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Venue: Choptank Ballroom clear filter
Wednesday, May 6
 

4:15pm EDT

Opening Keynote - Lisa Varga
Wednesday May 6, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT

Speakers
avatar for Lisa Varga

Lisa Varga

Chief Advocacy Officer of ALA, Public Policy and Advocacy Office, Washington DC

Wednesday May 6, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT
Choptank Ballroom
 
Thursday, May 7
 

8:30am EDT

Make Good Choices: Decision Making Under Duress
Thursday May 7, 2026 8:30am - 10:30am EDT
When working in libraries, quick decisions are often necessary—but not always wise. This workshop explores strategies for making clear, and effective decisions under pressure. Attendees will learn techniques for managing stress, avoiding cognitive traps, and maintaining focus when time and stakes are high.
Speakers
avatar for Brittany Cornish

Brittany Cornish

Branch Manager, St. Mary's County Library
I am a Beyoncé enthusiast who loves to run. 
avatar for Amy Dickinson

Amy Dickinson

Branch Manager ll, St. Mary's County Library
she/her
avatar for Amy Ford

Amy Ford

Branch Manager, St. Mary's County Library
she/her
Thursday May 7, 2026 8:30am - 10:30am EDT
Choptank Ballroom

12:00pm EDT

Maryland Author Award Keynote Luncheon
Thursday May 7, 2026 12:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Speakers
avatar for John Shields

John Shields

Chef, Author, TV Show Host
Chef John Shields, the Culinary Ambassador of the Chesapeake Bay, co-owns Gertrude's Chesapeake Kitchen at the Baltimore Museum of Art. A PBS host and cookbook author, he founded the non-profit Our Common Table to rebuild local food economies through education and advocacy.
Thursday May 7, 2026 12:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Choptank Ballroom

3:00pm EDT

Don’t Buy (Into) It! How to spot AI-generated Content
Thursday May 7, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Finding that you are buying a lot of AI-generated slop for your library’s collections? Want to make sure your budget is being spent wisely? This program, brought to you by folks from the acquisitions, cataloging, and instruction departments, will review helpful tips on how to spot AI in images, writing, and videos, including red-flags for book purchasing. We will also discuss how to make selection policies for deciding when to say no to AI materials. Wrapping up, we will have a group discussion on guidelines for your own library’s policies.
Speakers
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Natasha Finnegan

Asst. Head of Circulation & ILL Specialist, Salisbury University Libraries
she/her
avatar for Emily Zerrenner

Emily Zerrenner

Research and Instructional Services Librarian, Salisbury University
she/her
avatar for Sara Wheatley

Sara Wheatley

Acquisitions Specialist, Salisbury University Libraries
she/her
Thursday May 7, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Choptank Ballroom

4:15pm EDT

Managing the Mess: Leading from the Middle When Everything is Hard
Thursday May 7, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT
Caution: Do not take this advice. Everything here comes from people still figuring it out, making mistakes, and occasionally hiding in the supply closet. Middle management during polycrisis means navigating impossible expectations from above while supporting exhausted teams below. This session embraces the mess and understanding that authentic leadership isn't about having answers, but about showing up honestly when everything is on fire. We'll talk about showing up authentically when you don't have solutions, supporting others while barely keeping it together yourself, and why pretending everything is fine helps no one. Come ready for honest conversation about what it actually takes to lead with humanity during genuinely difficult times.
Speakers
avatar for Bria Sinnott

Bria Sinnott

Associate Dean for Academic Engagement, Towson University, Cook Library
she/her
avatar for Allison Jennings-Roche

Allison Jennings-Roche

Assoc. Dir. of Digital Initiatives & Collections, The University of Baltimore
she/her
Thursday May 7, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT
Choptank Ballroom

6:00pm EDT

Thursday Evening Keynote and Banquet - Liz Gotauco
Thursday May 7, 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Speakers
avatar for Liz Gotauco

Liz Gotauco

Librarian, Author, and Storyteller
Liz Gotauco (she/her) is Children's Services Coordinator at Cumberland Public Library in Rhode Island and author of F*cked Up Fairy Tales (W. W. Norton), a bibliotherapy reclamation inspired by her viral TikTok series. She's also an award-winning cosplayer, accomplished vocalist... Read More →
Thursday May 7, 2026 6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Choptank Ballroom
 
Friday, May 8
 

7:30am EDT

MLA Annual Breakfast & Awards Ceremony
Friday May 8, 2026 7:30am - 9:30am EDT
Open to MLA members only. 
Friday May 8, 2026 7:30am - 9:30am EDT
Choptank Ballroom

10:00am EDT

Friday Keynote - Cyndee Landrum
Friday May 8, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Speakers
avatar for Cyndee Landrum

Cyndee Landrum

Former Acting Director, IMLS
Cyndee Landrum is Acting Director of IMLS (since January 20, 2025). With over 20 years in public libraries, she previously served as CEO-director of Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library and held leadership positions in Illinois, Pittsburgh, and Arizona. She's been active in professional... Read More →
Friday May 8, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Choptank Ballroom
 


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