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Gems of Knowledge koha-US 2026 Annual Conference Fayetteville, AR - August 18-20, 2026 Silhouettes of man and woman, with gems and the koha-US flag logo in their heads.

The koha-US 2026 Conference Schedule

Day 1 / Tuesday/ August 18

8:00AM – 8:45 AM (CT)Registration, refreshments, networking
8:45AM – 9:00 AM (CT)Welcome, opening remarks
Streamed9:00 AM – 9:55 AM (CT)Keynote: The Library at the Edge of Possibility

Jason Battles / Dean of Libraries / University of Arkansas
Streamed10:00 AM – 10:40 AM (CT)Acquisitions Refresh: Let’s See What It’s All About

A live demonstration of where the Acquisitions Refresh is in the community.

Jessica Zairo / ByWater Solutions
Rhonda Kuiper / Round Rock Public Library
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM (CT)Break / Networking
Streamed11:00 AM – 11:40 AM (CT)Attribute-iful Things

Highlighting handy ways libraries use patron attributes in Koha.

Kristi Krueger / Cuyahoga County Public Library
Christopher Brannon / Coeur d’Alene Public Library & InlandShare
Bob Bennhoff / Colorado Library Consortium
11:45 AM – 1:15 PM (CT)Lunch – On your own
Streamed1:15 PM – 1:55 PM (CT)Small Tweaks, Big Impact: Customizations and Staff-Centered Design in Koha

Learn how small Koha enhancements using HTML, CSS, jQuery, and custom pages can streamline workflows and improve staff and patron experiences.

Hilde Wheat / Prosper Community Library
Mollie Myers / Euless Public Library
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (CT)WORKING SESSION: Beginning jQuery Examples

George Williams / Northeast Kansas Library System
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM (CT)Break / Networking
Streamed3:15 PM – 3:55 PM (CT)AI for the Koha Side

AI isn’t only for our patrons – librarians can reap the benefits, too! Learn how to integrate AI into your workflow and how to make AI work for you.

Angela Berrett / FamilySearch International
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (CT)SIG meetings
5:00 PM – 5:15 PM (CT)Wrap Up

Day 2 / Wednesday/ August 19

8:00 AM – 8:20 AM (CT)Registration, refreshments, networking
8:20 AM – 8:30 AM (CT)Welcome, announcements
Streamed8:30 AM – 9:10 AM (CT)Consortia: Days of Future Past

This panel explores the evolution of Koha within library consortia, from the early days of independent branches to library groups, and beyond. koha-US attendees will gain insight into how consortia have leveraged Koha for resource sharing, branch flexibility and collaboration on development with other community members.

Jessica Zairo / ByWater Solutions
Bob Bennhoff / Colorado Library Consortium
Alex Carver / Ramapo Catskill Library System
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM (CT)Group Photo
9:30 AM – 9:45 AM (CT)Break / Networking
Streamed9:45 AM – 10:25 AM (CT)Using All of the Tools in Your Kit

Working to demystify the use of Template Toolkit in Koha’s notices, explaining how users can know which data are available in each notice and how to access them.

Andrew Fuerste-Henry / ByWater Solutions
Lucas Gass / ByWater Solutions
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM (CT)WORKING SESSION: Template Toolkit
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (CT)Lunch – On your own
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (CT)koha-US General Meeting
2:00 PM – 2:15 PM (CT)Break / Networking
Streamed2:15 PM – 2:55 PM (CT)ERM Back Again

Follow up with showcasing ERM. What future of ERM looks like with community.

David Daghita / Independent
Jessica Zairo / ByWater Solutions
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (CT)SIG meetings
Streamed4:00 PM – 4:40 PM (CT)Koha and Aspen Discovery: The Dynamic Duo

Explore the dynamic relationship between Koha and the Aspen Discovery Layer. I will highlight UI/UX customizations I created in my role as a librarian and discuss features and workflows that I’ve observed from the community since joining the team at ByWater Solutions.

Kellie Stephens / ByWater Solutions
4:40 PM – 4:55 PM (CT)Wrap Up

Day 3 / Thursday/ August 20

8:00AM – 8:20 AM (CT)Registration, refreshments, networking
8:20 AM – 8:30 AM (CT)Welcome, announcements
Streamed8:30 AM – 9:10 AM (CT)Koha Tips from Consortia and Large Libraries

Join your colleagues from consortia and large libraries for a variety of Koha tips to streamline workflows and bring delight to your staff in 4 lightning presentations.

Stephen Spohn / Ocean State Libraries
et. al.
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM (CT)Break / Networking
Streamed9:30 AM – 10:10 AM (CT)Query On Wayward Son

Rise above the noise and confusion of Koha report writing and get a glimpse beyond the illusion with a variety of SQL tips and tricks.

Jason Robb / Southeast Kansas Library System
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM (CT)WORKING SESSION: SQL Reports
11:15 AM – 12:45 PM (CT)Lunch – On your own
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM (CT)SIG meetings
Streamed1:45 PM – 2:25 PM (CT)Terrific Every-Other-Thursday Training – Live

George Williams / Northeast Kansas Library System
Christopher Brannon / Coeur d’Alene Public Library & InlandShare
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM (CT)Break / Networking
Streamed2:45 PM – 3:25 PM (CT)What’s Coming in Koha

An overview of exciting changes and features coming to Koha in version 26.05 and beyond. See how your bug reports and feature requests have shaped this version.

Andrew Fuerste-Henry / ByWater Solutions
Jessica Zairo / ByWater Solutions
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (CT)SIG meetings
4:30 PM – 4:45 PM (CT)Wrap Up

Venue

Fayetteville Public Library in downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Fayetteville Public Library at night
Fayetteville Public Library during the day
Fayetteville Public Library from the back

Website:

Visit Fayetteville Public Library

Address:

401 W. Mountain St. Fayetteville, AR
(View map)

The conference will be in the library’s spacious and modern Event Center.
(View Event Center Information).

Local information 

Visitors guide:

View the Experience Fayetteville guide

Attractions: 

View Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Information 

View Devil’s Den State Park Information

Climate:

Dress for heat and humidity. Average August highs in the mid to upper 80s, lows in the mid 60s.

Travel

Getting there by plane

The closest airport is XNA (visit https://www.flyxna.com/airlines) , served by American Airlines, Delta, United, Allegiant, Breeze, Frontier.

The airport is a 35 minute drive to downtown Fayetteville. Go to https://www.flyxna.com/ground-transportation for information about airport transportation.

Getting there by car

Fayetteville is off Interstate 49 in northwest Arkansas.

Hotels 

Walkable: 

  • Graduate by Hilton
  • Moxy Fayetteville
  • Dickson St. Inn

Five minute drive or less: 

  • Inn at Carnall Hall
  • Dickson Street Bed and Breakfast

Ten minute drive or less: 

Hampton Inn Fayetteville

Stonebreaker Hotel

Staybridge Suites Fayetteville

Candlewood Suites Fayetteville

Best Western Windson Suites

Tour of Historic Fayetteville

Date: Wednesday, August 19
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Join us on a historical walking tour of downtown Fayetteville, AR. From its founding in 1828 and throughout years of change, this tour will peel back the layers of Fayetteville’s rich history with stories and visits to local landmarks.

Notable stops include the Old Post Office, the Walker-Stone House, Ridge House, Female Seminary, Courthouse, and other historic buildings around the town square. Enjoy stories of battles, natural disasters, and the strength and resilience of the Fayetteville community for almost 200 years.

The tour is free of charge. Reserve your spot now at https://www.faylib.org/event/16571898. Limited to 30 people.

Pre-conference Tour: Crystal Bridges Museum and Library

Date: Monday, August 17
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.

If you’re able to arrive a day before the conference, consider joining us for a tour of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and its Library.

The tour and museum are free of charge. Please r.s.v.p. via email to info@koha-us.org by August 10 and let us know whether you need a ride or can offer a ride.

We will meet at the museum’s library on the third floor for a 30-minute library tour, followed by a collection highlights tour. The museum is at 600 Museum Way in Bentonville, Arkansas. It’s about a half hour drive from the Northwest Arkansas National Airport and a 40-minute drive from downtown Fayetteville.

Conference Registration Coming Soon

Koha Community Code of Conduct

From: https://koha-community.org/about/policy/code-of-conduct/

All delegates, speakers, sponsors and volunteers at any Koha event are required to agree with the following code of conduct. Organisers will enforce this code throughout the event.

The Quick Version

Koha event organisers are dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of event participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any event venue, including talks. Event participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the event without a refund at the discretion of the event organisers.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

  • Violent threats, intimidation or personal insults directed against another person
  • Verbal, graphic or written comments related to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race or religion
  • Posting sexually explicit or violent material
  • Stalking or following, including harassing photography or recording
  • Sustained disruption of talks or other presentations
  • Inappropriate physical contact or sexual attention
  • Posting (or threatening to post) other people’s personally identifying information
  • Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior
  • Repeated harassment of others. In general, if someone asks you to stop, then stop

The Less Quick Version

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Sponsors are also subject to the anti-harassment policy. In particular, sponsors should not use sexualized images, activities, or other material. Booth staff (including volunteers) should not use sexualized clothing/uniforms/costumes, or otherwise create a sexualized environment.

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organisers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. Event organisers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants.

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of event staff immediately. Event staff can be identified by a clearly marked “STAFF” badge, button or shirt.

Event staff will be happy to help participants contact hotel/venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance.

We expect participants to follow these rules at all event venues and event-related social activities. We think people should follow these rules outside event activities too!

This code of conduct is borrowed, slightly modified, from the folks at Evergreen who borrowed it from the folks at GopherCon, who borrowed it from JSConf, with permission. A section is adapted from the OpenStack Summit Code of Conduct.