Welcome and Call to Order
Opening Keynote: Enriching Lives for Communities to Thrive
Discover how your library can be intentional about turning mission into meaningful action by learning from Harris County Public Library’s work to expand equitable access to information, technology, literacy, outreach, and trusted partnerships - helping people connect, overcome barriers, and build stronger communities.
Edward Melton is the Library Director of Harris County Public Library (HCPL) in Houston, Texas. He has served at the San Francisco Public Library, the Houston Public Library, and for the Bill & Melinda Gates US Library Program.
A nationally respected public library leader, Melton is known for advancing innovative, community-centered service models while preserving public libraries' core mission as trusted institutions for knowledge, access, and opportunity. He received the Public Technology Institute's Technology Solutions Award for deploying HPL Mobile Express and was recognized by the Urban Libraries Council as an Operations Service Innovator for developing the HPL Express service model. In 2014, he was awarded the Urban Libraries Council's Joey Rogers Leadership Award, honoring outstanding leadership and impact in the public library field.
Under Melton's leadership, Harris County Public Library has received national recognition for its community impact and innovation. Harris County was designated a Visionary Digital Inclusion Trailblazer by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, recognizing significant progress in expanding access to technology and digital resources. In 2024, HCPL was awarded the Institute of Museum and Library Services National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Most recently, HCPL received the 2025–2026 Library Journal Kline Community Impact Award.
Lunch Break
Thriving Lendable Collections
Libraries are lending far more than books - and these creative collections are helping libraries thrive alongside the communities they serve. From tools and technology to cookware, seeds, musical instruments, and other unexpected items, nontraditional lending is expanding access, encouraging experimentation, and strengthening the library's role as a hub for connection and learning.
This panel brings together librarians to explore the unusual items they lend and how these collections support the communities they serve. Each panelist will briefly introduce their collection and discuss how items are selected, stored, circulated, and sustained over time. Panelists will address practical considerations, including lending policies, staff workflows, storage solutions, safety and liability concerns, and strategies for maintaining, repairing, or replacing well‑loved items.
Beyond logistics, speakers will reflect on how these collections help libraries grow relevance, build trust, and respond creatively to community needs. Panelists will also share memorable - and sometimes surprising - patron stories that illustrate the real‑world impact of lending the unexpected.
DeAnn Isenhower is the Cataloging and Technical Services Librarian at George A. Spiva Library at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri. She has a Master's of Library and Information Science degree and six years of experience cataloging in academic libraries. DeAnn enjoys making resources available and searchable in the library catalog to students and faculty.
Making the Most of Your Membership
Whether you're a long-time member or someone new to a member library, this session gives a complete picture of Amigos' programs and services. From staff benefits, such as workshops and conferences, to institutional benefits, such as discounts on electronic resources and supplies, this overview will help ensure your library maximizes the value of membership.
Tracy Byerly has worked for Amigos Library Services since July 2012, when the Missouri Library Network Corporation (MLNC), merged into Amigos.
In her current position as Chief Programs Officer, Tracy provides leadership and support for the organization’s key programs – Membership, Marketing, Member Discount, Courier, and Association Management Services. She produces the annual Amigos Member Conference, oversees the creation of the Annual Report and Member Report Cards and is leading the implementation of a member portal based on the Amigos Customer Relationship Management system. Tracy serves as the primary contact for Amigos membership. A key player on the Amigos senior management team, Tracy is well regarded by her colleagues for her enthusiasm and positive outlook.
Choosing a Repository Solution for Your Institution
Selecting a digital repository solution can involve both technical and administrative considerations. Beyond features and capabilities, libraries must also consider issues of staffing, budget, and priorities for patrons’ use of the repository. In this moderated discussion, representatives from academic libraries will discuss their recent experiences selecting and implementing a digital repository solution at their institution, focusing on their key decision-making criteria, common challenges, tools that support informed evaluation, and practical strategies for a successful migration and repository implementation.
Britt Anne Murphy has spent her professional career at Hendrix College, a small private liberal arts college in Conway, Arkansas. She was hired as a public services librarian there after completing her MLIS at the University of Texas at Austin. She's currently director, but knows that her staff really run the show. Britt Anne has served the Arkansas library community in a myriad of ways, but is especially proud of being the managing editor of the Arkansas Library Association's publication, Arkansas Libraries. Britt Anne has led the consortium of Arkansas academic libraries, ARKLink, and is proud of her service on the Amigos Library Services Board of Directors. She loves any opportunity to participate in library collaborations and mentorship, and has established programs through ACRL's College Library Section and ArLA that foster relationships. Britt Anne is passionate about connecting undergraduates with the community of scholars and turning on critical thinking skills to benefit their futures. Britt is enthusiastic about a "whole person" approach to librarianship, and as such, never turns down an opportunity to share a good meal, bring a furry companion into the library, or engage in a conversation – especially if it involves humor.
During the course of her career, Tina Murdock has served as teaching faculty, music librarian, research division manager, and library director in institutions in Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Texas. Currently she is semi-retired, serving part-time as archivist with Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas.
Karen Blankenship has over 28 years of academic library experience and is the Senior Director of Libraries and Student Success Centers at San Jacinto College. She holds a Master of Science in Information Science from the University of North Texas. Her special interest is Information Literacy Instruction for online education.
Pam is currently the Systems Librarian for the San Jacinto College District Libraries. In this role she has managed the library's integrated library system and catalog interface, along with the district’s electronic resources, Libguides, chat interface, and website. Pam loves to tinker with technology and excels at figuring out how things work. She has a MLIS from Long Island University, C.W. Post and a MA in English from Stonybrook University.
Kickstart Community: Hosting a Back-to-School Bash with Purpose
Learn to replicate the success and impact of the Lubbock Public Library's success in organizing a large-scale, community-wide Back-2-School Bash. The event, which earned the TLA 2025 Libraries Change Communities Award, exemplified effective cross-sector collaboration, strong community engagement, and the evolving role of libraries as vital hubs of support. Originating in 2023 through a partnership with local nonprofits, the event quickly grew beyond their capacity, prompting the City of Lubbock to take over leadership, with the library at the helm. By 2024, the event became the largest of its kind in West Texas, distributing over 3,400 backpacks and serving 12,800 attendees with free resources such as haircuts, books, meals, and vaccinations. This initiative addressed economic hardship, supported academic readiness, and built lasting community partnerships. Through strategic communication, effective fundraising, and a commitment to free services, the library staff ensured broad impact, including year-round ongoing support for foster children and others in need. The Lubbock Public Library aims to inspire other Texas libraries to replicate this model and reinforce the role of libraries as essential community anchors.
This session will provide librarians with actionable strategies, tools, and inspiration to replicate similar initiatives in their own communities.
Hannah Stewart started her career as a library assistant in the basement of the Mahon Public Library in 2012. Wanting to spread her wings, she left Lubbock to be the Youth Services Manager for the Yuma County Library System in Arizona. While she loved the libraries and community in Yuma, not to mention the tacos, the deep desert heat proved too much for her and she took the position of Assistant Director of the Billings Public Library in Montana where she helped them weather Covid by creating the curbside service. After her years in Montana, Hannah decided it was time to come home in 2022, coming full circle to serve as the Director of the Lubbock Public Libraries. She adores her amazing library team and enjoys making videos for the library social media pages with Tortellini, the library's pet tortoise. Hannah spends her free time reading, trying new recipes, and walking her 200 pound English Mastiff, Gus.
Closing Keynote: Community as Connection: Working Together We Thrive
During times of challenge, we can easily retreat into the places where we feel safest, often becoming isolated; thriving requires maintaining and building new connections with colleagues, community partners, and institutional stakeholders.
Cindy Thompson, MA, PhD, is the Dean of Libraries at the University of Missouri-Kansas City's University Libraries. She began at UMKC in 2006 as the Interlibrary Loan Librarian and took on increasing responsibilities until she attained her current position. At the UMKC Libraries Cindy has been engaged in a number of significant initiatives, including more than ten years of phased renovation, collaboration across campuses and communities, and active work with the Missouri Library Association. Cindy co-Chairs the Missouri Library Association's You Belong Scholars program, an Institute of Museum and Library Services funded program designed to help underrepresented library staff find long-term careers in the profession. Her research interests lie with organizational structure, strategic change management, and building strong cultures within organizations. Cindy lives in Kansas City's northland with her dashing husband and adorable children, loves spreadsheets, and bakes whenever she can.