Pursuing excellence for library service to children
This was my fourth Annual ALA Conference, but my first time attending a Poster Session at #alaac2023. This year, I had a colleague who was presenting a poster, and I am so glad that I discovered the poster sessions.
One of my favorite events at Annual is the Newbery-Caldecott-Legacy Banquet. This year’s banquet at #alaac23 was inspiring! After a welcome from 2022-2023 American Library Services for Children (ALSC) President, Amy Koester, mingling, and dinner, it was the moment everyone had been waiting for…
Before #alaac2023 officially started, some of the ALA Round Tables were hosting pre-conference events. Since 2007, the Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table (GNCRT) has hosted a Friday Forum before the ALA opening session.
The opening session at #alaac2023 started off with publisher Justin Chanda in conversation with beloved author Judy Blume. It was delightful and inspiring to hear her talk about her books, her career, her bookstore in Key West, and, of course, censorship, book bans, and challenges. Blume said that she has always loved libraries and told stories of “playing librarian” when she was a child.
Monday was my last day at #ALAAC2022, and I started it with a really informative presentation about using TikTok in your library. When the pandemic first started, I created a TikTok account but never used it. (I am not sure I even remember my login information.) Delving into a new social media platform can sometimes be daunting, so, I was really excited to attend TikTok and Libraries: A Powerful Partnership and to learn how to use TikTok to promote books and my library. Presentations about TikTok seem to be just as popular as the social media platform itself—it was a packed house in the Convention Center!
It was so wonderful to be able to be in person again for the Newbery Caldecott Legacy Banquet at #ALAAC2022. And to celebrate 100 years of the #Newbery! (The Caldecott was celebrating its 84th anniversary with the first medal given in 1938.)
Saturday was a “magical” day at #ALAAC2022. The Graphic Novel and and Comics Round Table (GNCRT) hosted a tea. But, this was not just any tea party. Attendees (it was a ticketed event) got to meet publishers and creators in a speed dating format. There were some festive costumes including a GNCRT member dressed as Alice in Wonderland.
Everyone loves a party! Especially librarians at #ALAAC2022! This year, the #Newbery100 Medal celebrated its 100th year, so #ALSC threw a birthday bash. The festivities included cupcakes, decorations, and party games.