New Mexico State Library staff will participate in the upcoming New Mexico Library Association (NMLA) Annual Conference by presenting a series of sessions and workshops. The event is scheduled to begin with morning pre-conferences on Wednesday, October 22.
One of the pre-conference sessions, "Respectful Representation: Acquiring and Displaying Native American Art and Artifacts in Your Library," will be led by Cassandra Osterloh, Tribal Libraries Program Coordinator. According to Osterloh, "Bring stories, not just objects into your libraries. This session explores how to thoughtfully acquire and display Native American art and artifacts through respectful collaboration, honoring culture, and curating with care. Learn to turn exhibits into bridges between communities, history and healing."
Another session titled "Copy Cataloging Demystified: Learn the Basics of MARC and Catalog with Confidence" will feature Joseph Angelo, Bureau Chief; Sarah Edwards Obenauf, Librarian Supervisor; and Bradley Carrington, Cataloging Librarian. The presenters state: "Become a better cataloger! You interact with MARC records on a daily basis, but did you ever wonder what all those field numbers mean? Participants will learn the most common MARC fields and how to apply this understanding in their daily copy cataloging workflows."
On Thursday, additional sessions include topics such as soundproof booths for telehealth services in libraries presented by Bo Ford, Digital Equity Program Manager, along with several colleagues. Other presentations will address library planning and policy writing by Development Bureau Staff; librarianship certification in New Mexico by Ada Negraru; resource management strategies by Sarah Edwards Obenauf; rural outreach experiences shared by Berdina Nieto and Guillermo Martinez; a meeting for public library directors; collection development focusing on Native voices led again by Cassandra Osterloh; book recycling activities conducted by Susanne Caro; and government information trivia also hosted by Caro.
Friday’s program includes "Online Resources from the New Mexico State Library for Libraries, Students and Educators," presented by Jennifer McGill and Katherine Miles. Kelly McCabe will lead a session on summer reading programs.
Registration is required for all pre-conferences and program sessions. Further details about the conference schedule are available through the Full Conference Program (PDF), while registration information can be accessed at nmla.wildapricot.org/2025-NMLA-Conference.
