MiALA 2026 Annual Conference

The Journal of Student Research at Indiana University East (JSRIUE) was initially founded in 2017. In 2025, I had the option to turn the production of the journal into an honors-level class and lead students through the process of bringing articles to publication. This presentation will provide a model for other librarians who choose to launch a research journal on their campuses, as well as lessons learned for strengthening the class in the future.

Learning Objective(s): By the end of this presentation, participants will 1) Identify necessary foundational steps for ensuring a smooth publication process; 2) Discover what tasks are needed to create a polished journal, including editing, communication and preparatory coursework; and 3) Learn how a student journal serves as a morale-boosting tool for students and provides unexpected outcomes for students enrolled in the class.

Academic librarians face constant pressure from rapid change and endless to-do lists. Slow librarianship offers a values-driven alternative to the culture of busyness, centering intentionality, equity, and relationship-building over speed. This workshop introduces practices that resist toxic productivity and foster sustainability. Through reflection, zine-making, and discussion, participants will identify small shifts to incorporate slow librarianship into their work and libraries.

Learning Objective(s): 1) Participants will develop an understanding of the concept of slow librarianship; 2) Participants will create a plan on how to begin implementing slow librarianship in their work; and 3) Participants will identify at least one slow librarianship practice they can incorporate into their workday.

Studying hungry is hard! This session will explore the academic library space moving from information center to active engagement in combatting a known issue on college campuses: food insecurity. It will discuss the proposal development, need for cross-campus collaboration, and the reception and obstacles along the way.

Learning Objective(s): 1) Understand the challenges of food insecurity among college students and explore how libraries can serve as active partners in promoting student wellness; 2) Analyze the planning, funding, and marketing strategies used in developing a grab-n-go food pantry; and 3) Evaluate the effectiveness of a proposed grab-n-go pantry by assessing student reception, identifying implementation challenges, and recommending improvements for future sustainability.

Public Canva Presentation Link: https://canva.link/zicuwnfktspefc6