LOEX 2026 Conference
Norfolk, VA
As a recent MLIS graduate working toward becoming an academic librarian, attending LOEX for the first time was an incredible experience for me. I was able to build professional connections, engage in thoughtful conversations, and learn from librarians who are innovating in the sphere of information literacy and instruction.
Over the course of the conference, I attended sessions on faculty outreach, digital instruction tools, and collaborative curriculum development. These sessions sparked new ideas and a fresh passion for my own work as a librarian, motivating me to pursue independent projects and develop new skills as I continue my search for a long-term position post-graduation.
I also had the privilege to present a poster of my own research during sessions on the first two conference days. This past winter, I partnered with a librarian at Syracuse University to co-lead a video creation workshop targeted toward MLIS students and library staff. This experience formed the basis for my poster, which explored experiential learning outcomes for MLIS graduate students as both participants and (in my case) facilitators for these kinds of hands-on workshops. Presenting my poster to attendees gave me experience in communicating my work in an academic conference setting, and allowed me to receive helpful feedback and insights from professionals working in my field.
I am very grateful to CLRC for the support given through their Professional Development Award, which played a key role in making this experience a reality for me. Attending the LOEX 2026 conference provided me with valuable ideas, insights, and connections that will continue to shape my path forward as an early-career librarian.
Joel Carpenter, Information Literacy Scholar
Syracuse University
Are you interested in being our next Professional Development Award recipient? Check out the award page for the rules & requirements!
