• Parking is available at the Hyatt, and is included in your stay.
• If you are not staying overnight at the Hyatt, discounted all-day parking ($7.50) is available at registration.
• Alternatively, you may park on the surface lot across Waterman (see City of Wichita page)
  • $1 per hour ($10 per day max)
  • In lieu of hourly parking, parkers may pay $5 per day in a surface lot unless "event parking" rates apply.
  • A "day" starts when a parker enters a surface lot and "ends" when enforcement ends for the day.
  • The daily rate does not continue to the next "day."
  • Vehicles with visible and valid ADA or Disabled Veterans placards, tags, or license plates may park for free of charge - subject to event parking rates as applicable. Failure to adequately display may result in ticketing or towing at owner's expense.
  • Some free parking is available - see which lots are free here.

Download the Whova app today to access the 2026 KLA Conference Schedule!

Prefer to have a paper copy of the schedule? Click here to download a printable version of the schedule.

Opening Keynote (Wednesday, October 28)

Leadership Starts With You! Join Julia Fabris McBride in this opening keynote sponsored by CULS and KLA. This highly interactive keynote invites every librarian to embrace the idea that leadership is an activity, not a position. Whether you are the library director or the newest member of the team, exercising leadership means deciding to do something above and beyond what’s expected. Don’t wait for someone else to identify the opportunity to make things better. Instead, take a few tips from When Everyone Leads co-author Julia Fabris McBride. Stop waiting. Get ready to see and seize your moments to lead. Imagine what is possible for Kansas when every librarian leads.

Celebration of Service Luncheon (Thursday, October 29)

Join us for a Celebration of Service Luncheon sponsored by the State Library of Kansas. Kansas libraries are stronger because of the people behind them. Celebrate the colleagues, leaders, and changemakers who make a difference every day at the Celebration of Service Luncheon, featuring awards, recognition, and a heartfelt tribute to the library workers who make Kansas great.

Closing Keynote (Friday, October 30)

Join local author/illustrator Grant Snider for a closing keynote sponsored by KASL and KLA. Grant is the author and illustrator of Poetry Comics which was named a 2025 ALA Notable Book, a Kirkus Best Book of 2024, a 2025 NEA Read Across America selection, and a USA Today Bestseller.

Pre-Conferences (Wednesday, October 28)

Touring the Stacks & Culture: Inside WSU's Ablah Library

Presenters: Hannah Adamson (Derby Public Library); Laura Tharman (Kansas Wesleyan University); Eric Gustafson (Derby Public Library)

Join the Wichita Area Library Association for an exclusive tour of Wichita State University's Ablah Library. Explore the library's resource spaces and learning environments and get a first look at its major new addition: the integration of the Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology into the library ecosystem. Discover how these two distinct campus entities are coming together to create a collaborative cultural and academic hub.

Introduction to Web Accessibility

Presenter: Greg Nordyke (Wichita Public Library)

Soon, state and local governments will be required to comply with a new web rule. This federal regulation mandates that online content be accessible to people with disabilities. Web accessibility can cover a wide area for libraries, including but not limited to websites, documents, social media posts, videos, and mobile apps. During this session, you will discover what the new rule includes, learn from examples of inaccessible digital content, and explore methods to make content more accessible.

Time in the Trenches: Surviving Chaos in Your First Few Years of Directorship

Presenters: Laura Chrisman (Winchester Public Library); Sammy Herzberg (Oskaloosa Public Library); Morgan Menefee (Paola Free Library)

Laura Chrisman, Sammy Herzberg, and Morgan Menefee will share the real-world challenges they’ve faced as new library directors—what worked, what didn’t, and what they learned along the way. Participants will then break into small groups to discuss their own challenges, exchange ideas, and gain practical feedback from peers navigating similar experiences. In the second half, the presenters will address questions and scenarios submitted anonymously throughout the session, with NEKLS Representative Robin Hastings joining the conversation to provide additional expertise and perspective. This session is designed as a supportive, judgment-free space where newer directors can speak openly about their unique situations, build connections, and leave feeling more confident in their ability to tackle challenges head-on. Whether you’re facing staffing issues, community expectations, or the steep learning curve of leadership, you’re not alone. Sometimes you need a shoulder to lean on—this session offers a whole room full of them.

Weave a Tale Presents: Leveraging the Poer of Play in Storytime with La La Librarian, Alyssa Jewel

Presenters: Alyssa Jewell (La La Librarian); Jennifer Cook (Lawrence Public Library)

Strengthen relationships and build community as you explore how to reframe storytime as structured group play—a shared experience where children and caregivers connect through movement, music, imagination, and dramatic play. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn the Plan, Pick, Present framework for Playful Storytimes and explore essential play-based techniques they can immediately apply, regardless of their ability to sing, act, or dance. This workshop is designed for all comfort levels. Attendees will learn how to choose interactive elements that fit their own strengths, program goals, materials, audience, and space while maintaining structure, pacing, and group management. Participants will walk away from this event with new resources, practical tips, and actionable steps for immediate program implementation. Facilitator Alyssa Jewell is known as the La La Librarian and is the creator of Storytime Central. Drawing on 18 years of experience in libraries and classrooms, Alyssa offers real-world strategies that truly work. Her approach equips educators and librarians with the skills and confidence to create truly magical storytimes that leave a lasting impact.

Get your 2026 KLA Conference shirt or bag today! Click here to order today. All sales support the Kansas Library Association Educational Foundation (KLAEF). All items must be picked up in-person at the conference. We can't wait to see you there!