The Kerlan Collection of Children's Literature (MN) will host Cynthia Leitich Smith in April 2026 for ALSC’s Children’s Literature Lecture

CHICAGO - The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is pleased to announce that the 2026 Children’s Literature Lecture, featuring Cynthia Leitich Smith, will be hosted by the Kerlan Collection of Children's Literature, University of Minnesota Libraries, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The lecture will take place in April 2026 – exact date is forthcoming.

"The Kerlan Collection of Children's Literature at the University of Minnesota is already a celebration of children's literature past and present, so hosting this significant lecture by an award-winning children's author and publishing pioneer is a perfect fit, " said 2026 Children's Literature Lecture Committee chair Casey O'Leary. "Cynthia's commitment to amplifying Native American and Indigenous voices in children's literature will be celebrated by numerous local organizations specifically dedicated to serving these communities, as well as pre-service educators and students throughout the Minneapolis area."

“The Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota is thrilled to welcome the Children's Literature Lecture to the University of Minnesota,” said Lisa Von Drasek, Miranker Family Curatorial Chair of the Children's Literature Research Collections. "The mission of the Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota is to collect, preserve, and make accessible the rich history and artistry of children's literature for a diverse and global audience of researchers, students, and enthusiasts. This renowned collection serves as a vital international resource, dedicated to illuminating the creative process behind children's books. This significant event would not be possible without the incredible dedication of our children's literature community. We are profoundly grateful to the librarians, authors, teachers, booksellers, and faculty throughout the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota whose passion and unwavering support brought us the ALSC Children's Literature Lecture."

ALSC originally established the Children’s Literature Lecture series in 1969 as the May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Award with sponsorship from Scott, Foresman and Company. The lecture was named for May Hill Arbuthnot because of her significant contributions to the field of children’s literature. The award was renamed as the Children's Literature Lecture by the ALSC Board of Directors in January 2020.

The purpose of the award remains the same: a lecture series that celebrates scholarship and critical thinking about literature for children, which are ever evolving. The new award name expands upon Arbuthnot’s professional legacy and celebrates the many voices and perspectives that all lecturers bring to this Award. In her own words, Arbuthnot was thrilled at the prospect of this award providing a forum for "new voices speak[ing] with new insight and new emphasis in the field of children's literature." Essentially, the Children's Literature Lecture Award centers on the distinction of its recipients, whose diverse voices and perspectives are necessary to broaden our understanding of and appreciation for children’s literature.

Members of the 2026 Children's Literature Lecture Award Committee are: Chair Casey O’Leary; Lucia Acosta; Eti Berland; Robyn L. Carr; and Katie Marie Cerqua.

About the Association for Library Service to Children

ALSC, a division of the American Library Association, is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 3,300 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for all children through libraries. Visit www.ala.org/alsc.

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association (ALA) is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America's libraries and library professionals. For almost 150 years, ALA has provided resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. The ALA serves academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.