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Presents

The "Living Multiliteracies" Series
 

The "Living Multiliteracies" series explores and encourages discussion about important topics in the field of School and Youth Librarianship. This is part of the events and presentations organized by the faculty associated with the Multiple Literacies Lab. Anyone with an interest in becoming a school or youth librarian or has a general interest in the field is encouraged to pre-register and participate in the webinars.

Archived recordings of the presentations can also be found on the Multiple Literacies Lab YouTube channel. Check back often for updates and more educational events.

Upcoming Presentations

 

Watch this space for a list of 2026 webinars!

 

Archived Presentations

  • Topic: Supporting Artificial Intelligence: Managing resources and student needs for intelligent systems

  • Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025; 7:00 PM (CT)
  • Presenter: Mark V. Albert, Ph.D.
  • Description: Imagine providing an artificial intelligence voice assistant to review and answer questions on chest x-rays to a radiologist. We will start with a brief overview of similar, currently available tools that are being applied across all disciplines at a breakneck pace. What’s involved in creating, maintaining, validating, and storing these insightful systems, both now and in the near future? Libraries have always been critical for providing accessible, equitable, and vetted resources for knowledge exploration – how do we continue the trend with these budding intelligent systems? What are the physical, training, and student support resources librarians can utilize to maintain more equitable access to the information in libraries, databases, and the knowledge embedded in these neural networks? There are no perfect answers, but we need to begin these conversations, so libraries continue to be at the forefront of information access for all.
  • Bio: Dr. Albert’s Biomedical AI research team has worked with multiple hospital systems (Shriners Children's, Lurie Children's, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Shirley Ryan Abilitylab, UNT Health), bringing AI tools and approaches to clinical care. His focus is on reliable, efficient, and interpretable intelligent systems to improve clinical decision making, primarily applied to address patient mobility through wearable devices.

  • Topic: Beyond the Bill: A Closer Look at SB-13

  • Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025; 7:00 PM (CT)
  • Presenter: Vanessa Ashcraft
  • Description: This presentation breaks down Texas Senate Bill 13 (SB 13), the new law that significantly changes how school libraries operate. We will explain the bill's core components, including new requirements for parental access to library catalogs and the ability for parents to restrict certain books for their children. The presentation will also detail the new process for acquiring and challenging materials, which involves public review periods and the establishment of local advisory councils. Our goal is to provide a clear and simple guide to understanding how this legislation affects your school and community. 
  • Bio: Vanessa Ashcraft is the School Programs Coordinator for the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC), a role she was well-prepared for after serving for eight years on the TexQuest Advisory Group. With a Master of Library Science (MLS) from the University of North Texas, Vanessa has a distinguished career in public education, spanning twenty-seven years as a teacher, librarian, coordinator, and director.
  • NOTE: This session was not recorded.

  • Topic: Information Literacy in Charter Schools

  • Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025; 7:00 PM (CT)
  • Presenter: Dr. Katie Klein
  • Description: Did you know that only 52% of charter schools have a school library (NCES, 2022)? After starting the library program in a charter school, Dr. Klein was curious about how other charter schools approach teaching information literacy, many without the support of a school librarian. In this presentation, she will share what she learned in her dissertation and what practices might be useful to research further and share with other schools. 
  • Bio: Katie Klein is an Assistant Professor at UNT. She recently completed her Ph.D. at the University of South Carolina. She worked for 10 years as a secondary school librarian before moving into higher education.

  • Topic: AI Tools for Educators

  • Date: Wednesday, April 10, 2024; 7:00 PM (CT)
  • Presenter: Dr. Daniella Smith
  • Description: In this webinar, the presenter, Daniella Smith, will provide a brief overview of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on society. Daniella will also share some AI tools and how they can be used in K-12 education. 
  • Bio: Daniella Smith is the Hazel Harvey Peace Endowed Professor in the Department of Information Science at the University of North Texas.

  • Topic: A School Librarian Toolkit for Facilitating the Success of English Learners

  • Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2024; 7:00 PM (CT)
  • Presenter: Dr. Daniella Smith
  • Description: The School Librarians Facilitating the Success of English Language Learners Project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. One of the goals of the project is to create a toolkit with resources and research-based strategies that school librarians can use for working with ELLs. This webinar is designed to debut the preliminary toolkit and project results. 
  • Bio: Daniella Smith is the Hazel Harvey Peace Endowed Professor in the Department of Information Science at the University of North Texas.
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gaxjUVVGAI

  • Topic: Lessons from the Little Red Dot: Public Library Services in Singapore

  • Date: Wednesday, November 8, 2023; 7:00 PM (CT)
  • Presenter: Dr. Sarah Evans
  • Description: Singapore is an island country of more than 5.4 million people from multiethnic backgrounds including Malay, Chinese, and Indian. It has four official languages and the 2nd highest population density in the world. How do their public libraries provide equitable access and support lifelong learning? Dr. Sarah Evans will share insights she gleaned from a recent tour of Singaporean libraries as well as from the Asian Festival of Children's Content, hosted by the National Library Board of Singapore. 
  • Bio: Sarah Evans is an Assistant Professor and the Director of the Children and Young Adult Librarianship Program in the Department of Information Science at the University of North Texas.

  • Topic: Safari to School Libraries in Kenya

  • Date: Wednesday, October 4, 2023; 7:00 PM (CT)
  • Presenter: Dr. Jennifer Moore
  • Description: Travel across Kenya with Dr. Moore, as she shares stories about the development of school libraries in Kenya. From single-room classrooms to shipping containers, experience school library life (as well as animals and food) 8700 miles away.  
  • Bio: Jennifer Moore is an Associate Professor and the Director of the School Librarianship Program in the Department of Information Science at the University of North Texas and a former school librarian.
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF1IpREzDak

  • Topic: Hooked! Strategies for getting teachers to collaborate

  • Date: Wednesday, April 12, 2023; 7:00 PM (CT)
  • Presenter: Marco Zannier Virginillo
  • Description: Marco will briefly discuss the challenge of fostering collaboration between classroom teachers and librarians and will offer some strategies to help spark a more collaborative culture. Parts of the session will be hands-on practice with fellow participants.
  • Bio: Marco Zannier Virginillo is a library services director in the Aldine Independent School District which is a large school district in the Houston area. Marco also works for the University of North Texas as a field supervisor and an adjunct instructor.

  • Topic: School Librarian's Perceptions of EDI Behaviors During Times of Crisis

  • Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2023; 7:00 PM (CT)
  • Presenter: Diane Gill, UNT Ph.D. candidate
  • Description: School librarians are expected to model and advocate for equitable and inclusive services for diverse learners within their communities. What happens when tragedies strike? What factors enable school librarians to engage in EDI services? What factors prevent them from providing these services? Ph.D. candidate Diane Gill will share research findings from a recent survey of nationally certified school librarians' reflections on successes and challenges in meeting the needs of learners, educators, and stakeholders during unanticipated closings of schools and school libraries.
  • Bio: Diane Gill is a doctoral candidate in the College of Information at the University of North Texas with a dissertation focus on the inclusive behaviors of school librarians. After receiving her BA in History, she earned a MA in Education Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Arlington and an MS in Information Science from UNT. She has served in underrepresented communities as a classroom teacher, campus, and district librarian in North Texas for over 15 years. Recently, Diane accepted an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in School Librarianship at Louisiana State University. 

  • Topic: Let's get creating! A first-year Librarian's experience in introducing and refining (often) makerspaces in the library

  • Date: March 29, 2023
  • Presenter: Spencer Wolf
  • Description: While the concept of makerspaces and their benefits may be well-known to both current and future librarians, it can be intimidating and a bit overwhelming to get things started in your library. What I discovered in my short time as an “official” librarian, is that the best way to begin is to follow the advice of the amazing Ms. Frizzle, “Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!” This presentation will share some insights I have learned from beginning this process, from getting it going to slowly changing the school's perception of the library.

  • Topic: The Role of Campus Administration When Supporting Library Operations and Library Personnel

  • Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2023
  • Presenter: Dr. Ron Myers
  • Description: The partnership that exists between campus administration and the librarian/media specialist is one that is important to maintain. Supporting access to books is an important component of public schools and is necessary to promote student thought and creativity. Join this webinar to hear the perspective of a campus administrator, Ron Myers who has been a school administrator for the past 26 and ½ years. Myers is currently an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice at Texas Christian University.

  • Topic: Hey, North Texas! Endless Stories Are Coming Your Way at North Texas Teen Book Festival (NTTBF)!

  • Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2023 
  • Presenter: Dr. Rose Brock
  • Description: NTTBF co-founder, Dr. Rose Brock will share a brief history of the ALA-award-winning festival, offer author lineup info, highlight Educator Day @NTTBF, and share ways you and your students can take part in the North Texas Teen Book Festival, the largest library-run book festival for young people in the country.

  • Topic: Library Ambassadors: The Power of Student Helpers in the School Library

  • Date: Thursday, November 17, 2022 
  • Presenter: Karina Quilantan-Garza
  • Description: Interested in having student helpers in the library, but don't know where to begin? In this webinar, you'll learn about how one library's Library Ambassador program has become a sought-out activity for students led by students. Learn about how a Library Ambassador program can help students take on leadership roles and learn skills that will prepare them for future employment or internships in libraries.
  • Presentation Slideshow

  • Topic: Book Challenges: All the Basics

  • Date: October 19, 2022 
  • Presenter: Marco Zannier Virginillo 
  • Description: Marco Zannier Virginillo will discuss how to be prepared for book challenges, the documents you need to have in place, a basic overview of Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) proposed policies, and more.
  • Presentation Slideshow 

  • Topic: Libraries: Partners in Equity

  • Date: June 15, 2022 
  • Presenter: Lucy Podmore, Chair, TASL 
  • Description: With our resources, programming, and access, school libraries have the potential to play a critical role in each school's attempt to address some equity issues we see on our campuses. Join TASL (Texas Association of School Librarians) chair, Lucy Podmore, to learn how you can highlight your program and resources to stakeholders within this framework.

  • Topic: Bringing More Books into Schools

  • Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2022
  • Presenters: Valerie Tagoe & Julia Torres
  • Description: Valerie and Julia are the authors of the book "Liven Up Your Library." This presentation will focus on book selection and touch on library programming for tweens and teens, which is the focus of their book. 

  • Topic: Building a Library Program in an Alternative School

  • Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2022
  • Presenter: Mathew Zuniga
  • Description: Libraries are essential to all schools, but especially those with high populations of at-risk students. So, why do many non-traditional schools not have functioning library programs? Del Valle Opportunity Center librarian, Mathew Zuniga, shares what the process may look like and how one can build a program from scratch with little to no budget.

  • Topic: Beyond the Bookshelves

  • Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2022 
  • Presenter: Karina Quilantan-Garza
  • Description: Traditional libraries are a thing of the past. Libraries have a tremendous responsibility of adapting to change to meet the needs of their community. Learn about different ways to leverage technology to enhance your library's physical and digital spaces to provide optimal services, programs, and community outreach initiatives.

  • Topic: You'll Never Walk Alone

  • Date: Wednesday, January 26, 2022 
  • Description: With limited exceptions, librarians often fly solo on their campuses. That makes it even more important to develop professional learning networks, or PLNs. What better way to broaden your PLN than to get involved in professional organizations with other librarians? And not only is it a good idea to join these organizations, it's an expectation of many of the library standards upon which we focus. Join Kristi Starr, librarian at Coronado High School in Lubbock, TX, UNT adjunct instructor, and active participant in multiple library- and edtech-related organizations, as she highlights the benefits of membership and opportunities for involvement and leadership in state and national groups. 

  • Topic: The First Amendment is Under Attack...Again!

  • Date: Tuesday, December 7, 2021
  • Description: You have probably heard about the Texas House of Representatives and the launch of an inquiry into school curriculum, resources, and books. Please join Texas Association of School Librarians (TASL) Chair, Jill Bellomy, and Texas Library Association President-Elect, Mary Woodard, as they discuss this inquiry and what it means for Texas school libraries and librarians.

Presenters' Resources (PDF file)

   

  • Topic: Google Sites 101

  • Date: Wednesday, November 17, 2021
  • Description: Google Sites offers a free and easy way to design websites quickly. This presentation will provide a step-by-step demonstration of how to get started with Google Sites. You will learn how to use Google Sites templates, add resources, and make them interactive. Join us to show the world what you know on your own Google Site.

Topic: Library Clubs - Creating and Collaborating

  • Date: Wednesday, October 27, 2021
  • Description:Join us for a fast-paced hour as we discuss how to create fun and interactive library clubs with Diana Colby and Suzanne Ross. We will also talk about how to collaborate with others to create clubs across campuses. We will also introduce you to our award-winning Tech Ninja club that won the Follett Challenge in 2015. 

Topic: Theory and Practice: A Conversation with Emerging Scholars in Education and School Librarianship

  • Date: Wednesday, June 30, 2021 
  • Description: This month, guest panelists Diana Colby, Diane Gill, Stacie Milburn, and Natalie Parker will join Dr. Daniella Smith in a spirited talk about their emerging research on education and school librarianship. As K-12 educators, they will discuss how they transitioned to doctoral studies and what it is like to adopt a research agenda that connects to practitioners in the K-12 educational environment. Their preferred research methods and life lessons will be interspersed with conversations with the audience. Do you want to know how they use their skills to address current trends in school librarianship in education? Do you need advice about how to get started on your research? How has the COVID-19 pandemic influenced their work? Perhaps you have your own questions. If so, join us for this engaging discussion.

Topic: Interviewing for School Library Positions

  • Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 
  • Description: Are you looking to interview for a school librarian position? Learn what today's principals and library directors are looking for in the librarians of tomorrow. Presented by Donna Kearley, Coordinator of Library Services for Denton Independent School District.

Topic: Computational Thinking: Systematic Problem Solving In The School Library & Life In General

  • Date: Wednesday, March 24, 2021 
  • Description: School and public libraries offer youth formal and informal learning environments while providing access to a variety of resources. Librarians can introduce students to computational thinking and coding concepts in low-stakes contexts. In this month's presentation, Dr. Jennifer Moore (associate professor in the Department of Information Science at the University of North Texas) shares the benefits of using computational thinking (CT) as a problem-solving process in the context of school libraries and your personal life.  

Computational Thinking: Systematic Problem Solving In The School Library & Life In General (Zoom Recording)

Computational Thinking presentation (pdf file)

Topic: Enhancing Distance Learning with Virtual Bitmoji Rooms

  • Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021
  • Description: Have you ever wanted to connect with your students or audience 24 hours a day, seven days a week? Bitmoji virtual rooms are a way to create an inviting online space to share resources. Join this webinar to learn about what Bitmoji is and how educators use virtual Bitmoji rooms to make essential connections. Be prepared during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Presentation Bitmoji Room

Topic:  Learning Environments - Best Practices for Today 

  • Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2021
  • Description: The COVID-19 pandemic introduced changes to learning environments, including the school library. High levels of national uncertainty and local variability means school librarians need to use their skills and knowledge creatively in support of student learning. In this webinar, we will explore best practices in learning environments that can be applied in your evolving school situation. 

Chat text from January Webinar

Topic: Manga Literacy: Getting More from Japanese Comics Culture

  • Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2020
  • Description: Japanese comics exploded into the American marketplace over 20 years ago and continue to dominate, mostly thanks to an army of young readers. But there's more to manga than magical girls and battling boys! In this session, we will explore manga's origins, its global influence, and how to utilize this cultural phenomenon in your library. 

Manga Lit presentation (pdf)

Topic: Tools and Tips for Creating Dynamic Online Tutorials

  • Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2020
  • Description: Providing 24/7 access to educational materials has always been important. However, COVID-19 has made connecting with educational resources even more important. Whether you are a school librarian, classroom teacher, or coach, Dr. Daniella Smith's presentation will provide you with tips and tools for creating dynamic tutorials to share with your teachers, students, and school community.

Topic: The Making of a Makerspace

  • Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2020
  • Description: In this webinar, together with our host, Dr. Tricia Kuon, we will explore Makerspaces, looking at how to use them, why to use them, and the many significant educational benefits that come with their use. We will also discuss the importance of the library transforming in accordance with the educational needs of students and how that transformation makes librarians increasingly indispensable.

Questions submitted on Padlet 

Topic: School Librarian Evolution: 2020 - Supporting Patrons in the New Online Environment

  • Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2020
  • Description: Marco Zannier Virginillo, school librarian and UNT Adjunct Professor, will discuss how the global pandemic and stay-home orders have changed the needs of school library patrons and provided an opportunity for expansion in the role of the school librarian.