LibLearnX, Standing Strong, and Working Together for the Future

Hello Wonderful ALSC members,

These are strange times, and it can often feel like we’ve gone two steps forward, and now ten steps back. And in some cases, it’s true. I don’t want to start on a negative note, but I have always leaned more towards a realist perspective, and in this moment, we are going to need to stick together more than ever. But let’s begin with something that was positive, though bittersweet: LibLearnX 2025.

It was so great to see many of you in Phoenix at the final LLX. I will remember and cherish the time there for many years to come. I had the opportunity to visit exhibitors, attend meetings and sessions, spend time with friends and colleagues, and meet new people over the course the weekend. I heard from many members that they were glad to be able to celebrate this last LibLearnX with friends and revisit memories of Midwinters gone by. And while the future is not yet finalized, ALA and ALSC are finding ways to ensure that in-person deliberations and the awards announcements are still able to continue in some form.

Which brings to me to the Youth Media Awards. Whether you had your own guesses, or you were part of one of the many Mock Elections that occurred around the country, it’s inevitable that there were surprises in store for everyone on Monday morning. Part of what makes the YMA announcements so magical is that there is really no way to know who will win or be honored throughout the morning, but whatever the results, lives will be changed because of the work of our amazing award committees.

A couple of highlights of LibLearnX 2025: The Caldecott Medal was won by Chooch Helped, which is illustrator Rebecca Lee Kunz’s first book, and the Newbery medal win for The First State of Being placed Erin Entrada Kelly into a very small group of 7 people who have won multiple gold medals.

It is an incredible experience to be in the room when announcements are made, hearing all the applause, gasps of surprise, and the cheering of so many children’s and teen literature lovers.

The ALSC staff worked tirelessly throughout the entire weekend, vetting publication details for honored and winning books in preparation for the YMAs, dealing with last-minute details and ensuring that everything goes off without a hitch. Their dedication and hard work made the LLX experience exciting and enjoyable for all attendees.

The weekend was not without its more serious moments, particularly in light of new sociopolitical realities. Many a conversation focused on intellectual freedom, political unrest, and increasing attacks on children, librarians and literature. Our Intellectual Freedom committee has been particularly active in providing resources and write-ups during the last eight years. Here are a few examples to check out:

• The Urgent Work of Equity
• Librarians on the Front Lines
• Grassroots 101: How to Save Your Library from Organized Censorship
• Talking Banned Books with Kids: They Get it

If you have ideas to share, resources to highlight, or strategies to discuss, please consider writing a blog post to submit to the wonderful Mary Voors.  

ALSC members are some of the most passionate, dedicated, and resilient people I know. I am grateful for everyone who is working on ALSC committees and/or within your own library or school systems, to find ways of pushing back against attacks on the people we serve and the literature we celebrate. You inspire me continually.

We will continue to work hard and fight the good fight together. We have much to do, but we also have each other. I look forward to seeing many of you in Philadelphia in June, coming together, building each other up, comforting one another, and even celebrating, however we can.

Onwards!

Rob Bittner, PhD (He/Him)
President, Association for Library Services to Children

The post LibLearnX, Standing Strong, and Working Together for the Future appeared first on ALSC Blog.

 Hello Wonderful ALSC members, These are strange times, and it can often feel like we’ve gone two steps forward, and now ten steps back. And in some cases, it’s true. I don’t want to start on a negative note, but I have always leaned more towards a realist perspective, and in this moment, we are going to need to stick together more than ever. But let’s begin with something that was positive, though bittersweet: LibLearnX 2025. It was so great to see many of you in Phoenix at the final LLX. I will remember and cherish the time there for many years to come. I had the opportunity to visit exhibitors, attend meetings and sessions, spend time with friends and colleagues, and meet new people over the course the weekend. I heard from many members that they were glad to be able to celebrate this last LibLearnX with friends and…
The post LibLearnX, Standing Strong, and Working Together for the Future appeared first on ALSC Blog.  Read More

ALSC Blog