LIS Career Week 2026: Let’s Talk About Library Buildings and Capital Projects, Kevin Montgomery, AIA

LIS Career Week is an annual professional development initiative empowering LIS students & alumni to explore pathways, build networks, & prepare for impactful careers across the evolving landscape of information work.

Title: Let’s Talk About Library Buildings and Capital Projects

Description:
Library and Information Science programs prepare professionals to lead people, collections, and services, but many library leaders discover that they are also responsible for managing something else entirely: a complex physical environment. From aging buildings to evolving space needs, accessibility requirements, and system-wide facilities decisions, the learning curve around library buildings can be steep.

In this virtual presentation, a regionally recognized architect specializing in library design will share insights from the past ten years of experience working with public libraries. Drawing on real-world projects, he will explore how librarians can more confidently engage with the built environment, whether overseeing a single renovation or stewarding an entire system of buildings.

This session is designed to help LIS students and alumni bridge the gap between leadership training and facilities management. Attendees will gain practical perspectives on how to think like a facility manager, collaborate effectively with architects and contractors, and make informed decisions that align library spaces with mission, community needs, and long-term sustainability.