I arrived in Chicago yesterday to the most welcoming messages: “We are glad you are here!” What a wonderful feeling to be welcomed by the city, by this conference, and by every person I meet.
Walking around the city, I found out that the Chicago Public Library is also celebrating their 150th Anniversary — and they have stories to tell! I highly recommend a visit. This library is so iconic that it even has a subway station! Apart from the architecture, collections, and seating spaces, I enjoyed finding quotes around the library.
On my way to the library I enjoyed the Chicago sights, from residential streets to busy ones, from a skate park to public gardens, and beautiful murals.
Whether you are participating in person, virtually, or following online before attending an ALA conference for the first time (or again), I speak for myself and — empowered by the literal signs — on behalf of the entire ALA community: we’re glad you are here!
(All pictures courtesy of Gabi Silva)
Gabi Silva (she/her/hers) is a part-time Youth Services Assistant Librarian at the Milford Town Library (MA). She also offers storytimes in Portuguese and Spanish to Greater Boston libraries, and works on her own stories for children. Gabi recently pivoted from a career in software engineering to youth services, and this is her first conference in the field. She is beyond excited to connect with the ALA community and expand her horizons on librarianship and children’s literature. Gabi is thankful to the Massachusetts Library System for the conference scholarship program that allowed her to attend ALA 2026. She is also thankful to the Milford Town Library for supporting her attendance. Please look for her at the conference or online, she’d love to hear from you!
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.
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