IndieLib 2026

Independent Publisher
& Librarian Forum

Hosted By: Independent Publishers Caucus & Digital Public Library of America

When: Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location: McNamara Alumni Center, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Register Here!

Description: This forum seeks to facilitate conversation, encourage transparency, and plan for beneficial partnerships between two groups that are rarely in direct communication: indie publishers and librarians. Panels will discuss topics collection development, promoting discovery of indie titles, library ebook license models, and transparency in data reporting. The emphasis will be on action items to create better representation of independent publisher content in libraries, equitable and sustainable collection strategies, and ways to facilitate libraries’ mission for access and the public good.

Read about the IndieLib Forum in Library Journal: 2024 write-up and 2025 write-up.

Programming Lineup (2026)


9:00 am: Fast Pitch Breakfast (Book Buzz)

10:00 am: General Arrival

10:15 - 10:30 am: Welcome 

  • Sam Helmick (President, ALA)

  • Daniel O’Brien (Executive Director, IPC)

  • John Bracken (Executive Director, DPLA)

10:30 am -11:15 pm:Keynote: Sarah Lamdan
author of Data Cartels: The Companies That Control and Monopolize Our Information

11:30-12:15 pm: Mythbusting!: Economic Realities of the Library Market

  • Moderator: Stephanie Anderson (BookOps)

  • Andrew Albanese (Books & Money)

  • Sarah VanCleef Gold (Wisconsin Library Services, WiLS)

  • Jaena Rae Cabrera (San Francisco Public Library)

12:30-1:30 pm: Lunch (buffet provided)

1:45-2:30 pm: Data Deep Dive: Resisting Market Logic in Library Collections

  • Moderator: Claire Kelley (Seven Stories Press)

  • Ann Lehue (Ingram Library Services)

  • Mia Karnofsky (Queens Public Library)

  • Lainie Miller (Denver Public Library)

  • Brad Allen (Lawrence Public Library) 

2:45-3:30 pm: SharkTank: E-Book Licensing Models

  • Moderator: Micah May (Lyrasis, Palace Project)

  • Ellen Paul (Connecticut Library Consortium)

  • Michael Blackwell, (St Mary’s County Library, ReadersFirst)

  • Amy Mikel (Brooklyn Public Library)

3:30 - 4:30: Reports from the Field, Closing Breakouts

4:30 - 5:30: Happy Hour, mingling, drinks, and conversation (drink ticket provided)

We’re grateful to our generous sponsors: