ALA book award winners featured in exciting virtual celebration

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) is offering an exciting new 11 hour virtual event celebrating the winners of several of its major book awards, including the esteemed Newbery and Caldecott medals, the Coretta Scott King Book Awards, the Printz Award, and the Stonewall youth and adult Book Awards.

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2020, over ALA’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/AmLibraryAssociation, The ALA Book Award Celebration, will serve as an opportunity for the association to showcase its book award celebrations that traditionally take place during the ALA Annual Conference. This is a free event that highlights several youth and adult selections administered by ALA units, division, and round tables. Participation does not require registration. 

ALA’s Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), Booklist Magazine, Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services, and Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), along with Belpré Award co-sponsor, The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking (REFORMA) have organized a brand new virtual celebration to honor award winning authors, illustrators, publishers, and producers.

Pre-recorded videos from book award winners will premiere for the first time throughout the day, according to the times designated by the schedule below. Viewers can watch live and share comments in chat, or view event videos on ALA’s YouTube channel soon after their premiere.

9 a.m. CT - Coretta Scott King Book Awards
10:30 a.m. CT  -  Batchelder, Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media, Geisel and Sibert Awards
Noon CT - Stonewall Book Awards
2 p.m. CT - Belpré Celebración
3:30 p.m. CT  - Odyssey Award Ceremony
5 p.m. CT -  Printz Award Ceremony
7 p.m. CT - Newbery and Caldecott Medals and Children’s Literature Legacy Award Virtual Banquet

Also, the event will highlight a variety of award-winning books throughout the day including winning selections from the Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature, Sydney Taylor Book Award, and the American Indian Youth Literature Award .

Book lovers from around the world are expected to participate and are encouraged to hold watch parties and post photos and videos on social media with the hashtag #TheBookAwardCelebration. Viewer social media posts will be automatically entered into giveaways taking place during the celebration.

To learn more about the event and participating authors, illustrators, and producers, please follow the hashtag #TheBookAwardCelebration on Twitter or visit The ALA Book Award Celebration webpage. 

About the American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for 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 ala.org.