Midwinter Meeting

“Darius the Great Is Not Okay” wins 2019 William C. Morris Award

SEATTLE – “Darius the Great Is Not Okay,” written by Adib Khorram and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House, has been named the 2019 winner of the William C. Morris Award, which honors a book written for young adults by a previously unpublished author. The award was presented by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) at the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits held Jan. 25 – 29, in Seattle, Washington.

Macmillan Audio wins 2019 Odyssey Award for “Sadie”

SEATTLE– Macmillan Audio, producer of the audiobook, “Sadie,” has won the 2019 Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production. The award announcement was made today during the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits held January 25 - 29, in Seattle, Washington.

M.T. Anderson wins 2019 Edwards Award for “Feed,” “The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party,” “The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves”

SEATTLE - M.T. Anderson is the recipient of the 2019 Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring his significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens for “Feed;” “The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party;” and “The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves” all published by Candlewick Press. The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), announced the award today at the ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits held Jan.

'The Great Believers,' 'Heavy: An American Memoir,' receive 2019 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction

SEATTLE - The American Library Association (ALA) selects "The Great Believers," by Rebecca Makkai, published by Viking, as the winner of the 2019 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction, and "Heavy: An American Memoir," by Kiese Laymon, published by Scribner, as the winner of the 2019 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction.

Philanthropist, author Melinda Gates to serve as 2019 National Library Week honorary chair

CHICAGO – Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has dedicated her life to achieving transformational improvements in the health and prosperity of families, communities and societies. Now she will lend her support to advocate for our nation’s libraries as honorary chair of National Library Week, April 7 – 13, 2019.

Meeting room policies, displays and drag queen storytimes to be discussed at ALA Midwinter Meeting

Meeting room policies, drag queen storytimes, research databases, and library book displays have made headlines and sparked controversy in libraries.

New books, products, special events at the ALA Store at Midwinter Meeting in Seattle

Make sure to carve out some time in your schedule to shop and browse the ALA Store at the 2019 ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits for products that meet the widest range of your promotional and continuing education/professional development needs—as well as fun gift items. Located in the Atrium Lobby of the Washington State Convention Center, the ALA Store hours are:

Jeanne Theoharis to keynote 20th annual King observance and Sunrise Celebration

CHICAGO – Professor and author Jeanne Theoharis will deliver the keynote address at the 20th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance and Sunrise Celebration during the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting and Exhibits in Seattle. The 2019 Celebration will be held from 6:30-7:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 28 in the Sheraton Grand Seattle Metropolitan Ballroom.

'United for Libraries Institute: Friends, Foundations, and Trustees' to be held at ALA Midwinter Meeting

A free “United for Libraries Institute: Friends, Foundations, and Trustees” will be held Saturday, January 26, 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Seattle Central Library’s Microsoft Auditorium at the 2019 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Seattle.

Library Trustees, Friends groups, Foundations, and library staff are invited to join a free afternoon of learning opportunities. Jan Masaoka, chief executive officer of the California Association of Nonprofits, will deliver the keynote: “Be Passionate About Your Library! Creating and Developing Effective Advocates for Your Library.”

2019 Nonfiction Award finalists announced

CHICAGO — The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), selected five books as finalists for the 2019 Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award, which honors the best nonfiction books written for young adults between Nov. 1, 2017 and Oct. 31, 2018.