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Image/source credit: Reddit user kamen4o, “Meridian Hill / Malcolm X Park fountains are open!,” posted to r/washingtondc, May 20, 2026.
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Congratulations to Dr. Alexa Alice Joubin!
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Open@WRLC faculty alumna Professor Alexa Alice Joubin, of George Washington University, received an honorable mention for the Publics Award at the Shakespeare Association of America’s annual convention in Denver on April 3, 2026. The recognition honored her Open Educational Resource course, Screening Shakespeare, and celebrates “pioneering and culturally significant efforts to support broad and diverse Shakespeare publics through teaching, scholarship, and activism.”
Dr. Joubin was also invited to demonstrate the course at the convention’s well-attended Digital Exhibit. The SSA is considered the largest and most prominent professional organization for Shakespeare scholars, with more than 2,000 members. Her open-access textbook is certified by Quality Matters and is officially listed in OER Commons.
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Library Technology Immersion Conference
September 16-18, 2026
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
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The upcoming Library Technology Immersion Conference is designed to help library professionals explore technology and apply it in practical, meaningful ways. Now in its third year, the conference will take place September 16-18, 2026, in Baltimore, MD. WRLC is pleased to partner with ASERL, USMAI, UMBC Library, and FLVC to host this year’s event.
Programming will emphasize practical learning, hands-on workshops, and conversations about the future of libraries. Sessions will cover timely topics such as AI, digital storytelling, accessibility, ethics, and experiential learning. Attendees can choose from tech talks, in-depth half-day workshops, and lunch-n-learn sessions focused on real-world applications of new technologies in library settings.
In addition to the sessions, attendees will have opportunities to connect through networking events, technology tours, dine-arounds, and collaborative discussions with peers working through similar challenges. The ultimate goal of the conference is to provide library professionals a chance to gain practical skills, explore emerging trends, and return to their institutions with ideas they can put into action.
For more information and to register: 2026 Library Technology Immersion Conference
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2026 WRLC Annual Meeting Summary
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The 2026 WRLC Annual Meeting highlighted the role of academic libraries in a period of technological change, financial pressure, and shifting higher education priorities. Across three days of presentations, attendees explored topics including AI-assisted research, intellectual freedom, resource sharing, library instruction, collection promotion, collaborative decision-making, and the design of inclusive library spaces.
The meeting opened with consortium updates from WRLC leadership, followed by keynote speaker Brad Warren, Dean of Libraries at Augusta University, whose presentation, Resilience in a Time of Uncertainty, examined how academic libraries can navigate organizational change while remaining essential to our patrons.
This year’s theme, “Resilient Together”, was present throughout the conference. Presenters shared examples of librarian-faculty partnerships, consortial decision-making models, and cross-functional workflows that strengthen services and improve outcomes for students and researchers. A highlight this year were multiple sessions from the University of the District of Columbia that demonstrated innovative approaches to collection promotion, information literacy instruction through zine-making, and the creation of family-friendly study spaces designed to support student caregivers.
Overall, the 2026 WRLC Annual Meeting was a success! Our colleagues showcased their knowledge and talents that help academic libraries adapt in a changing environment while continuing to support learning, research, and community engagement.
Take the Survey
Your feedback helps us improve future events and better serve the consortium community. We invite all attendees to take a few minutes to complete our brief post-event survey and share your thoughts. Your input will help guide planning for future annual meetings and professional development opportunities. We appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you.
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Below are links to this year’s presentations:
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May 19, 2026, 10:00 AM — Introduction and WRLC Updates
YouTube: https://youtu.be/W1VIIint_x4
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May 19, 2026, 10:30 AM — Keynote Presentation
YouTube: https://youtu.be/W1VIIint_x4?si=eSWcXqN3GYWrU8Bo&t=1403
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May 19, 2026, 1:00 PM — Expanding Services for Alma: April Townhall Highlights
YouTube: https://youtu.be/w80_3pa86rU
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May 20, 2026, 10:00 AM — Small Displays, Big Impact: A Replicable Workflow for Promoting Your Collections
YouTube: https://youtu.be/XgU_GfGWAjc
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May 20, 2026, 10:30 AM — Synthe-zine: Co-Creating Information Literacy and a Digital Collection Through Zine-Making
YouTube: https://youtu.be/MzxopL-CjiQ
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May 20, 2026, 11:00 AM — Designing for Reality: Building a Space in Academic Libraries for Caregivers
YouTube: https://youtu.be/3rdkHR7sk1c
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May 20, 2026, 11:30 AM — AI Literature Review Tool Evaluation: A Guide for Librarians
YouTube: https://youtu.be/FZ7GBTuLARc
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May 20, 2026, 1:00 PM — Intellectual Freedom Update 2026
YouTube: https://youtu.be/vYXZV69mLYA
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May 20, 2026, 1:30 PM — How to Teach Faculty to Teach Research to Students
YouTube: https://youtu.be/WyW0udX0bX8
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May 21, 2026, 10:00 AM — Considering Rapido? Promise, Practice, and Pain Points
YouTube: https://youtu.be/tiHLinR6VUQ
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May 21, 2026, 10:30 AM — Consortial Decision Making Process Training for WRLC Committee Members
YouTube: https://youtu.be/GfwyI7O8LLQ
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May 21, 2026, 11:30 AM — Qualitative Subscriptions Review: Assessment Beyond the Metrics
YouTube: https://youtu.be/hV1ERUah5Gs
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May 21, 2026, 1:00 PM — Beyond the Library: Academic Librarians at Non-Library Conferences
YouTube: https://youtu.be/o30h0WqG3uI
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LibOW in Action: Streamlining Barcode Updates at UDC
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UDC recently partnered with WRLC HQ to develop a new LibOW workflow that makes barcode updates easier for staff. Using a simple web form, staff can scan an item's current barcode, review key item and retention information, and update the barcode directly in Alma, all while ensuring that items requiring cataloging review are automatically routed to the appropriate department.
This form is a great example of how LibOW can streamline routine staff tasks while supporting local library workflows and retention policies. Learn more about submitting a case idea on behalf of your library: How to Share a Use Case with WRLC HQ
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Explore career opportunities with the WRLC and our partner institutions, where talented professionals contribute to our success.
Current position announcements are listed below:
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Contribute to the Newsletter
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The WRLC Newsletter serves as a platform to showcase the achievements and activities of our consortium members. We invite you to submit news items, announcements, or program highlights for inclusion in upcoming issues. Your contributions help ensure the newsletter reflects our collective work across the consortium.
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