2026 Lake Superior Libraries Symposium

Registration is open for the 2026 Lake Superior Libraries Symposium! Reserve your spot today!

The Lake Superior Libraries Symposium is a regional conference and organization designed to help library staff in the Upper Midwest develop enhanced professional networks and promote resource sharing and communication between organizations.

Our 2026 Symposium will be held Friday, June 5 at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet, Minnesota.

This year’s conference theme, “Everything is (Not) Fine!” addresses the unique challenges facing libraries and information professionals, and seeks to offer support, solidarity, and solutions to those challenges. From funding cuts to the seemingly-unchecked proliferation of artificial intelligence into nearly every aspect of our lives, the role of an informational professional has never been more challenging — or more important. As information professionals, it is our responsibility to help our patrons and the communities we serve navigate a constantly-evolving and increasingly polarized information landscape, which can be challenging when we’re already expected to do “all the things!” At LSLS 2026, we’ll identify our common challenges and work together to develop sustainable solutions.

This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Alexis Elder, associate professor and department chair of Philosophy at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

She researches issues in AI ethics, with a focus on the intersection of AI and interpersonal relationships, often drawing on historical traditions to help understand emerging ethical issues. She is the author of Digital Ghosts: Confucian, Mohist, and Zhuangist Perspectives on AI and Death (2025) and Friendship, Robots, and Social Media: False Friends and Second Selves (2018), both published by Routledge, and collaborates with the Kathryn A. Martin Library to support an Information Literacy Community of Practice.

Conference Schedule (presentation topics and descriptions coming soon!

  • 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Check-in/light breakfast
  • 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Keynote presentation
  • 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. Session #1
  • 11:15 – 12:30 p.m. Lunch & networking (self-serve taco buffet)
  • 12:45 – 1:45 p.m. Session #2
  • 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Session #3
  • 3:15 – 4:15 p.m. Session #4

For just $70, you’ll experience:

  • a keynote presentation by Dr. Alexis Elder, associate professor and department chair of Philosophy at the University of Minnesota Duluth
  • 18 inspiring presentations that will inspire you to embrace and engage your communities!
  • Social networking during a catered taco bar lunch!
  • A Thursday evening pre-conference trivia and social event at the Streetcar Kitchen & Pub (232 Chestnut Avenue) in Carlton, MN at 6 p.m.!

Register by May 26 to ensure that any dietary requests can be accommodated.

The Symposium will take place in-person with registration opening at 8:00 am and the last session concluding at 4:15 pm at the Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College campus in Cloquet, MN.

LOCATION & ACCOMMODATIONS

Our conference is located in beautiful Cloquet, which has small town hospitality and is adjacent to the scenic St. Louis River. The region features plenty of outdoor activities for enthusiasts and art murals throughout town at local businesses. Find local accommodations and activities at Visit Cloquet Minnesota.