ILOC Schedule & Sessions

Cookbook book clubs are library programs that increase patron engagement, build community cohesiveness, highlight library resources, and bring together diverse individuals in a low-key, safe environment.

This presentation will highlight the power of public library programming, specifically cookbook clubs, to create gathering spaces that celebrate community through a shared love of food and cooking.

Attendees will leave the session with tools and resources enabling them to start a cookbook book club at their home library. Discussion and handouts will include planning checklists, promotional tips, implementation guidance, and evaluation tools. We will look at a variety of program options and formats allowing for adaptation to public libraries of all sizes.

Presenter: Katie Koopman Angell

Mason City Public Library
Katie grew up helping her mom in the garden and the kitchen, developing a sweet tooth early on in life (thanks, Mom, for your addictive baked goods and daily desserts!!) as well as a love of traveling mixed with trying new foods. She earned her MLIS from the University of Wisconsin (Milwaukee) and has been working at the Mason City Public Library for nearly five years and previously worked at the Clear Lake Public Library for 15 years. Her most recent reads (and re-reads) are "The Women" by Kristin Hannah and "Anne of Green Gables" by L.M. Montgomery. She also has finally read the first Harry Potter book (and loved it) at the ripe old age of 45!

Debuting as an exciting new type of program for our library, Academy of Fandom is a dynamic series of individual programs that celebrate and explore the many facets of fandom culture. Each session focuses on a different theme—beloved TV series and films, and even examples of librarians in science fiction and fantasy stories —inviting both long-time fans and curious newcomers to engage in lively, in-person discussions. 

More than just a deep dive into pop culture, Academy of Fandom fosters a welcoming space where participants can share their enthusiasm, learn from one another, and connect over shared interests. By blending expert insights with community-driven conversation, this series highlights the power of fandom to bring people together and spark meaningful dialogue. And people received buttons! And t-shirts!

It began as an idea years ago, then there was a leap of faith . . . and when it happened, it was a great success!

Presenter: Jen Ohzourk

Head of Adult Services, West Des Moines Public Library
Jen grew up in the Chicago area and brings 18 years of public library experience in Illinois and St. Louis City. For the past four and a half years, she has served as Head of Adult Services at the West Des Moines Public Library. She is passionate about creating engaging, community‑centered adult programs that inspire learning and connection.

Every year, thousands of cyclists ride across Iowa, stopping in numerous towns along the way. Hear from three Iowa librarians who opened their libraries to those cyclists when their towns were part of the RAGBRAI route. Learn tips on how to partner with your city for large events, and hear stories of how these librarians prepared for more visitors in a day than they often see in a month!

Moderator: Maryann Mori

State Library of Iowa Northwest District Consultant 
Maryann has over two decades of public library experience, working in circulation, youth services, adult programming, and management.  She earned her MLIS from the University of Illinois in 2006. Maryann has ridden a few RAGBRAI events and loves seeing how libraries (and entire cities) open their doors to welcome cyclists. Maryann once owned 12 bicycles (she has now downsized to only 6), she worked in a local bike shop for 8 years, and she has ridden as many as 10,000 miles in one year.

Panelist: JeNel Barth

Director, Drake Public Library (Centerville)
After college, JeNel moved to Wisconsin and was an assistant to the library director at a very small library in Hillsboro, WI.  She moved back to Iowa after two years and began a significant portion of her career, working in social work and teaching.  After several years away from working in libraries, she  was hired in 2009 as the Children's Librarian at Centerville's Drake Public Library (her hometown library as a child).  In 2016 (3 months before the library's first RAGBRAI overnight experience), she became Library Director. 

Panelist: Martha Herzberg

Director, Villisca Public Library
Martha Herzberg, a.k.a  "Ms. Martha," began her library career as the Assistant
Director for the Villisca Public Library in 2013. She was promoted to Director in
2015. Her favorite part of her many duties is reading to children, either during
Summer Reading Program or during the school year to students at the local
elementary. She was a teacher in her former life, teaching PK through 8th Grade
and substituting in the high school. She lives in rural Villisca with her tolerant
husband and her pile of books waiting to be read, which someday will topple over
and crush her beneath them.

Panelist: Matt Hoehamer

Director, Hull Public Library
Matt first worked in a library when he was 16, as a page at the Northside branch of the Des Moines Public Library. In college, he worked in his campus library and spent a semester interning at the Reformed Church in America Archives. He was hired as the Director of the Hull Public Library in September 2008, earned his MLIS in 2012 from San Jose State University. His favorite book genres to read are fantasy fiction and history books.

Libraries in Sac County are seeing growing attendance numbers at their programs, as well as a growing number and variety of programs.  Auburn PL has a Makerspace cart, Odebolt PL has a Makerspace room, and Wall Lake holds a Maker Camp during the month of July.  From parade floats to readers theater, from annual fundraisers to live streaming presentations, the Sac County libraries are celebrating programming for all ages.

Presenter: Donetta Stewart

Director, Auburn Public Library
Donetta Smith Stewart started as assistant librarian for the Auburn Public Library in 2007 and became director in 2010. During her tenure as director she has expanded programming to include a variety of learning and creative activities for children and tweens and teens, as well as adults. Her goal has always been to create a welcoming space that connects people and resources, and serves as heart of the community. Donetta lives on and is the current steward of her family’s century farm north of Auburn.

Presenter: Stephanie King

Director, Wall Lake Public Library
Stephanie is the Director of the Wall Lake Public Library, where she has been leading the library for the past year with a passion for community engagement and lifelong learning. With a 20-year background as a nurse, she brings a strong foundation of compassion, service, and attention to detail to her position. Stephanie is dedicated to creating welcoming spaces, expanding access to resources, and supporting the needs of her community. She enjoys connecting with people and believes in the power of libraries to inspire, educate, and bring the community together.

Presenter: Julie Childers

Director, Field Carnegie Public Library (Odebolt)
Julie is currently the Library Director of the Field Carnegie Public Library in Odebolt. With 13 years of experience at the library, and over two decades in
education, Julie brings a unique background for programming ideas and library
management. She has implemented programs such as the “Community Coffee” series and created “Rachel’s Makerspace”, a craft space in the library dedicated to a former teacher, board member, and library patron.

The Sioux Center Library recently underwent a large building remodel which included the addition of a large children’s STEM room, enclosed kids’ computer room, three new study rooms, and a remodeled programming room. 

This presentation will highlight the two open houses held to celebrate the completion of this project.  We will share an overview of the planning and goals behind the events, attendance and community response, and how the open houses helped reintroduce the remodeled spaces to the library.  We will also showcase photos of the renovation as well as the open houses illustrating the overall experience for our community.

Presenter: Heidi Ouwinga

Heidi Ouwinga (L) & Becky Bilby (R)

Assistant Director, Sioux Center Library
Heidi Ouwinga is the Assistant Director at the Sioux Center Library, where she oversees marketing, communications, and promotions. She planned and led the communication strategy for the library’s two recent open houses. Heidi enjoys her work at the library—and often jokes that it’s a “break” from being a mom of three, juggling concerts, sports, and busy family schedules.

Presenter: Becky Bilby

Director, Sioux Center Library
Becky Bilby is currently the director of the Sioux Center Public Library, she has been there for 14 years now and before that worked 10 years as the children's and adult programmer at the Orange City Public Library. She is passionate about libraries - which started at an early age when her own home library had pockets and was date stamped for friends who wanted to borrow them. Becky is a mom of 5 children and can now be found reading picture books to her grandkids!

We all know the difficulties that the great pandemic caused our public spaces and libraries were not spared. Little to no programming, and in person library visits came to a standstill.  The Tama Public library was no exception.  As a new director in 2023, and a recent retiree from public education, library work was a new world for me. Kids work was not, and I set out to reawaken our kids and youth programming. Join me as I take you on our 2 year journey of opening our small town library up again to all ages.  Hear some ideas for how to collaborate with staff, community, and city leaders to bring a variety of new types of events and programs. Take away resources and plans that worked for us and more about ways we promoted, reorganized, and attracted kids and families to engage and return to the library programming again; a journey WORTH CELEBRATING!

Presenter: Kris Collins

Director, Louise and Lucile Hink Tama Public Library 
Kris has lived and worked in the Tama-Toledo Iowa area for over 30 years. She is the current Library Director at the Louise and Lucile Hink Tama Public Library in Tama. Former elementary school teacher for over 20 years, and elementary assistant principal at South Tama CSD for 9 years, Kris loves people and kids in the community and was not quite ready to be done working in the community. She retired from public education in 2023 and has been the director at the Tama Public Library for the past 2 years. Thoroughly enjoying the work of the library and a “bucket list” job, she is putting her creative and teaching skills back to work and having a great time in the “pre-retirement” position as library director. In her free time, she loves reading, traveling, sports events, and spending time with grandchildren.