Lmst

📚 Thought on patron demographics: For one of my #ALAAC25 presentations, I talked about a small minority of patrons who need snail mail reference. We usually call them “edge cases,” a term I’d like to retire because it’s often a justification for invalidating/excluding a lived experience.

“Let it Shine”: The Newbery Caldecott Legacy Awards at #alaac25

Everyone shone bright at the #alaac25 Newbery Caldecott Legacy Awards Banquet. That light reflected off a sea of red satin capes—a nod to Caldecott winner Chooch Helped. It reflected off the rhinestones in Erin Entrada Kelly’s necklace as she accepted her second Newbery medal in her lifetime.* And it reflected in the audience’s eyes as Legacy winner Carole Boston Weatherford led us in singing “This Little Light of Mine” after accepting the award for her body of work.

Not a single winner shied away from acknowledging those who try to extinguish the spark that creates these works. The kindling that publishes them. The wind that circulates them like wildfire. But they also acknowledged that it makes each and every one of us shining our light all the more important.

The Award Winners’ Speeches

“What we feed grows,” Chooch Helped illustrator Rebecca Lee Kunz said. Chooch Helped was Kunz’s first picture book, suggesting the beginning to a bright illustrating career.

Carole Boston Weatherford—also the 2025-2026 Young People’s Poet Laureate—was awarded the Children’s Literature Legacy Award at #alaac25. (Photo courtesy of Gerald Young.)

Kelly shared about what she learned from her experience with cancer. “This world, as dark as it gets and as dark as it feels, is full of wonderful, empathetic people,” Kelly said.

And Weatherford committed to leading us through every verse of “This Little Light of Mine” even though—in her words—“You’ll see why I should keep my day job.” Weatherford’s forthcoming picture book, Let it Shine!: A Celebration of You, sets the spiritual’s lyrics to illustrations by Tequitia Andrews.

How do you “let it shine”? Drop a line in the comments or at ktaksier@ufl.edu.

Both the written and recorded versions of the winners’ speeches will be available online shortly.

*Nonetheless, Kelly cited her daughter as “her greatest and loudest achievement.” (I swore I misheard that but Kelly is known for her humor.)

Kelley Taksier (they/them/theirs) is a former classroom teacher pursuing a Ph.D in special education at the University of Florida. Currently their research focuses on students’ access to texts in public schools. As a part of this work, they collaborate with school and public librarians. They are proud to be a part of Diverse BookFinder’s third Community of Practice cohort and enjoy reading science fiction outside of the reading they do as a part of their work. As for #alaac25, they are most looking forward to learning about how to be a better advocate for libraries.

The post “Let it Shine”: The Newbery Caldecott Legacy Awards at #alaac25 appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Everyone shone bright at the #alaac25 Newbery Caldecott Legacy Awards Banquet. That light reflected off a sea of red satin capes—a nod to Caldecott winner Chooch Helped. It reflected off the rhinestones in Erin Entrada Kelly’s necklace as she accepted her second Newbery medal in her lifetime.* And it reflected in the audience’s eyes as Legacy winner Carole Boston Weatherford led us in singing “This Little Light of Mine” after accepting the award for her body of work. Not a single winner shied away from acknowledging those who try to extinguish the spark that creates these works. The kindling that publishes them. The wind that circulates them like wildfire. But they also acknowledged that it makes each and every one of us shining our light all the more important. The Award Winners’ Speeches “What we feed grows,” Chooch Helped illustrator Rebecca Lee Kunz said. Chooch Helped was Kunz’s first picture book, suggesting…
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CSKBART Awards Breakfast & Lunch with Luminaries #alaac25

I have learned not to be late for things. It’s taken nearly all of my 46 years, still, I have learned. But on Sunday, I arrived at the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Breakfast after everyone had been seated (and breakfast was already being served). Oops. I recalled my father’s childhood confidence-building advice to “act like you own the place” and walked down the center aisle to the front of the room, looking for a seat. I spotted the beloved Mychal Threets sitting at a table with three empty seats, and asked the group if I could sit. Wouldn’t you know, I had also joined outgoing ALSC President Rob Bittner, newly elected Vice-President/President Elect Ariana Hussain, and ALSC Awards Coordinator Ana Cackley. I had been emailing both Rob and Ana–Rob about committee work and Ana about the Penguin Random House Young Readers Group Award that I received to attend my first ALA annual conference (more on that later!). They both said something like, “oh, you’re Alicia?!” and I nearly died.

The breakfast was inspiring and full of moments I will not soon forget. Witnessing honor author Kwame Alexander (Black Star) deliver his powerful speech in verse, recalling his ancestors. Watching illustrator winner C. G. Esperanza (My Daddy Is a Cowboy) act as game show host and award original paintings (!!!) to attendees who answered black cowboy history trivia correctly, then leading a call-and-response “neigh!” Listening to author winner Jason Reynolds (Twenty-four Seconds from Now…) tenderly speak of giving Black boys a space to learn about and how to love.

C. G. Esperanza (at podium), CSKBART honorees (seated at tables), and My Daddy Is a Cowboy author Stephanie Seales holding Esperanza’s original art.

Later that day, I walked to a lunch hosted by Neal Porter Books. In my agenda, it began at 12:30 p.m. In reality, it started at noon. One of the last to be seated, I joined a table where Neal Porter himself and author-blogger-podcaster extraordinaire Travis Jonker were seated. To my left was an empty seat. To my right, Yuyi Morales. Yuyi Morales! Who arrived later than me? Jason Chin, who took the empty seat next to me. Again, I died.

With Yuyi Morales, holding her latest release, Little Rebels.

For a new-to-the-profession youth services librarian and complete children’s lit (specifically picture book) nerd, this was a pretty special day. At breakfast, I spoke to Ariana about her involvement in ALSC, which included time on the Notable Children’s Books Committee (like me!) and Morris Seminar alum (like I hope to be!). At lunch, I talked with Jason Chin about living in New England and reminded Yuyi Morales of her 2023 visit to Worcester, MA, where I live and work, for a multilingualism conference for the city’s educators. I also connected with Susannah Richards, education professor and children’s lit expert. I will try to be on time for all things in the future, but, on Sunday, I couldn’t help but be happy to be late to the party.

(All images taken by A. Rogers.)

Alicia Rogers (she/her/hers) is the Tween Services Librarian at Worcester Public Library–the library’s first! She hosts programs and builds collections for children ages eight to twelve in the children’s center and provides reference and reader’s advisory service in the library’s teen room to ease patrons’ transition between the spaces. Through her work, she strives to build community among the tween patrons who are craving some independence. Alicia is a member of ALSC and the Notable Children’s Book Committee and reviews for Booklist, The Horn Book, Library Journal, and School Library Journal. She loves books of all kinds (can you tell?), so is most looking forward to meeting and hearing from authors at the conference.

Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.

If you are interested in submitting a guest post, please read and fill out our Guest Blogging Interest Form. We would love to hear from you!

The post CSKBART Awards Breakfast & Lunch with Luminaries #alaac25 appeared first on ALSC Blog.

I have learned not to be late for things. It’s taken nearly all of my 46 years, still, I have learned. But on Sunday, I arrived at the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Breakfast after everyone had been seated (and breakfast was already being served). Oops. I recalled my father’s childhood confidence-building advice to “act like you own the place” and walked down the center aisle to the front of the room, looking for a seat. I spotted the beloved Mychal Threets sitting at a table with three empty seats, and asked the group if I could sit. Wouldn’t you know, I had also joined outgoing ALSC President Rob Bittner, newly elected Vice-President/President Elect Ariana Hussain, and ALSC Awards Coordinator Ana Cackley. I had been emailing both Rob and Ana–Rob about committee work and Ana about the Penguin Random House Young Readers Group Award that I received to attend my…
The post CSKBART Awards Breakfast & Lunch with Luminaries #alaac25 appeared first on ALSC Blog. Read More

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Conjuring Magic at the #alaac25 Stonewall Book Awards Ceremony

Yesterday’s Stonewall Book Awards ceremony at #alaac25 was a Pride parade in and of itself. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 20 creators took to the stage—or the screen*—to accept honors and awards for works with “exceptional merit relating to the LGBTQIA+ experience.”

Jes and Cin Wibowo flew halfway around the world to accept the Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award for their middle grades graphic novel Lunar Boy. In addition to Lunar Boy, the Rainbow Round Table (RRT) honored the following works for children.

2025 Stonewall Award Picture Books

Marley’s Pride, written by Joëlle Retener, illustrated by DeAnn Wiley, published by Barefoot Books
What I Must Tell the World: How Lorraine Hansberry Found Her Voice, written by Jay Leslie, illustrated by Loveis Wise, published by Hillman Grad Books, an imprint of Zando

2025 Stonewall Middle Grades Books

Murray Out of Water by Taylor Tracy, published by Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
The Flicker by H.E. Edgmon, published by Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group LLC

Marley’s Pride was a 2025 Stonewall Honor Book in Children’s and Young Adult Literature. (Image courtesy of Barefoot Books)

After the ceremony, attendees were invited to form a queue for free copies of nearly every winning and honored title. The creators present graciously signed them. With a flight to catch, I questioned whether I had time (or space in my luggage) for this. So I called upon my fairy godparents (i.e., Whitney and Billy) to grant my wish. That is: all 40+ books would make it back to Florida in my carry on.

Three flight delays later, at nearly midnight, I unpacked at my sister’s house. I called my nibling to the guest room to see the stack of books. Mostly to marvel at its sheer size. But instead of “Wow, you’re like the nonbinary Mary Poppins,” they said, “That’s my flag!” referring to the cover of Marley’s Pride.

And that was the real magic of today. Magic that—like Pride—doesn’t end just because the clock strikes midnight on June 30.

Have you read a magical children’s book about the LGBTQIA+ experience published in 2025? You can submit the title for the Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award committee’s consideration using this form.

*Honorees and winners unable to attend were invited to share pre-recorded remarks.

Kelley Taksier (they/them/theirs) is a former classroom teacher pursuing a Ph.D in special education at the University of Florida. Currently their research focuses on students’ access to texts in public schools. As a part of this work, they collaborate with school and public librarians. They are proud to be a part of Diverse BookFinder’s third Community of Practice cohort and enjoy reading science fiction outside of the reading they do as a part of their work. As for #alaac25, they are most looking forward to learning about how to be a better advocate for libraries.

The post Conjuring Magic at the #alaac25 Stonewall Book Awards Ceremony appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Yesterday’s Stonewall Book Awards ceremony at #alaac25 was a Pride parade in and of itself. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 20 creators took to the stage—or the screen*—to accept honors and awards for works with “exceptional merit relating to the LGBTQIA+ experience.” Jes and Cin Wibowo flew halfway around the world to accept the Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award for their middle grades graphic novel Lunar Boy. In addition to Lunar Boy, the Rainbow Round Table (RRT) honored the following works for children. 2025 Stonewall Award Picture Books 2025 Stonewall Middle Grades Books After the ceremony, attendees were invited to form a queue for free copies of nearly every winning and honored title. The creators present graciously signed them. With a flight to catch, I questioned whether I had time (or space in my luggage) for this. So I called upon my fairy…
The post Conjuring Magic at the #alaac25 Stonewall Book Awards Ceremony appeared first on ALSC Blog. Read More

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Volunteer With Me: #alaac25 Final Thoughts

Photo of a booth in the exhibit hall (photo courtesy of blogger).

Now that I am back home in DC, my tote bags are unloaded, new books are shelved, and giveaways are distributed to friends and colleagues. It is always so great to get home from traveling and sleep in my own bed again, especially when not a lot of sleep occurred on the trip! I also was able to use some of the last 20 hours to reflect on what a joy it was to attend #alaac25.

This year, I approached the conference differently than I had in the past. My first two conferences – DC in 2022 and San Diego in 2024 – I did not know many professionals in attendance. This made connecting with librarians and library professionals a bit challenging, as it required a lot of self-confidence. As a person just starting in the field, I did not have a lot of that! This year, I really tried to be a bit more outgoing. I wanted to strengthen my connections with library professionals, and devote myself to the world of “networking.”

Photo of author/illustrator Jashar Awan at a book signing with a young fan (photo courtesy of blogger).

For an early-career librarian, it can sometimes feel intimidating to see all of the mid- and late-career professionals at Annual. They all seem so knowledgeable and well-connected. I am always in awe of their connections when they walk into any room or session. As someone who has admired these award winners, presenters, presidents, committee members, and more from afar, I decided that this year I would try to dip my toes in the water a bit more – and it certainly was worthwhile.

From meeting John Schu for the second time (and having him remember me from last year) to connecting with the first president of ALA’s GNCRT, I grew in comfort and confidence over the four-day conference. I was able to ask more questions about becoming involved with book committees and round tables. I met first-time attendees and shared my own experiences at Annual with them. I was also flattered by my amazing ALSC mentor who introduced me to friends and colleagues with high esteem.

Photo of zines on display at the Zine Pavillion (photo courtesy of blogger).

Overall – I think this year the theme of community resonated the most with me. I forged connections locally and nationally, and was able to attend my first ALSC Annual Meeting! I hope that this sense of community carries back into my day-to-day as I settle back into DC life. Blogging monthly and participating in the mentorship program have gotten me on a great track to start! See you all back again next year in Chicago for #alaac26!

Anna Melvin (she/they) is a children’s librarian at the Cleveland Park Library in Washington, D.C. She is originally from the Philadelphia suburbs, and is happy to head home for this year’s conference to where her love for libraries began. As an elementary school student, Anna used to come in early to help her school librarian reshelve books and to discuss their most recent reads. This is her third time attending ALA, but her first working at the Zine Pavilion. She is very excited to be able to volunteer this year, and hopes to be able to connect with a larger range of library professionals while working at the Pavilion. Anna is most looking forward to this year’s conference because at the conclusion, she will begin a two-year term serving on the Library Service to Underserved Youth and Their Caregivers Committee. Anna is also eagerly anticipating attending sessions on serving patrons with disabilities, expanding her at-home library with some great reads from this year’s conference, and fan-girling over Geena Davis. Come say hi to Anna at the Zine Pavillion, or at the ALSC Membership Meeting!

The post Volunteer With Me: #alaac25 Final Thoughts appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Now that I am back home in DC, my tote bags are unloaded, new books are shelved, and giveaways are distributed to friends and colleagues. It is always so great to get home from traveling and sleep in my own bed again, especially when not a lot of sleep occurred on the trip! I also was able to use some of the last 20 hours to reflect on what a joy it was to attend #alaac25. This year, I approached the conference differently than I had in the past. My first two conferences – DC in 2022 and San Diego in 2024 – I did not know many professionals in attendance. This made connecting with librarians and library professionals a bit challenging, as it required a lot of self-confidence. As a person just starting in the field, I did not have a lot of that! This year, I really tried…
The post Volunteer With Me: #alaac25 Final Thoughts appeared first on ALSC Blog. Read More

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#ALAAC25 #alaac26

“Let it Shine”: The Newbery Caldecott Legacy Awards at #alaac25

Everyone shone bright at the #alaac25 Newbery Caldecott Legacy Awards Banquet. That light reflected off a sea of red satin capes—a nod to Caldecott winner Chooch Helped. It reflected off the rhinestones in Erin Entrada Kelly’s necklace as she accepted her second Newbery medal in her lifetime.* And it reflected in the audience’s eyes as Legacy winner…

https://drwebdomain.blog/2025/07/01/let-it-shine-the-newbery-caldecott-legacy-awards-at-alaac25/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

CSKBART Awards Breakfast & Lunch with Luminaries #alaac25

I have learned not to be late for things. It’s taken nearly all of my 46 years, still, I have learned. But on Sunday, I arrived at the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Breakfast after everyone had been seated (and breakfast was already being served). Oops. I recalled my father’s childhood confidence-building advice to “act like you own the place” and walked down the center aisle to the front of the room, looking…

https://drwebdomain.blog/2025/07/01/cskbart-awards-breakfast-lunch-with-luminaries-alaac25/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Conjuring Magic at the #alaac25 Stonewall Book Awards Ceremony

Yesterday’s Stonewall Book Awards ceremony at #alaac25 was a Pride parade in and of itself. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 20 creators took to the stage—or the screen*—to accept honors and awards for works with “exceptional merit relating to the LGBTQIA+ experience.” Jes and Cin Wibowo flew halfway around the world to accept the Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award…

https://drwebdomain.blog/2025/07/01/conjuring-magic-at-the-alaac25-stonewall-book-awards-ceremony/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Volunteer With Me: #alaac25 Final Thoughts

Photo of a booth in the exhibit hall (photo courtesy of blogger). Now that I am back home in DC, my tote bags are unloaded, new books are shelved, and giveaways are distributed to friends and colleagues. It is always so great to get home from traveling and sleep in my own bed again, especially when not a lot of sleep occurred on the trip!

https://drwebdomain.blog/2025/07/01/volunteer-with-me-alaac25-final-thoughts/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

No Tech? No Problem: Poetry as Makerspace #alaac25

If you’re anything like me, you are or have been intimidated by one or the other, or maybe even both: understanding poetry and using makerspaces. On Saturday, a panel of presenters–all picture book writers, poets, and educators–encouraged a room full of public librarians and school library teachers to work with lyrical picture books, novels in verse, and exploratory word play activities in their spaces to foster community connection through (drumroll, please!) poetry.

If we think of makerspaces as collaborative, physical workspaces where people come together to create and learn through hands-on experiences, some of us picture a dedicated room full of technical tools and equipment. An innovation center, my library calls it. But what about low-tech or no-tech makerspaces? The panelists encouraged us to be flexible when we think about our spaces and to implement poetry programming beyond National Poetry Month, celebrated in April.

Presenters Dianne White, Jyoti Rajan Gopal, and Megan Litwin

(Images taken by A. Rogers wandering the Library Marketplace and at Poetry as Makerspace: Making Poetry Visible in Your Library Year-Round.)

Presenter Megan Litwin told us that poetry can be and is playful and fun. Yes, poetry may follow certain structures and convention, but we don’t need to follow these rules. So let’s think about youth programs where we can show and teach poetry as word play.

Suggested activities include creating a word collection using labels and sticking them to LEGO blocks, then stacking blocks of words to make meaning. Or make your word collection by writing on popsicle sticks and then arrange them in a specific order. Using these fun and accessible materials, you can build poems word by word. Neither activity requires a physical, dedicated space full of the latest technology. Find a corner of your library or classroom and create!

We were asked to think about what kinds of things you can make. I jotted down a list and then thought, why not turn it into my first poem?

What kinds of things can you make?

Always, a connection

Sometimes, a friend

When you need it, believe

No time to worry about

A mess

Alicia Rogers (she/her/hers) is the Tween Services Librarian at Worcester Public Library–the library’s first! She hosts programs and builds collections for children ages eight to twelve in the children’s center and provides reference and reader’s advisory service in the library’s teen room to ease patrons’ transition between the spaces. Through her work, she strives to build community among the tween patrons who are craving some independence. Alicia is a member of ALSC and the Notable Children’s Book Committee and reviews for Booklist, The Horn Book, Library Journal, and School Library Journal. She loves books of all kinds (can you tell?), so is most looking forward to meeting and hearing from authors at the conference.

Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.

If you are interested in submitting a guest post, please read and fill out our Guest Blogging Interest Form. We would love to hear from you!

The post No Tech? No Problem: Poetry as Makerspace #alaac25 appeared first on ALSC Blog.

If you’re anything like me, you are or have been intimidated by one or the other, or maybe even both: understanding poetry and using makerspaces. On Saturday, a panel of presenters–all picture book writers, poets, and educators–encouraged a room full of public librarians and school library teachers to work with lyrical picture books, novels in verse, and exploratory word play activities in their spaces to foster community connection through (drumroll, please!) poetry. If we think of makerspaces as collaborative, physical workspaces where people come together to create and learn through hands-on experiences, some of us picture a dedicated room full of technical tools and equipment. An innovation center, my library calls it. But what about low-tech or no-tech makerspaces? The panelists encouraged us to be flexible when we think about our spaces and to implement poetry programming beyond National Poetry Month, celebrated in April. (Images taken by A. Rogers wandering…
The post No Tech? No Problem: Poetry as Makerspace #alaac25 appeared first on ALSC Blog. Read More

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ALA Day 4: One Last Listen

With Monday being a travel-home day for many attendees, the early morning panels offered a final chance for those leaving early to hear from #alaac25 presenters one last time. One such panel, “Audiobook Spotlight: Bringing Anthologies to Audio with Terry J. Benton Walker” offered a look into the translation of physical books to the audiobook format. Walker, the author and editor of YA horror anthology The White Guy Dies First, spoke with his producer Elishia Merricks on the many layers going into that work.

They discussed how for the collected stories, they brought in different readers to perform each one with a specialized voice. They were not just looking for pretty voices, they said, but ones that really connect with the text and its atmosphere. Having authentic voices was also an important consideration, particularly for an anthology based on giving agency to BIPOC main characters in a genre known for killing them off early on.

MacMillan audiobook producer Elisha Merricks (left) with The White Guy Dies First author and editor Terry J. Benton Walker (right). (Photo credit William Stieglitz)

Walker and Merricks also discussed the creative solutions required when what’s on the page is not so easily translated to the ear. One example was a story with a mysterious inner voice, separated visually by italics, that only the main character can hear. They chose to translate this by having the performer bring down their voice while also adding a reverb for an ethereal effect. Another story had the name of a character visually redacted, and this was changed to the audio becoming static whenever the name would be spoken. A third instance involved writing that was written in coded language, and this was adapted into backwards audio instead.

The names and photos of the narrators behind the audio version of The White Guy Dies First. (Photo Credit William Stieglitz)

One more consideration was music. Merricks explained that while she usually puts music only at the beginning and end of an audiobook, she wanted to start each story with its own music for their diversity of atmospheres. Walker, in putting together the anthology, gave authors different subgenres to write in, so the collection ended up including the categories like slasher, haunted house, found media, and more. Walker also said that while nervous at first, he enjoyed performing the audio of his own author’s note and hopes to voice the epigraph audio for his next project.

William Stieglitz (he/him/his) is a children’s book author with Paw Prints Publishing who also writes local journalism. This will be his first year attending ALA Annual, where he will be an EMIERT AuthorFest panelist. His upcoming early-readers, the Rachel and Abby books, center on two Jewish-American sisters as they solve the mysteries of the adult world, and take inspiration from how his own family, while celebrating Judaism in many different ways, would find the most meaning in the time they spent together. He is looking forward to meeting with and hearing the stories of others at the conference, and especially values how librarians work both to educate and to create an environment that really is for everyone.

Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.

If you are interested in submitting a guest post, please read and fill out our Guest Blogging Interest Form. We would love to hear from you!

The post ALA Day 4: One Last Listen appeared first on ALSC Blog.

With Monday being a travel-home day for many attendees, the early morning panels offered a final chance for those leaving early to hear from #alaac25 presenters one last time. One such panel, “Audiobook Spotlight: Bringing Anthologies to Audio with Terry J. Benton Walker” offered a look into the translation of physical books to the audiobook format. Walker, the author and editor of YA horror anthology The White Guy Dies First, spoke with his producer Elishia Merricks on the many layers going into that work. They discussed how for the collected stories, they brought in different readers to perform each one with a specialized voice. They were not just looking for pretty voices, they said, but ones that really connect with the text and its atmosphere. Having authentic voices was also an important consideration, particularly for an anthology based on giving agency to BIPOC main characters in a genre known for killing…
The post ALA Day 4: One Last Listen appeared first on ALSC Blog. Read More

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Volunteer With Me: #alaac25 Day Four!

Photo of attendees at the 2025 ALSC Awards Breakfast (photo courtesy of blogger).

Today, one of my colleagues referred to Monday of ALA as the day of “zombies.” While I definitely felt a bit sluggish after a jam-packed weekend, I was also still rearing to go because today was a day full of ALSC programming. I started my morning at the 2025 ALSC Awards Breakfast hearing about the amazing honorees and winners of the Robert F. Sibert Medal, Mildred L. Batchelder Award, Theodore Seuss Geisel Award, and Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award. I then headed back over to the exhibit hall for one last walk-through.

After my quick stroll to purchase a few tchotchkes from the vendors, I then made my way to the ALSC Membership Meeting. While this session was only an hour, it certainly packed a lot into the 60 minutes. Awards and honors were presented, along with announcements about the ALSC National Institute, book lists, and more. The largest focus of the meeting, however, was the upcoming reunification of YALSA and ALSC. Current ALSC president, Dr. Rob Bittner, answered questions from the audience and questions that were asked of him throughout Annual. He also highlighted some next steps for the president, board members, and other committee members over the next year including:

Scheduling virtual membership meetings and town halls to discuss the merger
Creating a longer survey, in addition to the one sent to members on June 5th, to obtain feedback, concerns, and thoughts from current ALSC and YALSA members

Dr. Bittner also assured attendees that over the next year, ALSC activities and committees would proceed as usual.

A photo of a bookmark signed by Jerry Craft (photo courtesy of blogger).

After this informative session, I went to my final shift at the Zine Pavillion. I had the opportunity to walk and talk with my mentor and past ALSC president Caroline Ward (‘99-’00). On our way to the exhibit hall, we passed none other than Jerry Craft! My mentor and I shyly walked by, fangirling about the sighting, before Caroline said “Oh, I know Jerry!” and quickly backtracked to say hello. He was standing by the poster advertising his new book with Kwame Alexander – J vs. K. After briefly chatting with us, he asked which of the three of us was the best at taking photos because he wanted to take a photo with the display. And THAT is how I wound up taking a photo of Jerry Craft and with Jerry Craft! As Judy Zuckerman said earlier in the day during her ALSC Distinguished Service Award acceptance speech, “…the connections you make through ALSC will help your career!” (Little did I know those connections would occur so quickly!)

Keep following along for one final post with reflections on my conference experience!

Anna Melvin (she/they) is a children’s librarian at the Cleveland Park Library in Washington, D.C. She is originally from the Philadelphia suburbs, and is happy to head home for this year’s conference to where her love for libraries began. As an elementary school student, Anna used to come in early to help her school librarian reshelve books and to discuss their most recent reads. This is her third time attending ALA, but her first working at the Zine Pavilion. She is very excited to be able to volunteer this year, and hopes to be able to connect with a larger range of library professionals while working at the Pavilion. Anna is most looking forward to this year’s conference because at the conclusion, she will begin a two-year term serving on the Library Service to Underserved Youth and Their Caregivers Committee. Anna is also eagerly anticipating attending sessions on serving patrons with disabilities, expanding her at-home library with some great reads from this year’s conference, and fan-girling over Geena Davis. Come say hi to Anna at the Zine Pavillion, or at the ALSC Membership Meeting!

The post Volunteer With Me: #alaac25 Day Four! appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Today, one of my colleagues referred to Monday of ALA as the day of “zombies.” While I definitely felt a bit sluggish after a jam-packed weekend, I was also still rearing to go because today was a day full of ALSC programming. I started my morning at the 2025 ALSC Awards Breakfast hearing about the amazing honorees and winners of the Robert F. Sibert Medal, Mildred L. Batchelder Award, Theodore Seuss Geisel Award, and Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award. I then headed back over to the exhibit hall for one last walk-through. After my quick stroll to purchase a few tchotchkes from the vendors, I then made my way to the ALSC Membership Meeting. While this session was only an hour, it certainly packed a lot into the 60 minutes. Awards and honors were presented, along with announcements about the ALSC National Institute, book lists, and more. The…
The post Volunteer With Me: #alaac25 Day Four! appeared first on ALSC Blog. Read More

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#ALAAC25

Poetry is not just for the month of April!

I was inspired by the #ALAAC25 presentation – “Poetry as Makerspace: Making Poetry Visible in Your Library Year-Round” – to explore creative ways for my patrons to experiment with and enjoy poetry throughout the year, from January to December. Not only did the presenters encourage attendees to write and play with poetry during the program, the presenters gave practical ideas of poetry stations and activities to implement right away in your library. Here are some of their great ideas!

List Poetry

Presenters gave examples of books that are list poems which answer different phrases, such as “I am…” in the picture book I Am Every Good Thing. Other ways to do list poems is to have students manipulate physical objects (like Legos or popsicle sticks) that have themed-words on the objects.

Color Poetry

Examples of color poetry books were shared, including The Crayons’ Book of Feelings. Then, presenters provided an example activity in which the attendees chose a paint chip swatch and brainstormed ideas of what that color reminded us of or what it could represent. There is even a Paint Chip Poetry game that can be purchased from Chronicle Books.

Found Poetry

Using words cut out from magazines or recycled books, patrons can make poems from words they find. In the end, it creates a fun zine look that would be appealing to young patrons to teen patrons. Also, this allows our younger patrons to practice the motor skills required when cutting paper.

Bracelet Poetry

Beads with words on them can be purchased from a craft store for patrons to create poetry they can wear! Tip: Alphabet beads can also be purchased to make new words if needed.

Comics/Cartooning as Poetry

Using Poetry Comics by Grant Snider as an example, the presenters showed examples of writing poetry and illustrating it in a comic. I really liked the list poem “Places to Feel Small,” which shared drawings illustrating captions like “under a forest canopy,” “lost in a crowd,” and “at the edge of the sea.”

Ultimate Goal: Be creative and have fun!

Throughout the session, the presenters exuded a love for poetry. Their joy and passion infused the room with a sense of playfulness that I aspire to replicate in my library. Overall, the presenter’s activities emphasized that the end product of a poem was not the main goal–but rather the focus was on the process of creating, allowing one to enjoy and savor word play and personal expression through poetry.

(All images taken by S. Sansbury)

Sarah Sansbury (she/her/hers) is an elementary school teacher-librarian from Atlanta, Georgia. She recently finished her doctorate in school improvement with a focus on how school librarians contribute to student achievement. She is eager to learn how to better partner with local public librarians so that her students can benefit from all the community resources available to them. At the conference, one will most likely find her drinking coffee, no matter the time of day. You can follow her on BlueSky and Instagram: @supersansbury.

The post Poetry is not just for the month of April! appeared first on ALSC Blog.

I was inspired by the #ALAAC25 presentation – “Poetry as Makerspace: Making Poetry Visible in Your Library Year-Round” – to explore creative ways for my patrons to experiment with and enjoy poetry throughout the year, from January to December. Not only did the presenters encourage attendees to write and play with poetry during the program, the presenters gave practical ideas of poetry stations and activities to implement right away in your library. Here are some of their great ideas! List Poetry Presenters gave examples of books that are list poems which answer different phrases, such as “I am…” in the picture book I Am Every Good Thing. Other ways to do list poems is to have students manipulate physical objects (like Legos or popsicle sticks) that have themed-words on the objects. Color Poetry Examples of color poetry books were shared, including The Crayons’ Book of Feelings. Then, presenters provided an…
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ALA Day 4: One Last Listen

With Monday being a travel-home day for many attendees, the early morning panels offered a final chance for those leaving early to hear from #alaac25 presenters one last time. One such panel, “Audiobook Spotlight: Bringing Anthologies to Audio with Terry J. Benton Walker” offered a look into the translation of physical books to the audiobook format. Walker, the author and editor of YA horror anthology

https://drwebdomain.blog/2025/06/30/ala-day-4-one-last-listen/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

No Tech? No Problem: Poetry as Makerspace #alaac25

If you’re anything like me, you are or have been intimidated by one or the other, or maybe even both: understanding poetry and using makerspaces. On Saturday, a panel of presenters–all picture book writers, poets, and educators–encouraged a room full of public librarians and school library teachers to work with lyrical picture books, novels in verse, and exploratory word play activities in their spaces to foster…

https://drwebdomain.blog/2025/06/30/no-tech-no-problem-poetry-as-makerspace-alaac25/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Volunteer With Me: #alaac25 Day Four!

Photo of attendees at the 2025 ALSC Awards Breakfast (photo courtesy of blogger). Today, one of my colleagues referred to Monday of ALA as the day of “zombies.” While I definitely felt a bit sluggish after a jam-packed weekend, I was also still rearing to go because today was a day full of ALSC programming. I started my morning at the 2025 ALSC Awards Breakfast hearing about the amazing honorees and winners of the Robert F.

https://drwebdomain.blog/2025/07/01/volunteer-with-me-alaac25-day-four/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Poetry is not just for the month of April!

I was inspired by the #ALAAC25 presentation – “Poetry as Makerspace: Making Poetry Visible in Your Library Year-Round” – to explore creative ways for my patrons to experiment with and enjoy poetry throughout the year, from January to December. Not only did the presenters encourage attendees to write and play with poetry during the program, the presenters gave practical ideas of poetry stations and activities to implement right…

https://drwebdomain.blog/2025/07/01/poetry-is-not-just-for-the-month-of-april/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Wrapping up #ALAAC25 with Padres at Phillies. I have no dog in this hunt but as a longtime Rockies fan, it’s just nice to see professional baseball again.

This year's Zine Pavilion collaborative zine was so popular we had to split it into two parts!! Swing by both 1862 to pick up a copy before 2 pm, or find a scan online at www.zinelibraries.info/zine-pavilio.... ✂️ #ZinePavilion #ALAAC25 📚

Two very thick zines on a table. Both have the same cover & title. Stickers include Hello Kitty, Read Palestine, ChatGPT Eats Trees, and AI: Weapons of Mass Production.

CSKBART 2025 Breakfast Reflections #alaac25

Confession: this was my first Coretta Scott King Book Awards Breakfast. I am now mad at myself that I never went before. This was a celebration of black excellence that was boisterous, somber, joyful, thoughtful and unabashed. My seatmate and I were driven to tears by Kwame Alexander’s recitation of his forebears both enslaved and free from the shore of Virginia in the mid 1700’s. C. G Esperanza gave us an entertaining turn as the host of his very own Black History with Horses game show – complete with lovely parting gifts. Craig Kofi Farmer tugged our hearts with his declaration of how children are able to say ‘that superhero looks like me’, which he couldn’t say as a child.

Jamiel Law did the illustrations for his FIRST picture book while learning to be a father and working a full time job. We know that Lesa Cline-Ransome did NOT know Harriet Tubman – but she told the story of the Exodusters with heart and poetry. Ekua Holmes merged the Southern magnolia with Coretta Scott King, the co-creator of Martin Luther King Jr.’s grand vision of equality. It can be ‘dangerous’ to create a biography of a legendary librarian and storyteller, and April Harrison aced the task. E.B. Lewis may be the other E.B., but his dreamy illustrations of photographer Roy DeCarava shows he is the only E.B. Lewis.

Poetry was there – in the words sung in ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ and in the invocation offered by Dr. Gregory Person. It was in the speech of Renée Watson, who sounded like her book only alive and speaking to all of us. And lastly, it was in the speech of Jason Reynolds, as he shared with us his search on why does love sometime look so violent? What do male romantic thoughts look like? And how can we show young people that it’s okay to feel vulnerable with themselves and each other.

Yes, CSKBART Breakfast is a celebration of black excellence in children’s literature. It is also a celebration of every reader that loves children’s literature and works tirelessly to get it into the hands of all children – because they too, deserve the best that we have to offer.

Kelly Depin is a member of the 2025 Newbery committee and is looking forward to giving you a look at some of the invited events attached to the award winning authors. She has been a librarian for over 20 years and looks forward to being found someday as part of some unique children’s or adult programming.

Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.

If you are interested in submitting a guest post, please read and fill out our Guest Blogging Interest Form. We would love to hear from you!

The post CSKBART 2025 Breakfast Reflections #alaac25 appeared first on ALSC Blog.

Confession: this was my first Coretta Scott King Book Awards Breakfast. I am now mad at myself that I never went before. This was a celebration of black excellence that was boisterous, somber, joyful, thoughtful and unabashed. My seatmate and I were driven to tears by Kwame Alexander’s recitation of his forebears both enslaved and free from the shore of Virginia in the mid 1700’s. C. G Esperanza gave us an entertaining turn as the host of his very own Black History with Horses game show – complete with lovely parting gifts. Craig Kofi Farmer tugged our hearts with his declaration of how children are able to say ‘that superhero looks like me’, which he couldn’t say as a child. Jamiel Law did the illustrations for his FIRST picture book while learning to be a father and working a full time job. We know that Lesa Cline-Ransome did NOT know…
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