Core @ ALA Annual 2026

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Conquering Self-Doubt: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Together
In this insightful session, you’ll hear firsthand accounts from leaders who have personally experienced Imposter Syndrome and learn how they overcame these challenges.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Facilitating OER Authorship with AI: A Community-Driven Approach
The presenters will highlight the role of the OER-AI Fellows Program, whose participants develop resources and guidelines for using AI ethically and effectively in educational settings.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Homosaurus Unleashed: A Panel on Transforming LGBTQ+ Subject Access in Libraries
In this program, librarians from different academic settings (special collections, consortia) will discuss different aspects of implementing Homosaurus including establishing policies and procedures, creating and tracking bibliographic record enhancement projects, training staff, student workers and volunteers to use Homosaurus for subject analysis, collaborating with subject librarians, other public facing staff and community to increase awareness of issues surrounding subject representation of the marginalized groups in the library catalog.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Fostering Growth: Building Strong Mentor-Mentee Relationships in Libraries

This program explores the dynamics of mentor-mentee relationships within the library field, highlighting how effective mentorship can support professional growth, improve job satisfaction, and create a more inclusive and collaborative environment.
 
 

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Redesigning success: Insights and lessons learned from a multi-phase approach to library renovation
Join us for a thoughtful discussion on the renovation of the John C. Hitt Library at the University of Central Florida. We’ll share key lessons learned from the renovation, focusing on successes, challenges, and insights from library leadership, architects, and furniture specialists.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Trials and tribulations: One library's ambitious plan to make historic court records freely accessible

The New Jersey State Library has begun an ambitious project to digitize and catalog over 2 million pages worth of historic, appellate court documents from the late 19th and early 20th century, making them freely accessible and discoverable. Join us as we discuss the collection, logistical challenges, and lessons learned along the way.

 

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Analyzing the Public Value of Public Libraries with the Community Capitals Framework
Beyond financial ROI, have you ever wondered how to measure your public library's broader impacts to society? This program will introduce you to a method for evaluating the public value of a public library using the community capitals framework.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Executive Perspectives: A Conversation on the Future of the Library Technology Industry
This annual CORE Executive Perspectives session provides a unique opportunity to learn about crucial strategies in play in the library technology industry first hand from top executives.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Solving Technical, Legal and Copyright Issues in Born-Digital Collecting from Independent Creators
This presentation details the numerous legal and technical challenges to collecting born-digital materials for independent creators, while also providing solutions, including a model agreement created by the Music Library Association for digital music scores, and a newly launched digital ownership model from the Digital Public Library of America and the Independent Publishers Group.

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Core Awards & President's Program Featuring Gwen Westerman
Please join us for at the Core 2025 President's Program featuring Gwen Westerman.

 

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

From Parchment to Pixels: Digital Preservation for the Future.
The session will delve into the background, historical context, and current state of manuscript heritage in India, emphasizing the preservation and digital conversion of these invaluable resources to ensure their longevity and accessibility for future generations.

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Putting your Emergency Plan to the Test: Lessons Learned
Hear from academic and public library leaders whose buildings experienced devastating damage, and how they used disaster and emergency preparedness plans to quickly move forward towards recovery.
 

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

BIBFRAME in Production: Practical Insights and Case Studies from UC Davis and Penn Libraries

This presentation will describe the efforts of UC Davis and Penn Libraries in testing BIBFRAME resources in production environments.

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Place Making in our Communities: Using Libraries to activate our cities, towns and communities

Come and discuss with library and urban planning experts about visioning and shaping libraries and the spaces around them as a prominent public spaces.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Beyond Description: Applying the Concept of Thick Translation to Library Cataloging

The presentation will offer a case study of conscious rule-breaking to explore how libraries can prioritize the resources most in need of a "thick translation." It discusses how such an approach can complement or differ from traditional collection assessment work.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Making It Real: Preparing for BIBFRAME in Public Libraries

This presentation will introduce a framework for exploring the status of BIBFRAME in public libraries, examine the economics of transitioning towards BIBFRAME, discuss how to support and train staff on new workflows, and identify the technological challenges and opportunities.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Putting Theories into Practice: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Justice in Action

If you’ve ever wondered “Where do I start?” after learning about Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Justice (EDIAJ), Trauma Informed Librarianship, serving diverse needs, or addressing challenging behaviors from staff or patrons this session is for you.

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Assessing Metadata for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Cultural Heritage Institutions

This program will explore how libraries and archives have conducted DEIA-focused metadata assessments, including capacity analysis, implementation decisions, and tools needed, including lexicons and Python applications.

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Intentional Service Design for Multilingual Readers

In this session, the audience will learn about impactful service design for multilingual readers informed by a combination of research and practical experience from two urban libraries.

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Claim the Center: Libraries, AI, and the Future of Learning and Work

In this cutting-edge session, we will explore our forthcoming ALA monograph, Claim the Center: Libraries, AI, and the Future of Learning and Work, to equip hearers with essential strategies that position libraries as central players in this technological transition.

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

It’s Never Too Late: Pathways to Career Advancement in LIS

Join seasoned Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) mid and late-career non-librarian staff as they discuss their experiences pursuing MLIS degrees and new career opportunities through BPL’s Pathways to Leadership scholarship program (PTL).

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Strengthening Your Library's Funding Opportunities with E-Rate: Working with State Coordinators to Get Your Share

You will learn to navigate program data to discover how much money your library can save, and you will learn how to find information about your state library agency's E-Rate coordinator and E-Rate support. You will also apply your learning by creating a 3-step action plan for follow-up after the conference.
 

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Building Platforms to Collect, Preserve, and Provide Access to Digital Games

This session will present the latest developments in this emerging area of electronic resource management, sharing findings from over 50 research interviews with academic and public librarians, game developers, users of library game collections, and experts on library legal and policy issues.

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

All the Feels: Leading with Emotional Intelligence

Learn about the emotionally intelligent leadership style, take a quiz to asses your EQ, and discover how bringing all the feelings to work can benefit you, your library workers, your board, and your organization.

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Preserving Intangible Cultural Heritage: The Role of Libraries, Educational, Cultural Institutions in Archiving Living Traditions

This session will equip you with innovative strategies to preserve and archive intangible cultural heritage (ICH), such as oral traditions, performances, and social practices, through collaboration with local communities.

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Continued Conversations: Libraries, Publishers, and the Future of Ebook Licensing

In this session, our panel of librarians and publishing experts will discuss available alternative licensing solutions and what libraries can expect to see in the future. We will discuss how we got here and how libraries can advocate not only for fairer pricing, but the possibility for access to previously unavailable materials, and perhaps even ownership.

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Onboarding for Equity and Inclusion in Libraries

This program dives into the work a committee of individuals took on to assess and revamp the onboarding processes at George Washington University with inclusivity and equity as the main priority.

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Reparative Metadata Assessment with MaRMAT: A New Tool for Identifying Harmful and Outdated Language

This session will introduce attendees to MaRMAT and its key features, providing an opportunity to test the program using sample metadata and curated lexicons for outdated Library of Congress Subject Headings and biased language.

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Core Board of Directors Meeting I

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Fundraising and Sponsorship Committee Planning Meeting

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Ebooks Interest Group Annual Meeting

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

CC:DA Meeting I

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Consortium Management Interest Group

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Competencies and Education for a Career in Cataloging Interest Group Meeting

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Marketing & Social Media Committee Meeting

1:00 PM  - 2:00 PM

Publisher/Vendor/Library Relations Interest Group

1:00 PM  - 2:00 PM

Metadata Interest Group Meeting

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

AI and Machine Learning in Libraries Interest Group

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Middle Managers Interest Group Meeting

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Technology All Section & Committee Meeting

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Preservation All Section & Committee Meeting

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Metadata & Collection All Section & Committee Meeting

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Leadership & Management All Section & Committee Meeting

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Buliding & Operations All Section & Committee Meeting

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Access & Equity All Section & Committee Meeting

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Preservation Section Town Hall

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Authority Control Interest Group Meeting

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Collection Management in Public Libraries Interest Group Meeting

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Committee Cataloging Asian and African Materials (CC:AAM)

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Continuing Resources Cataloging Committee Update

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

The Adventure of Lomax the Sub-librarian Featuring Lindsay Faye
 

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

International Relations Committee Meeting

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Core Library Storage Interest Group Meeting

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Project Management Interest Group Meeting

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Book & Paper Interest Group Meeting

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Library Facilities and Interiors Interest Group Discussion

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

AIA/ALA Awards Breakfast

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

CC:DA Meeting II

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Core Board of Directors Meeting II