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 … Continue reading 2026 Annual Conference Preview
From healthy breakfasts to decadent splurges and feasts, these establishments will provide whatever you need to keep your energy up for a long day of learning or feed your soul afterward. No matter what you decide to try, you’ll learn that Chicago’s reputation as one of the world’s great food cities is well deserved for … Continue reading City of Big Appetites
Born and raised in Kolkata, India, Majumdar studied social anthropology at Harvard, then earned a master’s in anthropology at Johns Hopkins. Her gripping second novel, A Guardian and a Thief, is set in a near-future Kolkata besieged by the ever-worsening climate crisis. It received this year’s Carnegie Medal, which will be presented to Majumdar on … Continue reading Newsmaker: Megha Majumdar
This milestone is about more than looking back; it is about the momentum we carry into the next era. When we talk about shaping what’s next, we are acknowledging that the radical act of keeping library doors open for everyone requires constant, courageous innovation. In the hallways of McCormick Place, you will feel a renewed … Continue reading Sparking a New Era
While this is my first Annual as executive director, I attended the conference last summer in Philadelphia. There, I was blown away by the sheer number of participants, the depth of quality programming, and the infectious enthusiasm and energy from morning to night. This year, we expect approximately 15,000 conference attendees. As in previous years, … Continue reading Summer Connections
“As ALA marks its 150th anniversary, we recognize the remarkable contributions these ten librarians make for our communities, for learning, for our health, and for the public good,” ALA President Sam Helmick said in the announcement. “These librarians are people who power possibility in our neighborhoods, our schools, and our places of higher learning. Their … Continue reading Meet the 2026 I Love My Librarian Award Winners
A Guardian and a Thief, Majumdar’s second novel following her acclaimed 2020 title Burning, is set in a near-future Kolkata besieged by worsening climate crises. Privileged Ma, along with her widowed father Dadu and 2-year-old daughter Mishti, are spending one last week in their native city before they escape to Michigan, when Ma’s purse, filled … Continue reading 2026 Andrew Carnegie Medals Announced
A complete list of the 2026 award winners follows. John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature: All the Blues in the Sky, written by Renée Watson, is the 2026 Newbery Medal winner. The book is published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing. Four Newbery Honor Books also were named: … Continue reading 2026 Youth Media Award Winners
This story was originally published in June 2023. Please check attraction websites for current prices and hours. Walk or bike from the convention center If you’re looking for a quick way to get some fresh air, the Burnham Wildlife Corridor starts at McCormick Place and runs south to 47th Street. Throughout this stretch of revitalized … Continue reading Welcome to the Windy City
