Officially Speaking | November 2025

"In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety." — Abraham Maslow

Today’s news is filled with uncertainty and doubt with a little confusion mixed in regarding our own organizational future. Some are asking the question of what will happen next.

Many institutions are dealing with such questions, and the word that causes the most perplexity is the word “change.” Overcoming this fear of the unknown requires knowledge about what is transpiring in our organization with the reunification of ALSC and YALSA. Expect changes with the merging of the two divisions and a joint focus. And expect opportunities to learn more and to be a part of this change.

As ever, to find your joy, the opportunities are here for you to gain knowledge by being aware of the activities ALSC provides.

Please save these upcoming dates on your calendar (more information to come):

ALA Winter Event: Youth Media Awards 2026, Monday, January 26, at 10 am CST at the Chicago Hilton Hotel. Registration will open in December 2025

ALSC Children’s Literature Lecture, featuring author Cynthia Leitich Smith, Thursday, April 9, 2026, University of Minnesota – Kerlan Collection

ALSC-YALSA Reunification Town Hall Meeting: Late April 2026, via Zoom

ALA Annual Conference: Chicago, IL, June 25-29, 2026

ALSC @ ALA Annual Conference 2026

ALSC Charlemae Hill Rollins President’s Program: Monday, June 29, 2026, an afternoon celebration

What I know for sure is that we will continue to be hopeful and joyful as we experience this transition period, and we will rise to the height of success.

No matter how long the road may be, we are all in this together. #ALSCJOY—Claudette S. McLinn, Ed.D., MLIS, MS Ed Adm, ALSC President, 2025-26

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In stepping into the role of ALSC Vice President/President-Elect, I find myself holding space for complex emotions—deep gratitude for this opportunity, excitement about the work ahead, and profound awareness of the challenging moment we face as a profession.

Despite having previously served on the ALSC Board, I feel that there is so much more to learn and appreciate in this new role. There is a tremendous amount of work happening behind the scenes, from our dedicated ALSC and ALA staff who are navigating the complex realities of our organization and its structuring to remain solvent, in addition to the many hours spent in preparation for conferences, events, workshops and webinars, and day-to-day logistics and coordination, to the many volunteers doing year-round committee work, and nurturing this robust network of library professionals in service to our field and the patrons we serve. I am incredibly thankful to every person doing this vital work, especially in the midst of structural change and loss of staff. Through my work on Board, process and literature committees, and presenting at ALSC Institute, I have grown so much as a librarian, and I know that is mostly due to the professional development opportunities and the network that being part of ALA has afforded me, and more so, individually from this network dedicated to serving youth and their families.

I had a meaningful moment at the Coretta Scott King Breakfast at this year’s Annual Conference with Tween Services Librarian Alicia Rogers, the recipient of the 2025 Penguin Random House Young Readers Group Award. Alicia shared anecdotes about her first conference experience and serving on the Notable Children's Books Committee, which she recapped in her joyful ALSC Blog post: "#CSKBART Awards Breakfast: Lunch with Luminaries." As someone who also served on Notables and chaired the now sunsetted Grants Administration Committee that awarded the PRH grant, this moment felt full circle. It reaffirmed that our mission is alive—not just in programs we support, but in the professional growth, relationships, and sense of belonging we cultivate. ALSC involvement builds our confidence as professionals. Whether through informal conversations, collaborative committee work, or conference presentations, these connections help us refine our ideas and grow. The deadline for the next Penguin Random House Young Readers Group Award is November 15th. If you know an emerging leader in youth services who would benefit, please share this opportunity.

But as we approach this season during Native American Heritage Month, I want to be mindful of the histories and communities we honor. November marks the opening of program registration for El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day)—our celebration of children, families, and reading that culminates yearly on April 30. I must acknowledge the complex feelings of highlighting Día when many of us in our communities, libraries, and schools are seeing deliberate targeting of immigrant communities, including families and children. At a meeting I had with two ALSC past-presidents here in Minnesota, they witnessed a young woman detained by ICE. The tone of the Pura Belpré Celebración at ALA annual was both joyful and somber in recognizing that by publishing Latine voices, publishers may earn the ire of those who may want them quieted or silenced. We must be deliberate in recognizing that we serve all children and that inclusion is not only a value that we tout when it is convenient. Coming out of Banned Books Week, it is even more important to remember that our work—promoting literacy, access, championing inclusive literature and programming, is all part of working toward epistemic justice and civic engagement. So many of us are doing this work and are exhausted, our resources stretched thin, especially as we navigate reduced and disrupted funding. And yet, I am hopeful when seeing communities come together.

In navigating our reunification, I want to acknowledge the deep feelings many members across ALSC and YALSA have in both joining together and the dissolving of one of our powerhouse divisions serving youth, and in this, all perspectives matter. As a member of both ALSC and YALSA and as a Middle School Librarian, I also feel and recognize the grief of losing YALSA, but I am optimistic about our combined future. And I must emphasize that the working group is approaching the reunification of ALSC and YALSA with transparency. A survey and one town hall have already taken place, and there will be more opportunities for engagement this year and next—the year of my presidency—to do this work deliberately and inclusively. Looking ahead, ALSC National Institute proposals ensure that the event will have sessions inclusive of children's and teen services. The reunification process will continue offering chances for your voice through town halls and feedback sessions. These are all opportunities to stay engaged with the work of supporting youth and their communities together.

I make this ask with full awareness of how hard this moment is—emotionally, mentally, physically, and financially. I'm asking those who are able to volunteer, while understanding that many cannot. There is no judgment, only recognition. We need to work together in collaboration and compromise to shape what youth librarianship needs to be—beyond platitudes and awards—to support each other and the people we serve. ALSC offers nearly 60 committees, task forces, and discussion groups covering advocacy, intellectual freedom, literacy, programming, membership, EDI, and organizational effectiveness carrying out meaningful work aligned with ALSC's vision and core values. Whatever your capacity, there is a place for you. I am looking forward to appointing members to committees, committed to creating opportunities that acknowledge different capacities and constraints. Please complete the online volunteer form when and if you are able. Forms can be submitted anytime. Process committees are appointed January through May, and award and evaluation committees are appointed in July through October.

This work matters more than ever. We are showing up for our communities when it matters most. When we come together, we create tools, networks, and support systems that sustain us all. We build spaces for hope, comfort, and solidarity. We ensure children and families have advocates who understand what's at stake. I'm honored to work with President Claudette McLinn, Past President Rob Bittner, the ALSC Board of Directors, Executive Director Alena Rivers, ALSC staff, and all of you. Together, we're dedicated to engaging communities to build healthy, successful futures for all children, especially when that vision is most needed and most challenged. I look forward to seeing many of you soon, whether in virtual meetings, celebrating the Youth Media Awards, the 2026 Children’s Literature Lecture here in Minneapolis, or Annual Conference. Thank you for this honor to serve. Let's come together, support one another, and continue the important work ahead, with realistic expectations, genuine care, and unwavering commitment to the communities we serve.—Ariana Hussain, ALSC Vice President/President-Elect, 2025-26

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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.

Gold Circle - $500 to $999

Christopher Biss-Brown

Notables Circle - $100 to $249

Barbara J. Grobschmidt
Kathleen T. Horning
Cecilia McGowan

Friends Circle - up to $99

Marilyn Ackerman
Luis Negron

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