SPEAKERS

Scott Bernier has been serving libraries for nearly 30 years. He led the global Marketing team for EBSCO Information Services for more than two decades, before moving into his current role of Vice President of Library & Government Relations. He is dedicated to extending the reach and value of libraries through advocacy, strategic corporate initiatives and community collaboration. Scott is currently working toward his MLIS at Simmons University. 

Nicolle Davies is a seasoned library leader with over two decades of experience in strategic leadership, community engagement, and organizational development. Currently serving as City Librarian for Denver Public Library since August 2025.Previously served as State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner at the Colorado State Library, where strategic planning and government relations shaped statewide library services. Executive leadership experience includes directing Charleston County Public Library and a 13-year tenure at Arapahoe Libraries, progressing from Director of Communications to Executive Director, overseeing services for 250,000 patrons across multiple locations. 

Natalie Draper has been the Director of Library Services at the Northfield Public Library in Northfield, Minnesota, since 2021. She previously served as the Main Library manager for Richmond Public Library in Richmond, Virginia. She was named a "Mover and Shaker" by Library Journal in 2025. 

Mike Eisenberg is an educator, scholar, advocate, and mentor whose personal motto is, “make it better!” Dean & Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington, he is known for ground-breaking work in academic innovation: founding the University of Washington’s Information School (iSchool), and building the iSchool field as one of 5 initiators of the information schools movement and organization.

June Garcia has over 55 years' experience as a public librarian, including serving as head of branches for the Phoenix Public Library (Arizona, USA) for 12 years and the director of the San Antonio Public Library (Texas, USA) for 6 years. She has been a full-time consultant for the last 23 years, working with over 150 libraries and library-related organizations in the U.S. and internationally. She is also a recipient of the Melvil Dewey Medal (2019) from the American Library Association for “many accomplishments during a long, varied and distinguished career as a public library administrator, author, trainer and consultant.” 

Joseph Janes is Associate Professor at the University of Washington Information School, teaching and researching in the evolution, history, impacts, and uses of information resources and other documentary forms.  He is the creator of the podcast “Documents that Changed the World” and the author of several books, including Documents That Changed the Way We Live, and Library 2020, and has written columns for American Libraries magazine and Publishers’ Weekly.  Joe has spoken widely in the US and abroad, and was Chair of the University of Washington Faculty Senate in 2019-20.  He holds the M.L.S. and Ph.D. from Syracuse University, and has taught at the University of Michigan, the University of Toronto, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the State University of New York at Albany as well as at Syracuse and Washington. 

Kimberly B. Knight has served as the Director of the Virginia Beach Public Library since March 2022. Prior to that she served as Deputy Director at Alexandria, VA Public Library and Assistant Director at Chesapeake Public Library. Kimberly is a proud Richmond, Virginia native. After earning a B. A. from the University of Virginia, Kimberly began her career in libraries as a Library Assistant at the Oakland Public Library. Kimberly earned her M.L.I.S. from UCLA and has worked in public libraries in California, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Hampton Roads. She has nearly 25 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in public libraries and over 30 years in public libraries overall. 

Lisa Kropp began her career in youth services as a public librarian, a school librarian, and a youth services coordinator at the county library system. She was named a 2025 Library Journal Mover and Shaker and was the early learning columnist for School Library Journal from 2013-17. Lisa is the Director of the Lindenhurst Memorial Library, the third library in the country to achieve Sustainable Libraries Certification. She is a member of the 2026 John Newbery Committee for ALSC and is the Past President of the New York Library Association. Lisa also serves on the Advisory Board of the National Sustainable Libraries Initiative and as a mentor to libraries in five states undertaking sustainable library certification. 

R. David Lankes is the Virginia & Charles Bowden Professor of Librarianship at the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Information. He is the recipient of ALA’s Reference and User Services Association 2021 Isadore Gilbert Mudge Award for distinguished contribution to reference librarianship. His book, The Atlas of New Librarianship won the 2012 ABC-CLIO/Greenwood Award for the Best Book in Library Literature. Lankes is a passionate advocate for librarians and their essential role in today’s society. 

Larry Neal is the director of the Clinton-Macomb Public Library, a district library serving 200,000 residents in suburban Detroit. He holds a BA in Spanish and German and an MBA from Oakland University as well as an MSI-LIS from the University of Michigan. He is a past president of the Michigan Library Association, a past president of the Public Library Association, a Library Journal Mover & Shaker, and just started a three-year term as ALA Treasurer. 

Dr. Beth Patin is an Associate Professor at the School of Information Studies and is also serving as the Program Director for the Masters of Science in Library and Information Studies program at Syracuse University, where her work explores the intersection of information access and community resilience. Her academic journey is grounded in a deep commitment to understanding how information systems can both empower and marginalize, particularly during times of crisis or in historically underserved communities. 

Kristen Sorth became St. Louis County Library’s first female director in November 2013. Under her leadership, Sorth guided SLCL’s building and expansion program, Your Library Renewed. The multi-million dollar capital improvement campaign renovated or replaced 21 facilities within 11 years. During Ms. Sorth’s tenure, the Library has focused on building community partnerships to provide innovative programming and cultural enrichment. This effort has resulted in several successful and award-winning partnerships with local organizations, including Operation Food Search, the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank and Eye Thrive. Programs include offering meals and other basic needs at SLCL locations, hosting full-time social workers at the Library, addressing digital access for students, families and older adults by providing technology, and hosting weekly legal clinics for the justice-involved.

Nick Tanzi is an internationally recognized library technology consultant, and author of the books Making the Most of Digital Collections Through Training and Outreach and Best Technologies for Public Libraries: Policies, Programs, and Services. He is a past column editor for Public Library Magazine's "The Wired Library," and was recently named a 2025 Library Journal Mover & Shaker. You can find his thoughts on the intersection of libraries and emerging technology at the-digital-librarian.com. 

As executive director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, Kelvin Watson oversees 25 branches run by 600+ employees, spanning 8,000 square miles, with a budget of $77 million and a collection of 3.2 million items. Kelvin has brought innovative, award-winning leadership to Nevada’s largest library system and his deep experience in fundraising, technology, program development, and demonstrated success in addressing the digital divide has brought a new era to this library system. Regarded as one of the most highly respected thought leaders in the library industry, Kelvin has been credited, in multiple library management roles, with expanding his customer base through outreach efforts to underserved and diverse populations. 

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