As someone still new to the library profession, I had no idea what to expect from my first ALA Annual Conference. Being selected as a recipient of the 2026 Penguin Random House Young Readers Group Award made attending this milestone event possible. While I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity, I also felt pressure to make the most of every minute.
Category: ALA Annual 2026
Reflections from ALA Annual 2026: Supporting Youth Impacted by Carceral Systems
I just returned from ALA Annual 2026, and what a whirlwind it was! It was wonderful to reconnect with old friends, meet new colleagues, and come away inspired by the incredible work happening in libraries across the country.
ALSC Presidential 2025-2026 Term Wrap-Up with #ALSCJOY: A Year in Action
It is with #ALSCJOY and profound gratitude that I concluded my term as 2025-2026 President of the Association of Library Service to Children (ALSC) at the extraordinary 2026 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Chicago where we celebrated 150 years of ALA.
Kid approved! Conferencing with a kid and picking out books at #alaac26
This year, I am traveling with my nine-year-old reader at ALA annual, so on conference day one I picked up my badge and purchased a child’s pass at the registration desk (only available in person), and additional tickets for her to attend some of the events on my schedule. I opted to find a local babysitter for the first day, to give myself time to settle into the conference, and so my daughter could explore the city.
Bilingual programs beyond storytime
When an #alaac26 session starts with all attendees waving colorful scarves to a welcome song, you know you will leave more energized than you walked in. As one of the last sessions of this 4-day conference, this was key for myself and over 40 other attendees to stay until the very end.
#ALAAC26: Songbird in the Light and a Room Ready to Listen
A child can be celebrated at home and still lose confidence in a school hallway. Billy Porter’s ALA Annual Main Stage appearance featured Songbird in the Light, written by Porter with Chris Clarkson and illustrated by Charly Palmer. The picture book follows a child whose voice is loved at home, mocked at school, and strengthened through the encouragement of a choir teacher. The conference program described the book as a story about learning to love yourself.
New and Retired Members Unite at #ALAAC26
On Sunday night, there was a joint reception co-hosted by the NMRT (New Member Round Table) and the RMRT (Retired Member Round Table). As a new ALA member, I was invited to attend. I appreciate that these groups are based on tenure and interest, rather than age, as even though I’m joining the ALA later in my career, there’s a lot I don’t know about libraries yet!
#ALAAC26: Apple Accessibility and the Help That Travels
In public libraries, technology support sometimes moves through a relay. Parents sometimes ask on behalf of children. Adult children may ask for parents. Caregivers may carry steps home for later, while staff members may prepare colleagues for the next patron. When the question involves accessibility, access depends on a setting someone can use and an explanation someone can repeat.