Simon & Schuster Senior Vice President and Publisher Justin Chanda (left) interviews author Judy Blume at the 2023 Annual Conference and Exhibition.

2023 Annual Wrap-Up

July 19, 2023

The unprecedented rise in book ban attempts at schools and libraries across the country in recent years—particularly challenges against titles by and about the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color—was top of mind throughout the conference, imbuing a familiar topic with fresh urgency. Participants continued to explore crucial questions for libraries: What do inclusive, accessible … Continue reading 2023 Annual Wrap-Up


Snapshots from ALA's 2023 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago.

Bookend: Electric Exhibits

July 19, 2023

Nikole Brown, assistant manager of reference at St. Louis (Mo.) County Library, with Chicago-based drag performer Ginger Forest, who did a “Read the Rainbow” storytime at the Lyrasis booth. Desiree Thomas, collection development librarian at South Carolina State Library in Columbia, with The Pigeon from Mo Willems’s book series, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. … Continue reading Bookend: Electric Exhibits


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Council III: Inquiry into Conference Date Changes Approved

June 26, 2023

The meeting began with memorial resolutions honoring Josephine Maria (Riss) Fang (M-#8); David Goodman (M-#9); Chris Cottrill (M-#10); Jen Angel (M-#11); Bill Ott (M-#12); Kristen A. Cooper (M-#13); Esperanza Bravo de Varona (M-#14); Helene Lafrance (M-#15); James Henry Jacobs, Jr. (M-#16); Paul Cappuzzello (M-#17); Patricia A. Wand (M-#18); David S. Baugh (M-#19); Rebecca Taylor Bingham … Continue reading Council III: Inquiry into Conference Date Changes Approved


Jeanie Austin speaks at a podium during a session at ALA's Annual Conference and Exhibition.

Setting the Standards

June 26, 2023

“I stood up and said, ‘I’m going to become a librarian,’” James remembered. “The laughter was quite intense.” Despite being told it was “unrealistic,” James went on to receive his master’s degree in information science from University of Texas at Austin in 2007. Since then, he’s worked with several American Library Association (ALA) groups advocating … Continue reading Setting the Standards


Author Rick Riordan (right) and Mark Oshiro discuss their co-written book, The Sun and the Star, a Nico di Angelo Adventure at a June 25 talk at ALA's 2023 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago.

Partnering Perspectives

June 25, 2023

So Oshiro picked up the first book in Rick Riordan’s Greek mythology-inspired series for middle-grade readers. The books follow a modern-day demigod and his friends as they fight fantastical forces, and Riordan later built a franchise from that world with two more series and standalone books. Instead of reading it over the weeks-long tour as … Continue reading Partnering Perspectives


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Council II: Condemning Discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ Community

June 25, 2023

Andrew Pace, chair of the Committee on Organization (COO), provided an update on the committee (CD#27.1) and introduced the following action items: Modify the charge of the ALA Conference Committee Modify the name, charge, and composition of the ALA Council Orientation Committee Both motions carried. Toni Negro, chair of the Policy Monitoring Committee (PMC), proposed … Continue reading Council II: Condemning Discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ Community



Geeta Halley (left), assistant director Round Rock (Tex.) Public Library and Jennifer Byrnes director of Rochester (N.Y.) Public Library's Business Insight Center, at the "Fostering Economic Opportunity and Advancement with Innovative Programming" session at ALA's 2023 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago.

Handling Business

June 24, 2023

“The more that they came to the desk, the more I realized, once they took the books off the shelves and left, what happens after that?” said Halley, assistant director of Round Rock (Tex.) Public Library (RRPL). “How do they grow forward and expand their businesses?” Halley and others spoke about libraries supporting entrepreneurs at … Continue reading Handling Business


Idina Menzel (left) and Cara Mentzel) discuss their children's books at American Library Association's 2023 Annual Conference in Chicago.

Finding Your Own Voice

June 24, 2023

Menzel, a Tony Award-winning singer and actor known for roles in Frozen, Wicked, and Rent, remembers the first time she saw her younger sister Cara Mentzel at the helm of a classroom—and knew it was what she was meant to do. “I had never really heard her speak with such confidence and assertiveness,” recalled Menzel. … Continue reading Finding Your Own Voice



A graphic of Chicago with text reading "2023 Annual Conference Preview."

2023 Annual Conference Preview

June 1, 2023

The conference, which will be held June 22–27 at McCormick Place, promises to showcase conversations and innovations that will help to shape the future of libraries for years to come. 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 … Continue reading 2023 Annual Conference Preview


2022 Annual Wrap-Up

2022 Annual Wrap-Up

July 20, 2022

Major themes that resonated throughout the conference included book bans and censorship; issues around diversity, equity, and inclusion; examples of successful library programming during the pandemic; library funding strategies; patron and library worker safety; information access; and technology trends and challenges. Conference speakers included actors John Cho and Tiffany Haddish, comic book artist Kevin Eastman, … Continue reading 2022 Annual Wrap-Up