Another Great Day @ #PLA2016

With a theme of “Be Extraordinary,” #PLA2016 is shaping up to be just that!

Today’s Children’s Author Lunch keynote was given by the incomparable Sherman Alexie, only a couple of months after having brain surgery, and he had the audience in the palm of his hand as he used that terrible experience to illustrate the power of storytelling. Storytelling, as he shared, being what really makes us human. And as children’s librarians who connect author’s stories to the kids who need to hear them, he encouraged all of us that every time we hand a book to a kid we should look at the author’s name as we do so and hear that author declaring their love and gratitude.

Then after an afternoon of insightful, informative, and inspiring sessions, as my co-live bloggers have been sharing, it was time for the ALSC Happy Hour, which was very happy indeed! Thanks so much to the great crowd of ALSC members and soon-to-be members who turned out and to Vice President/President-Elect Betsy Orsburn, Past President Starr LaTronica, and the always amazing ALSC staff for a fantastic evening.

Looking forward to Friday!