The American Library Association (ALA) was founded in Philadelphia in 1876 amid the patriotic spectacle of our nation’s centennial celebrations. But it’s Chicago, the Association’s home for more than a century, that will welcome the library community for a milestone 150th anniversary celebration at the 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition, to be held June 25–29 at the McCormick Place Convention Center.
The tone and content of this year’s slate of speakers, programs, and gatherings strike a balance between the retrospective and the speculative, as library workers and advocates stake out a brighter, stronger, and more inclusive and accessible future for libraries of all types. Other sessions will study the present moment, as technological advancements and cultural upheaval continue to shape the profession.
The conference will include appearances from featured speakers and authors, hundreds of education programs, more than 500 exhibitors, and plenty of opportunities to network. This preview offers a small sample of what to expect. For registration information and a complete list of events, visit alaannual.org.
Featured speakers
Check the Annual Conference scheduler for the latest information on dates, times, and locations.
Emmy Award–winning journalist, political analyst, and author Rachel Maddow will open Annual, 4–5:30 p.m. Friday, June 26. Her latest project is the narrative podcast series Burn Order, released in December 2025, which investigates the US government’s decision to incarcerate Japanese Americans at the start of World War II.
Two-time Newbery Medal winner Lois Lowry will preview her forthcoming book for middle-grade readers, Building 903, a dystopian novel about a girl’s search for her missing twin brother, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 27.
Min Jin Lee, bestselling author of the National Book Award finalist Pachinko, will talk about her forthcoming contemporary epic, American Hagwon, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27. The book traces a once comfortably middle-class family in South Korea whose lives are upended by forces that set them on a new path in Southern California.
George M. Johnson, author of All Boys Aren’t Blue, a YA memoir about growing up as a queer Black youth, will speak 9:30–10:30 a.m. Sunday, June 28. Their next title, out this fall, is If I Die Before I Wake, a memoir that addresses the book bans All Boys has faced since its 2020 release.
Scholar and author Kimberlé W. Crenshaw, credited with introducing the sociological concepts of critical race theory and intersectionality, will speak 10–11 a.m. Monday, June 29. Crenshaw will talk about her new memoir, Backtalker, which traces how seminal moments in contemporary civil rights discourse have shaped her thinking.
Actress and comedian Melissa Villaseñor, the first-ever Latina repertory cast member of Saturday Night Live, will talk about her forthcoming debut children’s book 1–2 p.m. Sunday, June 28. Cat and Lola: School Picture Day is illustrated by artist Jimena Sánchez Sarquiz.
Jill Biden, former First Lady of the United States, will take the stage at the President’s Program of ALA President Sam Helmick, 4–5:30 p.m. Sunday, June 28. Biden will discuss View from the East Wing, a memoir about her White House experiences. The program also includes an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding librarians, authors, and library programs.
Actor and singer Billy Porter, who won an Emmy for his role in Pose and Tony and Grammy awards for his performance in Kinky Boots, will speak 1–2 p.m. Monday, June 29. Porter will discuss his picture book, Songbird in the Light, coauthored by Chris Clarkson with illustrations by Charly Palmer.
Wayne Brady—actor, singer, podcaster, and TV personality—will close Annual, 4–5 p.m. Monday, June 29. Brady will discuss his debut novel, Hard Times, a time-travel thriller about a father searching for his estranged son, in conversation with his coauthor, librarian and community organizer Maurice Broaddus.
Anniversary programs
An ALA Legacy Going Strong over 100 Years: The American Library in Paris
11 a.m.–noon Saturday, June 27
Discover the history of the American Library in Paris, founded with ALA support in 1920 and later a lifeline for readers in the Nazi-occupied city during World War II. This session will highlight the library’s legacy as a hub for democracy and modern library service, along with its current programs, fundraising efforts, and fellowship opportunities for librarians, authors, and researchers.
Celebrating 24 Years of the Rise: Feminist Book Project List
1–2 p.m. Saturday, June 27
Celebrate the nearly quarter-century of Rise: A Feminist Book Project, an initiative from the Feminist Task Force of the Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) that promotes feminist literature for young readers. The session will give insight into selection criteria and practical ways to integrate titles into programming and readers’ advisory.
Resource Sharing (R)evolution: Where Will the Next 150 Years Take Us?
4–5 p.m. Saturday, June 27
This session will explain how resource sharing has evolved from print catalogs and mail delivery to digitization and automated systems. The panel will highlight current innovations in interlibrary loan, legal frameworks, and workflow integration, while looking toward the next 150 years of sharing.
ALA 150: A Celebration for Our Libraries
5:30–7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27
Celebrate the Association’s anniversary at this special reception honoring ALA’s legacy while looking ahead to the future of the profession. Enjoy light bites, beverages, a live band and dance floor, a photo booth, special guests, and an exclusive look at rare ALA artifacts. Tickets are $50.
Black Presidents of ALA: A Storied History
1–2 p.m. Sunday, June 28
This session will draw on historical research to honor the groundbreaking Black leaders who have led the Association. It will trace their tenures, achievements, and challenges while examining how they shaped equity-focused policies that continue to inform ALA’s future.
From Global to Local: How ALA’s UN Engagement Strengthens Libraries and Communities
2:30–3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 28
How has ALA’s longstanding global engagement shaped local library impact? Learn how members have connected advocacy at the United Nations and other international networks to programs that advance equity, sustainability, and access in their own communities.
Spectrum Scholar Alumni Share Leadership Stories
2:30–3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 28
A panel of alumni will highlight how investment in underrepresented library workers through ALA’s Spectrum Scholarship Program has shaped a new generation of leaders and discuss broader leadership development across the Association.
Protecting Our Right to Read: Historic and Current Court Cases
2:30–3:30 p.m. Monday, June 29
As book bans continue to surge nationwide, legal decisions on censorship from the past and present are shaping the future of free expression. This session, led by former Office for Intellectual Freedom Director Deborah Caldwell Stone, will cover key legal challenges, current high-profile cases, and ALA’s history of intellectual freedom advocacy.
Education programs
Top Tech Trends
1–2 p.m. Saturday, June 27
A panel of experts from a range of library settings will share insights on emerging technologies shaping the field. Attendees will learn about key developments, consider their effect on services and staff, and gain practical perspectives on how to adapt as innovation continues to transform library work.
Partnering for Democracy: Strategic Collaboration to Deliver Civic Information and Facilitate Voter Participation
2:30–3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27
Ahead of the midterm elections this fall, libraries will play a vital role in supporting informed civic participation. This session, moderated by ALA Committee on Legislation Chair Susan Braukus Hempstead, will explore how libraries are partnering to share trusted information, support voters, and strengthen community infrastructure.
Beyond the Book: How Libraries Can Fundraise with Author Events
4–5 p.m. Saturday, June 27
Moderated by publishing executive and former United for Libraries (UFL) President Skip Dye, this panel will discuss how author events can double as fundraising opportunities for libraries. Hear from a speakers bureau representative, a library professional, and an author on booking strategies, event formats, and best practices.
Elders Deserve Social Justice Too: Challenging Ageism Toward Older Adults through Libraries, Communities, and ALA
9–10 a.m. Sunday, June 28
As populations age worldwide, libraries must rethink how they serve and engage older adults. This multigenerational panel examines the effect of ageism in library programs, workplaces, and the library profession, and offers practical, data-informed strategies to address issues and design more inclusive services.
Relationship-Centered Teen Outreach That Makes a Difference: Period Products, Juvenile Detention, and School Partnerships
11 a.m.–noon Monday, June 29
Emily Williams, teen services manager at Metropolitan Library System in Oklahoma, will highlight approaches to teen services that center relationships, access, and real-world needs, particularly for underserved youth.
Living Archives: Immersive Virtual Reality Discovery Spaces for Libraries and Special Collections
1–2 p.m. Monday, June 29
Browser-based virtual reality (VR) spaces allow users to experience archives as immersive, interactive environments. Review research on VR user engagement and learning, examine accessibility and ethics considerations, and learn how to build a cross-device virtual space for your library.
Timely Topics
The following is a selection of sessions representing the conference’s Timely Topics series: artificial intelligence (AI), health and safety, intellectual freedom and library advocacy, and library services for targeted communities, such as immigrant, refugee, and LGBTQ+ patrons.
Ethical AI in Libraries: A Critical Look at the Promise and Potential
11 a.m.–noon Sunday, June 28
Rather than focusing on hype, this panel discussion will provide a critical look at generative AI and its implications for libraries. Speakers will address ethical concerns, from bias to environmental ramifications, and offer ways to help library workers navigate this evolving landscape with clarity and care.
United to Read Freely: How a State-Level Coalition Won Big by Sticking Together
1–2 p.m. Sunday, June 28
Last summer, Rhode Island’s governor signed one of the nation’s strongest anti-censorship laws, safeguarding libraries and schools from book challenges. This panel unpacks how a coalition of librarians, authors, educators, publishers, and parents turned grassroots organizing into legislative success.
Strategic Planning Reimagined: AI and Gamification in Public Libraries
2:30–3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 28
Staffers from Pueblo City–County (Colo.) Library District will share how they used gamification, roleplay, and AI tools to rethink their strategic planning. Attendees will learn how AI can be leveraged to reduce bias, engage staff, and align decision making with data.
Beyond Bookmobiles: Mobile Branches for Equity, Access, and Disaster Readiness
9–10 a.m. Monday, June 29
The mobile library model—branches that rely on electric vans to deliver Wi-Fi, technology, materials, and programming—helps communities facing transportation barriers or disaster aftermath. This session will provide a practical toolkit for designing and branding mobile services as an equity- and resilience-focused investment.
Making the Most of Milestones: Golden Opportunities in Library Fundraising
11 a.m.–noon Monday, June 29
Learn how library milestones, including anniversaries and new buildings, can become powerful fundraising opportunities. This panel will convene experienced fundraisers and advocates to share real-world examples and strategies for identifying milestone moments, engaging donors, and creating resonant outreach.
Our America, Our Stories: Collecting and Preserving Immigrant Histories
2:30–3:30 p.m. Monday, June 29
In an era of extreme nativism and hostility toward immigrants and refugees, libraries have a vital role to play in documenting the histories of new Americans. This session will use Chicago as a case study, highlighting oral history projects, archival partnerships, and community-driven exhibitions at local museums and libraries that are shaping a rich, representative historical record of the city.
Division, round table, and affiliate presidents’ programs
The Invisible Labor of Library Work: Data, Metrics, and Storytelling for Advocacy
8:30–10 a.m. Saturday, June 27
Library workers provide vital invisible labor—emotional support, crisis response, relationship-building, and tech help—that often goes unrecognized. This program from the Learning Round Table will dig into how that work appears on the front lines, how to measure it responsibly, and how data and storytelling can support stronger advocacy and funding.
Living Stories: Centering Contemporary Native Voices
10:30–11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 27
Presented by the American Indian Library Association, this session will discuss how to more accurately represent the diversity of Native peoples in library collections and programming. Attendees will learn key distinctions among tribal groups and common misrepresentations and leave with practical tools, curated reading lists, and promotion strategies.
Social-Emotional Growth and Resilience through Manga
10:30 a.m.–noon Saturday, June 27
Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table (GNCRT) President-Elect Jillian E. Rudes will lead a panel of librarians, educators, and industry experts to discuss how manga helps teens understand empathy and their own identities.
Borrow, Don’t Buy: Meet Your Needs with a Library of Things
1–2 p.m. Saturday, June 27
Discover how a Library of Things can advance sustainability and community impact. This session from the Sustainability Round Table will cover models for lending tools, equipment, and other nontraditional resources, and show how even modest setups can connect your work to the growing sharing economy.
Intellectual Freedom: Navigating the Tension between Beliefs and Principles
2:30–3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27
When a library’s values collide with the viewpoints of its patrons—or even its staffers—how can a community find common ground? This program from the Intellectual Freedom Round Table will explore real-world ethical dilemmas, with a focus on strategies for navigating conflicts and practical approaches for handling challenges.
AI in Reference: For Better and Worse, Till Tech Do Us Part
1–2 p.m. Sunday, June 28
Presented by the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), this session will assess the opportunities and challenges of using AI in reference interactions. Learn how emerging recommendations can guide responsible use, connect AI practices to the RUSA behavioral guidelines, and identify strategies for integrating AI into patron interactions.
Health Equity and Diversity
10:30 a.m.–noon Monday, June 29
This program from SRRT will use clips from the PBS documentary The Calling to examine health equity issues and the lack of diversity in the medical field. Panelists, including the film’s director and medical doctors, will address the barriers facing students of color and the impact of underrepresentation on patients.
Books, authors, and celebrations
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from and celebrate dozens of bestselling authors and illustrators at Annual. Visit the Ticketed Events page for more information.
GNCRT Magical Comics Tea
1–3 p.m. Saturday, June 27
Comics creators and enthusiasts will talk about upcoming titles and projects. Don your best teatime outfit or come as you are. Tickets are $10–$35, based on membership level.
2026 Michael L. Printz Awards
8–10 p.m. Saturday, June 27
Sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association, this ceremony will feature speeches from honor book authors and the 2026 Printz winner, Cynthia Leitich Smith, editor of Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories. A dessert and cocktail reception will follow. Early and advance tickets are $40–$55 and onsite tickets are $50–$60, based on membership status.
2026 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction Award Ceremony and Reception
8–10 p.m. Saturday, June 27
Winning authors of the 2026 Carnegie Medals Megha Majumdar (for A Guardian and a Thief) and Yiyun Li (for Things in Nature Merely Grow) will give speeches and sign books. Tickets are $25.
Coretta Scott King Book Awards Breakfast
7–9:30 a.m. Sunday, June 28
This awards breakfast honors authors of exemplary children’s books depicting the Black experience. The 2026 winners, Jewell Parker Rhodes (author of Will’s Race for Home) and R. Gregory Christie (illustrator of The Library in the Woods), will deliver remarks. Tickets are $70.
International Librarians Reception
6–8 p.m. Sunday, June 28
Join the International Relations Round Table in welcoming librarians from more than 50 countries. This reception, open to all attendees, offers networking opportunities with hundreds of information professionals. Incoming ALA President Maria McCauley will announce the recipients of the ALA Presidential Citation for Innovative International Projects and other award winners. Tickets are $40, and complimentary for attendees from outside the US.
The Laugh’s on Us
6–8 p.m. Sunday, June 28
Comedian and UFL spokesperson Paula Poundstone will headline this wine-and-cheese event featuring humor writers and comedians. A book signing will follow, with free advance copies (subject to availability) for attendees. Early and advance tickets are $60–$73, and onsite tickets are $70–$75, based on UFL membership level.
Newbery-Caldecott-Legacy Awards Banquet
6–10:30 p.m. Sunday, June 28
Join the Association for Library Service to Children in celebrating the authors and illustrators of this year’s most distinguished children’s books. Newbery Medal winner Renée Watson (All the Blues in the Sky), Caldecott Medal winner Cátia Chien (Fireworks), and Children’s Literature Legacy Award winner Candace Fleming (whose titles include The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II) will deliver speeches. Tickets are $110 and include dinner. Free, theater-style seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for those who wish to hear the speeches.
JobLIST Placement Center
ALA’s JobLIST Placement and Career Development Center will be onsite at Annual with career workshops and services to help job seekers at any stage of their careers. Visit the Placement Center page for a complete list of offerings and to reserve appointments in advance.
Mentoring on the Fly
9 a.m.–noon Saturday, June 27
1–4 p.m. Sunday, June 28
Attend brief advice sessions with mentors from academic and public libraries. Walk-ins are welcome, or sign up for an appointment time.
Photography Services
9 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, June 27
9 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday, June 28
Need a fresh headshot? For $20, receive a set of digital images that can be used for job applications, social media, and networking opportunities. Advance sign-up not required.
Résumé Reviews
9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, June 27
9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday, June 28
Receive guidance on how to create or revise a résumé, whether you’re approaching graduation, searching for a new position, or just wanting to fine-tune. Bring your laptop or a printed copy of your résumé. Walk-ins welcome, or sign up for an appointment.
Open House and Job Fair
10:30 a.m.–noon Sunday, June 28
Employers will have the opportunity to talk about their institutions and available positions. Registration is required for employers but not for job seekers. (JobLIST will also hold a virtual career fair before Annual on June 17.)
Library Marketplace
With multiple live stages and more than 500 vendors, the Library Marketplace is a space to learn, network, and have fun. Registrants can explore the latest library services, attend book talks, meet authors, and grab advance reader copies and swag to take home. Other highlights in the exhibit hall include a podcasting booth, the Artist Alley, and pavilions dedicated to topics such as zines, gaming, and STEAM programming. Hours: 5:30–7 p.m. Friday, June 26; 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28; and 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Monday, June 29.
ALA Store
The ALA Store will be located in the Exhibit Hall Concourse (Level 3). Hours: 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Friday, June 26; 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27; 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday, June 28; 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Monday, June 29.
Governance meetings
ALA-APA Executive Board Meeting
8:30–9 a.m. Friday, June 26
ALA Executive Board Meeting I
9 a.m.–noon Friday, June 26
ALA Council Orientation
8:30–9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 27
ALA Council I
10 a.m.–noon Saturday, June 27
ALA Council II
9–11 a.m. Sunday, June 28
ALA Council III
9–11:30 a.m. Monday, June 29
ALA Executive Board Meeting II
Noon–1:30 p.m. Monday, June 29
Accessibility
Accessibility measures at Annual include captioning during main sessions, accessible shuttle buses, the welcoming of service animals, mobility assistance, American Sign Language interpreters, a private space in the convention center for nursing, and accessible rooms in the hotel block. Visit bit.ly/AC26-access for more information.
Community of Care
ALA has implemented a Community of Care at Annual, with the goal of enhancing a sense of community and safety by upholding a code of conduct and providing attendees with tangible support. Among the resources available at Annual are a quiet room for those looking for a calm space during the conference and onsite counseling sessions with mental health professionals. Visit bit.ly/AC26-care to read more about the Community of Care initiative.
Stay connected
Visit alaannual.org and keep up with #alaac26 on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
