Central Valley Library Camp '26

With over a billion active users and an algorithm that adapts to our behavior faster than we can double tap, TikTok has become one of the most powerful sources of information for today’s learners. It is also one of the most persuasive. In this session, we will explore how short-form video blends entertainment, emotion, and perceived authenticity to make even mis-, dis- and mal-information feel true. Together, we will unpack how TikTok’s design turns attention into profit and what that means for developing credibility skills in young people.
Audience: K–12 school librarians and other educators. May also interest school administrators.
Future Ready Librarian Alignment: Models Digital Citizenship and Responsibility; Empowers Students as Creators; Builds Instructional Partnerships.

Upgrade your programming and displays! This session is for librarians and techs who need inspiration for getting students in your doors and checking books out. You will leave this session with strategies and ideas for how to keep your programming fresh along with ways to tie them to relevant skills and standards. You will also leave this session with ideas for how to collaborate with teachers and have mobile and temporary displays throughout your school site. 

Learn how to cultivate a love of literacy and a connection to your library that your school community can access anytime and anywhere. We will show you how we can be stronger together by utilizing your district’s student learning platform to generate excitement about literacy through video recordings. Student engagement happens by posting read-a-loud videos, book commercials, exploring new book genres, tours of libraries and bookstores, and much more. You will leave with ideas on how to spark the imagination by unboxing a world of literary entertainment.

What is a makerspace, why does your school need one, and how do you effectively manage it? In this interactive session, Teacher Librarian Tommy Martinez shares practical do’s and don’ts for building a thriving makerspace from scratch or taking your existing space to the next level. Walk away with actionable strategies to design a hands-on learning environment that fosters student learning, problem-solving, and student engagement.