July 20, 2026 – Summer Institute with Amanda Hunt

2026 Summer Institute with Amanda Hunt
Date/Time: Monday, July 20, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm 
Location: William Allen White Library, Emporia State University
Parking is free, except for spaces with Gold Only or 30-minute Only. 


AGENDA 

9:00-9:30 AM 
Check-in

9:30–9:45 AM
Welcome & Opening Activity (OPTIONAL)
Quick interactive kickoff to get everyone thinking about where their library is now and where they want it to go.

9:45–10:45 AM
Creative Libraries: Designing Spaces & Experiences That Matter
What does it really mean to run a creative library? In this session, Amanda shares how innovation isn’t about flashy tools. It’s about intentional design, student voice, and meaningful experiences. Explore practical ways to reimagine displays, events, programming, and leadership so your library becomes the most dynamic learning space in the building. Walk away with concrete ideas that work in real schools with real budgets.

10:45–11:45 AM
Building a Reading Culture That Actually Sticks
In an age of distractions and policy pressures, cultivating a thriving reading culture takes more than posters and book fairs. This session dives into sustainable strategies that increase engagement, amplify student choice, and make reading visible across campus. From creative reading challenges to student-led book promotion and data storytelling, you’ll leave with actionable ideas to energize your community and get books into kids’ hands.

11:45 AM –12:45 PM
Lunch Break

12:45–1:45 PM
Book Buzz: What to Get Excited About for 2026–2027
Get ready to update your wish lists. This fast-paced, enthusiasm-packed session highlights upcoming middle grade, YA, and crossover titles you’ll want on your shelves next year. Perfect for collection development planning, reader’s advisory, and generating buzz with staff and students alike. Expect excitement, variety, and plenty of “add to cart immediately” moments
.
1:45-2:30 PM
From Consumption to Creation: Empowering Student Voice
Students today are publishing, producing, and sharing content daily, often outside of school. How can libraries harness that energy for learning? Discover ways to move students from passive consumers to confident creators through podcasting, digital storytelling, makerspaces, student leadership teams, and authentic publishing opportunities. This session focuses on practical systems that build agency while aligning with standards.

2:30–3:15
AI for School Librarians: Practical, Responsible, and Powerful
AI is already in your building, so how do librarians lead the conversation? This session moves beyond the hype to explore responsible use, policy considerations, instructional integration, and workflow efficiencies that actually save time. Learn how to model ethical AI use, support teachers, and position the library as the hub for future-ready learning.

3:15–3:30
Closing Reflection & Action Planning (OPTIONAL)
Participants identify 2–3 ideas they’ll implement immediately and one long-term shift they want to lead.


Amanda Hunt is a middle school librarian in Texas and is a nationally recognized voice in innovative librarianship. She presents at state and national conferences on creative library programming, AI integration, reading culture, and educational technology. Amanda is passionate about empowering librarians to lead boldly, amplify student voices, and design future-ready library spaces where creativity and literacy thrive. Follow her online @thenextgenlibrarian 

Registration fee
$75 (early bird rate until regular rate on June 21)
$85 (regular rate on June 21 or later)