McFarlin Library Hosts Collaborative Conference for School Librarians

The University of Tulsa’s McFarlin Library has successfully hosted the third annual Building Bridges: A Collaborative Librarianship Conference, which gathered school librarians from Tulsa and its surrounding areas. This event, held recently, focused on fostering connections, empowering educators, and promoting professional growth within the field of librarianship.

The conference was initiated in 2023 by Lisa Grimes, a librarian at McFarlin, who identified a pressing need for enhanced library and research skills among incoming students. Her research indicated that over 62% of new students at the University lacked these essential skills. With 59% of first-year students hailing from Tulsa and nearby communities, Grimes and her team recognized the importance of equipping school librarians with the tools and knowledge to better prepare their students before they arrive at university.

Promoting Community Connections and Professional Development

The 2025 conference emphasized the significance of community engagement, as librarians and library students from outside the Tulsa Public Schools system participated for the first time. Workshops were designed to facilitate discovery, networking, and the effective use of local resources. Previous conferences have addressed innovative library programming, strategies to reinforce information literacy, and advancements in educational technology, particularly in generative artificial intelligence. These sessions often involved collaboration with the Tandy School of Computer Science and Fab Lab Tulsa.

The participation of local donors played a crucial role in keeping the conference free for all attendees, thus ensuring accessibility to valuable professional development opportunities. Key partners such as the Helmerich Center for American Research, Tulsa City-County Library, and the Oklahoma School Library Association provided support and expertise, fostering an environment for productive dialogue and collaboration among attendees.

Empowering Educators for Future Generations

Feedback from prior events has led to the development of new programs aimed at addressing the evolving needs of school librarians throughout Oklahoma. The work of McFarlin’s Instruction & Research Department is making a tangible impact on future generations. With the support of these educators, a robust network of school librarians is emerging, better prepared to guide their communities.

By investing in the professional growth of school librarians, McFarlin Library is cultivating curiosity, critical thinking, and confidence among students in the region. This dedication to community-focused collaboration illustrates how academic libraries can extend their influence beyond their own confines, contributing to a more knowledgeable and informed future for all learners. The ripple effect of this initiative highlights the transformative role libraries can play in shaping educational landscapes.