the University of Washington iSchool in 2003. Prior to earning her doctorate, Dr. Bright worked as an academic librarian specializing in public services. Her research focuses on assessment in libraries, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in libraries, the application of research methodology to the study of library and information science, and the importance of the liaison librarianship role in academic libraries.
	John Chrastka is executive director of EveryLibrary, the first nationwide political action committee for libraries, and the EveryLibrary Institute, a nonprofit think tank focused on the future of library funding. Since 2012, EveryLibrary has helped over 100 library communities in the United States with ballot measures for funding, operations and buildings, winning more than 80% and securing over $325 million in funding on Election Days. He is a former president of the Board of Trustees for the Berwyn (IL) Public Library (2006 – 2015) and is a former president of the Reaching Across Illinois Libraries System (RAILS), a multi-type library system. Prior to his work on EveryLibrary, he was a partner in AssociaDirect, a Chicago-based consultancy focused on supporting associations in membership recruitment, conference, and governance activities, and was Director for Membership Development at the American Library Association (ALA). He was named a 2014 Mover & Shaker by Library Journal for his work with EveryLibrary. He tweets at @mrchrastka.
	Dianne Connery is the director of the innovative Pottsboro (Texas) Area Public Library. She was a corporate trainer and entrepreneur before moving to a rural community ten years ago. On the verge of closing its doors, Dianne led a group of dedicated volunteers who transformed it into the vibrant community-gathering place it is today. She is passionate about the role of rural libraries.
	Tom Fortin is Chief of Main at the San Francisco Public Library. Tom has been working in public libraries for 30 years, with many experiences in urban and suburban settings. He enjoys supporting staff and watching the impact they have in serving our communities welcoming everyone to the library.
	Betsy Fowler is the Director of the Williamsburg Regional Library located in Williamsburg, Virginia. Formerly the Director of the Chesapeake Public Library System for the City of Chesapeake, Virginia, Betsy has served as a library advocate, consultant, and public library administrator for over three decades.
	Lacie Griffin is the Collection Development and Interlibrary Loan Manager for Johnson County Library in Overland Park, KS. Johnson County Library is a 14 branch public library system in the suburbs of Kansas City. Lacie is a member of ALA, PLA and has worked on the ALA programming committee, helping to develop the new CORE chapter of ALA that has combined ALCTS, LITA, and LLAMA into one large group. In the past, Lacie was a Library Media specialist for elementary and middle schools and a collection development youth selector. She has a husband named Matt, two wonderful sons and a pit bull mix named Austin. Her entire family, including the dog, are major Kansas City Chiefs fans.
	Deborah Hakes is a communications and marketing leader with expertise in storytelling and building brands for nonprofits, libraries, and more. She has a passion for amplifying the voices of those who do good and telling stories that drive people to take action. She has spent her career at state, national and globally-focused nonprofit organizations. At Georgia Public Library Service, she works to broaden awareness of the value of public libraries to build engagement and support and provides counsel to libraries to build their own communications expertise. At Welcoming America, Deborah built the national organization’s voice through online presence and storytelling, marketing campaigns to build engagement, earned media placements, and thought leadership opportunities. Deborah spent eight years at former U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s NGO, The Carter Center, where she led press relations and communications for human rights-related programming. At the Center, she also planned public and press events for President Carter and other executives in Atlanta and by traveling to more than 25 countries.
	In February 2020, Tracie D. Hall was appointed the American Library Association’s 10th executive director in its 143-year history. In her new role, Hall oversees the oldest and largest library association in the world, made up of 57,000 members and more than 200 staffers. Hall is the first female African American executive director in ALA’s history. Upon Hall’s appointment ALA President Wanda K. Brown observed that “Her unique combination of philanthropy and library know-how position her to be the leader ALA needs today. She is optimistic, energizing, and innovative, qualities that will serve the association well as it continues its investments in advocacy, development, and information technology.” Hall is no stranger to libraries, or to ALA. Over the years she has worked at the Seattle Public Library, the New Haven Free Library, Queens Public Library and Hartford Free Public Library. In 1998, she was among the first cohort of ALA’s Spectrum Scholars, a grant program to diversify librarianship, and she served as the director of ALA’s Office for Diversity in the early 2000s and has served on advisory councils for the Institute of Museum and Library Services and written for the field’s major publications. She was highlighted as a “Mover and Shaker” in the field by Library Journal early in her career. Most recently, Hall directed the culture portfolio at the Chicago-based Joyce Foundation, developing new grant programs designed to foster greater equity and diversity in arts administration, catalyze and scale neighborhood-based arts venues, cultural programming and creative entrepreneurship. Prior to that she worked as Deputy Commissioner of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. A civic leader in Chicago, Hall was appointed to serve on the City of Chicago’s Cultural Advisory Council at the beginning of 2020. Hall has also served in multiple roles in academia, including as assistant dean of Dominican’s Graduate School of Library and Information Science in River Forest, IL and as visiting professor at Wesleyan and Catholic Universities among others. In addition to her MLIS from the Information School at the University of Washington, Hall holds an MA in International and Area studies with an emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa from Yale University and dual bachelor’s degrees in Law and Society and Black Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Hall has also studied at the Universities of Nairobi and Dar es Salaam in East Africa. Hall was born and raised in Los Angeles.
	Mary Hastler has been the Chief Executive Officer of Harford County (MD) Public Library since 2010. Before that, she was the Associate Director at Harford County Public Library and prior to that she was the Associate Director for Support Services at Baltimore County Public Library, which included her work as the Project Director for Storyville, an award-winning interactive early literacy center.
	Svetha Hetzler is the Director of the Sun Prairie Public Library in Sun Prairie, WI. She earned her MLIS in 1995 from the University of South Florida. Since then, Svetha has worked in public libraries in Florida, New York, Connecticut and Wisconsin and is the co-author of DIY Programming and Book Displays: How to Stretch Your Programming without Stretching Your Budget. She has been actively involved in diversity and inclusion initiatives with Dane County Libraries and her municipality. Svetha enjoys spending time in the kitchen and hosts the Sun Prairie Public Library’s “Books & Cooks: Booktalks & Tastings” YouTube series.
	Kristina Hernandez is the Supervising Librarian at the Santa Barbara Pubic Library located in Santa Barbara, California. She earned her MLIS in 2006 from San Jose State University and has worked in public libraries for over 25 years having the opportunity to serve in a number of capacities working with teens and adults. Kristina joined the Santa Barbara Public Library in 2015 and currently oversees the Library’s Adult Education Program, leading the team in keeping adult learners engaged and supporting community members in attaining critical resources and assistance to achieve workforce goals, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
	Laurel Johnson (she/her/hers) is the young adult services supervisor and 2020 chair of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee at Skokie Public Library. She was recently named the Illinois Young Adult Librarian of the Year. She has presented on EDI-focused staff development as well as restorative justice practices in young adult library services.
	Ayub Khan MBE Ayub is Head of Universal Services for Warwickshire County Council, with strategic, operational and financial responsibility for public-facing services including Libraries, Heritage and Culture. He leads a large workforce of multi-disciplined staff across several departments, and manages a multi-million-pound budget. He is currently leading the development of a Heritage and Culture Strategy for the county, working in partnership with organisations large and small across the sector, with libraries being central to the strategy. Ayub is also involved with a number of national professional bodies. He is a Fellow and former President of CILIP - the Library and Information Association, and Treasurer of Libraries Connected (UK sector support body for public libraries) , as well as being a member of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Council and Midlands Board of Arts Council England. He was awarded an MBE for his services to libraries and cultural services in 2013. Ayub is a guest editor for the IFLA special Journal on the topic of COVID 19 due to be published shortly.
	Jason Kucsma’s 12 years of leadership in libraries comes after nearly a decade leading a nonprofit independent media organization and publishing an internationally distributed politics and culture magazine. Kucsma is a born-and-raised Ohioan who earned his bachelor’s degree in Communication and master’s degree in American Culture Studies at Bowling Green State University. He earned his master’s degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Arizona before moving to New York City to work with public, academic, school and special libraries at the Metropolitan New York Library Council. Kucsma returned to Ohio in 2015 to assume the role of Deputy Director at Toledo Lucas County Public Library where he has helmed a leadership team in providing world-class library services to the diverse communities of Lucas County. His work in libraries is informed by his dedication to the role public libraries play in building strong communities through equitable access to information and technology — and the expertise librarians bring to help navigate both.
	Em Lane is the Interim Branch Manager at the Dusenberry-River Library, part of the Pima County Public Library System. Em has worked in libraries for over a decade, having had the opportunity to serve youth for a majority of his career. Em is a founding member of the Restorative Practices for Youth Team which won a ULC Top Innovator Award in 2018 and he believes that all library customers deserve to be given opportunities for growth.
	Congressman Andy Levin, representing Michigan’s 9th District, has spent his career fighting for an equitable and inclusive future for all. In July, Rep. Levin introduced the Library Stabilization Fund Act with Senator Jack Reed. The bill would create a $2 billion stabilization fund to bolster library services and address revenue losses, so that libraries can maintain services, keep workers on the job, purchase PPE, and invest in technology to keep library users connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
	Since 2002, Pat Losinski has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Columbus Metropolitan Library. Prior to joining CML, Pat was executive director of Pikes Peak Library District in Colorado Springs. He has worked for public library systems in Wisconsin, Illinois and Ohio. CML received the Institute for Museum and Library Services National Medal in 2011 and was named Library Journal’s National Library of the Year in 2010. Pat holds a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. He is past chair of the Urban Libraries Council Board, and served as an elected member of the International Federation of Library Associations Governing Board, headquartered in The Hague Netherlands. He received the 2000 Leadership Award from the Greater Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation, the 2010 Public Library Association’s “Charlie Robinson Award” for risk-taking and innovation, and the 2012 Champion of Children Award from the United Way of Central Ohio. Columbus CEO magazine named him 2015 CEO of the Year in the large non-profit category. He was also awarded the 2017 Regional Leadership Award by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and in 2018 received Columbus Business First’s C-Suite Awards for Most Admired Executive and Lifetime Achievement. In 2019, Pat was listed on Columbus Business First’s inaugural list of Power 100 – identifying the 100 most influential people in Columbus. Most recently, Pat helped lead a $220M capital improvement plan for 16 new or remodeled library buildings. Pat's wife Vicky is an art teacher; they have two grown children.
	Dr. Roland Poellinger is the head of eServices at Munich Public Library, the largest communal library system in Germany. Roland earned his doctorate in Logic and Philosophy of Science from the University of Munich in 2012 and worked as a research fellow at the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy before joining Munich Public Library in 2018. With a focus on connected library technologies and convergent digital channels, Roland draws on many years of experience in science communication, media design, and media literacy education in his work.
	Gary Price is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.
	Will Richter is a Principal Research Scientist at Battelle’s Biomedical Research Center with more than 18 years of experience in microbiology, virology, and BSL-3 high containment laboratory environments. His experience includes the handling, production, purification, persistence, and decontamination of numerous biological warfare agents. He has led testing to detect biological and chemical agents in water, soil, skin, and other indoor and outdoor matrices. His experience also includes the engineering, development, and implementation of automated systems to monitor and control environmental spaces to aid in the testing of various fumigant materials. Mr. Richter is an experienced project manager for testing and evaluating the performance and efficacy of newly-developed and commercial products for decontaminating biological and chemical threat agents as well as the natural attenuation of those agents under controlled environmental conditions. He has also worked with experimental antimicrobial gases/vapors, liquids, gels, and nanoparticles against biological agents. Mr. Richter is the author/co-author of numerous peer-review publications and technical reports.
	Rebecca Stavick is the founding Executive Director of Do Space, the nation's first technology library. Stavick manages Do Space relationships, direction, and strategy, bringing technology industry leadership and five years of public library sector experience to her role. Prior to developing the Do Space project, Stavick earned a Master's of Library and Information Science degree and served as Nebraska’s first Code for America Brigade Captain. Stavick is a Library Journal Mover & Shaker award recipient (2018), a "40 Under 40" Omaha Business Executives award recipient (2016), and a current member of the Urban Libraries Council Executive Board.
	Sharon Streams is the OCLC project director for REALM and is director of WebJunction, the online learning program for library staff, where she has worked since 2007. She is based in Bellingham, Washington.