Discussion Groups | Author Events | Programs
Discussion Groups
Cookies & Conversation for Trustees, Friends, and Foundations
Friday, June 23, 2023 | 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Ticketed Event
Location: McCormick Place, W184bc
Library Trustees/board members, Friends of the Library, and library Foundation staff/board members are invited to participate in idea-sharing, networking, and roundtable discussions. Learn about fundraising, advocacy, board development, membership, and much more from colleagues across the country.
Add Cookies & Conversation to your ALA Annual registration by clicking on the Registration Dashboard link in your registration confirmation email. If you don't have your registration confirmation handy, you can request a copy by emailing alaregistration@csreg.zohodesk.com. For assistance, reach out to united@ala.org.
Author Events
The Laugh’s On Us sponsored by Ingram Content Group
Saturday, June 24, 2023 | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Ticketed Event
Location: Hyatt Regency McCormick, Jackson Park ABCD
Laugh out loud at this wine-and-cheese event featuring several humor writers/comedians. Hosted by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (THE FIRST HELPING). Also featuring authors Eden Robins (WHEN FRANNY STANDS UP), Jamie Loftus (RAW DOG: THE TRUTH ABOUT HOT DOGS), and Lillian Stone (EVERYBODY'S FAVORITE). A book signing will follow, with free books/advance copies for attendees (subject to availability).
Gala Author Tea sponsored by Data Axle Reference Solutions
Monday, June 26, 2023 | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Ticketed Event
Location: Hyatt Regency McCormick, Grant Park ABCD
Enjoy tea and treats while hearing from bestselling writers Ayana Mathis (THE UNSETTLED), Melanie Benjamin (CALIFORNIA GOLDEN), Anise Vance (HUSH HARBOR), Lindsay Hunter (HOT SPRINGS DRIVE), Denene Millner (ONE BLOOD), and Kim van Alkemade (COUNTING LOST STARS) about their forthcoming titles. Attendees will receive advance copies and have the opportunity to have them signed by authors (subject to availability). Barbara Hoffert, editor of Library Journal's Prepub Alert, will moderate.
First Author, First Book
Saturday, June 24, 2023 | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Location: McCormick Place, W185d
Preview the season's most anticipated debut novels during this conference favorite. Featuring Aaliyah Bilal (TEMPLE FOLK), Rosey Lee (THE GARDINS OF EDIN), Ghassan Zeineddine (DEARBORN), and Terah Shelton Harris (ONE SUMMER IN SAVANNAH). A book signing will follow. Moderated by Barbara Hoffert, editor of Library Journal's Prepub Alert.
Isn't it Romantic?
Saturday, June 24, 2023 | 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Location: McCormick Place, W185d
Meet bestselling romance authors at this popular program. Featuring Ally Carter (THE BLONDE IDENTITY), Jean Metzler (KISSING KOSHER), Helena Greer (FOR NEVER & ALWAYS), and Kennedy Ryan (LONG SHOT). Moderated by Booklist reviewer and librarian Amy Alessio. A book signing will follow.
Reads Like Fiction: Nonfiction You Can't Put Down
Sunday, June 25, 2023 | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Location: McCormick Place, W187c
This panel will focus on compelling stories about real-life events. Featuring David Shih (CHINESE PRODIGAL), Elyssa Maxx Goodman (GLITTER AND CONCRETE), Malaika Jabali (IT’S NOT YOU, IT’S CAPITALISM), and Esau McCawley (HOW FAR TO THE PROMISED LAND). Moderated by Donna Seaman of Booklist. A book signing will follow.
It's a Mystery to Me
Sunday, June 25, 2023 | 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Location: McCormick Place, W185a
Bestselling authors will discuss their latest mystery titles. Featuring Mindy Mejia (TO CATCH A STORM), Amber and Danielle Brown (PERFECT LITTLE LIVES), Spencer Quinn (MRS. PLANSKY’S REVENGE), James Kennedy (BRIDE OF THE TORNADO), and Lori Rader-Day (THE DEATH OF US). Moderated by Susan Maguire of Booklist. A book signing will follow.
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Discussion Groups | Author Events | Programs
Programs for Trustees, Friends, and Foundations
Be Fierce: How to Harness Your Power for Your Libraries
Saturday, June 24, 2023 | 9:00 am-10:00 am
Location: McCormick Place, W187a
This panel will feature “boots on the ground” experts who serve as Trustees, Library Staff, and Foundation members. Hear their first-person accounts of overcoming obstacles to harness their power, expertise, knowledge, and passion to successfully advocate for their libraries, confidently counter book challenges, strategically develop relationships to counter censorship attempts. Experts will also candidly share their missteps as learning opportunities for attendees. Be ready to engage with the speakers and other attendees! Leave more confident in your abilities to advocate. Leave with more connections to continue after the session has concluded. And leave ready to “speak truth to power.”
Get Ready, Stay Ready: Supporting Proactive Community Advocacy for Library Professionals
Saturday, June 24, 2023 | 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Location: McCormick Place, W185a
Join us as we discuss ways to proactively advocate for inclusive libraries in partnership with community organizations. Explore the Get Ready Stay Ready toolkit, a collection of resources that intentionally focus on educating trustees, friends of the library groups, foundation members, community members, and caregivers on the power of inclusive library collections and programming. Then learn how to apply the resources shared to organize effective social media campaigns and organizational responses to material and programming challenges.
Just the "T": Duty, Authority, Responsibility & Liability- Library Trustees as Public Officials
Saturday, June 24, 2023 | 1:00 pm-2:00 pm
Location: McCormick Place, W178b
Library trustees and directors have difficult jobs at the best of times, and unfortunately, now is arguably not the best of times. The issues currently faced by libraries include materials challenges, community conflicts, funding struggles and difficult municipal relationships. Managing one of these situations is difficult and stressful, but library boards now find themselves juggling multiple complex situations. This presentation will provide clear information on how understanding their official duties, authority and responsibility (and potential liabilities) can help trustees and directors create policies and strategies for facing complex situations in a unified, organized, legal and community inclusive manner.
Ask an Expert about Trustees, Friends, Foundations
Saturday, June 24, 2023 | 2:30 pm-3:30 pm
Location: McCormick Place, W193
Do you need assistance with your library's Board of Trustees, Friends group, or Foundation? Or would you like to know more about United for Libraries, the ALA division for library Trustees, Friends, Foundations, advocates, and those who work with them? Stop by to talk with United for Libraries member-leaders about what United has to offer, and bring your questions about fundraising, board development, advocacy, programs, and more. If you are in a United for Libraries statewide access state (AK, ID, IL, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, MT, NE, NH, NJ, ND, OR, SC, SD, TX, VA, WI), find out how to access the United for Libraries resources available in your state.
United for Libraries Board Meeting
Sunday, June 25, 2023 | 8:00 am-10:00 am
Location: McCormick Place, W475b
Summer meeting of the United for Libraries Board of Directors.
Fundraising Basics: How to Prioritize Efforts to Maximize Success
Sunday, June 25, 2023 | 9:00 am-10:00 am
Location: McCormick Place, W185d
Whether you're new to fundraising or have an established program, have you evaluated which efforts will maximize your success? Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation has a 30 year fundraising history and it's Director of Development has almost 20 years of fundraising experience in a variety of industries. In the past few years, they've tripled their donor base and almost doubled their average annual amount raised. Learn which efforts have the biggest ROI based upon library surveys, experience and proven success. You'll leave with a road map to success that you can manage no matter your team's size.
Friends & Fiction Live! How 4 NYT Bestselling Authors turned Pandemic Fear into a thriving online community supporting readers, writers, libraries and bookstores!
Sunday, June 25, 2023 | 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Location: McCormick Place, W185bc
NYT bestselling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey & Patti Callahan Henry banded together to create Friends & Fiction at the dawn of the pandemic. What started as a place to talk about books, chat with other authors, and rally in support of libraries and bookstores while waiting for the curve to flatten, has taken on a life of its own and grown beyond anyone’s wildest expectations. Meet the four hosts and founders and hear how they’ve built a must-see web show, popular podcast hosted by librarian Ron Block, and a massive community of 100k book lovers.
Fight Book Bans: Frame the Debate, Fill the Seats, and Create Connections (United for Libraries President's Program: Emily Amick)
Sunday, June 25, 2023 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Location: McCormick Place, W184bc
Emily Amick, @emilyinyourphone on Instagram, has grown her following by speaking to those looking to engage on some of today’s most divisive culture war issues, and the climate of fear that pervades politics in 2023. Her engagement on book banning and censorship has introduced her to the library world. Emily will review the current state of play for library supporters and staff, as well as the political climate, to review where we are today, including the narrative game and disinformation, which groups are active and rallying people to this issue, and where these interactions are playing out online. She will leverage her expertise as a lawyer and her years of experience on Capitol Hill as former Counsel to Senate Democrats to show where these organizations and efforts come together. She will lay out a plan for how people can understand what is happening, learn more about the organizations involved and determine how to increase awareness and engagement on these essential issues that are impacting libraries, their staff and supporters.
CANCELED: Lead Your Friends Organization Through Transformation
Sunday, June 25, 2023 | 1:00 pm-2:00 pm
Location: McCormick Place, W175c
This program has been canceled.
Ask an Expert about Trustees, Friends, Foundations
Sunday, June 25, 2023 | 2:30 pm-3:30 pm
Location: McCormick Place, W193
Do you need assistance with your library's Board of Trustees, Friends group, or Foundation? Or would you like to know more about United for Libraries, the ALA division for library Trustees, Friends, Foundations, advocates, and those who work with them? Stop by to talk with United for Libraries member-leaders about what United has to offer, and bring your questions about fundraising, board development, advocacy, programs, and more. If you are in a United for Libraries statewide access state (AK, ID, IL, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, MT, NE, NH, NJ, ND, OR, SC, SD, TX, VA, WI), find out how to access the United for Libraries resources available in your state.
Discussion Groups | Author Events | Programs