Official State of Iowa Website

Pop YS Con

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Pop YS Con is a two-day, biennial conference all about all things youth services. Join us for award-winning keynote speakers, breakout sessions from in-practice librarians, networking with librarians from all across Iowa, and meeting vendors, nonprofits, and government organizations that support your library work, all while you earn Continuing Education credit. 

2024 Pop YS Con

Pop YS Con will be held April 8 and 9, 2024 at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. Join us for two days of all things youth services! Find more information about the conference and registration link in the sidebar or browse FAQs about the conference at the link below.

Pop YS Con FAQs

Post-Conference Learning Opportunity: Summer Reading Summit

In conjunction with Pop YS Con, the State Library is pleased to offer the 2024 Summer Reading Summit, designed to help Iowa librarians put the finishing touches on their summer reading programs.

Date: Wednesday, April 10, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Ames Public Library

The cost for registration is $20 and includes a box lunch. Find out more and register at the link below:

2024 Summer Reading Summit


Conference Background

Pop YS Con was formerly known as the Kids First Conference. The first Kids First event was held in 1997 and it has grown as a learning and connection experience every year since then!  The conference is partially funded through the Hazel Westgate Endowment and by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the State Library of Iowa. Hazel Westgate was a beloved children's librarian who worked at the Iowa City Public Library for 39 years. The Endowment carries on her work in educating librarians and advocating for youth in the public library.


imls_logo_2c.jpgPop YS Con is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Service and Technology Act as administered by the State Library of Iowa.