HESTL EdCON26

The work of reading requires fuel. In classrooms where phonics, fluency, and foundational skills take center stage, we sometimes forget that motivation is the fuel that keeps readers moving forward. In this session, we’ll  explore how identity, joy, and community work in concert to power literacy growth. Most importantly, we’ll explore how librarians can nurture reading identities that thrive alongside explicit skill instruction. Participants will leave with strategies to help every learner see themselves as a reader!

Bring stories to life by bridging literacy, curiosity, and inquiry. This session shares real-world examples of pairing books with quick, accessible STEAM activities that work in both whole-group and small-group settings. We'll move beyond the read-aloud to show how books can serve as a launchpad for curiosity, exploration, and authentic engagement — supporting cross-curricular integration along the way.

Participants will:

• Identify books that set the stage for authentic, hands-on investigation
• Walk away with a curated list of resources for idea generation and implementation
• Explore strategies for supporting student choice and scaffolding diverse abilities
• Learn practical implementation tips that allow for flexibility
• Experience some of the hands-on activities

Forget flying solo — literacy is a team sport. This session explores how librarians and teachers can co-navigate the shift from passive reading to genuine student agency, using Berthoud High School (~750 students, Northern Colorado) as a case study.

Participants will learn how Berthoud's library partners with ELA and cross-curricular teachers to build reading skills through independent choice books tied to required themes; how student reading surveys generate data that– with AI support–  drives personalized book talks and "love notes from the library" tailored to individual classes; and how a schoolwide reading continuum gives students varied, scaffolded experiences across all four years of high school.
The session also spotlights a standout partnership model featuring ongoing reading conferences and close librarian-student interactions — moving the librarian from "one-and-done classroom visitor" to a consistent, meaningful presence in students' academic lives.

All strategies are practical, repeatable, and scalable for a range of school sizes and populations.

With over a billion active users and an algorithm that adapts to our behavior faster than we can double tap, TikTok has become one of the most powerful sources of information for today’s learners. It is also one of the most persuasive. In this session, we will explore how short-form video blends entertainment, emotion, and perceived authenticity to make even mis-, dis- and mal-information feel true. Together, we will unpack how TikTok’s design turns attention into profit and what that means for developing credibility skills in young people.

Stop feeling overwhelmed by AI and start feeling empowered! This workshop moves beyond AI gripes to help school librarians navigate AI with confidence. We will first demystify chatbot capabilities by exploring a researcher-developed AI literacy tool. Then, we'll dive into three recent studies via interactive simulations to explore what researchers have discovered about how AI can both limit and boost creativity depending on the moves of the humans. 

Through reflection and discussion, participants will leave with practical tools for fostering effective AI use for themselves, their students, and their staff — and the research-based insights to empower all three to use (or not use) AI to support creativity.

In an era of shifting budgets and evolving digital landscapes, the school library is more vital than ever—but does your community know that? This interactive session transforms library professionals into powerful advocates. We will move beyond checking out books to demonstrate how your program drives student achievement, fosters critical thinking, and serves as the heartbeat of the school community.

Participants will learn how to translate library data into compelling stories, build strategic alliances with stakeholders, and develop a personalized advocacy toolkit to ensure their program isn't just seen, but celebrated and sustained.

What happens when students' love of graphic novels becomes the engine for a STEAM project? The Art of Storytelling (Denver Public Schools) is a first-year initiative where student work culminates in a public showcase and an interactive cartoon panel. Leave with concrete takeaways and activities for engaging students and teachers in creative storytelling.

No matter the age of the student, book escape rooms are your ticket to increasing student engagement with reading and other positive social and cognitive learning goals. Attend this session to see how escape rooms can be modified for all ages, all time frames, and all learning modalities to create an inclusive environment for book studies to flourish.

Participants will:

• Understand the research for PK–12 students that supports interactive escape rooms and critical thinking stations
• Identify the benefits of this learning strategy and its role in improving student engagement and positive reading outcomes
• Discover the basic steps to set up a book-based escape room
• Gain practical tools and strategies to implement programs based on their comfort level and age range/target audience
• Create a collaborative collection of ideas and contacts to strengthen their professional learning network

It's not only the $5,000 author visits or schoolwide literacy nights. Sometimes the small, low-stakes things are what grow your library's presence as the true center of your school. Join two veteran librarians to explore how everyday "low-stakes" wins create a snowball effect that builds momentum, drives building-wide engagement, and positions your library as indispensable.

In this interactive session, you'll walk away with practical strategies in three key areas:

1. Scalable Success: Leverage competitions, book clubs, and simple programming to build an undeniable library presence — without burning out or breaking the budget.
2. Tell the Story: Use data and community impact to connect your library's "why" to the values your administrators already care about.
3. Grow the Presence: Transform small-scale events and activities into meaningful family and community partnerships that extend your reach beyond the building.

Libraries die as silent rooms — they thrive as buzzing hallways. Learn to articulate your impact, track what matters, and grow your presence from the shelf all the way to the front office.