MSR Design Principal Jeff Davis will co-present two sessions at the 2026 American Library Association Annual Conference & Exhibition in Chicago, joining library leaders from across North America for conversations about the evolving role of public libraries in civic life, community resilience, and expanded access.
Jeff will co-present alongside Noah Baskett, Library Director at Salt Lake City Public Library; Lisa Scroggins, Executive Director at Natrona County Public Library; Patty M. Wong, City Librarian at Santa Clara City Library; Renee Di Pilato, Director of Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources; and Chris Brown, Commissioner at Chicago Public Library.
Successful public libraries are at the center of a community’s social, economic, and environmental health. This panel discussion will explore why library leaders need a strong voice in conversations with elected officials, government partners, and community leadership. For more than 150 years, libraries have helped shape civic life. Today, as communities face challenges such as housing instability, economic uncertainty, and evolving public needs, libraries are uniquely positioned to respond through partnerships, programming, resources, and resilient public spaces.
Panelists will share how library directors from across the country are participating in government and community leadership to build consensus, strengthen support, and advance the planning and funding of future library renovations and new facilities.
Jeff will co-present alongside Melissa Lowenberg, Manager of Community Libraries and Engagement at Thompson-Nicola Regional Library; Judy Moore, Chief Operations Officer at Salt Lake City Public Library; and Paul Takala, Chief Librarian and CEO of Hamilton Public Library.
Public libraries are extending their reach to communities in unprecedented ways. Through unstaffed library locations, remote holds lockers, open access, and 24/7 service models, libraries are making resources and technology more available—both digitally and physically.
This panel will examine the opportunities and challenges of implementing extended-reach library services, with perspectives from librarians serving communities ranging from large urban systems to small rural regions. Attendees will learn how libraries are reaching community members who are not currently using available resources, tailoring services to changing community needs, and navigating the technical and administrative challenges of new access models.
We’re excited to join library leaders and colleagues from across North America in Chicago for ALA 2026.
