Written by: Micah May

Navigating the library digital ecosystem means constantly balancing patron needs, technical accessibility, licensing hurdles, emerging AI tools, and legislative reform.

This fall, the Palace Project—in partnership with COSLA and ReadersFirst—is proud to present the Fall 2026 edition of The Digital Shelf webinar series. Designed for library leaders, collection development librarians, technical services staff, and advocates, and anyone from the book industry interested in digital books and libraries, these four webinars will offer practical tools, field-tested strategies, and insider perspectives on the defining digital issues facing libraries and publishing today.

This fall we will be trying something new. Starting with the October 13 offering, the 55-minute webinar will be followed by an optional breakout discussion where participants will be invited to join small-group discussions with panelists and hosts. 

All Digital Shelf webinars are free, open to all, and offer continuing education credit to participating librarians. 

All sessions are delivered via Zoom with AI-generated captions available (ASL interpretation available upon request via es@lyrasis.org).

Session 1: Opening Digital Doors — Accessibility on the Library Shelf

Date: September 29, 2026 | Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM ET — REGISTER

Ensuring every patron can discover, borrow, and enjoy digital content is paramount. Join accessibility advocates, library tech specialists, and digital publishing experts for a candid evaluation of major digital library platforms, current reading standards (WCAG, VPATs, EPUB3), and practical strategies to make your digital shelf inclusive.

  • Featured Speakers:
    • Chancey Fleet | Assistive Technology Coordinator, New York Public Library’s Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library
    • Robert Laurie | Director of Publisher and Platform Partnerships, Benetech
    • Jason Broughton | Director, National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) at the Library of Congress
    • George Kerscher  | Chief Innovations Officer at the DAISY Consortium

Session 2: What Are “Reasonable” Library Costs?

Date: October 13, 2026 | Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM ET — REGISTER

Ever since perpetual access models gave way to metered licenses, libraries have grappled with unsustainable digital content costs. What does “commercially reasonable” actually look like across different library budgets and collection sizes? Join our panel as we explore licensing models, cost-assessment tools, and legislative pushes.

  • Partners & Presenters:
    • Michael Blackwell | Director, St. Mary’s County Library & Leader, ReadersFirst
    • Jeremy Johannesen | Executive Director, Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA)
    • George Kerscher | Chief Innovations Officer, DAISY Consortium
    • Amy Mikel | Director of Customer Experience, Brooklyn Public Library & NY State Ebook Working Group
    • Carmi Parker | Librarian, Whatcom County Library System
    • Lisa Radha Vohra | Director, Collections & Membership Services, Toronto Public Library

Session 3: AI Toolkit Showcase

Date: November 10, 2026 |  Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM ET — REGISTER

As artificial intelligence reshapes library workflows and software vendor offerings, staff face critical decisions around policy, procurement, and programming. This showcase highlights free, field-tested resources while navigating essential ethical considerations like data privacy, algorithmic bias, and transparency.

  • Featured Speakers:
    • Brooke Doyle | Program Manager, WebJunction (OCLC)
    • Marshall Breeding | Independent Library Technology Consultant & Founder, Library Technology Guides
    • Mike McQueen | School Librarian, Speaker, and Author of The AI Toolkit for Librarians
    • Nick Tanzi | Assistant Director, South Huntington Public Library & Publisher, The Digital Librarian

Session 4: Unlocking the Digital Shelf — State Laws Reshaping Ebook Access

Date: December 8, 2026 |  Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM ET — REGISTER

State legislatures across the country are taking on high econtent pricing and restrictive license terms using state procurement, consumer protection, and contract law. Get an inside look at landmark legislative victories in Connecticut and Rhode Island, active movement in New Jersey, and the national push to restore equitable digital access.

  • Featured Speakers:
    • Kyle K. Courtney | Co-founder, Ebook Study Group & Founder, Copyright First Responders
    • Ellen Paul | Executive Director, Connecticut Library Consortium (CLC)
    • Jennie Pu | Director, Hoboken Public Library & Past President, NJLA
    • Julie Holden | Assistant Director, Cranston Public Library & RILA Legislative Committee

Register Today!

Whether you’re looking to audit platform accessibility, evaluate AI vendor features, optimize digital collection budgets, or get involved in state-level policy advocacy, this lineup has something for everyone.

Mark your calendars and register to join the conversation!