Geena Davis

Taking Up Space

July 7, 2025

“I was very shy and self-conscious as a kid, and I never wanted to try anything,” Davis told the crowd at the Closing Session of the American Library Association’s (ALA) 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia on June 30. “My fondest wish was to take up less space.” Her debut picture book (released by … Continue reading Taking Up Space



Comedian Roy Wood Jr. at ALA's 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia.

Figurative Fathers

June 29, 2025

Wood wrote about these experiences in The Man of Many Fathers: Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir (Crown, October) and discussed them with ALA President-Elect Sam Helmick at a June 29 session of the 2025 American Library Association’s Annual Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia. “Having your first kid unlocks something emotionally,” he said. “I started … Continue reading Figurative Fathers


George Takei

A Rhyme of Himself

June 29, 2025

Takei discussed his life as a closeted actor and how he came out at age 68 with Meg Lemke, graphic novels editor at Publishers Weekly, at the American Library Association’s (ALA) 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia on June 28. His coming out is also the subject of his new memoir, It Rhymes with … Continue reading A Rhyme of Himself


Tools of Empowerment

June 27, 2025

“Oh, and a plot to kidnap and kill me!” Whitmer said of the domestic terror plot targeting her that was intercepted by the FBI and state police in 2020. Having survived all of that, she decided to write a memoir, True Gretch: What I’ve Learned about Life, Leadership, and Everything In Between (Simon & Schuster, … Continue reading Tools of Empowerment


The Liberty Bell

2025 Annual Conference Preview

June 2, 2025

ALA returns to this historic and vibrant city for its 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition, to be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center June 26–30. As the Association—and the nation—approach monumental anniversaries, library workers will reaffirm and celebrate what it means to run institutions foundational to democracy, equity, and civic discourse. Many sessions in this year’s … Continue reading 2025 Annual Conference Preview


Newsmaker: Grace Lin

June 2, 2025

Throughout her more than 25-year career, Lin has garnered many accolades, including a 2010 Newbery Honor, 2019 Caldecott Honor, and 2022 Children’s Literature Legacy Award. In advance of her appearance at the American Library Association’s upcoming 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia, she talked with American Libraries about being inspired by myths, the insidiousness … Continue reading Newsmaker: Grace Lin




Headshot of John Green

Newsmaker: John Green

March 3, 2025

John Green, the celebrated young adult author and vlogger, has been an advocate for TB treatment access since 2019, when he met Henry, a teenager with TB, during a trip to Sierra Leone. Henry gave Green “the view from below,” he says, quoting his late friend and global health pioneer Paul Farmer, who described the … Continue reading Newsmaker: John Green


Sunrise over the Phoenix skyline

2025 LibLearnX Preview

January 2, 2025

LibLearnX 2025, dedicated to the learning experience of library workers, will bring together authors, thought leaders, and subject matter experts at the Phoenix Convention Center for educational programs, awards, celebrations, and networking opportunities. This year’s programmatic theme is “Reimagine, Refocus, Reset: Charting a Path for the Future.” LibLearnX will not be held in 2026, while … Continue reading 2025 LibLearnX Preview


headshot of Neko Case

Newsmaker: Neko Case

January 2, 2025

Growing up in remote, rural areas, singer-songwriter Neko Case found that her love of reading provided an escape. In her forthcoming memoir, The Harder I Fight the More I Love You (Hachette, January), she recalls repeatedly flipping through the same October 1972 issue of Mad magazine, poring over her stepdad’s collection of archaeology books, and … Continue reading Newsmaker: Neko Case