Lightning Talks:- Brushstrokes That Bind: Libraries Uniting Communities
Libraries are more than places for books—they’re hubs for creativity and connection. At High Point Public Library, we’ve embraced this by establishing an art club that welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to create and connect in a supportive, inclusive environment. In addition to monthly meetings, we offer art outreach programs tailored to unhoused individuals, seniors, and children at local recreation centers that provide after-school care, spreading awareness of library programs and fostering community engagement. This session will explore how art initiatives can transform libraries into vibrant spaces that enhance quality of life, build connections, and redefine what a library can be.
About Audrey McCookAudrey McCook worked at High Point Public Library for 5 years. Audrey is originally from Washington State and graduated from the UW with an MLIS degree. Audrey's main role at thelibrary is to assist job seekers in creating resumes and learning how to apply for work. For over a year, Audrey has also been blessed with an opportunity to start an art club that's free and open to people of all ages.
- Crafting Community: Art-Based Programming for Veteran and Military-Affiliated Students
Military-affiliated and veteran students often face unique challenges in higher education, from transitioning into academic life and managing stress to building connections and a sense of belonging on campus. To support this student population, UNC Charlotte’s Atkins Library partnered with the university’s Military and Veteran Services Office to develop a series of art-based events in the library’s Makerspace that use creative outlets to foster community and introduce this student population to library resources. These hands-on workshops offer a welcoming space for military-affiliated students to engage in stress-relieving activities while connecting with their peers. This lightning talk will highlight the development and impact of these initiatives, share best practices for campus collaboration, and explore how libraries can contribute to military-friendly campuses through creative programming and community building.
About the PresentersAlexis Murrell is an Instruction and Information Literacy Librarian at Atkins Library at UNC Charlotte. She serves the university's First-Year Writing Program and Women's and Gender Studies Program. She also supports the military-affiliated and adult student populations and acts as the campus EndNote coordinator.
Christin Lampkowski is the Emerging Technologies Librarian in Area 49, Atkins Library’s innovation and creation spaces. She manages the photogrammetry lab, provides consultations and instruction services, and organizes events and outreach to engage students with different ways of presenting information, developing their growth mindset, and creating a sense of belonging.
- Where Are Successful Entrepreneurs & Business Owners Made? The Library!
Almost 1 in 2 libraries in the US provide free services to entrepreneurs who are starting and growing businesses. These businesses are embedded in their communities and are an essential part of economic vitality. They're also more likely to be women and minority-owned. Drawing from the best practices of the "Libraries Build Business Playbook," this Lightning Talk will help you: 1) recognize and celebrate what your library is already doing to support entrepreneurs, 2) identify actionable next steps that can immediately strengthen your library's business support services, and 3) understand the ways that NC IDEA can support you in implementing even more of the Playbook at your library. North Carolina can become a national model for library-launched innovations, solutions, and startups!
About Carlo DiyCarlo Diy is a program manager at NC IDEA, a non-profit foundation based in Durham, NC that helps North Carolinians achieve their entrepreneurial ambitions. He leads the foundation's efforts with the Ice House Entrepreneurship Program and strategic partnerships with public libraries as hubs of business support in their communities. Prior to NC IDEA, Carlo founded and grew HaitiHub.com – a language learning company and social enterprise that helps people learn the Haitian Creole language so they can do more effective humanitarian aid work in Haiti. He also taught high school Entrepreneurship for several years in Durham Public Schools. Carlo received a Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from Duke University and a B.A. in English from Pomona College.
