Bobbi L. Newman is a sought-after speaker on workplace well-being, library leadership, community health information, and professional resilience. She has delivered keynotes, workshops, webinars, and conference sessions for audiences ranging from individual library systems to national and international associations, including the American Library Association, the Public Library Association, the Medical Library Association, and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).
Her talks are grounded in research and shaped by more than two decades of practitioner and faculty experience. Whether addressing frontline library workers, managers, or executive leadership, she brings evidence-based strategies and practical tools that attendees can put to use immediately.
Bobbi presents virtually and in person, for audiences of any size. To inquire about speaking engagements, contact her through Librarian by Day.
Invited Keynotes, Lectures, And Professional Presentations
International
2026, Jan 2. Well-Being in the Library Workplace [Talk]. National Library of the Netherlands, Virtual.
2022, Apr. With Garcia-Fabo, L., Lang, U., Isbert, C., Huff, S.J., Seah, S., Gomulka, M., Klauser, H. (Wellness for librarians [Panel] International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Continuing Professional Development and Workforce Learning (CPDWL) Section and New Professionals Special Interest Group (NPSIG) Virtual Conference.
2014, Jan. Disruption as opportunity [Presentation]. Ontario Library Association Superconference, Ontario, Canada.
2013, Oct. Looking over the horizon: Exploring the future of libraries [Keynote]. ACCUFEST, Heidelberg, Germany.
2008, Nov. The social web and your library [Presentation]. International Conference on Libraries, Information and Society, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
2008, Apr. Implementing library learning 2.0 [Presentation]. United Kingdom Serials Group (UKSG) Annual Conference, Torquay, England.
National
2026, Nov. Building Equitable, Actionable Feedback Cultures [Webinar]. CORE, American Library Association, Virtual.
2026, Jun. You’re Not Just Tired: The 7 Types of Rest Library Workers Actually Need. American Library Association Conference, Chicago IL.
2026, Feb Reclaiming Balance: Countering the Six Root Causes of Burnout [Panel Facilitator]. Recharging in Challenging Times, ALA Virtual Event.
2026, Feb With Davis Kendrick, K., Javis, M., Darby, A., & Hicks, S. Managing Stress, Building Strength: Supporting Staff Wellbeing in Challenging Times [Panel host]. Recharging in Challenging Times, ALA Virtual Event.
2025, Nov With Leon-Barrera, M., Goodall, C., Clark, L., Hughes, K., & Newman, B. L. Expanding Possibilities: Public Libraries and Adult Learning—Insights and Innovations from the Field [Webinar]. Public Library Association, Virtual.
2025, Sept. Surviving Burnout: Strategies for Supporting Well-being in High-Stress Work Environments [Webinar]. Medical Library Association, Virtual.
2025, May “If I Could Have Just Ten Minutes of Your Time…” [Presentation], ALA Editions Book Club. Virtual.
2025, Mar. Small changes, big impact: Building a work environment that supports everyone [Keynote]. ER&L Conference, Austin, TX.
2024, Oct. Leading library wellness: Creating a culture of workplace well-being [Presentation]. Internet Librarian, Virtual.
2023, Jun. Self-care during stressful times [Presentation]. ALA Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
2023, Jun. Stress management for real life [Presentation]. ALA Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
2021, Feb. With Farrell, M., Garcia, T., How employers can support library workers who are caregivers during COVID-19 [Panel]. ALA’s Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) Webinar, Virtual.
2021, Jan. with Pressley, L., Jones, K., Cooksey, A., Frick, R., Morgan, K. OCLC virtual town hall: Libraries and the COVID-19 crisis [Panel]. WebJunction, Virtual.
2020, Jul. Creating a culture of wellness for library staff [Presentation]. Allied Professional Association ALA, Virtual.
2020, Jun. With Pun, R., Borgerding, J., Boden, L., Making your library sustainable for your community and our future [Panel]. ALA Annual Conference, Virtual.
2019, Jun. Instructional Technologies tool share and LITA guide on privacy. American Library Association, Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.
2018, Oct. with Scott Allen. Stronger Together: Public/Private Partnerships. Internet Librarian 2017, Monterey, CA.
2017 Oct. with Jones, M., Schaffer, G., Magid, L., Dysart, J. Future focus [Closing keynote panel]. Internet Librarian 2017, Monterey, CA.
2011, Jun. Panelist. The Infinite Collection: managing resources in a digital age. OCLC symposium at American Library Association Annual Conference. New Orleans. LA.
2010, Nov. Panel with Jason Casden, Toby Greenwalt, Lisa Carlucci Thomas, Greg Carpenter, Noel Chandler, Josh Hadro. The Future is Mobile. An online symposium from OCLC and Library Journal.
2010, Sept. Panel with Josh Hardo, Matt Hamilton, Sarah Houghton-Ja, Ebook “What Ifs”: Issues that Impact Scenario Planning. ebooks: Libraries at the Tipping Point. Virtual event by Library Journal
2010, Jun. with Wendy Stephens, Buffy Hamilton. Promoting Teen Reading with Web 2.0 Tools, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), Preconference American Library Association.
Regional and Local Keynotes and Presentations
2026, Feb. Designing for Resilience: The 7 Types of Rest in Library Work, [Presentation], South Central Regional Library Council.
2026, Jan. Cultivating Well-Being: Creating a Supportive and Thriving Library Workplace, [Presentation], Northeast Ohio Regional Library System.
2025, Aug. Leadership in Action: Building a Culture of Well-Being for Your Team, Arrowhead Library System
2025, Jul. Stress Management for Real Life: Evidence-Based Ways to Heal, Recharge, and Find Balance, Northeast Ohio Regional Library System.
2025, May. Creating Thriving Workplaces: Practical Strategies for Employee Well-Being, Allegheny County Library Association. Virtual
2025, Apr. Empowering Libraries to Support Caregivers: Essential Resources and Strategies. Indiana State Library. Virtual.
2025, Apr. Fostering Workplace Well-Being: Practical Strategies for a Healthier Work Culture, Arrowhead Library System. Virtual.
2025, Apr. Managing burnout: A librarian’s guide to self-care and systemic change [Keynote]. Iowa Small Library Association. Virtual.
2025, Jan. Empowering Libraries to Support Caregivers: Essential Resources and Strategies. Indiana State Library. Virtua.
2024, Oct. Building a culture of well-being in libraries [Keynote]. North Dakota Library Association, Fargo, ND.
2024, Sept. Cultivating well-being in library workplaces. Cedar Falls Public Library, Cedar Falls, IA.
2024, Aug. Cultivating Well-being in Library Workplaces. Wisconsin Illinois Innovative Users Group (WILIUG). Virtual.
2024, Jun. Creating a culture of wellbeing for library staff. New Hampshire College and University Council (NHCUC), Virtual.
2023, Sept. Wellness in the library workplace [Keynote]. Jackson County Library Services Staff Day, Virtual.
2023, Jan. Wellness for librarians. Mississippi State University Staff Day, Virtual.
2022, Dec. Wellness in the library workplace. Tacoma Public Library Staff In-Service, Virtual.
2022, Dec. Wellness for Librarians. Arrowhead Library System, WI. Virtual.
2022, Sept. Wellness in the library workplace [Keynote]. Northwest Interlibrary Loan Conference, Virtual.
2022, Jun. Wellness in the Workplace for Librarians. Lake Superior Libraries Symposium. Virtual.
2022, May. Wellness in the Workplace. Rochester Regional Library Council (RRLC). Virtual.
2022, May. Creating a Culture of Wellness for Library Staff. South Central Kansas Library System. Virtual.
2022, Apr. Self Care for Thesis Reviewers. USETDA (US Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Association), Virtual.
2022, Mar. Wellness in the library workplace [Keynote]. Ohio Library Council 2022 Adult Services and Reference Virtual Conference, Virtual.
2022, Feb. Libraries and Healthy Communities. Florida Libraries Online Conference, Virtual.
2022, Feb. Wellness in the library workplace [Keynote]. Florida Libraries Online Conference, Virtual.
2022, Feb. Mental Wellness in the Workplace. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. NC. Virtual.
2021, Dec. Public Libraries & Healthier Communities. Wisconsin Library Association. Virtual.
2021, Jul. Wellness in the Library Workplace. Kansas Library Association. Virtual.
2018, May. Public Libraries and Healthy Communities. [Keynote]. Chicago Public Library Staff Day, Chicago, IL.
2017, Mar. Set the world on fire [Keynote]. William F. Laman Public Library Staff Day, Little Rock, AR.
2016, Sept. Privacy and libraries in the 21st century [Keynote]. Minnesota Library Association Annual Conference, Duluth, MN.
2015, Oct. A look to the future [Keynote]. WALE Conference, Chelan, WA.
2014, May. Escape the silo: how and why to escape your professional silos [Keynote]. Iowa Association of College and Research Libraries, Iowa.
2013, Oct. A Bridge Across the Divide: The Role of Libraries in the Digital Skills Gap. South Central Library System, WI. Virtual.
2013, Feb. This transliterate life: All tech considered [Keynote]. Annual Faculty Conference, Houston Community College, Houston, TX.
2013, Oct. A bridge across the divide: The role of libraries in the digital skills gap [Presentation]. South Central Library System, WI.
2012, Oct. Digital Literacy: It’s about more than access. Colorado Library Association Conference, Keystone, CO.
2012, Oct. Set the world on fire [Keynote]. Colorado Library Association Conference, Keystone, CO.
2012, Aug. Bridging the Digital Divide–It’sMORE than Teaching Computer Skills to Seniors. TechNet. Dallas, TX.
2012, Aug, Closing Session Panel with Gary Price and Rochelle Hartman. TechNet. Dallas, TX.
2012, Aug. Closing the digital skills gap. Panhandle Access Library Network, Pensacola, FL.
2012, Jun. Bridging the Divide: The New Literacies and Libraries [Presentation]. Panhandle Library Access Network, Virtual.
2012, Jun. Exploring Translitercy: The New Literacies and Libraries. LibraryLinkNJ. Virtual.
2012, May. Libraries bridging the digital divide [Keynote]. Library of Michigan, Michigan.
2011, Jun. Meeting the needs of 21st century patrons: The role of libraries in a transliterate world [Keynote]. ILEAD U, The 21st Century Technology Tools Institute, Illinois.
Aprl 2011. Choose your own adventure: The future of eBooks and libraries [Keynote]. Midwest Collaborative for Library Services. Lansing, MI.
2010, Nov. with Tom Ipri. The Role of Libraries in a Transliterate World. New York Library Council. Virtual.
2010, Sept. Transliteracy and Libraries. National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Southeastern Atlantic Region. Virtual.
2010, Jul. NCompass Live: Tech Talk: Michael Sauers talks with Bobbi Newman. Virtual.
2010, Jun. Introducing Transliteracy, Georgia Public Library Service. Virtual.
2010, Apr. Libraries and transliteracy [Invited by Beta Phi Mu]. Kansas Library Association, KS.
Conference Presentations
2025, May. Burnout and Women’s Health: Systemic Solutions for Lasting Well-Being, [Lightning Talk], ACRL Women and Gender Studies Section Research Committee, Virtual.
2025, May. Building Stronger Communities: A Toolkit for Mental Health Information Partnerships [Lighting Talk]. Des Moines, IA.
2025, May. “From Overwhelm to Action: Prioritizing Purpose in a Demanding Academic Landscape. Des Moines, IA.
2025, May. Burnout and Women’s Health: Systemic Solutions for Lasting Well-Being. ACRL Women and Gender Studies Section Research Committee – Virtual Program. Virtual.
2024, Oct. With Schlesselman-Tarango, G. Community Connections for Mental Health: A Toolkit for Mental Health Information and Programming Partnerships. Iowa Library Association Annual Conference 2024. Des Moines, IA.
2024, Oct. Practical Solutions for Surviving Burnout. Iowa Library Association Annual Conference. Des Moines, IA.
2023, Oct. Wellness in the Library Workplace. Iowa Library Association, Dubuque, IA.
2023, Oct. with Helmick, S., & Fiester, C. Building Bridges for Mental Health: Creating a Toolkit for Effective Community Partnerships. Iowa Library Association, Dubuque, IA.
2022, May. Wellness in the Workplace. Association of College & Research Libraries (ILA/ACRL), Cedar Falls, IA.
2019, Jan. with Martin, C. Public Libraries as Partners in Healthy Communities, ALA Symposium on the Future of Libraries. Seattle, WA.
2018, Oct. With Allen, S., Stronger Together: Public/Private Partnerships. Internet Librarian, Monterey, CA.
2018, Mar. with Martin, C.,ABCs of DNA: Unraveling the Mystery of Genetic Information for Consumers. Public Library Association (PLA), Philadelphia, PA.
2017, Oct. Building Healthy Communities, Internet Librarian. Monterey CA.
2017, Oct K-12 Science and Health Education Resources. Wisconsin Library Association Conference. Wisconsin Dells, WI.
2017, Oct. Public Libraries and Healthier Communities. Wisconsin Library Association Conference. Wisconsin Dells, WI.
2017, Oct. Public Libraries and Healthier Communities. Ohio Library Council Convention. Dayton OH.
2017, Sept. Role of Public Libraries in Healthy Communities. KLA/KASL Joint Conference. Louisville, KY.
2017, Sept. STEM and Evidence-based Health Resources for K-12. KLA/KASL Joint Conference. Louisville, KY.
2017, Sept. K-12 Science and Health Education Resources: NLM’s Online Playground. 2017 SDLA Annual Conference, Chamberlain, SD.
2017, Sept. Public Libraries and Healthy Communities. 2017 SDLA Annual Conference, Chamberlain, SD.
2017, Apr. Health and Wellness @ The Library [Presentation]. Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries annual conference, Steven’s Point, WI.
2017, Apr. K-12 Science and Health Education Resources: NLM’s Online Playground. North Dakota State Library Renewal & Development conference. Bismarck, ND.
2017, Apr. Public Libraries and Healthy Communities. North Dakota State Library Renewal & Development conference. Bismarck, ND.
2011, Oct. with Kate Sheehan, Polly-Alida Farrington, Emily Clasper. Training is not Learning? Internet Librarian. Monetary, CA.
2011. Oct. with Sarah Houghton-Jan, Amy Affeft, Faith Ward. Ebooks: Putting the Issues on the Table. Internet Librarian. Monetary, CA.
2010, Oct. With Colleen Harris. Libraries in a Transliterate, Technology Fluent World. Internet Librarian, Monterey, CA.
2010, Oct. with Matt Hamilgon, and Chris Freeman. Learning From Failure. Internet Librarian, Monterey, CA.
2010, Oct, with David Lee King, Sarah Houghton-Ja, and Matt Hamilton, Digital Managers Sound Off! Internet Librarian, Monterey CA.
2010, Jun. with David Lee King, Toby Greenwalt, and John Blyberg. Designing Digital Experiences for Library Websites. ALA Annual Conference, Washington D.C.
2010, Apr. with Matt Hamilson. Libraries & Transliteracy. Computers in Libraries. Crystal City, VA
2010, Apr. with Maurice Coleman. Training in the Cloud or Mobile Labs! Computers in Libraries. Crystal City, VA
2010, Apr. with Jason Griffey. Ebooks: Landscape & Implications. Computers in Libraries. Crystal City, VA
2009, Oct. With Rachel Vacek, Anna L. Creeh, and Tom Ipri. Collaborating in the Clouds: Selecting Tools. Internet Librarian. Monterey CA.
2009, Oct. with Erin Downey-Howerton, and Lori Reed. Sneaking the Social Web Into Your Library & Going Beyond 23 Things. Internet Librarian. Monterey CA.
2009, Oct. With Jennifer Koerber, Sean Robinson, Rebecca Ranallo. 23 Things for Communities. Internet Librarian. Monterey CA.
2009, Mar. With Beth Tribe and Michael Sauers. Web 2.x Training for Customers & Staff. Computers in Libraries. Crystal City VA.
2008 Oct. Reaching Your Patrons in the Brave New World of the Social Web. Missouri Library Association Conference.
2008, Oct. Library Learning 2.1. Missouri Library Association Conference.
2008, Jun. Connect with Your Patrons in the Digital World. Mobius Conference, MO.
2007, Oct. With Hastings, R., Learning Web 2.0 – Technologies and Beyond. Missouri Library Association Conference.
Update June 2026
Bobbi L. Newman 