2026 Hawaii School Library Conference: Full Schedule

The 2026 Hawaii School Library Conference, centered on the theme "Think. Create. Share. Grow." invites school library professionals to dive deep into the four domains of the AASL Standards Framework for Learners. This theme is a call to action, emphasizing the pivotal role school librarians play in empowering students to become ethical, critical, and collaborative citizens in the digital age.

What to Expect

Through engaging keynotes, hands-on workshops, and collaborative sessions, we will explore practical strategies to:

🧠 Think (Inquire & Analyze): Equip students with the critical thinking and research skills necessary to navigate complex information landscapes, evaluate sources, and become proficient users and creators of knowledge.
💡 Create (Design & Construct): Foster innovation and digital literacy by integrating tools and practices that encourage learners to design solutions, construct new understandings, and express their ideas creatively.
🤝 Share (Collaborate & Connect): Highlight the importance of the library as a hub for collaboration, ethical digital citizenship, and connection, promoting respectful dialogue and the responsible sharing of ideas and resources within the school and global community.
🌱 Grow (Explore & Engage): Focus on the personal and professional development of both students and librarians, championing a mindset of continuous learning, adaptation, and reflective practice that fuels lifelong literacy and intellectual growth.

Join us in celebrating the vital work of Hawaii’s school librarians as we collectively cultivate the future-ready learner by embedding these essential domains into every facet of the school library program.

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10:10am HST

Beyond Pretty Posters: Canva’s Hidden Powers for Libraries

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am HST

Makiki Room

Most people use Canva for posters. But that’s just the beginning!

In this high-energy session, you’ll uncover the features hiding in plain sight that can transform how you use Canva in your library. Learn how to create custom games like mazes and word searches in minutes, use Canva Code to build interactive experiences, design reusable templates that save you time, and leverage Bulk Create to generate personalized materials at scale. These are the tools most people don’t realize exist—and once you see them, everything changes. You’ll leave with practical, ready-to-use ideas that boost student engagement, streamline your workflow, and make your library more visible, creative, and impactful right away.

Speakers

Kristina A. Holzweiss

School Library Media Specialist, Syosset Schools

Kristina A. Holzweiss (MLIS, MA) is a school library media specialist with additional certification in educational technology, computer science, and secondary English (7-12). She has taught all grades from k through 12, as well as on the college level. Kristina shares ideas and resources... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am HST
Makiki Room

Breakout

10:10am HST

Inclusive classrooms start here: Digital learning in action

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am HST

Palolo Room 3 & 4

Millions of K–12 students require personalized learning support, yet many still lack access to tools that meet them where they are.

Join Jody Brookshire for this session exploring how digital reading platforms promote accessibility, support differentiated instruction, and expand learning opportunities for students with diverse abilities. Learn how integrating platforms like Sora can help educators create more inclusive, flexible, and engaging classrooms for every learner.

We’ll also take a Hawaii-focused look at the past year—celebrating successes, reviewing key data highlights, and setting meaningful goals for the year ahead. Walk away with actionable strategies to manage your Sora platform and inspire more students to become lifelong readers.

Speakers

Jody Brookshire

Account Executive, Sora

Jody Brookshire is a passionate Educational Account Executive with over 27 years of experience in the e-learning and digital content industry. Throughout her career, Jody has demonstrated a deep commitment to championing literacy in K-12 schools by leveraging digital content, 21st-century... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am HST
Palolo Room 3 & 4

Breakout

10:10am HST

Talk Story with Local Authors

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am HST

Palolo Room 1 & 2

In Hawaiʻi, "Talk Story" is more than just conversation; it is the primary vehicle for passing down history, culture, and values. This session brings together a diverse panel of local authors to discuss their books and the stories behind them.

Moving beyond the traditional "author reading," this interactive session will allow librarians to get some new book ideas and make connections for school visits, etc... E Komo Mai, Come and talk stroy with us.

Speakers

Cheryl Ryan

Librarian, Enchanted Lake Elementary

Librarian by trade and a lifetime supporter of literacy in the elementary schools.

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am HST
Palolo Room 1 & 2

Breakout

10:10am HST

Un-Predictable: Reclaiming the Human in the Machine

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am HST

Piinaio Ballroom 1

As generative AI blurs the lines between fact and fabrication, the role of the school librarian as an information expert has never been more vital. This session explores a scaffolded approach to AI literacy for middle and high schoolers, centering on the "Human in the Machine." We will present a dual-grade curriculum (7th and 9th) that integrates media literacy essentials—source evaluation, bias detection, and ethical creation—with the emerging challenges of AI. Discover how to empower students to reclaim their agency in an automated world. Participants will receive access to all featured curriculum modules and adaptation guides.

Speakers

Jennifer Agena

Upper School Librarian, 'Iolani School

Jennifer Agena has served as an Upper School Librarian at 'Iolani School for the past six years, following her time as a librarian at McKinley High School. A graduate of the University of Hawai'i at Manoa with an MLIS, Jennifer has been a part of the team that helped create 'Iolani's... Read More →

Dominique Tosatto

Upper School Librarian, 'Iolani School

Dominique Tosatto is an Upper School Librarian at 'Iolani School and holds a Master of Information Studies from McGill University. Dominique and Jennifer are members of the curriculum team currently designing the school's 7th and 9th grade Media Literacy and AI courses.

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am HST
Piinaio Ballroom 1

Breakout

12:50pm HST

Boosting Library Usage Through Project-Based LibGuides

Thursday August 6, 2026 12:50pm - 1:50pm HST

Palolo Room 1 & 2

Static library websites and hard copy pathfinders are no longer enough to connect today’s students to the resources they need. This session explores how Mililani High School transformed its digital presence by moving away from a traditional online database list towards targeted, project-specific LibGuides created in collaboration with classroom teachers. Already a popular online tool used by many university libraries including UH Mānoa and West Oʻahu, LibGuides is also a viable option for many high school and middle school libraries. Attendees will learn how LibGuides can support a more seamless research process, bolster student reading and foster a more interactive and engaging digital presence for their library

Speakers

RIeko Goo

school librarian, Mililani High School

Rieko Goo has been a Hawaii educator since 1993; including 13 years as an ELA teacher and 19 years as a certificated school librarian. Rieko is deeply committed to fostering literacy and driving instructional innovation across her school community.

Vic Millar

school librarian, Mililani High School

Vic Millar has been a librarian at Mililani High School since 2024. His passions include reading science fiction at the beach and listening to Stephen King audiobooks on Libby. He has no awards or honors to speak of, but he is a loyal Costco member and recently achieved Premium rewards... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 12:50pm - 1:50pm HST
Palolo Room 1 & 2

Breakout

12:50pm HST

Choice Boards and Gale Resources from HIDOE

Thursday August 6, 2026 12:50pm - 1:50pm HST

Palolo Room 3 & 4

Empower elementary and middle school students by giving them voice and choice through Choice Boards. Discover best practices for connecting the library to the classroom using Gale digital resources from HIDOE. In this session, you’ll explore ready-to-use Choice Board examples designed with Gale resources that promote responsible, accountable, and independent student learning. Learn more about the digital resources available through HIDOE and leave with curriculum-connected student activities for elementary and middle school. Attendees will receive Choice Board samples using HIDOE Gale resources to use in their library or share with teachers in their building. We’ll also be joined by the fantastic Ho‘okele Elementary School Librarian, Angie Ramey, who will share how she uses Gale resources to support learning in her school and library.

Speakers

Angela Ramey

School Librarian, Ho'okele Elementary School

School Librarian - Ho'okele Elementary School

Tammi Burke

Senior Training Consultant, Gale in partnership with the HIDOE

Tammi Burke is a Senior Training Consultant at Gale with over a decade of experience helping librarians and educators maximize their Gale resources. A former educator with degrees in Education and Advertising/PR, Tammi combines instructional expertise with a passion for practical... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 12:50pm - 1:50pm HST
Palolo Room 3 & 4

Breakout

12:50pm HST

Level Up ʻAmaʻama Escape: Where Culture, STEM, and Game Design Power Up Student Inquiry

Thursday August 6, 2026 12:50pm - 1:50pm HST

Piinaio Ballroom 1

Dive into a dynamic learning journey where culture, inquiry, STEM, and game design collide. This session highlights how 6th graders at Kamehameha Schools investigated the decline of the ʻAmaʻama (Hawaiian striped mullet) through mo‘olelo, kilo observations, field studies, interviews, historical documents, and scientific data. Their research became the backbone of a student‑designed hybrid board/digital game that blends ʻike kūpuna with cutting‑edge tools—including AI for custom chatbots, coding platforms for digital mini-games, 3D modeling for custom game components, and media production for storytelling.

You’ll explore practical strategies for guiding students through authentic, place‑based inquiry and helping them synthesize diverse primary sources into meaningful, community‑centered products. The project demonstrates how school librarians can champion interdisciplinary learning that places culture at the forefront while embracing emerging technologies.

And yes—you’ll get dedicated time to play the game. Experience firsthand how research, STEM, and cutting edge technology can level up student engagement, cultural connections and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

Speakers

Patricia Louis

School Library Media Specialist, Kamehameha Elementary School - Kapālama

Veteran educator and librarian with 30+ years of experience as a practicing school librarian and over a decade working with Native Hawaiian communities. She has dedicated her career to integrating technology into educational practices. Currently focused on integrating game based learning... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 12:50pm - 1:50pm HST
Piinaio Ballroom 1

Breakout

12:50pm HST

Mychal Threets

Thursday August 6, 2026 12:50pm - 1:50pm HST

Makiki Room

Speakers

Mychal Threets

Resident Librarian & Reading Rainbow Host, PBS and PBS Kids

Mychal Threets is a librarian, mental health advocate, and, by his own admission, the library’s number-one fan. A lifelong lover of libraries, Mychal was homeschooled and raised among the stacks, receiving his first library card at the age of five.

He began his career as a library shelver at the same library he grew up in, eventually working his way up to become its Supervising Librarian. Mychal is open and honest about his mental health, sharing his experiences in hopes of helping others on their own journeys. He’s known... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 12:50pm - 1:50pm HST
Makiki Room

Breakout

2:00pm HST

RISE: Simple Advocacy to Move Your Library from Invisible to Essential

Thursday August 6, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm HST

Makiki Room

Slide Presentation

Your library is doing incredible work—now it’s time to make sure people see it, understand it, and support it. In this practical, empowering session, you’ll learn how to use the RISE framework—Reflect, Innovate, Show, Empower—to turn everyday moments into powerful advocacy stories that resonate with administrators, families, and your wider community. Discover how to reflect on the impact you’re already making, elevate your work through small, intentional shifts, document and share what matters, and use your story to build lasting support. We’ll explore what to say, when to say it, and how to communicate in ways that feel manageable and sustainable. You’ll leave with clear strategies, ready-to-use ideas, and the confidence to advocate with purpose and clarity so your library isn’t just appreciated—it’s essential.

Speakers

Kristina A. Holzweiss

School Library Media Specialist, Syosset Schools

Thursday August 6, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm HST
Makiki Room

Breakout

2:00pm HST

The Freedom to Read Toolkit: Proactive Strategies for Protecting Diverse Voices

Thursday August 6, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm HST

Palolo Room 1 & 2

As schools face an unprecedented increase in book challenges, professional resilience and proactive leadership are essential. This session prepares educators and administrators to address the “Ed Scare”, a trend that impacts student access to diverse perspectives. For context, we will dissect the legislative landscape and impact of coordinated censorship movements. Participants will then engage with a toolkit to strengthen selection policies and de-escalate challenges. Participants will review policy templates and leave with ready-to-use talking points that articulate the educational value of diverse stories. Whether you are a librarian, administrator, or teacher, you will gain a clear framework to safeguard the freedom to read while preserving strong community partnerships.

Speakers

Meera Garud

Instructor, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Meera Garud is an instructor with the Library & Information Science (LIS) program at UH Mānoa and coordinates the school library preparation program. Her focus is on understanding how educators can help students graduate high school while preparing them for college and career success... Read More →

Caitlin Ramirez

Librarian, Mōkapu Elementary School

Caitlin Ramirez has a M.Ed. in Teaching with a focus on secondary English, and an MLISc in school librarianship. She has taught with the Hawaii Department of Education since 2005 as a middle school ELA teacher, a Literacy Coach, and an elementary school librarian. She also teaches... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm HST
Palolo Room 1 & 2

Breakout

2:00pm HST

The Library as Catalyst: Scaling Little-C Collaboration into Big C Change

Thursday August 6, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm HST

Palolo Room 3 & 4

The school library is uniquely positioned to transform everyday collaboration into systemic, Big-C change. In this session, participants will explore how little-c collaboration—informal conversations, low-stakes co-planning, and small instructional partnerships—can be intentionally designed, nurtured, and scaled to create sustained innovation across a school community.
Grounded in the AASL National School Library Standards, this session examines the library as a catalytic space where relationships, inquiry, and shared purpose converge. Attendees will unpack practical strategies for identifying entry points for collaboration, lowering barriers for participation, and leveraging librarian expertise to move work from isolated efforts to collective impact. Through real-world examples and reflective prompts, participants will see how incremental collaborative practices can evolve into transformational programs that influence teaching, learning, and school culture.
Participants will leave with a framework for recognizing and amplifying little-c collaborative moments, tools for aligning collaboration to instructional and organizational goals, and actionable next steps for positioning the library as a driver of Big-C change—one partnership at a time.

Speakers

Amanda Kordeliski

President, American Association of School Librarians

Amanda Kordeliski is the current president for the American Association of School Librarians and works as the Director of Libraries and Instructional Technology for Norman Public Schools. She has held a variety of leadership positions within the Oklahoma Library Association and Oklahoma... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm HST
Palolo Room 3 & 4

Breakout

2:00pm HST

What if reading level didn't stand between a child and their curiosity?

Thursday August 6, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm HST

Piinaio Ballroom 1

Explore ways to turn student curiosity into literacy and critical thinking.
Discover accessible, standards-aligned digital resources that let curiosity lead and deepen learning across the curriculum.
See how PebbleGo and PebbleGo Next articles correlate to 90+% of the C3 Framework, NGSS and the Hawaii Social Studies and Science Standards.
Using PebbleGo and PebbleGo Next’s read aloud voice audio, even your struggling readers will grasp the content. Teach even your youngest students how to use PebbleGo once and they can use it on their own. We have made it even easier to support your teachers and students.
See examples on how to integrate PebbleGo and PebbleGo Next into your curriculum and classroom.

FYI- It would be great if I could have a session on both days since there are a number of schools new to PebbleGo. (This info is for the Conference staff only.)

Speakers

Teresa Sakurada - StarrEd LLC

Hawaii Capstone Sales Rep, CAPSTONE

After 20 years as a CPA, in 2004, I started selling manga (graphic novels) to libraries. Our 5th grade daughter got me started as she was so passionate about reading manga; she kept wanting to read more. I felt manga would be a great way to hook students into reading. Through selling... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm HST
Piinaio Ballroom 1

Breakout

10:10am HST

10:10am HST

10:10am HST

10:10am HST

12:50pm HST

12:50pm HST

12:50pm HST

12:50pm HST

2:00pm HST

2:00pm HST

2:00pm HST

2:00pm HST

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