ILOC Schedule & Sessions

Plan your ILOC day! See session times and read more about the keynotes and breakout sessions that will be featured throughout the event.

2026 Schedule

ILOC will be held on January 29, 2026 with the theme Worth Celebrating!

Click the links under the Event column to go to that session's title, speaker, and description. Breakouts will feature three options for each session.  On the day of the conference, links to each session's Zoom webinar room will be available on this page. 

Morning Keynote

You Are Worth Celebrating! Realistic Tips for Supporting Yourself and Your Community

Speaker: Moni Barrette | Librarian, Educator, & Entrepreneur

Each of us in the library profession has a story, and those stories are unique, carry emotional impact, and are worth celebrating. Despite our varying backgrounds, we are united in our dedication to serving our library communities. This is no small feat, however, particularly as times become more challenging with library funding, public scrutiny, and more. 

Presented by the author of the forthcoming book, Enhance Your Library, Enhance Your Wellbeing: How to Fight Burnout and Reclaim Library Joy, and 20 year library veteran, Moni Barrette's keynote will:

• Remind us that we are in this together, and that what we do is worth celebrating.
• Impart some tips for self-care and mental health in increasingly difficult times.
• Introduce an easy formula for creating library programs that resonate with you and your community.

Noon Keynote

DIY America 250: Fun, Frugal, and Festive Ideas for Libraries

Speaker: Valerie Van Kooten | Administrator, State Historical Society of Iowa

America is turning 250, and your library will want to be a part of it! But with smaller staffs and even more pared-down budgets, what can you do to reach out to your community? Valerie Van Kooten, the Administrator of the State Historical Society of Iowa and head of the America250 celebrations in the state, will give you ideas for collaborations and mini-exhibits that don't take a lot of time, staff, or money but will have your visitors remembering them for years.

About Valerie

Valerie Van Kooten is a Pella native who taught technical writing and history for 25 years at Central College and then acted as their grant writer for 5 years. After a stint as the Executive Director of the Pella Historical Society in Pella, she became Administrator at the State Historical Society of Iowa in April 2024, overseeing the Historical Museum, Research Library and Archives, Historic Sites, and Education Team.

In her spare time, she's the chairperson of the Marion County Pioneer Cemetery Commission and loves doing anything related to history, including trying to prove people wrong who say "History is boring." Valerie and her husband Kent live in Pella; they have three married sons and 5 adorable grandkids.

Evening Keynote

Building the Board Culture That Your Library Deserves

Speaker: Patty Collins | Consultant, Central Kansas Library System

Board culture isn’t just a fancy phrase used by Fortune 500 companies. It is the backbone of an organization’s shared goals, values, and practices. This session offers practical strategies for building a positive trustee culture grounded in transparency and trust. Learn tools for improving board–librarian communication, navigating conflict, and creating a shared sense of purpose. Participants will reflect on what is and isn’t working in their own organizations and leave with steps to strengthen board engagement and performance.

About Patty

Patty Collins has served Kansas Libraries for more than 32 years in various capacities from story lady to school librarian to assistant director.  As a Consultant for the Central Kansas Library System she assists rural and small libraries with all aspects of library service including policy, collection, and programming.