Keynote Speakers: Jessie Contour & Kelcey Gray #TCDL2026
We are thrilled to announce the opening keynote session for the 2026 Texas Conference on Digital Libraries (TCDL)! Join us on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, as we kick off this year’s conference with a collaborative presentation that perfectly embodies our theme of “Finding Joy! Playful Innovation and Community in Action.”
Opening Keynote Session
“Illuminating Dropcaps: The Magic of the Collaborative Process”
This year’s keynote features a dynamic co-presentation by Jessie Contour and Kelcey Gray from the School of Design and Creative Technologies at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin). Their session will explore the intersections of design, technology, and the transformative power of collaborative “play” in professional and creative spaces.
Meet the Speakers
Jessie Contour
Associate Professor of Practice, Department of Arts and Entertainment Technologies, UT Austin
Jessie is a creative technologist and game designer whose work spans interactive art and public engagement. From collaborating with AAA game studios to designing permanent exhibits for the American Museum of Natural History, her practice explores how immersive media and interactive storytelling can reshape digital experiences.
Kelcey Gray
Associate Professor of Practice, Department of Design, UT Austin
Kelcey is a graphic designer and author of Let’s Make Letters! (Princeton Architectural Press). Her work focuses on the possibilities of typography and lettering, specifically through interactive, narrative-based experiences. She frequently collaborates with institutions like the Letterform Archive to increase access to typographic education.
Visit the TCDL 2026 page to read Jessie and Kelcey’s full bios.
Join Us in Austin
TCDL 2026 will take place from June 2–4, 2026, in Austin, TX. Whether you are a repository manager, a digital archivist, or a creative technologist, this keynote will spark new ideas for infusing joy and innovation into your daily work.
- Registration: Opening Soon!
- Conference Schedule: Coming Soon!
- Call for Proposals: The CFP for TCDL 2026 is open until February 2, 2026.
We can’t wait to see you there!
