Announcing the Keynote Speakers for the 2025 Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) Annual Conference in Erie!
President’s Program - Libraries and the Communities We Build Together: Celebrating Impact and Inspiring Action
October 19, 2025, 3:30 – 4:45 p.m.
Shamichael Hallman, Director of Civic Health and Economic Opportunity, Urban Libraries Council
Join us to hear Shamichael Hallman present Libraries and the Communities We Build Together: Celebrating Impact and Inspiring Action for the President’s Program! Hallman is the Director of Civic Health and Economic Opportunity at the Urban Libraries Council in Washington, D.C. and a former Loeb Fellow at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. As an author, changemaker, and civic innovator who believes in strengthening communities through equity, engagement, and creative problem solving, his work allows him to develop partnerships and projects on a national scale. His work has allowed him to develop public dialogues on race and religion, digital inclusion, and fostering cross-sector collaborations. Shamichael Hallman has previously lectured at institutions such as Harvard University and Rutgers University.
As the author of Meet Me at the Library, Shamichael Hallman will help us Raise Library Spirits at the President’s Program by celebrating the impact librarians have on their communities. His work focuses on the ability of libraries to foster universal civic learning, bridge divides, and empower communities through advancing equity, preserving culture, and nurturing inclusive and resilient spaces. The goal is to uplift the future of libraries through a renewed appreciation of their essential roles and inspiration to their larger communities. Copies of Shamichael's book will be available for purchase at the PaLA Conference Store.
Carolyn W. Field Award Luncheon
October 20, 2025, 12:45 - 2:15 p.m.
Shaunta Grimes, Author
Join the Youth Services Division as we recognize the 2025 Carolyn W. Field award winner - Here I Am, by Shaunta Grimes. An honest and uplifting story about learning to live in the body you're born with, Grimes introduces readers to 17-year-old, Marcella Boucher's experience as a less than svelte teen, society's double standards surrounding body image and the journey to finding oneself.
Pennsylvania is setting the bar high for exceptional children's literature and services for our youth - let's celebrate these achievements!
College & Research Division Luncheon
How Neuroinclusive Practices Improve Access for All
October 20, 2025, 12:45 - 2:15 p.m.
Milly Romeijn-Stout, Guest Faculty Member, University of Washington Information School
Libraries are built on community, continuously evolving and adapting to the needs of our users. What methods can we use to enhance inclusion for neurodiverse users? In this talk, we will explore how to incorporate key practices of neuroinclusion to improve library access for everyone. Informed by current research and the Autism-Ready Libraries project (funded by IMLS), we will identify common barriers faced by autistic patrons and discuss ways to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
Milly Romeijn-Stout is a PhD Candidate at The University of Washington Information School and holds MLIS from the University of Washington. Her research focuses on the needs of the autistic community in relation to public libraries and library services, with a particular focus on early literacy development for autistic children and their families.
Public Library Division Luncheon: Resilience Amidst Resistance
October 21, 2025, 12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Dr. Helen Davis, Professor, English, Wilkes University
In a job that can be stressful in the best of times, our current moment can feel overwhelming. We will celebrate the critical role that librarians play in our culture and discuss self-care and creating communities of support in order to ensure that we can remain resilient in the face of our many challenges.
Dr. Helen Davis specializes in 19th-Century British Literature, Narrative Theory, Gender Studies, The Novel, Composition, Editing/Proofreading.
Closing Breakfast - The Library’s Value Increases in the Age of AI
October 22, 2025, 8:00 – 9:15 a.m.
Nick Tanzi, Library Technology Consultant, Editor, “The Wired Library”
The Closing Breakfast Keynote will be presented by library technology consultant, Nick Tanzi, author of multiple books on technology in libraries including Digital collections Through Training and Outreach and Best Technologies for Public Libraries: Policies, Programs, and Services. He is the editor of “The Wired Library” in Public Library Magazine and his work has been featured in Computers in Libraries, Library Journal, American Libraries, and Marketing Library Services.
Tanzi will help us Raise Library Spirits and Uplift the Future through his keynote speech, The Library’s Value Increases in the Age of AI. Tanzi will discuss the rise of generative artificial intelligence technologies and what this means for libraries. He will explore the threats, opportunities, and uncertainty around AI to show that libraries are increasingly becoming more valuable in today’s world.
Presenting at the Conference?
Check out our Presenter Information & Tips Page to obtain information on the following:
- Important Dates & Deadlines
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- Handouts
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Registration
Attendee registration is open!
Early Bird Rates available through August 31.