Officially Speaking | February 2026

It is hoped that every member of both ALSC and YALSA had a wonderful and enjoyable (peaceful) holiday season.

In this new year, ALSC continues to face many challenges. We face these challenges together with optimism. I have experienced this optimism while meeting with staff, Priority Group Consultants, committee chairs/co-chairs, and members. As much transparency as possible during this time will allow us all to be informed and prepared. As I’ve said in recent posts, we are a strong division. We are weathering this storm of uncertainty and finding our #ALSCJOY as the storm clouds clear.

For their guidance and support during this time, special thanks are owed to our outstanding staff: Alena Rivers, ALSC Executive Director and YALSA Interim Executive Director; Sarah C. Polen, ALSC Deputy Executive Director; Anne Michaud, ALSC Program Officer, Governance; Laura Schulte-Cooper, ALSC Senior Program Officer, Communications; Ana Puente Cackley, ALSC Awards Coordinator; and Maggie Reagan, YALSA Program Manager, Awards & Projects. I would be remiss if I did not also thank the ALSC Board, the co-chairs of the Charlemae Rollins President’s Program, my Advisory Team for ALSC Committee Appointments, and all of my supportive colleagues: you.

The ALA Youth Media Awards (YMAs) took place on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the Hilton Chicago. The YMAs span 22 awards, including the Newbery and Caldecott medals. Those present in Chicago were able to share the excitement with librarian colleagues, friends, and supporters. Others felt the excitement as they watched the livestream. For me, it was an esteemed honor to represent ALSC and present ALSC’s awards. We are now looking forward to celebrating our Youth Media Award winners and honorees during the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago this coming June. Good work is being done.

Our new American Library Association Executive Director, Dan Montgomery, kicked off the ALA 150th celebration during the YMAs.  ALA will celebrate year-round throughout 2026 with key flagship events. Celebrations will continue throughout the year and will include the annual observance of National Library Week, April 19-25, led by 2026 honorary chair Mychal Threets, award-winning librarian and “Reading Rainbow” host; a 150th anniversary celebration at the ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition in Chicago, June 25-29; and a special commemoration of ALA’s official birthday on October 6, coinciding with the annual observance of Banned Books Week. The Association’s 150 years of impact on the library field and communities across the nation will be chronicled on the official anniversary website ALA150.org.

Good News

Did you know that applications for the Bill Morris Seminar are now available on the ALSC website with a deadline of March 15, 2026? Do not miss the important article published in Booklist, January 2026 issue, on page 71, titled: Benefits of the Bill Morris Seminar by Julie Corsaro and Jamie Campbell Naidoo, both past presidents of ALSC and former award committee chairs, who will lead the Morris Seminar Task Force as co-chairs. The seminar will be held immediately before the ALSC National Institute in Buffalo, New York, on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

Save the Dates

Please arrange your travel so that you can attend these special events at Annual Conference:

ALSC is celebrating 25 years of the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award this year. There will be a Sibert Preconference event held on Friday, June 26, 2026. Judy Ehrenstein is chair of the Sibert Award 25th Anniversary Task Force. Stay tuned for more information about this event as well as other opportunities to celebrate.

Attend the 2026 ALSC Charlemae Rollins President’s Program: “Picture Books for All: Celebrating the Joy of Visual Literacy,” on Monday, June 29, 2026, in the afternoon after the ALSC Awards program. Join us for an unforgettable celebration of the magic, artistry, and power of picture books for all ages! This year’s Charlemae Rollins President’s Program brings together a panel of picture book experts to explore visual literacy and the enduring impact of the format. Three award-winning picture book artists and moderator Leonard S. Marcus will share insights into the illustrators’ creative processes and the ways picture books shape how we see, learn, and connect with the world. Come ready to listen, engage, network, and celebrate. The ALSC Charlemae Hill Rollins President’s Program is organized by Jené Brown and Elisa Gall on behalf of 2026 ALSC President Dr. Claudette McLinn. The Charlemae Hills Rollins Endowment Fund supports this annual program.

I look forward to seeing you in Chicago this June for #ALSCJOY and hugs!—Claudette S. McLinn, Ed.D., MLIS, MS Ed Adm, ALSC President, 2025-26

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Please note: The ALSC Division Councilor's report, which regularly appears in the February issue of ALSC Matters, will be included in the May issue, due to a delay in the completion of January's final Council meeting. 

Many thanks to the following generous contributors to Friends of ALSC. To learn how you can support ALSC, visit our website.

President’s Circle - $1,000 and up

Ellen Fader

Gold Circle - $500 to $999

Ed Spicer

Notables Circle - $100 to $249

Christine Caputo
Lisa Gangemi Kropp
Nina Lindsay
Linda Perkins

Friends Circle - up to $99

Sam Kubica
Jessica Leach-Carroll 
Linda Plevak
Michael Santangelo
Laura Schulte-Cooper
Dorothy Stoltz
Beatriz Wallace  
Joan Walsh

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