Save Your Spot at HESTL EdCON 2023!

HESTL EdCON: Answers to Your FAQ

What is HESTL EdCON?

HESTL EdCON is a one-day, hybrid conference for sharing innovative ideas in school librarianship and networking with peers. The day of learning will be framed by the five areas of the Colorado State Library’s Highly Effective Schools Through Libraries (HESTL) program: Instruction, Management, Environment, Planning and Leadership.

Where is HESTL EdCON?

Conference participants can attend the live event in Thornton, CO at the Adams 12 Conference Center on June 8th from 9 am to 4:30 pm, or opt to attend virtual sessions.

Who should attend?

HESTL EdCON is a day of learning and connection dedicated to K-12 school librarianship. We welcome and encourage all school library professionals, community partners of school libraries, and graduate students entering the school librarianship field to attend!

How do I register?

Thanks to our generous sponsors, conference registration is FREE this year but space is limited! Visit the HESTL EdCON website to register now and save your spot.

Can I earn Continuing Education credits?

Yes! Certified teachers can earn Continuing Educations credits to apply towards recertification. In-person and virtual conference participants can submit a request to receive credits for each session attended.

HESTL EdCON 2023 Sessions and Presenters

We are thrilled to offer a wide range of sessions led by school library professionals from across the state of Colorado!

Over The Top: How to Be Super Extra (In a Good Way) presented by Camille Ryckman

Camille shares some of her “over the top” ideas: the planning, the struggles, and the results (both good and meh). They all can’t be winners…but the journey the community takes with you is so worth it.

Increasing Student Self-Sufficiency and Ownership at Your Library presented by Denise Cushing

Session attendees will learn simple tips that will empower their students to take on more of the day to day responsibilities in running a school library. Topics include self-checkout, finding aides, library organization, and student advisory teams. Leave the session with materials that you can personalize for the 2023-2024 school year.

Graphic Literature Resources for Your Library presented by Matt Hess and Matt Slayter

In this session teacher librarians will gain knowledge of books and resources that do a great job of incorporating learning through graphic literature. As educators we observe student engagement increase when we incorporate graphic literature in our lessons and research is increasingly validating this anecdotal evidence. Librarians will be equipped with lists of trade graphic novels and free resources they can use in their own lesson plans and in collaborating with other teachers as they function as a teacher/guide toward better learning outcomes.

Censorship Inquiry: It’s Time to Drop the Jersey and Walk In Someone Else’s Shoes presented by Carol Bramschreiber

Can libraries lead the conversation on censorship from righteous indignation to thoughtful consideration of ideas? Designed for the whole school community, the Censorship Inquiry includes curating resources to provide foundational knowledge, framing guiding questions for involved stakeholders, and crafting questions about censorship from multiple perspectives. Participants will engage with the inquiry process as we did at Discovery Canyon Campus High School. Reflections are built into the session so you can consider how this might look at your school.

Library Advocacy: Facilitating Materials Selection Committees at Your School presented by Tiah Frankish, Ruth Fristo, and Tricia LaRue

Ever feel like you are on an island when selecting books? Wondering how to get more diverse titles in your library without fear of challenge? Adams 12 schools developed materials selection committees to cultivate a community of readers, giving voice to staff and students and incorporating parent/community voice in the process as well. Learn how to get the ball rolling at your school or district with this panel of Digital Literacy Partners who have been in the trenches doing this work. This work doesn’t happen overnight– participants will create a realistic timeline for getting a materials selection process started at their school.

Elevate Your Digital Library presented by Amanda Samland and Noel Zickefoose

Join us to discover the full potential of your digital library in supporting your students’ academic needs. In many ways, your digital library is just as critical as your physical collection. Unlike a physical library, however, a digital library lacks a physical presence, making it essential to develop targeted strategies to engage your students. During this session, we will showcase how to effectively connect students with your digital library by sharing some of our best practices and ideas. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your digital library’s impact and enhance your students’ academic success.

Keynote Address presented by Julia Torres

Julia is a nationally recognized and award winning teacher librarian. She is co-author with Valerie Tagoe of Liven Up Your Library: Design Engaging and Inclusive Programs for Tweens and Teens (ISTE 2022). She is currently Teen Programs Administrator for Denver Public Library. Formerly, she was teacher librarian for five schools on the Montbello campus within the Far Northeast region of Denver Public schools. Julia facilitates workshops and professional conversations around the country pertaining to best practices in reading and writing instruction, culturally sustaining pedagogies in language arts, as well as digital literacy and librarianship.

Building a Schoolwide Reading Community presented by Hollie Hawkins

In this session attendees will gain ideas for library programming and planning that will help build a community of readers at your school. Discover ways to get individuals, groups, and community members excited about your library and reading.

Storytelling with Scratch presented by Chelsea Kueht

During the session, participants will learn how to use block coding to create animated stories. They will learn the basics of coding and how to use code to animate characters, add sound effects and music, and create interactive elements. Participants will also learn how to incorporate storytelling techniques to create engaging and compelling stories. This session focuses on the process of learning, which includes critical thinking, design thinking, media literacy, and other skills that are essential for today’s learners. Participants will learn how to embed these skills into their lessons to enrich learning for all. This content can be used with any grade level and any subject area. Devices with internet access are recommended for this session.

Addressing Book Challenges presented by Amanda Samland

This session will focus on navigating the book challenge process both at the district and school level. We will discuss the journey from start to finish and the importance of having a library materials selection policy as well as a reconsideration policy.

Staff Book Club Ignites Reading Culture and Promotes Educational Equity presented by Rebecca Kaplan and Ashley Smith

Reading culture and commitment to educational equity go hand in hand at Summit Middle School, where we just had our fifth year of our staff book club. Reading YA and middle grade books on topics from gender identity to systemic racism has allowed our equity work to deepen, while having staff from across the school reading a monthly shared book has enhanced our school’s reading culture.

Get Lit: Turning Up the Heat on Literacy Instruction presented by Natalie Brubaker

Are current literacy instruction methods failing our students? Some experts argue today’s students are missing the general knowledge to fuel reading comprehension and critical thinking. Learn how to improve knowledge-building and infuse literacy skills into every classroom. Discover current, credible content that supports learning with standards and curriculum aligned material that can be used across grade level and content areas.

Simplify Reading and Create Accessibility in the Library presented by Rich Dupré

Growing literacy and a love for reading are rooted in the foundation of the library or media center. To foster this growth, the content must be accessible, and in an accessible format. With almost 2/3 of all students below reading level to some degree, this eliminates a large portion of the content in most libraries. Large print is a research-proven solution that gives access to ALL readers. Striving readers, reluctant readers, the ESL population and special needs students all benefit from large print. This session will focus on the research and show how an alternate format can create an inclusive and accessible environment for ALL students.

Boost Your Booktalks presented by Jessica Fredrickson and Erica Schimmel

Are you new to booktalking and nervous about how to give one? Have you been booktalking for a while, but need some new ideas on how to level them up? Join a Youth and Teen Librarian from Arapahoe Libraries for an interactive Ed Talk! We will demonstrate exciting ways to engage school-age readers and help students discover new books. You will leave this session with new ideas and a long list of recently published diverse titles to support your collection!