NCAAL XII

Today’s professional development blog post highlights my experience at the 12th National Conference of African American Librarians (NCAAL XII) in New Orleans, Louisiana. This was my first time attending the conference in person, making it an especially meaningful opportunity. Having previously contributed to the conference planning as a member of the programming and evaluation committees for the 2020 virtual conference, it felt incredibly rewarding to finally connect with colleagues face-to-face. The vibrant city of New Orleans—one of my favorites—was the perfect backdrop for this long-awaited gathering.

This year, I was excited to continue my involvement by serving on the evaluation committee for the in-person event. Contributing to the success of NCAAL XII in this capacity deepened my connection to the conference and provided a behind-the-scenes perspective on how such a large-scale event comes together. From reconnecting with familiar faces to meeting new ones, the sense of community was undeniable, and the energy of the conference was truly inspiring.

In this post, I’ll share a brief overview of my experience at NCAAL XII, reflecting on the sessions, networking opportunities, and the impact of gathering in person after years of virtual connections. It was a memorable experience that underscored the importance of professional gatherings like these for growth, collaboration, and inspiration.

The NCAAL XII was a great experience, and the sessions were amazing. It was cool to see Michael Harriot and attend his book talk. I love that the conference had a comedy show that featured Leighann Lord, who was hilarious. If you know me then you know I love comedy shows so this a surprising and special treat. Also, I saw Nikole Hannah-Jones speak in person at the conference, which is always a treat. She validates me not wanting to give into respectability regarding how I do my hair and dress. While we were in town, Nikole Hannah-Jones was in conversation with Dr. Daniel Black at Dillard University, which was a great experience for me because my friend’s friend was an alumnus of Dillard, so we had some inside knowledge about the University. 

I attended a session, “Using TILT to Create Intentional DEI Practices to Enhance Student Experiences in Libraries,” presented by Brittany Champion.  The session was about how librarians can better support student learning, and it left me inspired with new strategies and ideas. The speaker emphasized the importance of moving beyond the traditional Information Literacy Framework to foster equity and deeper learning. They introduced tools like Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT), which promotes clarity in learning objectives and outcomes, enabling students to understand the purpose behind their work. This approach not only enhances participation but also helps build trust and relationships. One standout concept was lateral reading, where students evaluate information across different platforms to develop critical thinking skills and meta-literacy, empowering them to assess credibility effectively.  

A key takeaway was the value of creating learning environments that embrace discomfort as a path to growth. The speaker shared their experience at the ACS Summer Teaching & Learning Workshop, where they learned to incorporate tools like concept mapping and interactive readings to engage students actively. Encouraging students to reflect on their personal experiences and biases when approaching new material can enhance metacognition and build confidence in their ability to navigate uncertainty. They also suggested being open to using nontraditional, popular, or experimental sources alongside scholarly ones, ensuring lessons feel relatable and inclusive for all learners.  

Another powerful idea was the role of relationships and trust in fostering learning. The speaker highlighted the importance of building connections with faculty and students and modeling vulnerability by admitting gaps in knowledge. This openness invites collaboration and helps create a supportive learning space. Additionally, incentivizing library visits with extra credit or other rewards can motivate students to engage more deeply with the material. By focusing on self-efficacy and empowering students to explore various ways to find answers, librarians can inspire confidence and critical thinking, ultimately preparing learners to succeed academically and beyond.

I attended a session about being trauma-informed, presented by librarians working for Georgia Southern University. Since I have read so much about the topic for the book that I am co-authoring, I wanted to hear what they were doing at their institution regarding being trauma-informed. It was good to share resources about the topic that enlightened me, especially those written by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. 

I was able to present about health programming in libraries, being Black and working at the University of Utah, co-creating the podcast LibVoices, getting a degree beyond the Master of Library Science, and Black librarians within health sciences librarianship. It was great engaging with people about the many things that are happening professionally with me. I wanted to enjoy the city more, but since I had so many presentations, I did a little bit so I wouldn’t be too tired. 

Enjoying a WeHere meet-up and eating yummy food with amazing people was great.

I am a Black Caucus American Library Association(BCALA) board member, so I look forward to continuing the organization’s legacy and working with amazing Black library workers. I would love for the next conference location to be Oakland or Detroit so we shall see where we will go next. 

What conference have you attended recently? I look forward to reading your responses.