SPEAKER INFORMATION

The 2026 ILA Annual Conference is set to be an exciting event!


Prepare to be inspired by our amazing keynote speakers, gain valuable insights from an informative legislative panel discussion, and engage in captivating sessions led by seasoned leaders and visionaries in their fields. 

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Kelly Jensen

Kelly Jensen is a Senior Editor at Book Riot, the largest independent book website in North America. She covers all things young adult literature and has written about censorship for over 10 years. She is the author of three critically-acclaimed and award-winning anthologies for young adults, including (Don't) Call Me Crazy, which won a Schneider Family Book Award honor and Body Talk, which has been banned in several school districts across the country. In 2024, she was named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker for her anti-censorship work. She earned similar recognition for her work in 2022, when she was named a person of the year from Publishers Weekly and a Chicagoan of the Year by the Chicago Tribune. She has twice earned commendation from the American Association of School Librarians for her anti-censorship work. Prior to her work at Book Riot, Kelly was a public librarian for children, teens, and adults in several libraries in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin.

Amy Drake




I’m confident both speakers will underscore our conference theme: “Libraries: The Heart of Iowa Communities” and speak to the cultural moment we’re navigating both statewide and nationally. ~Eric Jennings, ILA President

Conference Session Line-Up

We are excited to introduce an exciting series of expert sessions at the Iowa Library Association conference! Hear from esteemed colleagues and field specialists who are dedicated to supporting the mission of ILA. Their insights and expertise drive impactful initiatives within their communities. Each session promises valuable perspectives and practical knowledge that can be applied to your library. You'll be inspired by their contributions!

Review Session Details

A detailed agenda outlining each session and its corresponding topics of discussion.

SCHED Agenda Coming Soon

Please note that the SCHED agenda will be updated as needed.

Review session schedule

A comprehensive list of sessions, including details on speakers, scheduled times & room assignments.

Thank you to our New ILA Sustaining Partner!

Thank you to our PREMIUM sponsors!

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