ARRTcon 2026

Program

Presenters

Slides

Keynote

Becky Spratford, RA for All

Breakout Sessions

RA 101

We’ve all been there: someone approaches the desk and asks for a genre you’re not familiar with, inquires about the latest trending title, or simply wants a “good” book. In this session, you’ll learn how to provide readers’ advisory with confidence and connect patrons with books they will love!

Mike Hominick, Palatine Public Library District

Sarah Kovac, Helen Plum Library

Four Cornerstones of Readers’ Advisory

Matching the book to the reader is as much about the reader as it is about the book. In this presentation, librarians and Booklist editors Heather Booth and Susan Maguire will explore the four cornerstones of reader interest: availability, zeitgeist, mood, and genre. We’ll move beyond a strict appeal-based approach to RA to consider the reader as a part of an ecosystem of interest.

Susan Maguire, Booklist

From Representation to Recommendation: Using A.I.S.H.A. in Readers’ Advisory

Representation is about more than who appears on the page. In this interactive session, participants will explore A.I.S.H.A., a practical framework for evaluating Muslim representation in literature. Using selected adult titles, participants will put the framework into practice, moving beyond simply identifying representation to examining its depth, complexity, and context while considering how those insights can strengthen readers’ advisory. Participants will leave with a practical approach for applying A.I.S.H.A. to adult collections and using what they discover to support thoughtful readers’ advisory, collection development, programming, and more intentional literary inclusion within public libraries.

Hosting an Author Event

Join us for a lively discussion on all the ways to incorporate author events into your programming. From local author fairs to book discussion visits, we’ll give tips on hosting a successful event from start to finish, with insights and perspective from local authors. 

Karrie Stewart, Algonquin Area Public Library District

Sarah Roots, Park Ridge Public Library

Genre Blends

Join the current ARRT Genre Study facilitators as we offer a crash course in GENRE BLENDS! We will go over some basic concepts, such as: the difference between a genre blend and a sub-genre and when a blend becomes its own genre (hello, Romantasy!) We’ll discuss the appeal of traditional blends and also review new/trending titles. Attendees can expect to have a few laughs as we unpack complex blends like “a dark academia magical realism psychological thriller,” and also leave with a better understanding of how to approach genre blends in our day-to-day readers’ advisory.

Elizabeth Hopkins, Lisle Library District

Passive RA – Classic and Trending

Take part in an ARRT-led conversation about passive readers’ advisory: the ways we can successfully connect readers with books without a one-on-one interaction. Discuss traditional and innovative methods and topics, make connections with other library staff, and find inspiration that will keep your ideas flowing beyond ARRTcon.

Samantha Bunte, Fox River Valley Public Library

Whole Collection RA

Discover how to integrate multiple formats, genres, topics, and ideas into your readers’ advisory. Whole collection RA can take patrons in so many directions. Get ideas for expanding active and passive RA, creating physical and digital displays, and crowdsourcing ideas.

Layne Arens, Chicago Public Library

Rachel Rothe, Wilmette Public Library