Officially Speaking | May 2025

Hello, Wonderful ALSC Members,

You may have seen my last blog post, which started with a line that feels like it will be the new normal over the next few years: These are strange times, and it can often feel like we’ve gone two steps forward, and now ten steps back. So, please allow me to begin this column with two steps forward!

I had the opportunity to travel to Portland, Oregon, in March, for the 2025 Children’s Literature Lecture, given by the incredible Kyle Lukoff. And although the weather was less than ideal—very rainy and, well, typical for the Pacific Northwest at that time of year—attendees found themselves very warmly welcomed by staff and volunteers from the Multnomah County Library System. The event took place in a delightful venue called The Judy, a converted movie theater that is now a center for youth arts and children’s theater. Attendees were even offered Rice Krispie treats and popcorn to accompany Kyle’s lecture. It was a deliciously quirky and enlightening evening!

The lecture itself was insightful and thought-provoking, asking us all to think about the question, “What do we ask books to do?” Though he somewhat jokingly refers to the Children’s Literature Lecture Award as “The Homework Award,” Kyle did not shy away from that homework in the slightest, having read back through decades of previous speeches, and even reading the original works of May Hill Arbuthnot, for whom the award was originally named. Attendees were treated to an in-depth exploration of empathy in children’s books, along with jokes, tangents, and later, one-on-one engagement during book signing.

If you were unable to attend but are still hoping to see the lecture, please check it out on ALSC’s YouTube Channel.

At the same time as this amazing event was taking place, other events had started unfolding around the Institute of Museum and Library Services, namely the loss of critical resources and programs that will have widespread impacts on children and families across the United States. ALA released an FAQ and update on the Association’s efforts to fight back. Additionally, ALSC, AASL, and YALSA have been in active communication with one another to determine ways that we can support our members and the programs that so many young people and their families rely on.

It is my hope that ALA Annual Conference, which is coming up quickly, will give those who are able to attend, a venue to reunite, collaborate, and find ways to move forward meaningfully and hopefully bring about positive change. I am looking forward to seeing many of you in Philadelphia! I know that it will be a mix of emotions, but I know we can find ways to both celebrate the good and fight back against those forces that seek to dismantle our profession and isolate us from those we serve.

I am grateful every day for all of you, for ALSC staff, for the dedication of those who serve on our many committees—even during these uneasy times, when we are having challenges with staff and volunteer capacity—and for the support of friends and colleagues. Serving as your President during this moment in time is not without its significant challenges, but with your help, ALSC will continue to thrive, just as we did during the global pandemic, and just as we have for the last century—as the Section for Library Work with Children (1901), the Division of Libraries for Children and Young People (1941), the Children’s Services Division (1957), and eventually the Association for Library Service to Children (1976).

Together we will get through this.

Onwards!—Rob Bittner, PhD (He/Him), ALSC President, 2024-25

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Spring is a time of reflection, resilience, and renewal. There are storm clouds of change on the horizon that are threatening the core functions of libraries across the country. I am reminded of a significant quote from our friend and ALSC past president, Ellen Riordan, stating the following: “Libraries and librarians play an important role in family literacy and multicultural awareness, and during this exciting time when our profession is particularly mobilized around the issue of multiculturalism and diversity, with ALSC as a proud and strong leader, the value of respecting families of all origins, faiths, and political perspectives—conservative, liberal, and everyone in between—remains as true as ever.” (ALSC Matters! 2015, vol. 13, no. 2)

The withholding of IMLS funding endangers our fundamental understanding of how libraries operate. It represents an attack on all families. We can be proactive by working together to support our profession, libraries, and communities. We must mobilize. Now is the time!

We, as a strong organization, will weather this storm and this season, and you and I will continue to find our #ALSCJOY as volunteer participants in ALSC.

ALSC offers many volunteer opportunities. Every member can experience #ALSCJOY through work with other amazing ALSC members. The value of these opportunities is immeasurable. ALSC’s vision is for its members to engage communities to build healthy, successful futures for all children. ALSC’s core values are collaboration, excellence, inclusiveness, innovation, integrity and respect, leadership, and responsiveness. This vision and these values enable us to be successful in serving our communities.

Let me remind you how to find your #ALSCJOY. This is what ALSC offers its members.

1) You will have access to ALSC’s network of more than 3,300 children's and youth librarians, children's literature experts, publishers, educators, and library school faculty members, and other adults dedicated to the present and future success for all children.

2) You will have the opportunity to serve on any of the nearly 60 award committees and non-award committees (also known as process committees) as well as task forces and discussion groups designated under six Priority Group areas. Click here to learn about the committees: https://www.ala.org/alsc/aboutalsc/coms. Already know which committees you'd like to volunteer to serve on? Please complete the online volunteer form (member login required).

3) You will have access to all the ALSC programs during the annual conferences. As an ALSC member, don’t forget to pick up your ALSC ribbon. Attach it to your conference badge to let everyone know that you are a proud member of ALSC.

4) You will have access to the ALSC virtual continuing education programs throughout the years.

5) You will meet and form friendships with like-minded colleagues.

6) You will have access to the ALSC Community on ALA Connect, which provides relevant information and news. Are you excited? I am.

How to renew your ALSC membership if your membership has lapsed? Please visit www.ala.org and sign into your account to update your membership.

Presently, I am appointing members to serve on the process (non-award) committees. It is not too late to apply now. In the fall, I will be appointing members to serve on the award committees.

#ALSCJOY needs YOU. ALSC is the world's largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library services to children. We will continue to remain steadfast in our mission by working together.

Before I conclude, I want to send my congratulations to members newly elected to ALSC leadership, including: 2025-26 Vice-President/President-Elect Ariana Hussain; Fiscal Officer Robbin Friedman; Board Director Alia Jones; and New-to-the-ALSC-Board Director Valerie Tohom.

I look forward to seeing you at ALA Annual Conference in Philadelphia! Safe travels!—Claudette S. McLinn, EdD, ALSC President-Elect, 2024-25

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Congratulations to the following individuals who have celebrated 25 years of ALSC membership this past year. We appreciate your commitment to the association and profession!

Alli Angell
Carrie Scott Banks
Julie Hunter Bascom
Dr. Rebecca (Becki) Bishop
Irene L. Briggs
Timothy D. Capehart
Edith Ching
Nancy A. Eames
Terry E. Ehle
Helena Estes
Dr. Annette Y. Goldsmith
Christina Kover
Angela Leeper
Patricia E. Lusher
Maria Xochitl Peterson
Susannah Richards
Lorie J. Rohrer
Michael P. Santangelo
Marilyn Singer
Nancy J. Snyder
Dr. Brian W. Sturm
Rita Pino Vargas
Sue W. Voet
Joanna Ward
Steve A. Zampino

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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 above

Cheryl B. Hadley

Silver Circle - $250 - $499

Susan Faust
Maria Gentle
Kenneth B. Kranseler

Notables Circle - $100 to $249

Roseann Zarnecki Brown
Christine Caputo
Barbara A. Genco
Amy Kellman
Margaret E. Martin
Phyllis Mattill
Denise A. Maxwell
Cynthia K. Richey

Friends Circle - up to $99

Robert Bell
Elizabeth A. Clark
Jennifer Homayouni
Gerry A. Jones

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