2024 Spring Meeting Wrap-Up

by Kelly Ann Campbell and Sunny Pai

That’s a wrap! Thank you to all who attended and participated in this year’s Hawaiʻi Library Association Spring Meeting, Reimagining Reading Realms, on Saturday, June 1, 2024. 

Kelly planned  a full agenda for a half-day conference. Ray Pun, incoming American Library Association President-elect at the time of the event*, set the tone with his opening statement. He was not able to be with us, but he kindly sent us a video-recorded speech as our keynote.

Our second panel was a talk story with author Kaylin Melia George and illustrator Mae Waite of the recently published book Aloha Everything. They shared their creative process and how their book will benefit the people of Hawaiʻi. There was much discussion about the importance of children seeing themselves and their heritage portrayed with beauty and respect in literary works. Their energy and passion were contagious and they enthusiastically participated in the rest of the meeting. They are very excited to stay in touch, so we have made new community friends. 

Next, for Rethinking Access - Community Engagement, we highlighted bookmobiles on Kauaʻi and Maui. Victoria Lam of Little Miso Bookmobile and Jessica Gleason of the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System’s Holoholo Bookmobile shared their experiences as bookmobile librarians, connecting with their communities and bringing literacy outside of brick-and-mortar libraries. It was heart-warming to see how committed they are to reaching the public. Victoria sponsors the LIttle Miso Bookmobile with her own funding and donations. Jessica’s and Victoriaʻs commitment to childhood reading is truly inspiring. Check out their cute bookmobiles in the slides!

Kelly Campbell concluded the meeting by bringing emotional wellbeing to the forefront of the conversation, with Rethinking Self - Staff in the Stacks. Attendees shared helpful hints on how they create boundaries in their professional and personal lives, seek mental health support, and refresh their energy. The takeaway is that many of us are coping with work and personal stress and we can help each other find solutions. 

Every event was on point and gave all of us a lot to think about. Mahalo kākou to the speakers and to the audience for making it a good day! Mahalo nui loa to Carina and Joy for helping to make this happen!
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*If you have not heard, Ray has withdrawn, for personal health reasons, from the position of president-elect. We are all holding him with positive thoughts for good health.