In addition to the author signings, panels, and a chance to network and socialize with fellow librarians, ALA Annual is packed with professional development opportunities and practical guidance for the times. If you’re a school, children’s, or teen librarian going to Chicago for the conference, these sessions may be of interest (all times are local).
 

Friday, June 23

9 a.m.–12 p.m. Exploring with Tweens! Creating STEAM Exploration Spaces that are Inclusive, Equitable, and Accessible for Youth

Saturday, June 24

9–10 a.m. Reimagining School Readiness Toolkit for Libraries

11 a.m.–12 p.m. A Bridge to Parent Engagement in School Partnerships

1–2 p.m. Books Under Fire: Law and the Right to Read, 2023

1–2 p.m. Jazzing up Youth Creativity: Free Arts Programs for Libraries

2:30–3:30 p.m. Censorship and Diversity: How Do Librarians Continue to Protect the
Rights of Marginalized Communities Amid Targeted Book Challenges?

4–5 p.m. Gaming in School Libraries

4–5 p.m. Near–Peer Leadership at the Library: Teens Inspiring Kids through Tutoring, Storytelling, and Readers’ Advisory

4–5 p.m. Supporting Young Children’s Social and Emotional Development with Children’s Literature

Sunday, June 25

9–10 a.m. In Search of Teens: A Discussion on How to Welcome More Teens into Our Libraries

11 a.m.–12 p.m. Cataloging Correctly For Kids: The Basics of Cataloging Materials for Young People

11 a.m.–12 p.m. Help! They’re coming for our books!

1–2 p.m. BookTube, Bookstagram, and BookTok, Oh My: Understanding the Online “Bookaverse” As Tool for Professional Development

1–2 p.m. Make the Most of Banned Books Week

1–2 p.m. Trust the Kids: How Chicago Public Library Supports Youth Autonomy

2:30–3:30 p.m. Activating Community Support with Unite Against Book Bans

2:30–3:30 p.m. Showing Off: End of Year Reporting

Monday, June 26

9–10 a.m. Building Joy–Centric Libraries: An Experiential Workshop

9–10 a.m. Is Your Library Challenge-Ready?

9–10 a.m. Library Card Policies: Do They Work for Teens?

1–2 p.m. K–12 Copyright 101 for School Librarians

The full conference program can be found at 2023.alaannual.org.