Library Insights Summit 2026: Full Schedule

8:30am CDT

Welcome & Opening Keynote: What Does It Mean to Lead with Purpose (ALL)

Friday June 26, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am CDT

Jason Low will address the state of independent children’s publishing in a rapidly shifting cultural and political landscape. As conversations around inclusive storytelling continue to grow more contested in libraries, publishers face increasing pressure to balance their mission, market realities, and their responsibility to authors, staff, and readers. This opening keynote explores what it...
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Speakers

Jason Low

Publisher/Co-Owner, Lee & Low Books

Jason Low is publisher/co-owner of Lee & Low Books, the largest multicultural children’s book
publisher in the United States. Founded in 1991, Lee & Low celebrates its 35th Anniversary in
2026. Lee & Low is part of Foreword Magazine’s esteemed list of Indie Publishers of the Ye... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am CDT
McCormick Place West - Room W471A

All Attendees (ALL)

9:15am CDT

Land Your Books In Libraries 101: How Libraries Work! (Distribution platforms, pricing, and formats) (AP)

Friday June 26, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT

McCormick Place West - Room W471B

How do librarians discover books? What happens once a librarian decides they want your book and they place an order? How do all the pieces fit together? Find out in in this overview session that covers the essentials you need to know to get library sales—and ultimately, readers.

Moderator

Andrea Fleck-Nisbet

CEO, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)

Andrea began her tenure as CEO of the Independent Book Publishers Association in November 2022. Prior to that she was the founding vice-president and publisher of HarperCollins’ lifestyle imprint, Harper Horizon. Andrea spent fifteen years in sales, digital media, and business operations... Read More →

Speakers

James Larson

Director of Intellectual Resources, Palm Beach County Library System

James began his illustrious career as a humble library page at the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach circa 1999. Having decided that biology was a bit too much, he elected to throw his hat into a career in public libraries. He’s worked all over the county, working his... Read More →

Matthew Parkinson

Director of Sales, Podium Entertainment

Matthew Parkinson is a publishing professional with more than twenty years of sales, marketing, and communications experience. He currently serves as Sales Director at Podium Entertainment, where he’s responsible for print sales and purchasing. Prior to joining Podium, Parkinson... Read More →

Marty Schoenleber III

Sr. Manager, IngramSpark Distribution & Promotional Services, IngramSpark

Marty Schoenleber III is a publishing strategist who has managed marketing and sales for hundreds of bestsellers across every genre. He manages IngramSpark Distribution and Promotional Services at Ingram Content Group, overseeing distribution, marketing, and promotional services for... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
McCormick Place West - Room W471B

Author Publishers Focus (AP)

9:15am CDT

AI in the Stacks and the Supply Chain: What’s at Stake for Libraries and Publishers (EP)

Friday June 26, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT

McCormick Place West - Room W471A

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how books are created, discovered, and accessed—but the pace of change has left many librarians and publishers uncertain about what’s responsible, legal, or sustainable. This session brings together leaders from both sectors to define what ethical AI use looks like in publishing and library practice. We’ll discuss practical guidelines for...
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Moderator

Fauzia Burke

Founder & President, FSB Associates

Fauzia Burke is a pioneer in digital book publicity, with over 20 years of experience shaping the publishing industry. As the Founder and President of FSB Associates, she has worked with a wide array of authors, from first-time writers to renowned names like Alan Alda, Arianna Huffington... Read More →

Speakers

Brooke Horn

Membership & Operations Manager, BISG

Brooke is the Membership & Operations Manager at BISG, where she focuses on driving member engagement through BISG's committees and working groups, supporting positive change across the publishing industry. With a diverse background in editing, acquisitions, project management, bookselling... Read More →

Nick Tanzi

Assistant Director, South Huntington Public Library

Nick Tanzi is an internationally recognized library technology consultant, and author of the books Making the Most of Digital Collections Through Training and Outreach and Best Technologies for Public Libraries: Policies, Programs, and Services. He is a past column editor for Public... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
McCormick Place West - Room W471A

Established Publishers Focus (EP)

9:15am CDT

Equity Embedded, Not Added On: Inclusive Standards in Action (LIB)

Friday June 26, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT

McCormick Place West - Room 475A

Panelists will discuss and provide practical strategies for embedding equity and inclusivity into the development and application of standards—ensuring diverse communities are represented without making inclusivity feel tokenized.

Moderator

Brian O'Leary

Executive Director, Book Industry Study Group

Brian O’Leary is executive director of the Book Industry Study Group, a U.S.-based trade association that disseminates information, creates and implements standards, and conducts research to benefit the book publishing supply chain.

Speakers

Claire Holloway

Manager, Publisher Relations, OCLC

CLAIRE HOLLOWAY is Manager of Publisher Relations for OCLC and the chairperson of the Book Industry Study Group’s Metadata Committee. Before making a mid-life decision to turn her focus to the library space, Claire had worked in editorial and production roles throughout the publishing... Read More →

Analú López

Ayer Librarian and Assistant Curator of American Indian and Indigenous Studies, The Newberry Library

Analú María López (Huachichil/Xi'úi) is the Ayer librarian and Assistant Curator of American Indian and Indigenous studies at the Newberry Library. She helps steward the Indigenous studies collection while guiding library users through, connecting them with, and interpreting materials... Read More →

Alexandra Provo

Research Curation Librarian, New York University

Alexandra Provo is a Research Curation Librarian at New York University’s Division of Libraries and a Visiting Assistant Professor at Pratt Institute, where she teaches INFO-663: Metadata Design. As a curator for NYU’s UltraViolet preservation repository, she works with researchers... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
McCormick Place West - Room 475A

Librarians with Focus on Supply Chain and Standards (LIB)

10:30am CDT

Land Your Books in Libraries 201: Metadata, Reviews, Marketing & Consumer Demand (AP)

Friday June 26, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am CDT

McCormick Place West - Room W471B

How do you set your book up for success? (Reminder: metadata helps). How do you get your book in front of librarians and in their library (including the importance of trade reviews, what librarians look for, and how they curate titles). How to drive consumer demand so readers get your book from the library (how you can help libraries with the marketing work, and how consumer reviews, social media,...
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Moderator

Lee Wind

Chief Content Officer, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)

As the Chief Content Officer for the Independent Book Publishers Association, Lee Wind (he/him) helps shape the direction of IBPA’s educational programs, book marketing opportunities, and role in the industry. A book blogger and author himself, Lee is passionate about empowering... Read More →

Speakers

Soline Holmes

Librarian/Information Services Department Chair, Louisiana Association of School Librarians/Academy of the Sacred Heart

Soline Holmes (She/Her/Hers) is a librarian and the Information Services Department Chair at Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is the current President of the Louisiana Association of School Librarians, the incoming First VP for the Louisiana Library Association... Read More →

Michelle Schingler

Editor in Chief, Foreword Reviews

Michelle Anne Schingler is a lifelong reader with degrees in English and feminist theology from the University of Georgia and Harvard Divinity School. She came to book criticism by way of public library work and still considers libraries to be among the most valuable public resources... Read More →

Trenton Smiley

Director of Customer Messaging, Hoopla Digital, a service of Midwest Tape

Trenton Smiley is the Director of Customer Messaging at Hoopla Digital, a service of Midwest Tape. Prior to joining Hoopla, he held marketing leadership roles at the Free Library of Philadelphia, Capital Area District Libraries, Genesee District Library, and Detroit Public Librar... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am CDT
McCormick Place West - Room W471B

Author Publishers Focus (AP)

10:30am CDT

Smarter Marketing for Maximum Library Impact (EP)

Friday June 26, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am CDT

McCormick Place West - Room W471A

As library supply chains and discovery systems evolve, publishers are facing new challenges in getting their titles seen and ordered. At the same time, librarians are navigating a fragmented marketplace to find trustworthy, complete information on forthcoming books. This session brings together marketing and distribution experts to show how publishers can sharpen their strategies, stretch their...
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Moderator

Becky Spratford

Readers' Advisory Specialist and Reviewer, RA for All

Speakers

Lila Denning

Acquisitions Coordinator, St Petersburg Library System

Lila Denning is a librarian in Florida specializing in Passive Readers’ Advisory for patrons of all ages. She is the Acquisitions Coordinator for the St Petersburg Library System and has worked in circulation, collection development, reference, and youth services. She serves the... Read More →

Kaycie Hoffman Blaylock

Library & Resource Coordinator, Alexandria City Public Schools

Kaycie Hoffman Blaylock has worked in education for over two decades, primarily in school librarianship from preschool through adult education levels. She is a licensed school administrator and has served as a school principal, along with her current role as the Library and Resource... Read More →

Rebecca Vnuk

Executive Director, LibraryReads

Rebecca Vnuk is the Executive Director of LibraryReads, a not for profit organization that promotes adult Readers' Advisory. She has an MLIS and worked as a public librarian for a decade, and was the editor for Collection Management and Library Outreach at Booklist magazine. Rebecca... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am CDT
McCormick Place West - Room W471A

Established Publishers Focus (EP)

10:30am CDT

Misinformation, Metrics, and Meaning: Measuring Trust in the System (LIB)

Friday June 26, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am CDT

McCormick Place West - Room 475A

Which metrics matter when building trust? Panelists will discuss how library data, publishing analytics, and community reporting can be standardized to capture meaningful measures of credibility and inclusivity—not just circulation.

Moderator

Todd Carpenter

Executive Director, NISO

Todd Carpenter currently serves as Executive Director of the National Information Standards Organization (NISO), a non-profit association that develops and maintains standards for the creation, persistent management, and effective interchange of information. In this role, he works... Read More →

Speakers

Qiana Johnson

Associate Dean of Libraries, Collections and Content Strategies, Dartmouth Libraries

As the Associate Dean of Libraries, Collections and Content Strategies, Qiana develops strategies for the Library’s work of acquisitions, discovery, access, preservation, and management of information resources. Qiana is also the Library’s principle liaison in regional, national... Read More →

Jodi Schneider

Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Dr. Jodi Schneider is Associate Professor of Information at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She directs the Information Quality Lab. Her Alfred P. Sloan Foundation-funded project Reducing the Inadvertent Spread of Retracted Science led to a new industry information standard for... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am CDT
McCormick Place West - Room 475A

Librarians with Focus on Supply Chain and Standards (LIB)

11:45am CDT

Lunchtime Book Bingo: A New Title Discovery Session

Friday June 26, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm CDT

McCormick Place West - Room W471A

Grab your lunch and a bingo card (we’ll provide both) and join us for a fast-paced, highly curated book discovery session featuring 25 concise, 30-second book spotlights shared by independent publishers and select author-publishers.Titles will span adult fiction, adult nonfiction, children’s, and middle grade/teen, offering librarians and publishing professionals an efficient way to surface...
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Friday June 26, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm CDT
McCormick Place West - Room W471A

All Attendees (ALL)

12:45pm CDT

Discovery That Matters: The Power of Collaboration (ALL)

Friday June 26, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT

McCormick Place West - Room W471A

Learn how libraries and publishers can work together to elevate emerging authors, strengthen inclusive collections, and improve discovery in an increasingly complex marketplace. This session explores metadata strategies, digital platforms, AI-shaped curation, and community-driven priorities that help readers find the authentic, diverse stories they’re asking for.

Moderator

Ann Ford

Vice President, Sales & Customer Support, Hoopla Digital

Ann has 20 years of experience in the library industry and currently leads Hoopla’s Sales and Customer Support teams. Ann’s expertise and deep understanding of the library space has enabled Hoopla’s business to evolve and grow to better serve the changing needs of public libraries... Read More →

Speakers

Daniel Barden

Collection and Discovery Services Director, Cuyahoga County Public Library

Daniel Barden is the Collection and Discovery Services Director at Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL) in Ohio. Before joining CCPL 13 years ago, Daniel was the Technical Services Administrator at Alachua County Library District in Gainesville, Florida. His 30-year career in public... Read More →

Lori Benton

SVP, Publisher Children's Books, Abrams Books

Lori Benton has over three decades of experience in children’s book publishing, including roles in marketing, print publishing, digital publishing and distribution, and audiobooks. She is currently Senior Vice President and Publisher of Abrams Children’s Books and sits on the... Read More →

Barbara Fitzgerald

Manager of Collection Services, Oak Park Public Library

Barbara Fitzgerald, MLIS, is the Manager of Collection Services at the Oak Park Public Library in Illinois, where she leads collection development, cataloging, and materials handling. With more than 15 years of experience in public libraries, her work focuses on evidence-based selection... Read More →

Morgan Hillman

Sr. Director, Sales, Abrams Books

Morgan Hillman is the Sr. Director of Sales of Indies, S&L, and Wholesale at Abrams. She has spent her career in publishing at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, HarperCollins, Holiday House & Peachtree, before joining Abrams in 2025, and has experience across the marketplace and breadth... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT
McCormick Place West - Room W471A

All Attendees (ALL)

2:00pm CDT

Tell Me What to Publish: What Librarians Wish Publishers Knew (ALL)

Friday June 26, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

McCormick Place West - Room W471A

What are readers asking for—and what aren’t they finding? In our closing conversation, librarians from across the country share insights from their circulation data, collection development priorities, and daily patron requests. We’ll look at what the metadata is revealing about genre trends and where publishers may be missing opportunities. From urban systems to rural branches, these experts...
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Moderator

Ann Lehue

Director, Collection and Metadata Development, Ingram

Ann Lehue is Director, Collection and Metadata Development for Ingram Library Services. She has been in the book business for 34 years—13 as a bookseller and 21 as a librarian. In the 15 years she has been at Ingram, she has collaborated on many of the services that help libraries... Read More →

Speakers

Christina Chatel

School Library Media Specialist, Boulan Park and Smith Middle Schools

Christina Chatel has worked in education for 23 years, with 13 years spent as a school library media specialist at Boulan Park and Smith Middle Schools in Troy, Michigan. She currently serves as President-Elect of the Michigan Association for School Librarians and was honored as MASL’s... Read More →

Dr. Corinthia Price

President, International Association of School Librarianship

Dr. Corinthia Price is a librarian at the Green Vale School in Old Brookville, New York. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Administration from Dowling College, Oakdale, New York, a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from Long Island University – C.W. Post Campus... Read More →

Stephen Sposato

Collection Development Manager, Chicago Public Library

Stephen Sposato is the Collection Development Manager at Chicago Public Library, where he has worked in several positions since 1995. He has presented at conferences such as American Library Association, Illinois Library Association and BookExpo America. He has served on the LibraryReads... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
McCormick Place West - Room W471A

All Attendees (ALL)

3:00pm CDT

Closing Remarks: From Discussion to Collaboration -- Turning Insights into Shared Action (ALL)

Friday June 26, 2026 3:00pm - 3:15pm CDT

McCormick Place West - Room W471A

Speakers

Drew Bordas

Chief Operations Officer, OCLC

Drew Bordas is Chief Operations Officer at OCLC, where he oversees global Customer Support, Implementations, Member Education, Publisher and Partner Relations, and the CloudLibrary business. Since joining OCLC in 2014, Drew has been responsible for managing key operational functions... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 3:00pm - 3:15pm CDT
McCormick Place West - Room W471A

All Attendees (ALL)

8:30am CDT

9:15am CDT

9:15am CDT

9:15am CDT

10:30am CDT

10:30am CDT

10:30am CDT

11:45am CDT

12:45pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

3:00pm CDT

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