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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.

Venue: Palolo Room 1 & 2 clear filter
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Thursday, August 6
 

10:10am HST

Talk Story with Local Authors
Thursday August 6, 2026 10:10am - 11:10am HST
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
CR

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

12:50pm HST

Boosting Library Usage Through Project-Based LibGuides
Thursday August 6, 2026 12:50pm - 1:50pm HST
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
avatar for RIeko Goo

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.
avatar for Vic Millar

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

2:00pm HST

The Freedom to Read Toolkit: Proactive Strategies for Protecting Diverse Voices
Thursday August 6, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm HST
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
avatar for Meera Garud

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 →
avatar for Caitlin Ramirez

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
 
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