The ALSC Children's Literature Lecture is an annual event featuring an author, critic, librarian, historian, or teacher of children’s literature, of any country, who shall prepare a paper considered to be a significant contribution to the field of children’s literature. The paper is delivered as a lecture each spring, and is subsequently published in Children and Libraries, the journal of ALSC.
Once the lecturer is announced, at the ALA LibLearnX, institutions wishing to host the lecture may apply. A library school, department of education in a college or university, or a public library system may be considered. Host sites receive a $2,000 honorarium to support the logistics in producing the lecture and other ancillary activities.
ALSC members have access to recordings and printed copies of previous lectures, as a benefit of their membership. A list of those lectures can be found on the ALSC website.
Upcoming lectures: 2024 Lecture featuring Rita Williams Garcia