Library Policy Retreat for Boards: Intellectual Freedom and Artificial Intelligence - Individual

This registration is for individual participation. For group viewing, please refer to the Library Policy Retreat for Boards: Intellectual Freedom and Artificial Intelligence - Group Viewing course listing.

Retreat Date/Time

Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
Start Time: 12:00 pm Eastern | 11:00 am Central | 10:00 am Mountain | 9:00 am Pacific
Duration: 3 hours

Description

United for Libraries presents a virtual retreat for library Boards/Trustees and those who work with them. This three-hour session is designed for board members and directors to attend individually, or as a group assembled in a library meeting room. The retreat will be held in two parts, with the first session focusing on library policies and intellectual freedom, including best practices for the everyday functions of the library and patron privacy. The second session will address how AI can be strategically implemented in the library, and what boards need to know about AI and policies.

Part 1: Library Policies and Intellectual Freedom
Speakers: Deborah Caldwell-Stone and Eric Stroshane

One of the most important roles of library trustees is the creation of, and adherence to, the policies that govern our public- and public-school libraries. When challenges arise, policies provide the framework to navigate them and ensure that patron, staff and Trustee rights to privacy and First Amendment access are protected. In this session, ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom staff members will share what policies should be in place, the best practices for the creation of policies and the ways they can be used to support the everyday functioning of every library.

Part 2: Library Policies and Artificial Intelligence
Speaker: Dr. Brandy McNeil

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly being adopted in many organizations, including libraries. This session will address how AI can be strategically implemented in the library, and what boards need to know about AI and policies. Learn why and how to create an AI policy that protects patron privacy. Find out how to address questions and concerns about AI from library staff, patrons, and other stakeholders.

Registration Includes

Live retreat (3 hours)
On-demand access to recording of the presentations
Slides, handouts, and activities

Target Audience

Library Trustees / Board Members
Library Directors
Library Staff who work with Trustees

Frequently Asked Questions

Download an information sheet with retreat description, date/time, speaker, registration options, comparison of individual vs. group viewing registration, and frequently asked questions.

Registration Options

Individual Registration

Purchase this course registration for one named individual to participate live and/or watch on-demand.
Group viewing is not permitted with individual registration. Sharing logins is not permitted.
An additional discount applies when purchasing three (3) or more registrations.

Group Viewing Registration

Your library board can gather and participate live in a single location. Options are available for those who cannot assemble in a single location. Please refer to the Library Policy Retreat for Boards: Intellectual Freedom and Artificial Intelligence - Group Viewing course listing for details.
Each registration is valid for a single standalone library board; library staff may also participate with their library board.
If your library board cannot assemble on September 27, you may still purchase Group Viewing registration and attend as an individual. Your group can gather at another time to watch the recording.

Before You Register

Residents of MA, MD, MI, MN, ND, NE, OR, SC, VA

Do not purchase registration for this course.
Your state library provides FREE registration to attend the live retreat and access the on-demand video for the duration of the statewide partnership.
Please register for complete the statewide registration form.
If you have questions, please contact united@ala.org.

Residents of CO, IL, NV

Through your state library's training partnership with United, you are eligible for a 20%. This discount cannot be combined with a member discount, and the higher discount will apply.
To receive the coupon code (to purchase online), or to request an invoice, please email united@ala.org. Include the registration type (Individual or Group Viewing), your full name, library, and primary role.

United for Libraries Personal Members, ALA Personal Members, and Non-Members

Purchase of this course is for individual participation and on-demand viewing.
- Group viewing (live or on-demand) is not permitted; sharing logins is not permitted.
- For information about Group Viewing options, please refer to the Library Policy Retreat for Boards: Intellectual Freedom and Artificial Intelligence - Group Viewing course listing.
Make sure you are logged in with the account associated with your personal membership to ensure the eligible member discount applies.
- United for Libraries personal members receive a 35% discount on all seats purchased.
- ALA personal members receive a 10% discount on all seats purchased.
An additional discount applies when purchasing three (3) or more registrations.

Tech Requirements

The live retreat will be held in Zoom. Speakers or a headset for listening to the presentation are required. Text-based chat is available, and attendees will use the Q&A panel to submit questions to the presenters.

Accessibility

Automatic closed captioning is available in the Zoom platform, and for the on-demand recordings of presentations.

Contact

If you have a question or need to make arrangements for additional assistance or accessibility, please contact Jillian Wentworth (jwentworth@ala.org).

Speakers

Deborah Caldwell-Stone is Director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom and Executive Director of the Freedom to Read Foundation. For over twenty years she has worked closely with library professionals and library trustees on a wide range of intellectual freedom issues related to library service in the United States. She has served on the faculty of the ALA-sponsored Lawyers for Libraries and Law for Librarians workshops and is a contributor to the 10th edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual. She has contributed articles on law, policy, and intellectual freedom to American Libraries and other publications.

Eric Stroshane is the Office for Intellectual Freedom's (OIF) Assistant Director of Member Services. He has twenty years of experience working in public, special, and academic libraries. At OIF he directly supports school and library professionals defending the freedom to read; maintains the database of banned and challenged materials; assists with publications; and curates a weekly news compilation for ALA’s Intellectual Freedom Blog. He was the news editor for the Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy and is a former president of the Mountain Plains Library Association. He has delivered training and presentations on intellectual freedom issues to a variety of audiences nationwide.

Dr. Brandy McNeil is the President of the Public Library Association and a nationally recognized leader in digital literacy, equity, and public library innovation. As Deputy Director of Branch Programs and Services at The New York Public Library, she has transformed access to technology, knowledge, and opportunity across the system’s 89 branches. Under her visionary leadership, Dr. McNeil has spearheaded groundbreaking partnerships with tech giants such as Apple, Spotify, and Google, and created TechConnect, a nationally recognized model for digital literacy in libraries. She is also a leading authority on artificial intelligence in libraries and learning institutions, speaking globally on how to thoughtfully integrate A.I. for both staff and the public to empower communities and expand opportunity. She was honored with the 2017 Library Journal Movers & Shakers award and is a contributing writer for Public Libraries Magazine as well as a contributor to the book Libraryland: It's All About the Story (2020). Dr. McNeil previously served on the Executive Board of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. Her expertise extends beyond the library world; she holds a Doctorate in Business and an MBA in Entrepreneurship, with past roles at several Fortune 500 companies.

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