Panel: Maximilien Franck, Ryan Lemke,
Roshan Panjwani, Michelle Sosa (left to right)
Libraries are becoming more and more multigenerational in terms of user needs and populations. Who better to showcase that reality and discuss its assets and challenges than students themselves?
The 2025 President’s Institute will feature a dynamic panel of students representing an array of perspectives and experiences. The student panelists will share their various experiences in the context of multigenerational libraries and how welcoming they are or could be.
| “I am excited to offer my unique perspective as a library user, student, and community member. As learning hubs, libraries have so much potential for offering more inclusivity and support for the populations that they serve. Every person who visits the library has a different story and background; we can learn something new from every person we meet. Not only does this improve our empathy, it also contributes to our innovative thinking. Therefore, I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to join the conversation regarding the generational shift in the library and how we can improve the connection between generations to better understand each other.” —Michelle Sosa, Panelist and MLIS Student, San José State University |
| “The future of libraries is accessible. To create the best and most accessible student experience, we must use our intergenerational experiences as library workers to our advantage. I will be attending the 2025 President’s Institute in hopes of meeting other library workers who want the most outreach to the communities they serve. We all bring different expertise to the table that, when combined, creates a force of creativity, allowing us to reach solutions to problems that can provide access to more libraries and their services. I am excited to speak on the student panel to discuss how multigenerational groups can lead to more robust and inclusive libraries. If you want to engage in thoughtful and passionate discussions on the impact of libraries throughout the generations, register for the 2025 ARL President’s Institute Conference.” —Ryan Lemke, Panelist and Senior & Library Accessibility Intern, University of Illinois Chicago |
| “To be a strong library, it’s important to learn about the needs and lives of the students we interact with every day in and outside the library, especially in light of the changing needs and makeup of higher education’s student body. I’m attending the 2025 President’s Institute to connect with others who engage with their communities in a multitude of ways, as well as hear directly from students and other colleagues about their experiences. If you want to discover new ways that your library can provide support, have a better understanding of our users’ experiences and expectations, and meet colleagues who are as passionate as you, attend the 2025 President’s Institute!” —María Emerson, Program Planning Task Force Member and Student Success Librarian, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
Learn more about our student panelists and register today.
Ignite Collaboration: Thriving Multigenerational Libraries, February 12–13, 2025, in Chicago-Rosemont, Illinois will explore shared leadership practices, innovative strategies to bridge generational divides, and practical tools to promote cross-mentorship.
Click through to learn more and meet our speakers
Questions? Please email events@arl.org.
About the President’s Institute
The President’s Institute seeks to provide opportunities for participation by ARL member institutions and others in our field each year during the start of the ARL presidency. One of the ARL Institutes, this interactive event convenes a broad community of individuals, subject-matter experts, middle managers, senior leaders, and general executives from ARL libraries and beyond on top-of-mind issues facing research libraries. As part of the President’s Institute, the Julia C. Blixrud Scholarship recipient is selected, attends, and writes a report on the institute to be published by ARL.
