Programs & Events
The Colorado Association of Libraries' Annual Conference is Colorado’s premier event for library staff from libraries of all types throughout the state. Attendees learn from one another and hear from current experts in trending fields.
Program Submissions Open
Have an idea, success story, or fresh perspective to share with library colleagues? Session proposals for CALCON 2026 are now open! We’re looking for engaging programs that inspire, inform, and spark meaningful conversations across the library community. Whether you’re a first-time presenter or a seasoned speaker, we encourage you to apply and help shape an enriching conference experience. We can’t wait to see what you’ll bring to the conversation!
Submission deadline EXTENDED: Friday, March 27 at 5 PM
Schedule
View the CALCON Schedule-at-a-Glance. The full session schedule will be available in Summer 2026.
Keynote Speaker
CAL is delighted to announce that Lana Hailemariam will be our Keynote Speaker at CALCON 2026.
In her keynote, Lana will highlight the transformative impact of library workers. Libraries are far more than buildings—they are places of refuge, possibility, and change because of the people who show up each day. You may never see every seed you plant grow, but your conversations, recommendations, and moments of kindness change lives in ways you may never fully know.
Through powerful stories rooted in real library experiences, Lana illustrates a simple truth: even when you don’t see the bloom, the seed still matters. Your work shapes futures, and that makes you invaluable.
Lana Hailemariam is a dynamic coach, facilitator, and keynote speaker with more than 20 years of experience across both for‑profit and nonprofit sectors.
CALCON After Hours Events
We look forward to exploring the Martin Luther King Jr location of the Aurora Public Library and the Aurora Fox Arts Center, just 12 minutes west of the conference venue, on Colfax Avenue.
More information about the After Hours event will be available in Summer 2026.