Helping Patrons Preserve Digital Memories
Webinar
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
2:00 p.m. EDT / 1:00 p.m. CDT / 12:00 p.m. MDT / 11:00 a.m. PDT
Duration: Approximately 1 hour
Cost: Free
Helping Patrons Preserve Digital Memories
Kaitlyn Pettengill, Digital Archives Specialist at the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts, focuses on building library staff confidence in assisting patrons with their digital lives. The webinar will emphasize ways to explain digital preservation concepts in plain language, identify common risks to digital memory, and suggest appropriate next steps during reference work, technology help sessions, or public programs.
This webinar will include a structured presentation with real-world library service examples, short scenarios illustrating common patron questions, and practical talking points staff can adapt to their own settings. Participants will receive a short resource handout summarizing key concepts, suggested language for patron conversations, and links to trusted public-facing digital preservation resources. Time will be included for questions and discussion.
Note: please email core@ala.org to request accommodations.
Goals & Objectives
The goal of this webinar is to help library staff feel more confident and prepared when responding to patrons’ questions about digital memory and preservation.
Objectives include:
- Demystifying digital preservation concepts for non-specialists
- Strengthening staff ability to identify preservation risks during everyday patron interactions
- Supporting inclusive, practical conversations about digital stewardship
- Reinforcing the library’s role as a trusted resource for preserving personal and community memory
Who Should Attend
Public library staff, academic library staff, and other cultural heritage professionals who provide direct patron services, including reference, technology help, outreach, and public programs. No prior digital preservation experience is required.
Presenters
Kaitlyn Pettengill is the Digital Archives Specialist at the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts, where she supports collecting organizations with digital preservation assessments and digitization planning. Her work focuses on helping institutions build practical, sustainable approaches to managing and preserving digital materials. She previously worked at the Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel University and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Kaitlyn holds an MLIS from San José State University, an MA from the Courtauld Institute of Art, and has been a Certified Archivist since 2019. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Delaware Valley Archivists Group.
#PreservationWeek