Registration is now open for the 2019 annual Library Journal Directors' Summit, November 7 & 8 at the Tulsa Central Library. This year's theme is "A House United: Strengthening the Social Fabric."

Registration is open to public library leaders at the executive director, director and deputy director levels (titles may vary).  If you would like to request a complimentary registration and are unsure if you meet this criteria, please email us your request.

About the Directors' Summit

The annual Library Journal Directors' Summit is an intimate two-day think tank that brings 100+ library leaders and strategic minds from beyond libraries to engage in timely conversations on strategies libraries will be implementing to successfully navigate change now and into the future. Valuable networking time is balanced with robust programming that spans high-level thinking to nitty-gritty application.

More information about the program and presenters will be available soon but don't wait, register today. We'll update you with program and tour announcements as information becomes available.

Who Should Attend?

The Library Journal Directors' Summit is designed for those currently working in a public library at the level of an Executive Director or Deputy (though titles vary widely). If you work in a different type of library and would like an invitation to attend, please query us describing your library setting and role, and LJ will consider the request if space allows. Write to ljevents@mediasourceinc.com; and include “Directors’ Summit” in the subject line.
 

Summit Overview

Our social infrastructure, like much of our physical infrastructure, is under increasing pressure. And it’s key to better outcomes in how communities respond with resilience to problems both crisis and chronic. Libraries are stepping up as a critical, unifying force, making a difference every day in cities and towns large and small. This two-day, high- level public library leadership convening will focus on the crucial role libraries play in social cohesion, the glue of community and societal growth.

LJ is excited to bring this event to Tulsa City-County Library, led by CEO Kimberly Johnson, and it’s central library, one of the winners of the 2018 AIA/ALA Library Building Awards for its design and revitalization of a civic center. Attendees will share and learn about the real-life leadership required to step into the gap in social infrastructure that exists in too many of our cities and towns of all sizes, share strategic thinking that frames a reinvigorated relationship with the public, and dig into how to celebrate and showcase the successes that investment in libraries makes possible. Attendees will dive into emerging trends in services and strategic direction that speed positive impact and result in institutions that are more nimble as they are more inclusive, and fostering communities that are more cohesive, resilient, and interconnected.
 

Interested In Sponsoring?
Please contact Advertising Director Roy Futterman: rfutterman@mediasourceinc.com
 

Thursday, November 7, 2019
 

11:30 AM – 12:45 PM | Registration, Opening Lunch, Networking & Welcome

Rebecca T. Miller, Editorial Director, Library Journal & School Library Journal
Kimberly Johnson, CEO, Tulsa City-County Library, OK
G.T. Bynum, Mayor, Tulsa, OK 
 

12:45 PM –1:30 PM | Keynote: Using Networks To Do Good 

Marissa King, Professor of Organizational Behavior, Yale School of Management, New Haven, CT
 

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM | Putting the Public Back in Library

Nick Buron, Chief Librarian, Queens Public Library, NY
Pam Sandlian Smith, Director, Anythink Libraries, Adams County, CO
Moderator: Meredith Schwartz, Executive Editor, Library Journal

2:15 PM – 2:25 PM | Industry Spotlight-Baker & Taylor
 

2:25–2:45 PM | We Know It When We See It: Uncovering the Ways That Libraries Impact Community Wellbeing

Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew, Director, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Washington, DC
 

2:45 PM – 3:10 PM | Break
 

3:10 PM – 3:20 PM | Industry Spotlight-Innovative Interfaces
 

3:20 PM – 4:10 PM | Leading Through Real Life

Rivkah Sass, Library Director/CEO, Sacramento Public Library, CA

Group discussion moderated by Rebecca T. Miller, Editorial Director, Library Journal and School Library Journal
 

4:10 PM – 5:00 PM | Strengthening Internal Capacity & Readiness

Kimberly Johnson, CEO, Tulsa City-County Library, OK
Claudia Depkin, Library Director, Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Garnerville, NY
John Szabo, City Librarian, Los Angeles Public Library, CA
Danielle Milam, Director, Development and Planning Director, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District & Foundation, NV
Moderated by: Rebecca T. Miller, Editorial Director, Library Journal and School Library Journal
 

5:00 PM | Closing Remarks 
 

5:15 PM – 6:30 PM | Cocktail Reception
 

Friday, November 8, 2019
 

8:00 AM – 8:45 AM | Continental Breakfast, Welcome & Reflection

Rebecca T. Miller, Editorial Director, Library Journal and School Library Journal
Amandeep (Aman) Kochar, Executive Vice President, Baker & Taylor
 

8:45 AM - 9:45 AM | Morning Keynote and Workshop: Confronting “Vocational Awe” 

Fobazi Ettarh, Undergraduate Success Librarian at Rutgers University–Newark, NJ 
 

9:45 PM – 9:55 PM | Industry Spotlight- Midwest Tape
 

9:55 AM – 10:10 AM | Break
 

10:10 AM – 10:40 AM | Reckoning with History 

Marcellus Turner, Executive Director and Chief Librarian,The Seattle Public Library, WA
Keith Jemison, Rudisill Regional Library Manager, Tulsa City-County Library, OK 
Moderator: Meredith Schwartz, Executive Editor, Library Journal
 

10:40 AM – 10:50 AM | Industry Spotlight-Bibliotheca
 

10:50 AM – 11:30 AM | Creating a More Cohesive Community
Paula Miller, Director, Baltimore County Public Library 
Richard Kong, Director, Skokie Public Library, IL
Andrea Telli, Commissioner, Chicago Public Library
 

11:30 AM–Noon | Closing Keynote

Clifton Taulbert, Entrepreneur/Pulitzer Nominee/Author, President and CEO of The Freemount Corporation 
 

Closing Remarks

In Partnership with
 

Platinum Sponsor
 

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors