Nic Con 2026

Registration is open!

Please register by September 1, 2026 at
https://forms.gle/mReMFDz1dviz1gBB8.

Conference Details:

Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026

Time: 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

Location: Green Bay Botanical Garden, Lower Level, 2600 Larsen Rd, Green Bay, WI 54303. Enter through the main Visitor entrance. Use the stairs or elevator (to your right down the hall) to go downstairs to the Cornerstone Foundation Hall. All Nic Con attendees will have free access to the garden all day.

Map: www.gbbg.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025_map.pdf

Parking: Free parking is available in the garden parking lot.

Schedule:

9:00 A.M. Registration & Networking
10:00 A.M. Welcome Remarks
10:15 A.M. Keynote with Cassy Leeport
12:00 P.M. Lunch Provided by Not by Bread Alone (Link to Menu)
1:30 P.M. Breakout Session 1
2:30 P.M. Breakout Session 2
3:30 P.M. State of the System
4:00 P.M. Closing Remarks

Keynote Speaker

Moving at the Speed of Trust: Practical Strategies for Tribal Library Partnerships and Inclusive Spaces

True collaboration with Native communities isn't built on a single program or a checklist—it is rooted in trust, time, and shared power. This interactive talk addresses the unique strengths of Tribal libraries and maps out concrete, best-practice frameworks for establishing long-term, respectful relationships with them. Moving beyond theory, we will tackle the practical steps non-Tribal libraries can take to audit and transform their physical and digital spaces into safer, genuinely inclusive environments for Native patrons. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to shift their approach from passive allyship to active, reciprocal community building.

Cassy Leeport began her role as the Director of the Tribal Libraries, Archives, and Museums (TLAM) Program at UW-Madison in July 2023. Cassy holds a BA in Creative Writing from UW-Madison, a Masters in Library & Information Science from UW-Madison, and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Minnesota State University-Moorhead. Before returning to Wisconsin, Cassy served as the Director of Library Services and Tribal Archives for Red Lake Nation College, Circulation Manager for Bemidji State University’s Library, and Library Services Program Specialist for the Minnesota Department of Education. Cassy is also a proud direct-descendant of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe in Northern Minnesota, mother of two, and enthusiast for all things arts & crafts.

Breakout Session 1

Evaluating AI Tools: A guide for staff and patrons

This program is designed to help you make informed choices when using AI tools and when assisting patrons with AI, while reinforcing that users remain responsible for assessing risk and how they use AI generated output. This program provides a practical framework based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology AI Risk Management Framework. By the end of this training, you will be equipped to perform a Risk vs. Benefit assessment. This training is not about providing legal advice or pushing specific products but about providing the skills to assess a tool.

Colleen Rortvedt (she/her) is the Director of the Appleton Public Library. She started working at APL as a page clerk and has served as Teen Librarian, AV Librarian, and Assistant Director. Colleen sees libraries as places shaped by strong relationships between staff and the community, which is what makes each one unique and important to the life of a community.

BadgerLink Resources for Public Libraries

BadgerLink is Wisconsin’s Online Library, a collection of over 60 online resources and databases. With so much to offer you as a librarian, as well as your community members, patrons, family members, friends, and colleagues, it can be overwhelming at a glance. This session will highlight the BadgerLink Resource Guide for Public Libraries and dive into what’s really available, so you can be prepared to share BadgerLink resources with any Wisconsin resident at any time.

Jen Champoux (she/her/hers) is part of the Bureau of Libraries at DPI, where she works primarily on BadgerLink, providing training and support. She also writes BadgerLink’s Bulletin posts and mails out promotional posters and bookmarks. Reach out to her for all things BadgerLink!

Roundtable: NEWI Adult Services

Join your colleagues from across the system for an interactive programming roundtable focused on sharing your adult programs. Participants will discuss successful programs, lessons learned from challenges, and emerging ideas that best serve your community. Come prepared to swap ideas, and takeaways you can adapt to your library’s next program! Feel free to bring any program samples or handouts to share!

Angela Schneider (she/her) is the Public Library Development Consultant for the Winnefox Library System based in Oshkosh. On behalf of the NEWI Continuing Education Partnership (newilibraries.org), Angela also coordinates continuing education and professional development opportunities for libraries across the Nicolet, OWLS, Winnefox and Manitowoc-Calumet library systems. With over 15 years working in public libraries and at the system level, Angela brings a wealth of knowledge to share.

Breakout Session 2

Introducing the Intellectual Freedom Toolkit

In an era of growing challenges to library collections, programs, and policies, equipping library staff with the right tools is more critical than ever. This session offers an introduction to the WLA Intellectual Freedom Toolkit, a resource developed by the WLA’s Intellectual Freedom Committee. Designed for librarians, trustees, and community members, the Toolkit provides guidance and resources to help navigate intellectual freedom issues. Additionally, the session will provide a supportive space for participants to learn from each other by sharing their experiences, asking pressing questions, reflecting on challenges, and developing strategies to protect and promote intellectual freedom within our communities.

Hannah Good Zima (she/her) began her library career at the Brown County Library in Green Bay in 2017. In 2020, she joined the Nicolet Library System and enjoys supporting member libraries in a variety of ways. In her free time, she enjoys laughing with her six year old, hiking and gardening.

Picture of Katie Guzek with Pidgeon costume character

Introduction to Family Place Libraries

Brown County Library is now a certified Family Place Library. The Family Place model positions libraries as key early childhood and family support organizations within the local community. This session will demonstrate a Family Place workshop, introduce a community partner, and share how certification supports families and caregivers.

Katie Guzek (she/her) has been the Youth Services Manager at Brown County Library since 2020. Katie started her career with BCL as a Youth Service Librarian in 2003. She has worked at the Central, Ashwaubenon, Pulaski, Kress, and Weyers-Hilliard locations. Outside of her work with Brown County Library, Katie loves to act and perform improv.

Strategies for Stronger Workplace Relationships

Public library work can be stressful. Deadlines must be met. Goals must be reached. Patrons can be unruly. There is never enough money in the budget or enough time in a day. Difficulty resonating with colleagues can only add to this stress. Join this session to learn tips for strengthening workplace relationships and how you can personally help build stronger work cultures. Some of them might surprise you!

Jamie Matczak is the education consultant at Wisconsin Valley Library Service where she focuses on professional development and communications.  In addition to 20 years of experience in public library consulting, she has a BA in Advertising from UW-Eau Claire, and an MS in Applied Leadership for Teaching and Learning from UW-Green Bay.  Jamie has given over 100 presentations on marketing, social media, customer service and communications.

Please email Hannah Good Zima with questions, concerns or suggestions for the conference.