Left to right: Donna Seaman, Terry Tempest Williams, Mark Kurlansky, Ken Burns

The Writer as Witness

January 9, 2016

Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker and writer Ken Burns’s response when asked how he chooses the subjects of his work encapsulates “The Writer as Witness,” the theme of the ERT / Booklist Author Forum at the 2016 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Boston. A writer must look both outward and inward to completely, accurately, and honestly tell a … Continue reading The Writer as Witness


Isaac Mizrahi on writing

Isaac Mizrahi on Writing

January 9, 2016

Designer and fashion industry leader Isaac Mizrahi offers his take on writing at the 2016 Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits in Boston. Mizrahi’s memoir about his formative years, I.M., will be published later this year.


Ken Burns at Midwinter 2016

Ken Burns on “Grover Cleveland, Again!”

January 9, 2016

Documentarian Ken Burns sits down for an interview with American Libraries to discuss his new children’s history book, Grover Cleveland, Again! He also reveals the common thread that unites nearly all United States presidents and presents an idea for improving the teaching of history.



New-England Courant

By the Numbers: Boston

January 7, 2016

23 million Number of items contained within the Boston Public Library (BPL) system. BPL is ranked second only to the Library of Congress in collection size. 3 Rank of Harvard University, another Boston-area institution, on the same list of the nation’s largest libraries by volumes held. 1721 Year that the New-England Courant, considered the first independent … Continue reading By the Numbers: Boston


New England clam chowder at Legal Harborside

Boston’s Best Eats

December 10, 2015

Early January can test even the sturdiest of Bostonians. Luckily, there’s no better way to battle Mother Nature’s winter assault than with New England’s most famous culinary export: a bowl of hot clam chowder. You’ll find options aplenty, as well as diverse dishes that vary from vegetarian food-truck snacks to luxurious steakhouse feasts. These listings … Continue reading Boston’s Best Eats


2016 ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits

2016 ALA Midwinter Preview

December 9, 2015

In many ways, Boston and librarians are a lot alike. They are innovators, educators, and revolutionaries. They are creators and curators, abetting progress, expanding services for their communities, and standing on the front lines when change is brewing—whether it’s taxation without representation or legislation that threatens how we use and share information. And they like … Continue reading 2016 ALA Midwinter Preview


ALA Midwinter 2016 logo

Making the Most of Midwinter 2016

October 30, 2015

Speakers Kick off Midwinter with the ERT/Booklist Author Forum (January 8), an exciting panel moderated by a Booklist editor. Get inspired at the Arthur Curley Memorial Lecture (January 9) where you’ll hear a talk by cyberbullying activist Lizzie Velasquez, best known for her TEDx talk viewed more than 9 million times on YouTube. Attend the … Continue reading Making the Most of Midwinter 2016


Chelsea Clinton

ALA Midwinter 2016: Get Ready Now!

September 21, 2015

Attendees at Midwinter engage in the face-to-face committee work that moves projects forward and builds on virtual collaboration, as well as quality conversations with exhibitors on a less crowded exhibit floor. They will return to their libraries and other institutions with the renewed sense of energy generated by in-person events, as well as new tools … Continue reading ALA Midwinter 2016: Get Ready Now!