As I’m writing this, it is my one-year anniversary as UC Libraries’ digital content specialist. Or, as I like to say, “social media girl.” It has been a year full of learning, collaboration and new experiences. One of those experiences being a trip to the great city of St. Louis, Missouri, to attend the 2025 Library Marketing and Communications Conference with my Comm Team partner, Melissa Cox Norris. This was not only my first conference as a UC Libraries staff member, but also my first conference as a working professional.

Throughout the two-day conference, we attended sessions covering topics such as how to build an engaging library program, maximizing the features of Canva, creating accessible graphic design materials and even finding the most efficient ways to measure the success and reach of social media content. Some of my favorite takeaways were:

• A storyboarding template for creating engaging and organized reels and short videos
• A point system for auditing and calculating the success of social media posts
• Key functions and shortcuts for creating specific effects in Canva
• Shared experiences from other library marketers on how they create captivating events for patrons that highlight the purpose of the libraries while still simply being fun

We also had the chance to hear from some amazing keynote speakers. Scott Bonner, Director of Ferguson Municipal Public Library District, spoke about the library’s service to the people of Ferguson following the killing of Mike Brown in August 2014. He went into detail about how the library was able to provide safe spaces, as well as places for teachers to have class time while school was out of session due to riots. It was an incredibly real and insightful perspective on how libraries, and really any kind of public service, can make a difference during a crisis.

On a non-conference related note, I had the chance to enjoy some St. Louis staples, including a Blues game (they beat Calgary 3-2), Imo’s pizza and toasted ravioli and Charlie Gitto’s Restaurant on the Hill.  And of course, I can’t forget about The Gateway Arch. Thanks to Melissa for all the fun suggestions!  It was a great first conference experience, and I am so excited to visit St. Louis again in the future.