At the Opening General Session, journalist, author, and podcaster Rachel Maddow set the tone for a convening that was both celebratory and deeply reflective on what’s happening in the world. Shifting demographics, rapid advances in technology, and the rise of authoritarianism are all affecting how libraries serve their communities. But libraries give Maddow cause for … Continue reading 2026 Annual Conference Wrap-Up
“I was trying to pierce through with the light to understand what was being hidden from me,” Helmick said. “Because subsequently, for many decades, I was the result of what to think versus how to think, and that ideas should not be engaged with because they could be dangerous.” With intertwining milestone anniversaries—the nation’s 250th … Continue reading Joy as an Act of Resistance
“[I felt] kind of irresponsible,” said Crenshaw, who is perhaps best known for her work in the critical race theory movement and coining the term intersectionality. “Shouldn’t we all be out there in the streets doing this work?” But Backtalker (Simon & Schuster), a book that represents “the sum total of what it means to … Continue reading Talking Back to Injustice
The meeting kicked off with approval of the agenda (CD#8.7) and Helmick announcing memorial and tribute resolutions honoring: Randy J. Riley (M#8) Charles Kratz, (M#9) Maurice J. “Mitch” Freedman (M#10) Fobazi Ettarh (M#11) Florante Peter Ibañez (M#12) Stephen M. Hayes (M#13) Brenda Langstraat Bui (M#14) Stanton F. Biddle (M#15) Molly Royse (M#16) Diana Shonrock (M#17) … Continue reading Council III: Treasurer Presents Fiscal Report, Deficit Closure Plans
This type of unsettling interaction was the subject of “‘That Guy’: Addressing Patron Sexual Harassment in Reference Services,” a session of the American Library Association’s 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago on June 29. “‘That guy’ is someone who is weird for sexual purposes but not necessarily sexually explicit,” explained Jennifer Goodland, technical services … Continue reading The Creepy Caller Problem
A panel of librarians and a game café owner shared suggestions for the emerging practice of players’ advisory at “For Every Player Their Game: Winning Strategies for Recommending Games,” a June 29 session of the American Library Association’s (ALA) 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago. “Players’ advisory is simply connecting people with games they … Continue reading Players’ Advisory
Knowing that some librarians are thinking about ignoring AI completely, Hanegan had a thought: “What institution is going to help [my mom] and all of her friends navigate this?” “Disengagement from AI guarantees your vulnerability,” he said. “The people that you serve will be harmed without your trusted guidance.” Hanegan was one of four panelists … Continue reading Exercising Agency with AI
In conversation with American Library Association (ALA) President Sam Helmick during the ALA President’s Program at ALA’s 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago on June 28, Biden spoke about her time in the White House and her new book, View from the East Wing (Gallery Books). “I know there was a lot of press … Continue reading Balancing It All
As this population continues to grow, the need to combat age-related discrimination must grow with it, said presenters at “Elders Deserve Social Justice Too,” a June 28 session of the American Library Association’s (ALA) 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago. With advances in technology and medicine that have extended the average lifespan, “this is … Continue reading A Generation-Defining Issue
Embracing your individual creativity is central theme in her forthcoming children’s book, Cat and Lola: School Picture Day (Gloo Books, September), which she introduced as a featured speaker June 28 at the American Library Association’s 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago. “This is the first day I’m seeing this, touching it, and smelling it, … Continue reading Creativity That Lights the Soul
At “Leading ALA Into the Next 150 Years,” a June 28 panel held at ALA’s 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago, longtime Association members spoke about their pathways to governance, the importance of mentorship, and what changes they see for the profession decades down the road. Panel moderator Amy Lappin, deputy director of Lebanon … Continue reading Leading from Where You Are
Council adopted the rules (CD#5.1) and the agenda (CD#8.6). Committee on Legislation Chair Susan Hempstead brought forth a resolution affirming public libraries as essential economic and civic infrastructure (CD#20.1). The resolution passed 111-3 with an amendment to broaden the statement to include all libraries, not just public libraries. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Working Group co-chairs Ed … Continue reading Council II: Guidance Approved for AI in Libraries
