United for Libraries at ALA Annual 2025

Ticketed Events

All programs are listed in Eastern Time (ET).

The Laugh's On Us sponsored by Data Axle Reference Solutions
Sun., June 29 | 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Laugh out loud at this wine-and-cheese event featuring headliner and United for Libraries spokesperson Paula Poundstone, along with several humor writers/comedians. A book signing will follow, with free books/advance copies for attendees (subject to availability).

Purchase your ticket(s) while registering for the conference, or login to your existing registration to add ticket(s).

Gala Author Tea
Mon., June 30 | 2-3:30 p.m.

Enjoy tea and treats while hearing from bestselling writers about their forthcoming titles. Attendees will receive advance copies and have the opportunity to have them signed by authors (subject to availability).

Purchase your ticket(s) while registering for the conference, or login to your existing registration to add ticket(s).

Included With Your Paid Conference Registration

The following author panels, discussion groups, and programs are included with your paid conference registration.

United for Libraries President's Program

All programs are listed in Eastern Time (ET).

United for Libraries President's Program
Sun., June 29 | 2:30-3:30 p.m.

United for Libraries President Deborah Doyle will present Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow, author of "Hate Won’t Win: Find Your Power and Leave This Place Better Than You Found It" (Grand Central Publishing, Hachette).

After Googling “how to run for office” in the wake of the 2016 election, Mallory McMorrow took on an incumbent Republican State Senator as a first-time candidate and won. In 2023, she became the first woman Senate Majority Whip in state history, and only the second Senator in state history to give birth while in office. Her writing has appeared in Road & Track, Jalopnik, Jezebel, The New York Times, NBC News, CNN, and The New Republic. "Hate Won't Win" is her first book. She lives with her husband, Ray, and daughter, Noa, in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Author Panels

All programs are listed in Eastern Time (ET).

Love Stories: An Author Panel
Sat., June 28 | 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Meet bestselling romance authors at this popular program. Attendees will receive advance copies (subject to availability), and a book signing will follow.

Memoirs: An Author Panel
Sat., June 28 | 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Attendees will receive advance copies (subject to availability), and a book signing will follow.

Nonfiction You Can't Put Down: An Author Panel
Sat., June 28 | 2:30-3:30 p.m.

This panel will focus on compelling stories about real-life events. Attendees will receive advance copies (subject to availability), and a book signing will follow.

Thrills & Chills: An Author Panel
Sun., June 29 | 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Bestselling authors will discuss their latest mystery or horror titles. Attendees will receive advance copies (subject to availability), and a book signing will follow.

First Novels: An Author Panel
Sun., June 29 | 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Preview the season's most anticipated debut novels during this conference favorite. Attendees will receive advance copies (subject to availability), and a book signing will follow.

Programs

All programs are listed in Eastern Time (ET).

Public Official Basics for Trustees: Introduction to Public Administration and Public Finance
Sat., June 28 | 1:00-2:00 p.m.

The majority of public libraries in the U.S. are governmental entities, funded by public money and accountable to a myriad of local, state and federal laws that regulate multiple aspects of a library's operations, including funding, accounting, purchasing, governance and accountability. However, most library trustees do not have experience in public administration or governmental accounting. This session will provide an introduction to the most important concepts of public administration and include resources to help trustees and library administrators on the path to success as public officials.

Everyone - Get Ready to Fight for your Right (to libraries, read, books, and more)!
Sat., June 28 | 2:30 pm-3:30 pm

Topics covered may include advocacy, defending censorship, crisis communication, messaging, and/or working with community partners. Relevant resources will be provided, including information from Unite Against Book Bans, ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom, ALA's Public Policy & Advocacy Office, and/or United for Libraries.

Why Is It Always a Battle?: Concerns of Public Library Trustees in the United States
Sat., June 28 | 4:00 pm-5:00 pm

Do you, as a trustee or someone working with them, sometimes struggle with decision-making or with board conflict? Are some discussions always a battle? Do you find yourself wondering what values your fellow trustees are relying on as they vote, or is it hard to find good new board members? This hands-on program will share such experiences of trustees nationally and capture YOUR experiences—allowing you to collaborate to find locally-effective solutions.

Trustees make tough decisions about policies, budgets, and hiring. They perform crucial community outreach. Often trustees are involved with censorship challenges—yet we know very little about trustees, how they make decisions, their needs, or the problems they encounter on the job. Despite their critical importance in the communities they serve, the last study to deeply explore trustee experiences nationally was published in 1946! In this session, participants will learn about The Trustee Project, a new three-year national research project exploring the experiences of public library trustees and administrators who work with them. Through participatory design activities, session participants will be able to share their own experiences and leverage the Trustee Project’s national data to develop local improvements to trustee selection, training, and teamwork. The evidence-based practices we develop collaboratively in this session can impact libraries throughout the nation!

Defend The Right to Read: Working Together
Sun., June 29 | 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Books have the power to transform lives. The act of reading and the freedom of authors to share their perspectives face unprecedented challenges. Dive into the heart of the battle for freedom of expression and explore the vital importance of defending the right to read against censorship. Authors, publishers, educators, librarians, and students collaborate to combat the alarming rise in book bans and censorship attempts. Discover and be a part of the passionate and dynamic ways they work together so that free people read freely.

Priority One: Local government engagement
Sun., June 29 | 1:00 pm-2:00 pm

A panel of award-winning libraries and civic government officials will present proven strategies for public libraries for how to become top of mind and funded not only for literacy initiatives but also for social program partnerships and even political dialogue. Such strategies don't require a large population or large library staff. Successful outcomes can evolve from dire circumstances. Success breeds more success. In an age of mounting challenges to library integrity and social cohesion, library leaders and advocates are potential beacons of hope, especially when they interact well with their governing authorities.

Let Your Impact Ring! Sharing Your Library’s Successes so Funders Will Listen
Sun., June 29 | 2:30 pm-3:30 pm

A panel of award-winning libraries and civic government officials will present proven strategies for public libraries for how to become top of mind and funded not only for literacy initiatives but also for social program partnerships and even political dialogue. Such strategies don't require a large population or large library staff. Successful outcomes can evolve from dire circumstances. Success breeds more success. In an age of mounting challenges to library integrity and social cohesion, library leaders and advocates are potential beacons of hope, especially when they interact well with their governing authorities.

Retired Librarians as Changemakers: Working Together on Advocacy
Mon., June 30 | 9:00 am-10:00 am

Retired librarians and library workers can be among the most effective library advocates. A panel of speakers will share how they found their post-career roles in library advocacy. Learn how to transition into being a library Trustee/Board Member, Friends of the Library, or another role. Find out how to work with other individual and groups on behalf of the library at the local, state, and national levels. This program is presented by United for Libraries and the Retired Members Round Table.

Kickstart Summer Reading with a Festival!
Mon., June 30 | 10:30 am-11:30 am

The Fairfax Library Foundation (FLF) was searching for new fundraising and community outreach opportunities that expanded its support of children’s literacy efforts. Two years ago, the Foundation partnered with Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) and created a new community event: a free Children’s Summer Reading Festival to promote the library’s existing Summer Reading Program and combat learning loss during summer vacation. Held twice each summer of 2023 and 2024 on the grounds of various libraries in Fairfax County (Virginia), the festivals were amazingly well-received, with approximately 1,500 attendees at each, and hundreds more Summer Reading Program sign-ups than in pervious years. In turn, the Foundation used the Festival and its support of children’s literacy as a fundraising theme throughout both years, and obtained multiple new sponsors and individual donors who were enthusiastic about being part of this effort. The Festival featured dozens of child-friendly activities including face-painting, entertainers, mini zoos, games, and crafts—and of course booths for FCPL, FLF, and for free book give-aways (which proved to be a favorite with attendees, of course.)