The 2023 Dynamic Dialogue conference, entitled “Push Back against Book Challenges”, will focus on methods for counteracting the effort to ban books in libraries.  The day-long format of the conference will include a Keynote speaker, six breakout sessions, and will conclude with a Closing speaker. Breakout sessions will be scheduled so that every attendee may attend two different sessions.  

Keynote:  Understanding the fight against book bans
The library industry is currently facing a political crisis in the form of book bans. But why are political organizations and leaders taking aim at libraries and books? In this session we'll shine a light on some of the data and information behind the book ban movement that you might not know. We'll discuss the motivating factors among the book banners and their long term objectives. We'll also explore some of the ways that libraries can fight back and what it will take to win against this current "culture war" against libraries, reading, and books.

Presenter: Patrick Sweeney is  2007 graduate of the San Jose School of Library and Information Sciences and former Administrative Librarian of the Sunnyvale (CA) Public Library.  He was awarded Library Journal’s “Movers and Shakers” award in 2015 for his library advocacy work. He is co-author of “Winning Elections and Influencing Politicians for Library Funding” as well as “Before the Ballot; Building Support for Library Funding.” He was recently recognized with a “40 Under 40” award by the American Association of Political Consultants for his work fighting for libraries at EveryLibrary. He is a lecturer at the San Jose Information School where he teaches courses on politics and libraries. He is active across social media as PC Sweeney.

Breakout Session 1

Be Prepared! Using Policy to Navigate Materials Challenges 
School and public libraries have experienced unprecedented numbers of book challenges since the fall of 2021. Make sure your organization is prepared! This presentation will focus on developing sound reconsideration policies and proactively responding to materials challenges.

Presenter: Belinda Boon is a Professor at Kent State University’s School of Information where she has taught since 2006. Her graduate and undergraduate courses include Collection Management, Information Services for Diverse Populations, Information Sources & Reference Services, and Information Fluency in the Workplace and Beyond.






What’s the Bottom Line? 
When would-be censors approach you with a complaint, what is it they are really objecting to?  And what’s your best defenses?  We’ll spend some time looking at identities and objections to those identities in books, services, and offerings that spark complaints, and what your best offense and defense is. 

Presenter:  Christina Dorr’s love affair with books began early when her mother took her to the tiny, red-brick public library in their village. This involvement has led her to become an award-winning librarian, faculty member, author, presenter, and consultant. She has served on a number of state and national book award committees, including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Geisel Award, and Stonewall committees. Profiles in Resilience: Books for Children and Teens that Center the Lived Experience of Generational Poverty is her third book, and second published by the American Library Association. You can visit her website at www.opendorrs2books.com.



A Directors Panel: Who Have Seen the Worst
First Panelist: 
How libraries can respond to book challenges, and related topics.

Bryonna Barton is a seasoned librarian professional residing in Lansing, Michigan. Barton quickly became enamored with local service in 2012 after beginning her career in her hometown of Mulliken, Michigan, at the Mulliken District Library. Recognizing her passion, she attended Wayne State University, earning a Masters of Library and Information Science and a Public Services to Children and Young Adults certification in Dec. 2021.

Before graduating, Barton accepted a position as Library Director for the Hillsdale Community Library in Nov. 2021. Her activism for intellectual freedom began soon after select board members and the community began challenging books. Most recently, joining the Eaton Rapids Area District Library in June of 2022, Barton continues to advance her career and strengthen the conviction of activists nationwide.

Barton is an active member of the Michigan Library Association Intellectual Freedom Task Force and has become a thought leader on intellectual freedom. Her name can be found in articles written for the American Library Association and the Library Journal.

Second Panelist
Are you looking for some insight into what Intellectual Freedom Book Challenges may look like at a Public Library? I will discuss what I learned through this process, how it affected staff, the challenges within the community and so much more. 

​Heather Miller is the Director at the Ashland Public Library. Miller has ten years of experience in libraries, including 5 years as the Support Services Manager and 5 years as the Director. She holds a Masters in Integrative Pharmacology & Toxicology from Michigan State University. Miller grew up in Michigan, but has been in Ashland since 2009. Miller plays an active role in her community serving as the treasurer of the South Central Band Boosters. She loves being a parent to her three kids and her fur babies. She believes in transforming the library to meet the needs of both the community and her patrons.


Breakout Session 2

When Disaster Strikes: How to Handle Staff, Stakeholders, Patrons, the Media, and Yourself in a Crisis
At some point your library will face a crisis. Perhaps it will be a non-lethal but worrisome issue–black mold found in study rooms or a power outage that lasts several days. Perhaps it will be more severe, like a book challenge that threatens to destroy staff morale, ruin the reputation of your library, and put your funding at risk. Now is the time to prepare.

 Learning Objectives:

 • How to create a disaster communications plan
• Five specific tips for handling the media
• The do’s and don’ts of communicating with your patron base during the crisis

Presenter: Angela Hursh, Senior Engagement Consultant, NoveList
In this role she helps libraries create effective and engaging marketing, within budget and with a personalized approach. Angela’s background includes more than six years as the Content Team Leader for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, and more than 20 years as an Emmy-award winning broadcast television news journalist. Angela is passionate about library marketing and has expertise in collection marketing, strategy, public relations, email, and social media.

What’s the Bottom Line?:  When It Gets to Be a Stickier Situation with Children’s and Teen’s Materials and Services 
We’ll continue from the previous session and bring it in closer as to why and how would-be censors attack youth books and offerings.  We’ll explore some cases, and actions, and results, and start homing in on defenses and solutions.  We’ll also look at some books for children/teens that deal with the topic. 

Presenter:  Christina Dorr

From Banned Books Week to a Book Sanctuary
With the rise in bans and challenges that libraries are facing across the country, libraries have become a battleground. We all have policies in place regarding bans and challenges, we celebrate Banned Books Week, and we're soldiers for Intellectual Freedom. But what can we do to take these initiatives even farther? Learn how Dayton Metro Library took Banned Books Week even farther!

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the importance of Intellectual Freedom and the issues we face in our Libraries.
• Gain new and innovative ways to celebrate Banned Books Week.
• Learn about book sanctuaries and how to become a book sanctuary.

Presenter:  Steve Moser is the Teen Services Librarian at the Trotwood Branch of the Dayton Metro Library. He has worked with teens in a variety of positions in libraries since 2004. He has worked with the Ohio Library Council, serving on multiple committees, and chairing several. Steve is one of the founders of the Teen Think Tank, a grassroots effort to inspire, collaborate, and connect with others, reaching hundreds of librarians in Ohio, and numerous other states. He is currently a part of Ohio's Transforming Teen Services Team through YALSA.





Closing Speakers:
Handling Complaints or Protests About Content Safely
How do we safely and carefully handle one or more angry or outraged patrons who complain about items (books, films, magazines, CDs, etc.) in our library?
This session is for all library staff and library leaders to respond with tact and skill when it comes to complaints about what one or more patrons thinks is inappropriate content in the library. This session will also discuss how to handle the security issues and media management related to an organized protest about potentially controversial materials, both in or near your library.

Presenters:
Dr. Steve Albrecht has trained thousands of library employees in 28+ states, live and online, in service, safety, security, and supervision. His programs are fast, entertaining, and provide tools that can be put to use immediately in the library workspace with all types of patrons. In 2015, the ALA published his book, Library Security: Better Communication, Safer Facilities. He is currently writing the sequel, The Safe Library: Keeping Users, Staff, and Collections Secure, for Rowman & Littlefield.
Steve holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration (D.B.A.), an M.A. in Security Management, a B.A. in English, and a B.S. in Psychology. He is board-certified in HR, security management, employee coaching, and threat assessment.

Barry Trott, Adult Services Consultant with the Library of Virginia

 

Professionalism in today’s library goes beyond appearance or etiquette—it shows up in how staff listen, respond, and engage with patrons and one another every day. It shapes the culture of service, influences public trust, and reinforces the library’s role as a welcoming, respectful, and reliable community resource. This program introduces the core elements of professionalism and how they support a positive, service-oriented library environment across all roles and responsibilities.
 

Participants will explore practical ways to create positive interactions, navigate difficult situations, and communicate with clarity and respect—whether working with patrons, coworkers, or community partners. Emphasis is placed on active listening, empathy, and thoughtful communication as essential tools for maintaining professionalism, strengthening relationships, and fostering teamwork. Attendees will leave with a shared understanding of how everyday behaviors contribute to a professional culture that reflects both personal pride and the library’s mission of service.
 

Presenter:

Amy B. Shannon, President, Pinnacle Leadership Solutions, LLC, and a Partner in Your Partner in HR has specialized in Organizational Development, Human Resources and Training for over 25 years. For the past 13 years, Amy has been an Organizational Development consultant working with clients in manufacturing, service, financial and healthcare industries. Most recently, Amy served as the Executive Director II/Vice President of Corporate College where she built robust leadership training curriculum to serve her clients.  Amy also holds certifications with numerous nationally known training vendors. She is a regular speaker at national conferences such as The Corporate University Week at the Disney Institute. She is a seasoned speaker for the HR Star Conference Cleveland. As a result of her high ratings, she has also been a key speaker at the HR Star Atlanta and received the Gold Medal Award three years in a row for best session speaker. Amy was a recipient of the 2015 HR Awards presented by ERC & CSHRM.


Breakout Sessions after lunch

Breakout Session 1

Strengthening Staff Communication Across Generations and Departments
Today’s workplaces bring together multiple generations, diverse communication styles, and departmental perspectives. While this diversity can be a powerful asset, it can also lead to misunderstandings, silos, and missed opportunities for collaboration. This interactive session explores how generational preferences and organizational structures influence communication, and offers participants practical strategies for building clearer, more collaborative connections across teams. 
 
Objectives:

 
Presenter:
Ragan Snead serves as Executive Director of the Northeast Ohio Regional Library System, where she has led the organization since 2022. With 15 years of experience in public and academic libraries, she has worked in circulation, reference, youth services, and management. Ragan is passionate about
staff development and supporting library professionals as they grow their skills and confidence. She holds an MLIS from Kent State University and an MBA from Lake Erie College.



Safety and Security in Libraries    ​
This breakout session will discuss safety and security issues that we are currently dealing with in today's libraries, whether it's unruly patrons, teenagers, threats that we are facing in our communities or mental health. The session will cover what resources we have available and how to make connections with our community partners who can assist us with some of our issues.

Presenter:
Bossie Loggins III is the Security Coordinator for the Cuyahoga County Public Library system and have been with the system for the past 14 years.  Before taking that position, he was the Security Supervisor for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Library system.  In his 24 years of work in public libraries, he has been involved in almost any security and/or safety situation you can imagine. He has presented security topics for NEO-RLS, OLC conferences and several library systems throughout the state of Ohio on security issues, teen behavior and staying safe in libraries. 
 

Breakout Session 2
Access Is Customer Service: Communicating Belonging in Public Libraries
At North Canton Public Library, customer service is rooted in intentional communication, before a patron ever approaches a desk. This session explores how NCPL has strengthened access and inclusion by making services clearer, more visible, and more responsive to diverse needs. Attendees will learn how sensory-inclusive practices, accessible design choices, assistive tools, and thoughtfully designed services help reduce barriers and create a sense of belonging for patrons with sensory, mobility, hearing, vision, and cognitive needs. Through practical examples and lessons learned, this presentation offers scalable strategies libraries can use to make access a visible, integrated part of everyday customer service.

Presenter:
 Andrea Legg is the Director of the North Canton Public Library, where she has led with a focus on access, inclusion, and community-centered service since 2020 (yes, she started right at the beginning of the pandemic and lived to tell the tale). She has worked in public libraries since 2008 and currently serves on the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities and the Akron Children's Hospital NICU Parent Mentor Program. Andrea is very serious about libraries, not serious about herself, and lives under the benevolent but firm rule of two corgis who supervise all of her leadership and life decisions. 



Respect + Resilience: Applying the Mentor Mindset to Improve Teen Engagement
Adapted from the latest work by Dr. David Yeager (10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People), this training equips public-facing library staff with practical tools and strategies to cultivate an environment of respect that improves communication and strengthens relationships with teens. Participants will learn strategies rooted in current psychology and neuroscience to create a more positive, engaging environment for teens that extends to all patrons.
 
Learning Objectives:

 Presenters: 
Carolyn Bagley is the intermediate/teen librarian at Firestone Park Library, part of the Akron–Summit County Public Library system. Drawing on 15 years of experience as an educator, she is a vocal advocate for middle and high school students, dedicated to helping adults shift their mindset about teenagers toward seeing them as capable, thoughtful, and worthy of trust. Carolyn is excited to support fellow public service workers with practical professional development rooted in teen-centered practice.



 
Kelly Chaplin has been working with youth for a decade and is currently the Assistant Youth Services Coordinator at Akron-Summit County Public Library. Kelly helps connect youth librarians with community representatives. She has experience with organizing large-scale programs such as the Library's mini-comicon Geekfest and system-wide services like the free book box subscription Lit Loot. Collaboration is key in all these efforts, and she deeply values what the Library staff can create when working together. She enjoys it when teens teach her new things and encourages youth to participate at their library and in the community.

 

Abigail Krukemeyer is an Intermediate and Teen Librarian with Akron-Summit County Public Library. She is passionate about adolescent development and is dedicated to providing services and opportunities that equip young people to succeed in today's multimodal world. 




 
Emily Smith has worked for Akron Summit County Public Library for 8 years, currently serving as one of their Collection Development Librarians, and previously worked as an Intermediate/Teen Librarian. Emily holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Mount Union and an MLIS from Kent State University. Her educational and career background has afforded her the opportunity to work alongside youth and learn and understand their behavior, particularly inside a public library setting. 
 
Safety and Security in Libraries - Repeated

Final Session:  Resilience in Action
This session offers practical, easy‑to‑use strategies for building resilience, establishing healthy boundaries, and managing stress in a way that supports your well‑being both on and off the desk. Together, we’ll explore tools for staying grounded, communicating confidently, and creating habits that protect your energy.

Presenter:
Katie Jenkins, Executive Director, NAMI Greater Cleveland
Katie Jenkins is a passionate mental health advocate, experienced public servant, lifelong student, and mother. Her extensive professional background includes roles spanning every area of the mental health sector. Katie's guiding principle is rooted in empathy, compassion, and the belief that everyone deserves a high-level quality of life. She is dedicated to breaking down barriers and ensuring that no one faces their challenges alone.

Katie currently serves as a Vice-Chair of NAMI National's Executive Director Council's Executive Committee and is Chair of the NE Ohio Hub Steering Committee of the Mental Health and Addiction Advocacy Coalition. Katie is also a proud board member of R.A.K.E.

In May 2024, Katie graduated from Youngstown State University with a Master of Social Work and is a licensed social worker through the State of Ohio. She currently holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, Master of Public Administration, and a Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant license.