Patrisse Cullors and Marley Dias in conversation at the Opening Session of the American Library Association's Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits in Denver. Photo: Cognotes

2018 Midwinter Wrap-Up

February 26, 2018

Just over 8,000 registrants came to the Mile High City for five days of presentations, conversations, and innovations, many of which centered on the importance of making sure that people from all socioeconomic backgrounds and walks of life have a voice in our national dialogue. Artist, activist, and author Patrisse Cullors began the Opening Session … Continue reading 2018 Midwinter Wrap-Up


Dewey Decibel Podcast Bonus Episode: Inside the 2018 Youth Media Awards

Dewey Decibel Podcast Bonus Episode

February 16, 2018

American Libraries Associate Editor and Dewey Decibel host Phil Morehart joins the award-selection committees as they make phone calls to the winners the morning before the award announcement event. Morehart then talks to the heads of the Coretta Scott King Book Award and Newbery Medal committees to learn more about the award-selection process. Finally, we … Continue reading Dewey Decibel Podcast Bonus Episode


At the Youth Media Awards, from left: ALA President Jim Neal, Reforma President Tess Tobin, Association of Library Service to Children President Nina Lindsay, Coretta Scott King Chair Claudette McLinn, and Young Adult Library Services Association President Sandra Hughes Hassell display the winning books.

2018 Youth Media Awards Announced

February 15, 2018

A list of all the 2018 award winners follows: John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature: Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly is the 2018 Newbery Medal winner. The book is published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Three Newbery Honor Books also were named: Crown: An Ode to the Fresh … Continue reading 2018 Youth Media Awards Announced


Library professionals joined the Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women on January 21. Photo: Cognotes

2017 Midwinter Wrap-Up

March 1, 2017

One response was direct and immediate action, with at least 200 information professionals joining the Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women on January 21. That event was part of the Women’s Marches series of protests, which drew an estimated 60,000 participants in Atlanta and as many as 4.6 million worldwide. Midwinter attendees gathered in … Continue reading 2017 Midwinter Wrap-Up


Dewey Decibel Podcast: The 2017 Youth Media Awards

January 31, 2017

In this bonus episode of the Dewey Decibel podcast, American Libraries reports from the Youth Media Awards (YMAs), held January 23 at the 2017 American Library Association Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits in Atlanta. The YMAs have a devoted fan base, many of whom queue in the predawn hours to get a prime seat for the morning ceremony. Dewey Decibel host … Continue reading Dewey Decibel Podcast: The 2017 Youth Media Awards



ALA Midwinter attendees react as the Youth Media Award winners are announced.

Midwinter 2016 Wrap-Up

March 1, 2016

Jonathan Zittrain, Harvard Law School professor and cofounder of the Berkman Center for Internet and Society, urged attendees to first define the core purpose of libraries in his “Creativity, Innovation, and Change: Libraries Transform in the Digital Age” presentation. “The book as we know it, as an artifact,” he declared, “is on its way out.” … Continue reading Midwinter 2016 Wrap-Up





Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award Winner for Brown Girl Dreaming. Photo: Marty Umans.

Newsmaker: Jacqueline Woodson

March 2, 2015

Having split her youth between South Carolina and Brooklyn, New York, her books explore themes of gender, class, and race, as well as history and family. She received the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults in 2005. In an email to American Libraries, she discussed the importance of capturing the childhood experience, the significance of diversity … Continue reading Newsmaker: Jacqueline Woodson