Making the Case for Professional Development: Skills, Support, and Workplace Impact

October 22, 2026
12pm Eastern
Online
Free

Join our online panel to discover how professional development, workplace support, mentorship, and funding boost learning and retention in the library field.

Lisa Cruces from Library Juice Academy shares new survey insights from Texas library workers, spotlighting key professional development priorities and common barriers like cost, workload, and access. She’ll also connect these findings with actionable resources for library staff and organizations.

Jennifer Gibson and Brenda M. Linares will share lessons from Missouri’s You Belong Scholar Program, a statewide effort to retain diverse library workers through mentorship and support. They’ll offer practical insights on breaking down barriers to growth and building a stronger, more inclusive workforce.

Panelists will connect the latest workforce data with real-world strategies to expand access to professional development and strengthen organizational support.

Presenter Info

Lisa Cruces

Lisa Cruces is a consultant, educator, and organizational development professional focused on professional learning, inclusive workplaces, and workforce development in libraries and cultural heritage organizations. As an instructor and consultant with Library Juice Academy, she develops professional-development programs and examines barriers to continuing education and workplace learning. She holds an MS in Information Studies from The University of Texas at Austin.

Jennifer Gibson

Jennifer Gibson (she/her) is Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives at St. Louis County Library, where her work includes strategic planning, DEI initiatives, and grant development. She founded the You Belong Scholar Program, a statewide Missouri Library Association retention initiative supported by an IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian grant. She is a 2022 Library Journal Mover & Shaker and an ALA Spectrum Scholar.

Brenda M. Linares

Brenda M. Linares (she/ella) is Associate Dean of Library Services at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Libraries and brings more than 18 years of experience in health sciences librarianship. Her work includes mentoring, instruction, outreach, health literacy, DEI, and leadership. An ALA Spectrum Scholar, she served as President of the Medical Library Association from 2024–2025.