I had the pleasure of attending this year’s NC LIVE Conference both in-person (Friday, May 16) and virtually (Monday, May 19), and once again, it was an absolute blast! I’ve been a fan of NC LIVE’s programming since my public library days because their sessions are always timely, practical, and full of inspiration. This year’s theme, Libraries as Community Anchors, really had me excited.

One of my favorite sessions was Here and Legally Queer, which showcased a powerful partnership between Durham County Library, the LGBTQ+ Center of Durham, and local legal professionals. Together, they’re hosting free legal clinics at the library for LGBTQ+ community members navigating name changes, family planning, and healthcare paperwork. With Wake’s law school right on campus, I couldn’t stop thinking about the potential for a similar collaboration here.

Another standout was Dragons in the Dungeon, which explored the therapeutic and inclusive magic of tabletop role-playing games (the most famous being Dungeons & Dragons). The panelist made a compelling case for libraries using storytelling and structured play to build community, support mental health, and foster empathy—everything you could want in a library program.

On the virtual day, I was frantically typing notes during Sailing to New Horizons, a session all about revamping virtual library tours. Their use of ThingLink to create an accessible, interactive experience during building renovations? Absolutely something we could adapt at ZSR (especially given, well… our own ongoing construction adventures).

Beyond the sessions, I loved being able to attend the conference with my friend/former public library coworker and striking up hallway conversations with presenters and attendees. There’s nothing like talking shop with library people who get it.

The recordings and slides from the conference will be available soon; I highly recommend checking them out if you’re curious!