The weather outside may be frightful (or not!), but Midwinter sets a warm scene, providing numerous opportunities to share and engage with colleagues. Midwinter is a time to join the conversation. You can discuss the big picture for libraries, witness policy being made, and learn about solutions to take home. For more information and the latest updates on what’s in-store at the 2015 ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits, visit alamidwinter.org.
Staying up to date
Experts will give the latest updates on policy, research, statistics, technology, and more in the News You Can Use sessions. Sponsors include ALA divisions and offices, the ALA Digital Content and Libraries Working Group, and high-profile external organizations.
Hear your colleagues describe the latest in-house innovations at the ALA Masters Series.
Discuss aspirations for your professional communities in Kitchen-Table Conversations, and help make ALA an innovation space where members and staff collaborate and create together.
Harwood Institute coaches present four standalone sessions on Turning Outward to Lead Change in Your Community (January 31).
The Library Unconference (January 30) and Library Camp (February 2) bookend Midwinter by offering the chance to ask questions, network, and reflect on the implications of all these updates.
Follow up or start a small-group discussion in the Networking Uncommons area.
Speakers
- Booklist associate editor Sarah Hunter digs into graphic novels with several of the genre’s popular authors and artists, including Gene Luen Yang, Jeff Smith, and Cece Bell, at the ERT/Booklist Author Forum (January 30).
- Join ALA President Courtney Young as she welcomes Mick Ebeling as speaker of her ALA President’s Program (February 1). On the cutting edge of the maker movement, Ebeling sets out to address seemingly unsolvable medical problems in a very DIY way.
And the winners are…
- Be present as the Reading List, Notable Books, and Listen List selections are revealed, as well as the winners of the Dartmouth Medal for reference, the Sophie Brody Medal for Jewish literature, the Zora Neale Hurston Award for achievement in promoting African-American literature, and the Louis Shores Award for book reviewing, at the RUSA Book and Media Awards Ceremony and Reception (February 1).
- Every year, committees of librarians and media experts dedicate themselves to selecting the winners of the Youth Media Awards (February 2), which honor books, videos, and other outstanding materials for children and teens. Winners of the Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and Coretta Scott King are among the prestigious awards and medals that will be announced. Follow results in real-time via #alayma or live webcast. Visit ILoveLibraries.org for more information.
The exhibit hall
With more than 400 exhibitors and hundreds of authors, get the latest on books, products, and technology. Meet authors and enjoy live stages including the Book Buzz Theater, What’s Cooking @ ALA Cooking Demonstration Stage, and the PopTop Stage. Visit exhibitors.ala.org for an up-to-date list of exhibitors.
Ticketed events
Visit alamidwinter.org/ticketedevents for information about the various Institutes being offered for professional development.
Join in for an hour of good, clean, exhilarating fun at ThinkFit Zumba (January 31)! A challenging workout for any fitness level that will mix low- and high-intensity moves for a calorie-burning dance fitness party. Tickets: $15 ($20 onsite).
Hear from the locals
American Libraries asked area librarians for their favorite Chicago “must-dos.”
Visit alamidwinter.org for more information and the latest updates!
