From Z to A: Working with Gen Z and Gen A
Friday 15th and Saturday 16th November 2024
Leap into the Future with us
At this year's ASCEL conference, we're taking Members on a journey into the minds of young people, from Gen Z to Gen A, to help you engage and attract the generations of now, and of the future.
With so much change, knowing how to connect with children and young people can be tough.
Over two inspiring days, we'll explore how you can maximise the potential of reaching young people, break down barriers within and outside the library, and empower you with new practices and possibilities.
What can you expect?
Whether you’re a longstanding Head of Service or new to the sector, the ASCEL Conference is the only conference that focuses solely on children and young people's public and schools library services.
You’ll gain knowledge, grow your network of peers, and be inspired to confidently take your work with young library users to the next level.
Across a full and varied programme of talks and workshops, including a keynote from the Chief Executive of Arts Council England Darren Henley, an exploratory discussion with Everyday Sexism project founder and author Laura Bates, and a practical workshop from Participation People, we’ll draw on the topics that matter most to you right now.
“I can honestly say this conference is the most valuable thing I have ever done in my professional life – the things I have learnt will have a direct impact on the children and young people I work with.” — ASCEL Conference Delegate
The 2024 conference will aim to equip leaders of School Library Services and Public Library Services for Children & Young People to:
- Support young people in engaging with and accessing library services
- Learn from other organisations as to how they engage with young people
- Understand and build inclusive participative relationships with young people.
- Engage more effectively with young people in service delivery.
- Explore best practices
- Understand and horizon scan the current strategic landscape
- Generate innovative solutions to respond to new ways of thinking
- Provide opportunities for networking & developing cross-sector partnerships
Hear all about the latest trends, best practices, and innovative approaches to engage Gen Z and Gen A from experts in the field, including:
- Darren Henley - Chief Executive Arts Council England
- Jeffrey Boakye - Author, Educator, Broadcaster, Journalist
- Participation People
- Nicky Parker - Amnesty International
- Laura Mucha - Poet
- Manon Steffan Ros - Author
- Laura Bates - Activist, writer, speaker and journalist
- Mark Rowland - Unity Schools Partnership
Plus Learning from Our Peers sessions and Publisher Highlights.
Benefits of attending conference:
- Experience inspiring speakers to challenge thinking, stimulate ideas and share innovative practices.
- Gain an understanding of the current strategic landscape, national context and latest sector trends.
- Explore how to connect children and young people with public and school library services more effectively.
- Discover best practice on how to listen to and co-produce with children and young people that will put them at the heart of children’s and school library services.
- Connect and network with colleagues to discuss shared issues, explore learnings and foster new professional friends.
- Forge new cross-sector partnerships to develop cutting-edge ideas to enhance public and school library services.
ASCEL conference is open to all our members, plus any staff they wish to bring as a career development opportunity.
Not yet a member? The Become a Member page has all the details and benefits of ASCEL membership.
We also welcome sector partners and exhibitors
"The golden thread that runs through ASCEL conference is always relevant and thought provoking, introducing fresh ideas on common themes." ASCEL conference delegate
Get a taste of conference, and hear directly from last year's delegates, watch the video.