Annette Gordon-Reed

What’s Left To Say about Thomas Jefferson? Everything.

January 22, 2017

Gordon-Reed and her co-author, Peter Onuf, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation Professor Emeritus at the University of Virginia, each focused on different aspects of Jefferson’s life as they worked together to produce this volume. Gordon-Reed focused on slavery at Monticello and politics, while Onuf covered more social aspects. “We tried to blend together so that we … Continue reading What’s Left To Say about Thomas Jefferson? Everything.




Mary Davis Fournier, deputy director of ALA’s Public Programs Office, introduced the “Libraries Transforming Communities: Models for Change” session on Saturday.

Models for Change

January 22, 2017

Fournier spoke about the two-year Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC) initiative ALA is executing in partnership with the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD), with support from the Harwood Institute and backing from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The initiative began with training and review at … Continue reading Models for Change


Top Ten Tweets

Top 10(ish) Tweets—Saturday Edition

January 22, 2017

First, you won’t believe all the speakers and authors: My life has been made! Got to meet fav author @ScottWesterfeld and got autographed copy of Spillzone! #alamw17 #apsmedia @rlosbornehs pic.twitter.com/oakDdkAoQa — Lori McCall (@MagMediaMaven) January 21, 2017 https://twitter.com/ncolyar/status/822875049673768965 Listening to a huge group of teens talk about the Best Books nominees is, hands down, the … Continue reading Top 10(ish) Tweets—Saturday Edition


Charlotte Roh, Isha Lee, and Darlene Gillard

A Welcoming and Empowering Future

January 21, 2017

An attentive and engaged audience lost no time connecting library professionals’ work to these innovators’ approaches, from citizenship corners to entrepreneurship programs for teens and young adults. Several attendees’ noted their libraries’ participation in National Welcoming Week, an event organized by Welcoming America that helps communities bring together immigrants and U.S.-born residents in a spirit … Continue reading A Welcoming and Empowering Future


Crowd at the Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women.

Librarians on the March

January 21, 2017

Midwinter Meeting attendees gathered in a hall of the Georgia World Congress Center to create posters, distribute “Radical Militant Librarian” pins, and generate some LIS energy for the march. A sign on the wall suggested some slogans the librarian contingent could use: “Silence is not the answer,” “Libraries are the key to freedom,” and “Too … Continue reading Librarians on the March


Top Ten Tweets

Top 10(ish) Tweets—Friday Edition

January 21, 2017

W. Kamau Bell’s Opening General Session had us all tearing up and laughing by the end. Feeling inspired, empowered, and ready to read! @wkamaubell #alamw17 pic.twitter.com/pdOTKd9RPE — Amanda Kozaka (@BoomshakaKozaka) January 20, 2017 You begin grabbing and purchasing swag before the exhibits even open. #alamw17 ribbons are so great & making me absurdly happy on … Continue reading Top 10(ish) Tweets—Friday Edition



town hall meeting

American Libraries to Stream Midwinter Town Hall Meeting

January 17, 2017

In recent months, ALA members have expressed concerns about the effects of the recent election on the positions and advocacy efforts of the Association, and this event was created to provide a forum to continue that conversation. Although the town hall follows the first meeting of ALA’s governing council, all interested conference attendees are welcome to attend and share their feedback, concerns, … Continue reading American Libraries to Stream Midwinter Town Hall Meeting


American Library Association's 2017 Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits in Atlanta.Photos: Courtesy of ACVB and AtlantaPhotos.com

2017 ALA Midwinter Preview

January 3, 2017

We know that equity, diversity, and inclusion are instrumental to the success of libraries. As the American Library Association (ALA) gears up for its 2017 Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits (January 20–24) in Atlanta, it’s important to reflect on a variety of recent events—from the unrest after the presidential election to the Pulse nightclub shooting to … Continue reading 2017 ALA Midwinter Preview


The view from Polaris

Eating in the ATL

January 3, 2017

American Libraries teamed with Creative Loafing Atlanta, the city’s weekly independent newspaper, to bring Midwinter guests a broad selection of restaurants to enjoy before and after their conference activities, all located within a reasonable distance from the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. Downtown Alma Cocina 404-968-9662 191 Peachtree St. NE Alma Cocina serves … Continue reading Eating in the ATL