Keynote Speakers
Infodemic! Is Misinformation Killing Us?
The spread of misinformation seems to intensify with each passing week. Indeed, it is a defining characteristic of our time! And research tells us that misinformation is doing tangible harm — to public health, mental health, public discourse, personal relationships, and public trust. How did we get here, why do people believe, and what can we do about it?
In this presentation, Professor Timothy Caulfield explores what the most recent evidence tells us about the nature and source of the current infodemic.
From Problem to Potential, Tension to Transformation: Leading Crucial Conversations through Times of Challenge
‘What’s in the way, IS the way’ ~Lao Tse
Today’s library leaders are at the front lines of crucial conversations—about censorship, equity, access to information, and shrinking resources. These aren’t just policy debates. They’re deeply personal, value-laden, and often emotionally charged. And they require courage, clarity, and connection.
In this keynote, Pam August empowers library professionals to lead through these high-stakes moments with purpose, presence, and impact by:
In this keynote, Pam August empowers library professionals to lead through these high-stakes moments with purpose, presence, and impact by:
- Building inner resilience and showing up fully when conversations feel uncomfortable or risky,
- Leading polarized discussions that are clear, grounded, and open, creating space for dialogue instead of division,
- Fostering a culture of trust and shared values,
evenespecially amid public pressure, scrutiny, or scarcity.
A lifelong library card holder with deep respect for the role libraries play in open inquiry, access to knowledge, and shared learning, Pam brings practical strategies and human-centered insight to help leaders turn problems into potential and tension into transformation—within themselves, their teams, and their communities.
This session is an invitation to step into difficult conversations not with fear, but with the confidence that your leadership can be a force for connection, clarity, and meaningful change.
