Discovering new toys for kids is one of the favorite parts of my job. From STEM to art to discovery based play, I envision young patrons’ faces lighting up even before I put new toys on the floor. There are fun things in 2022! Here are some highlights from the exhibit halls this year.
Category: Live Blogging
An Invitation to Curious Families to Explore Race and Culture at the Library
As a lifelong student, I don’t mind an academic, lecture-style presentation at conferences, but a great panel with an engaging interactive component is always a delight, and at #alaac22, a team from Evanston Public Library (EPL) offered exactly that with their session titled, “Beyond Booklists: Family Engagement Through Race and Culture Education at the Library.”
Middle Management and Leadership
Are you a supervisor or manager, but not the head of your department? I attended this #alaac2022 session “Supervisors in Transition: Navigating Moments of Change” because, while I’m not a new manager anymore, I always need new information, advice, and experience from others to navigate my role and mentor my direct reports.
Pura Belpré Award Celebración at #ALAAC22
The award ceremony for the Pura Belpré Award, also known as the ”Belpré Celebración” is a tradition on Sunday afternoons during Annual Conference, and one not to miss. This year’s event at the Renaissance Hotel resumed the celebration of ”excellence in books that portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience.” Now that the Award includes three categories (Illustration, Author, and Young Adult) it is co-sponsored by REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-speaking, ALSC, and YALSA. With the presence of one of the Award co-founders, Oralia Garza de Cortés, in the audience, REFORMA’s former President Ana-Elba Pavón presented her with a plaque in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Award in 2021. Medal winners Raúl the Third, for ¡Vamos!: Let’s Cross the Bridge, Donna Barba Higuera for The Last Cuentista, and Raquel Vasquez Gilliland for How Moon Fuentez Fell in…
Happy Birthday Newbery!
Librarians standing in line to enter the party celebrating 100 years of the Newbery Award at #alaac22 spontaneously broke into singing “Happy Birthday” setting the tone for a late afternoon party to end all parties.
Notes from the Show Floor (Plus Bunny Island)
Below the engaging sessions and awards celebrations of #ALAAC22, the exhibit hall (officially called The Library Marketplace and literally underground), has had a joyful atmosphere the whole conference. On Friday, opening night of the exhibit hall, publishers and vendors actually cheered as librarians and other conference goers descended the escalator. Everyone was so excited to be back!
ALSC Interest Meet Up at #ALAAC22
My Sunday morning at #alaac22 started with the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Interest Meet Up facilitated by incoming ALSC President Amy Koester. Always a good sign when you note for next year to have more chairs.
Magical Tea with #libcomix
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.