2017 Conference Keynotes

President's Program

All are invited to kick-off the full conference program by joining us at a special event on Monday, April 24 at 6:00 p.m. hosted by NJLA President Chris Carbone. Tammy Tibbetts oversees business strategy, communications, development, and brand partnerships for the education nonprofit She's the First, which she founded in 2009. At age 23, Tammy had an idea for a social media-driven campaign that would inspire Millennials to fundraise for girls’ education in low-income countries. She shared her idea for She’s the First with a Facebook friend, Christen Brandt. On November 1, 2009, they launched it in the form of a YouTube video. That one video became a movement that now reaches millions and has changed life outcomes for more than 800 STF Scholars in 11 countries. She is a sought-after TEDx and public speaker who keynotes events for corporations, students, and philanthropists. And as if it didn't get any better, Tammy is from South Brunswick, NJ and is a former employee of the South Brunswick Public Library! Read more: Full program details here.

Prior to the official start of the President's Program, please join us in Wildwood 1 beginning at 5:45pm to be treated to the sounds of two violinists from the NJ Symphony Orchestra. Hector Falcon and John Connelly will share their musical talent, as attendees are invited to partake in appetizers and a cash bar.

Tuesday Keynote

Janet Mock is a writer, TV host and advocate whose memoir, Redefining Realness, debuted on the New York Times bestsellers list in 2014. She is a sought-after speaker, an advocate for trans women’s rights, and the founder of #GirlsLikeUs, a social media project that empowers trans women. A millennial media powerhouse, Janet began her career as a Staff Editor for People.com and has since worked as a correspondent for Entertainment Tonight and host of MSNBC's "So POPular!" a weekly series about popular culture, politics, identity and representation. She also serves as Contributing Editor for Marie Claire, the magazine where she first stepped forward publicly as a young trans woman. Read more: Full program details here.

Wednesday Keynote

Developing a new vision for libraries, Valerie J. Gross worked with the Howard County Library System Board and staff members, local government, and the community to implement the “Libraries = Education" approach. She led the transformation of HCLS to its current prominence as a renowned educational institution, alongside the region’s schools, colleges, and universities. Gross has delivered 80+ keynotes, workshops, seminars, and webinars on "Libraries = Education," drawing the participation and input of thousands of library professionals from 46 states and more than a dozen countries around the world. For living this game-changing vision, HCLS received Library Journal's prestigious Library of the Year award from among North America's 21,000 public and academic libraries. Read more: Full program details here.

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