Midwinter Meeting

Longlist for 2020 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction announced

CHICAGO – A total of 49 books (24 fiction, 25 nonfiction) has been selected for the longlist for the 2020 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction. The list is now available on the awards’ website. The six-title shortlist—three each for the fiction and nonfiction medals—will be chosen from longlist titles and announced on November 4, 2019.

Revised Library Bill of Rights interpretations adopted at Seattle Midwinter Meeting

ALA Council adopted revisions to three Library Bill of Rights interpretations proposed by the Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) at the Midwinter Meeting in Seattle. On January 29, Council approved the proposed changes to “Challenged Resources,” “Prisoners’ Right to Read” and “Meeting Rooms.”

ALCTS Statement Against Harassment, Racism and Discrimination

CHICAGO—In light of reports of incidents of harassing, discriminatory and racist behavior that occurred at the 2019 American Library Association Midwinter Meeting, the

New Library Bill of Rights Provision Recognizes and Defends Library Users’ Privacy

The Library Bill of Rights — first adopted in 1939 and last amended in 1980 — has been updated to include an article focused on the concept of ensuring privacy and confidentiality for library users.

The new article of the Library Bill of Rights, Article VII, states:

2019 ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits Closes, Community Bound

SEATTLE – The dialogue continues on the position of our nation’s libraries. As evidenced, the current role of the library, and its library workers, has become wide-ranging. In order to provide aid and transformation in our respective communities, the library field faces a sizeable challenge requiring a compound solution. Attendees dedicated to their constituents and their work took full advantage of the Midwinter Meeting to begin the build of their communities’ future.

ALA Council approves new Penguin Random House Library Award for Innovation Through Adversity

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) Council, at a Sunday session during the ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits, approved the new Penguin Random House Library Award for Innovation Through Adversity.

The award, which ALA intends to present at its Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., recognizes the staff of U.S. libraries who overcome adversity to create lasting innovative community service programs that inspire and connect with readers.

Corey R. Tabor wins Geisel Award for “Fox the Tiger”

SEATTLE– Author and illustrator Corey R. Tabor is the 2019 recipient of the Award for “Fox the Tiger,” published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. The award was announced today by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), during the ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibition held January 25 - 29, in Seattle, Washington. 

Yuyi Morales, Elizabeth Acevedo win Pura Belpré Awards

SEATTLE – Yuyi Morales, illustrator of “Dreamers,” and Elizabeth Acevedo, author of “The Poet X,” are the 2019 winners of the Pura Belpré Illustrator Award and Author Award, honoring Latinx authors and illustrators whose work best portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in children’s books.

Joyce Sidman wins 2019 Sibert Medal

seattle – Joyce Sidman, author of “The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science,” was named the winner of the 2019 Robert F. Sibert Medal for the most distinguished informational book for children published in 2018. The award was announced today by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), during the ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits held January 25 - 29, in Seattle, Washington.