Hear Ye! Hear Ye! | February 2026

Applications are open for the 2026 William Morris Seminar: Book Evaluation Training , an all-day seminar where participants learn and practice children's media evaluation techniques and skills. The training is led by experts in children's media evaluation.

The seminar is scheduled for Thursday, October 1, 2026, in Buffalo, New York, immediately preceding the ALSC National Institute. Training is intended for those who have not served on ALSC book award evaluation committees.

Through the support of the William C. Morris Endowment, the seminar is offered at no charge to attendees, along with a $450 stipend to help defray travel expenses.

Learn more at the Morris Seminar webpage.

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Professional development is just a click away with ALSC eLearning. Check out these upcoming learning opportunities.

Webinar: Future-Ready Youth: Preparing Our Patrons to Navigate the Age of AI
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 | 12:00pm-1:00pm CT

Children and teens are often eager adopters of new technology, but access doesn’t always mean understanding. Artificial intelligence (AI) raises important questions. How is it impacting youth? How can library professionals empower patrons to understand and engage with this technology? This webinar will touch on how children and teens interact with AI, AI literacy programming, and critical thinking about AI.

eCourse: Reading the Art in Picture Books
April 6 - May 3, 2026

Picture books are often a child’s first introduction to art. Learn how text and illustrations work together to enhance readers' appreciation of the format. In this 4-week asynchronous online course, participants will develop visual literacy skills and learn how to examine and evaluate picture books for both text and illustrations. The course is good preparation for reviewing picture books or serving on book award committees as well as for sharing picture books with children in a more expansive way.

eCourse: American Sign Language with Children in Storytime or in the Classroom: A Practical Guide
October 5 - November 15, 2026

American Sign Language (ASL) is most commonly used in storytimes for babies, but the applications can go much further. In this 6-week eCourse, programming expert and signing storyteller Kathy MacMillan explores the benefits of signing with all children. In addition to learning basic ASL vocabulary appropriate for use with children in library and classroom settings, participants will learn techniques to share stories, songs, and other activities that incorporate ASL. 

Learn more about ALSC's continuing education opportunities!

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The 2026 Día reading lists - in English and Spanish - are now available for free download! They are a great resource for introducing children and families to stories that celebrate diverse cultures or for sharing at Día and cultural programs and events.

National Día Program Registry 2026. Is 2026 your year to host a Día event? Share your programs and get inspired! The Día Program Registry allows you to showcase your diversity programming and discover new ideas from library colleagues nationwide. By adding your events to the database, you will help expand the 2026 Día program map and data table. 

Learn more and complete the program submission form at the Program Registry webpage.

More free resources for download! Use our eye-catching graphics to promote your Día events in social media. 

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ALSC’s 2026 National Institute will include 42 education programs, in addition to seven discussion sessions. Diverse programming will feature topics including math for babies and toddlers; collaborative tools for children’s play; centering joy, justice, and Black girlhood through romance; serving children and families experiencing homelessness; incorporating role-playing games into youth and teen services programming; and more!

Make your plans to join us in Buffalo, New York, October 1-3, 2026, to Play. Learn. Connect. You won’t want to miss out on this professional development experience – and the fun! Visit the ALSC website to learn more, including registration rates, hotel costs, and tentative schedules.

PS – Do you work with teens? Do you have a colleague focused on teen services? We’re excited to announce a one-day, stand-alone event specifically focused on teen programs and services! Teen Services Development Day will be a stand-alone event, but attendees can stay for the National Institute at a discounted rate! Stay tuned for more information! 

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At the ALA Youth Media Awards in January, ALSC President Dr. Claudette McLinn announced that author Kwame Alexander will deliver the 2027 Children’s Literature Lecture.

Alexander is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 44 books, including the John Newbery Medal winner The Crossover. A strong supporter of libraries, he has been instrumental in building libraries and partnering with the Little Free Library organization. He shares his passion for literacy, books, and writing at events around the globe. 

The Children’s Literature lecturer prepares a paper considered to be a significant contribution to the field of children’s literature. The paper is delivered as a lecture in the spring. An application will open this spring for institutions interested in hosting Alexander's 2027 lecture. Library schools, college/university departments of education, and public library systems may be considered to host. Applications will be available from ALSC this spring.

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ALSC and AASL, in partnership with The Pokémon Company International, continue their initiative – the Pokémon Club program! Participants receive a kit to run friendly, inclusive spaces in which young players can learn and develop skills through the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Club members can learn strategic thinking, math, reading comprehension, and creativity. Learn more and apply now. (Note: You MUST be an ALSC or AASL member to participate.) 

Wondering what Pokémon Club looks like in action? ALSC blogger Ariel Barreras, children’s librarian, Ridgefield Park (NJ) Public Library, writes about her experiences preparing to start a Pokémon Club and lessons learned from the first club session on the ALSC blog.

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Join ALA for top-quality education and best practices; featured thought leaders; and special programming for library professionals looking to further develop their libraries, careers, and communities!

The ALA 2026 Annual Conference & Exhibition will be held June 25-29 in Chicago. This year, we mark ALA's 150th Anniversary! Be part of the celebration this summer and help shape what's next for YOUR library.

Find complete details on the conference website, including steps to make your case to attend. Visit the Registration page for early bird dates and rates.

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Talk Story: Sharing Stories, Sharing Culture, jointly administered by the American Indian Library Association (AILA) and Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), is a family literacy program that reaches out to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI) and American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) families and their intergenerational community members.

The program celebrates and affirms Asian, Pacific Islander, and American Indian intersectionalities through books, oral traditions, art, and more, providing interactive and enriching experiences. Talk Story grant funding supports library and community organizations in highlighting AANHPI and AIAN stories through programs, services, and collection materials.

Grant applications are due March 15. For more information, visit the grant website.

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