Events

Events

Tue, Oct 20, 2026 / 9:30am to 3:00pm

Elgin Community College
E Building, E121
1700 Spartan Drive
Elgin, IL 60123-7193
Campus Map

Please join the Technical Services Committee for an in-person forum held at Elgin Community College.  
9:30-10:00    Registration - E121 (Dining Room)
10:00-10:15    Welcome and Logistics - E121 (Dining Room)
10:15-10:35    Beyond the Barcode: Our Approach to a Complete Library Inventory Elizabeth Outler – DePaul University E121 (Dining Room)

The Vincent J. Rinn Law Library at DePaul University holds approximately 215,000 volumes. However, after a number of disruptions in 2020-2023 caused by (1) the pandemic, (2) migrating to Alma, (3) a major shifting, weeding, and collection relocation project to create more study spaces, and (4) multiple significant retirements, we started to question whether the volume and title counts that we were reporting were completely accurate. Given the upheaval of recent years and forecasting that the next five to ten years would continue to present significant changes in budget, space, and staffing, we decided the time was ripe for conducting an inventory and working to make sure the catalog contains as clear and correct a description of our collection as possible. We also learned that CARLI provides customized, hosted access to an interactive inventory tool that allows scanning items on the shelf and using the Alma API to make read-only calls to our catalog. Knowing that this tool was available, we began testing it and designing workflows that we hoped would enable us to launch a full inventory project and complete it within one year. We are now four months in, and we'd be glad to describe our process and lessons learned so far, for anyone who is thinking about embarking on an inventory project.

10:35-11:00    Serials Holdings for the Perplexed E121 (Dining Room)
Jill Walker – Northern Illinois University
Rebekkah LaRue – Dominican University

Are you unsure of the ins and outs of creating holdings for serials? Do you feel lost when you add or edit holdings for serials? Is your method looking at existing holdings for guidance? Then this session is for you! We will demystify the process of creating serials holdings in accordance with ANSI/NISO Z39.71 so you can have new confidence when creating or editing your institution’s holdings. We will cover:•An overview of the different holdings levels allowed under ANSI/NISO Z39.71•How to create Level 3 and Level 4 holdings with 866 summary statements (fields 883-855 and 863-865 will not be covered)•Provide many practice examples and practice exercises, time permitting

11:00-11:15    Break
11:15-12:15    Three Times the Audits: Performing Collection Audits in Multiple Ways E121 (Dining Room)
Bryan Clark – Illinois Central College

In 2025, Illinois Central College performed an audit on various aspects of their collection.  First, to see what the ICC library had compared to other institutions, a subject audit was performed in Choreo Insights to determine how the collection compared to their peer institutions.  Second, looking at a specific LC range, librarians performed an author audit to determine if the area in question had a full range of voices.  Third, looking at the same LC range, librarians performed a classification audit.  They discussed whether items needed to be moved to different classification areas based on the main themes of the books.  Come see what we did and what we learned in order to move forward with your own audits.

12:15-1:15    Lunch – Provided by CARLI - E121 (Dining Room)

1:15-2:00    Breakout Sessions

  • Tour the Elgin Community College Library (Meet in Atrium to walk to Library)
  • OCLC-Alma Data Workflows Discussion (E106)
  • Book First Aid: Processing and Repair Library Books (E121 - Dining Room) - Join CARLI Technical Services Committee members Victoria Turner and Susan Howell to discuss how thoughtful processing and mending can help extend the life of your library’s collection! This interactive session combines a brief presentation about these two important Technical Services functions, along with hands-on demonstrations to explore book processing and mending techniques. 
  • Serials Holdings Presentation - Continuing the Conversation (E100.1) - 

2:00-2:15    Break

2:15-3:00  

  • Tour the Elgin Community College Library (Meet in Atrium to walk to Library)
  • OCLC-Alma Data Workflows Discussion (E106)
  • Book First Aid: Processing and Repair Library Books (E121 - Dining Room)
  • Serials Holdings Presentation - Continuing the Conversation (E100.1)

 

 

Tue, Oct 20, 2026 / 2:00pm to 3:00pm

Discover realistic and scalable ways to improve library website usability by utilizing lightweight testing and the user interactions and feedback you already have access to every day. Participants will learn practical ways to identify usability issues, make informed improvements, and better understand user needs without formal UX testing or large-scale research projects.

Presenter:

Sarah Jenkins is the Director of Library Digital Experience for SMU Libraries, at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she leads strategy and implementation for user-centered, accessible digital services. With an MLS from the University of North Texas and over 15 years of experience in academic libraries, Sarah leverages a strong foundation in reference, accessibility, and digital communication to integrate web and public services. She is dedicated to creating inclusive digital spaces that connect diverse audiences to library resources and services.

Register to attend 

Hosted by FLVC
 

Wed, Oct 21, 2026 / 10:00am to 12:00pm

The CARLI Discovery Primo VE Committee meets monthly via Zoom. Contact the committee chair or CARLI staff with any questions.

Wed, Oct 21, 2026 / 11:00am to 12:00pm

The E-Resources Management Committee Meeting meets monthly via Zoom. Contact the committee chair or CARLI staff with any questions.

Wed, Oct 21, 2026 / 11:00am to 12:00pm

This one-hour session is a follow-up to our recent webinar on improving the accessibility of Alma letters. It will be an informal, hands-on work session rather than a presentation.

CARLI will walk through a few common letter scenarios, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own questions or letters to work on as well. The goal is to spend the time working on real examples together and talking through any issues that come up.

You don't need to have attended the original webinar to join, though it may be helpful. A recording is available: Alma Letters, Upgraded: Session recording (video)

This session will not be recorded. 

Thu, Oct 22, 2026 / 10:00am to 11:00am

Are you collecting data but not sure it's the right data? Do you want to make data-driven decisions but not sure you have the time? Curious about how the research process can apply to your everyday workflows? Join Andrea and Emily to hear about how the research methods they utilized during their dissertations are proving useful in their work for the PALNI library consortium. Leave with some practical ways to implement research methods like question refinement, design-based research, and open coding without having to invest 3-5 years in a doctoral program! 

Presenters:

Emily Helton holds a Ph.D. and administers the PALSave Grant Program for PALNI, which incentivizes faculty to adopt and create OER through a tiered model. She has a background in K-12 education and professional development.

Andrea Bearman holds an Ed.D. and promotes deeper and more effective collaboration across the PALNI consortium. She has a background in instructional design, technology, and development.

Objectives: 

  • Apply question refinement techniques to sharpen the focus of programming and engagement efforts.
  • Use elements of design-based research to generate and act on data in decision-making.
  • Apply open coding to qualitative data, such as survey responses, to identify patterns and priorities.
  • Identify at least one method from the session to apply to an existing outreach or engagement project.

The session will be recorded.

Register to attend.

Hosted by PALNI

Thu, Oct 22, 2026 / 11:00am to 12:00pm

Join the CARLI Discovery Primo Committee at this event to learn and share information and ask questions about the Primo VE Next Discovery Experience (NDE) UI.

Audience: CARLI members interested in the upcoming changes to the Primo discovery interface.

How to attend: An email with the Zoom connection information was sent to the CARLI I-Share Liaison list, the CARLI Primo Interest Group list, and the CARLI - Primo VE NDE UI Implementation Basecamp message board. If you are not a subscribed to these lists and would like to attend, please to request the Zoom connection information.

Note: This session will not be recorded to encourage open discussion and dialogue. A meeting summary will be posted to the CARLI - Primo VE NDE UI Implementation Basecamp message board.

Agenda

Part 1

  • A review of any important CARLI - Primo VE NDE UI Implementation Basecamp posts and Clarivate NDE updates
  • Discussion topic: Talking to other library staff about NDE

Part 2

  • Open Discussion and Q & A 
    • Bring your questions about the NDE UI
    • Share your library's experience so far with the NDE UI
Thu, Oct 22, 2026 / 12:00pm to 1:00pm

Academic libraries can play a meaningful role in helping students read for pleasure, not just for coursework. This session explores how collective reading opportunities such as book clubs, common reading programs, reading challenges, and informal discussion events can foster lifelong learning while creating welcoming spaces for connection and community.

Participants will examine practical strategies for designing inclusive, low-pressure reading experiences that invite students, faculty, and staff to engage with books together. The session will highlight how recreational reading initiatives can strengthen students’ sense of belonging, encourage cross-campus conversation, and offer informal opportunities for students to connect with faculty beyond the classroom. Attendees will leave with ideas for building sustainable programs that reflect their campus culture, support diverse reading interests, and position the library as a hub for curiosity, conversation, and community.

Presenter: 

Andrea St. Onge is a Research & Instruction Librarian at Seminole State College of Florida and a lifelong book lover. When she’s not helping students untangle research assignments, her work includes marketing the library through outreach events and social media as well as development and maintenance for the physical and digital leisure reading collection. Andrea is also responsible for the Campus READ program and coordinates various other collective reading opportunities. Andrea is passionate about connecting people with information, stories, and the reading experiences that make libraries special.

Register to attend.

Hosted by FLVC

Thu, Oct 22, 2026 / 2:00pm to 3:00pm

This session will discuss something I’m sure we’re all familiar with: being overwhelmed, feeling like there isn’t enough time in a work day, and getting to that point where you’re having to make choices about what’s actually important. How can we maintain a healthy work-life balance when there’s so much work to be done, but not enough people to make that work happen? Which corners are ok to cut without sacrificing final products? As one of 2 librarians and one of 3 full-time employees at my library, I’ve learned quite a bit about how to manage an overpacked schedule, when to set boundaries and say “no” to new projects, and how to keep going during periods of burnout. 
 
By attending this session, you will learn some of the tips and tricks I’ve figured out to manage my time, overall workload, and how to produce steady work even when the burnout hits. There will be time at the end for the audience to share their own strategies as well! 

Presenter:

Ayiana Crabtree (she/they) is the Student Success Librarian at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Ayiana’s main job is making sure students feel welcome in the library by creating programming, curating book displays, and doing outreach through instructional sessions and social media. They also have an interest in how AI is impacting higher education, learning how others on campus perceive the library, and how to help others succeed in their work. More information about Ayiana can be found on their website.

Register to attend 

Hosted by FLVC 
 

Fri, Oct 23, 2026 / 1:00pm to 2:00pm

Are you working on open educational resources (OER) or curious about what others are doing in your field? Join us for a lively virtual meet-up designed to spark ideas, share experiences and tips, and explore opportunities for cross-institutional OER partnerships.

This session is all about connection and inspiration. We’ll: 

  • Hear about current OER projects in development or use;
  • Discuss concerns / problems you have encountered;
  • Share tips on possible solutions;
  • Discuss areas of interest for future collaboration;
  • Create space for teaming up on shared goals and initiatives

Whether you’re just getting started or already deep into OER work, this meet-up is a chance to learn from peers, build new relationships, and imagine what’s possible together.

Facilitators: Michelle Oh, Oakton College; Shelly McDavid, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Register to attend

Sponsored by the CARLI OER Committee

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