I don’t know about you, but June always seems to mark the end of the year for me. It’s a time when many of us come together at the American Library Association’s (ALA) Annual Conference to celebrate accomplishments, reconnect with friends and colleagues, become energized by conference speakers, and learn or see something new. These yearly professional and social interactions leave us inspired and ready to tackle issues with new information and tactics.
If you haven’t visited Philadelphia recently (or ever), you will be amazed by all it has to offer as a walkable conference city. Its huge convention center—at more than 2 million square feet—is adjacent to many of ALA’s 35 conference hotels. And the historic Reading Terminal Market, just next door, is a bustling public market with a smorgasbord of delicious food. Of course, Philly is known for its cheesesteaks (try one, you’ll like it!), as well as for its amazing dining scene.
In the June issue of American Libraries, you can preview conference highlights and find a lineup of terrific speakers, including New York Times bestselling author Brené Brown, who studies and writes about courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. Brown spends most of her time working with organizations around the world, helping develop braver leaders and more courageous cultures, something we could all use a little bit of help with these days! Brown will be joined by other notable speakers who offer exemplary examples of leadership, including actor and civil rights activist George Takei, actor and women’s rights advocate Geena Davis, and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a fierce advocate for voter and LGBTQ+ rights.
As an association, we stand strong in support of one another and the people we serve every day.
In June, we also celebrate Juneteenth and Pride Month, two events that align with ALA’s mission and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice, apparent targets in our current political environment. But I can assure you that ALA is not capitulating to those whose efforts would turn back time. It’s increasingly difficult to stand up for one’s beliefs now, but as an association, we stand strong in support of one another and the people we serve every day. We remain committed to offering opportunities to explore and discuss challenging topics and protecting intellectual freedom and free expression.
The end of June will also mark the end of my time with ALA as we plan to welcome a new executive director to lead and guide the Association. ALA Forward, a future-facing initiative already underway, includes a new strategic plan, an organizational assessment, and the repositioning of the Association well beyond its 2026 sesquicentennial anniversary. To my successor, I wish nothing but the best.
My year and a half as ALA’s interim executive director has been exciting, intellectually challenging, and marked by change. Working with ALA’s extraordinarily talented staff has been a gift. They are always eager to help and to explore what we need to do differently—something I call the “start, stop, change” approach to thinking about the future. It marks a willingness to be open about how we do things and why, what we might be missing, and where the Association can have the most impact.
I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished in combating censorship challenges, advocating for library funding, creating the postelection Show Up for Our Libraries campaign, and seeking legal action to protect the Institute of Museum and Library Services and its funding.
But mostly, I’m proud and humbled by all of you, the people who are working in libraries every day, who meet the needs of your customers with a smile, go out of your way to be of service, and continually demonstrate why libraries matter. It is you who inspire us all.
