2025 Regional Conference Schedule

South Bend - May 16th

9:00 am - 9:45 am
Registration

9:45 am - 10:50 am
Keynote: From Stress to Strength - A Pathway to Resilience

Presenter: Andie Hines-Lagemann
Description: This one-hour keynote workshop is designed to empower Library staff with research-based tools from emotional intelligence and positive psychology. Through interactive exercises, attendees will practice reframing and cultivating a growth mindset. The workshop will bolster self-awareness, emotional regulation, and cognitive flexibility - skills that can be applied to enhance job satisfaction, engagement, and service quality. Attendees will also discover the power of positive social support in building collective resilience within their teams. Library staff will come away with a toolkit of strategies to not only cope with stress but to thrive in their roles, ultimately creating a more positive and resilient environment for individuals, teams, and patrons.

11:00 am - 11:50 am
Breakout Block 1

Presenter(s): Andie Hines-Lagemann
Description: Enjoy Andie's keynote session? She'll be digging deeper into the content in this breakout session.

Presenter(s): Kara Yeomans & Ross Hanney
Description: Have an HR question but no HR professional to ask? Kara Yeomans will be there to answer all of your questions on Human Resources topics such as: employment law, compliance, recruitment, onboarding, personnel relations, HRIS/HCM, workers compensation, policy creation and enforcement, etc.

Presenter(s): Amy Heller
Description: Discover how the thoughtful use of picture books and other children's materials can create a strong foundation for literacy success. Focusing on phonological awareness in young children, this session will explore how children's books can be used to support this important aspect of early development.

Presenter(s): Kelly Heet
Description: Today’s teens are looking for safe spaces to connect with like-minded peers. We have the opportunity to offer them valuable programs geared towards their needs and interests. In this presentation, we will explore a range of teen programs that require minimal space and can be implemented on a limited budget. Additionally, we will highlight several programs that, while slightly more expensive than the average, offer substantial benefits and meaningful impact for our youth participants.

11:50 am - 12:50 pm
Lunch

12:00 - 12:50 pm

Director's Meeting

Description: An opportunity for Directors to meet during the lunch period and discuss relevant topics for their libraries.

12:50 pm - 1:00 pm
Group Photo

1:00 pm - 1:50 pm
Breakout Block 2

Presenter(s): Julie Wendorf, Kyle Hickman, Vanessa Martin & Jess Frazier
Description: Are you interested in learning more about Indiana FREADOM to Read and what it seeks to accomplish? Want to learn ways to get more involved? Come be a part of the discussion about how IN FREADOM is transforming book access in the state of Indiana.

Overview of INSPIRE
- Presenter(s): Scott Sandberg
- Description: INSPIRE is a collection of digital resources and databases available to residents of Indiana. It provides access to a wide variety of informational materials, including research databases, academic journals, newspaper archives, e-books, and multimedia resources.
Small Spaces Big Opportunities: Reorganizing to Increase Circulation
- Presenter(s): David Vinjamuri
- Description: How can you reorganize your space to increase circulation and better serve patrons? And do so on a tight budget? Or with no funds at all? Join New York University professor and author of “Library Space Planning: A PLA Guide” David Vinjamuri for a lively discussion of space organization and merchandising in small spaces. Advice and examples from small libraries around the country on how to declutter, reorganize and improve circulation will be offered.
Introduction to Work + Learn Indiana and EARN Indiana

Presenter(s): Anna Meer
Description: This presentation provides the audience with an opportunity to learn about the Institute for Workforce Excellence’s Work and Learn Indiana program – specifically, how to create quality work-based learning opportunities and take advantage of EARN Indiana funding, which offers employers a 50% wage reimbursement for hiring eligible high school and college interns for qualified work-based learning experiences.
The presentation walk attendees through connecting to their Work and Learn Indiana workspace, how to post internships, connect with students, and submit hours for the EARN wage reimbursement. In addition, it will provide guidance on accessing the Institute’s supplementary resources related to work-based learning, talent attraction and development, and more.

2:00 pm - 2:50 pm
Breakout Block 3

Presenter(s): Kevin Evans
Description: In this session, attendees will be given an overview of Indiana 211, what resources are available in our statewide database and how Indiana 211 can be used to assist people within their communities. We will also share the Community Engagement tools that can benefit them in their work.

Everyday Advocacy
- Presenter(s): Vanessa Martin, Julie Wendorf and Kyle Hickman
- Description: Join the Advocacy Committee to discuss the current state of affairs in Indiana re: advocacy efforts and learn how you can get more involved to be an advocate for libraries and the work we do.
Marketing for Libraries
- Presenter(s): Daniel Lichty
- Description: Discover simple, low or no-cost strategies to promote your library, even with limited time and resources. Expect laughs, practical tips, and fresh ideas to engage your community!
Behind the Scenes Tour

3:00 pm - 3:50 pm
Afternoon Keynote: State of the ILF

Presenter(s): Kyle Hickman and Julie Wendorf
Description: ILF President, Julie Wendorf, and Executive Director, Kyle Hickman, will be sharing a brief State of the ILF that highlights what's on tap for 2025 and how everyone can get involved with ILF's strategic plans to grow the profession and address some of ILF's biggest challenges.