The Fresno State Library was one of three CSU libraries to host the inaugural CSU Libraries Conference on June 3, which was a huge success in creating connections between the libraries of the California State University system.

With the theme “Collaboration. Stronger Together,” the conference united library employees across the entire 23-campus system to explore innovation, shared expertise and the power of working together. Our partners came together to create a space online and in person at Fullerton, San José and Fresno, where we attended presentations, discussions and tours with CSU change-makers, innovators and researchers for building stronger and more mindful libraries.

Fresno presentations included:

• Diversifying Behind-the-Scenes Librarianship: A Student Mentorship Pilot Study - Dolly Lopez, Julie Renee Moore, Tammy Lau
• The Toxic Book Project at Fresno State - Julie Renee Moore and Suzanne López
• Bridging Campus Communities: An Agency-Centered Model for Staff Collaboration - Heather Parish
• Class Collaborations: Real-World Examples - Tammy Lau and Suzanne López
• Play Across Borders: Bridging Cultures and Community through Games at the Library (Poster) - Hiromi Kubo and Shuyi Liu
• Library Wisdom: Professional Development through Knowledge Sharing and Breaking Silos (Poster) - Ginny Barnes and David Drexler
• Tours of the library led by Maria Jurado, Tammy Lau, Karina Cardenas, Terry Lewis, Taylor Smith and Renaldo Gjoshe.

"Libraries are not only aligned with [the CSU's strategic priorities], they are integral to achieving them." - Nathan S. Evans, deputy vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs and chief academic officer of the California State University

The conference:

• Registered 600+ attendees.
• Received 90 session and poster submissions.
• Showcased 60+ sessions and welcome presentations from both faculty and staff employees.
• Raised support from 10 incredible sponsors.

A big thank you to Dean Janet Crum; Dean Michael Meth, San José State; and Dean Eric Hansen, CSU Fullerton for their vision, and to our wonderful sponsors that made this work possible: Sage, Elsevier, Clarivate, CARL, Ebsco, Oxford University Press, Katina, Project Muse, IEEE and JSTOR.

Check out more conference presentation details and posters here.