United for Libraries at ALA Annual 2025

All programs are listed in Eastern Time (ET).

SOLD OUT - Walking Tour of Philadelphia’s Library Heritage
Fri., June 27  |  8:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Philadelphia is the birthplace of American democracy, home of the first successful lending library, and a wealth of historical and unique libraries integral to the nation's history and the cultural fabric of the city.  Join four Philadelphia librarians on a behind-the-scenes tour of several libraries and their collections, including those at the Shoe Museum and Podiatry Library, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Franklin Institute, and learn about these otherwise hidden collections and spaces. This walking tour will be approximately 2.5 miles and includes steps and uneven pavement;  participants should wear comfortable closed-toe shoes and bring a refillable water bottle.  Included in registration is a transit pass to return to the convention center at the end of the tour.  

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

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).

Authors include: Mark Waddell (Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World, Penguin Random House), Justinian Huang (Lucky Seed, HTP Books), John Kenney (I See You’ve Called In Dead, Ingram). Rax King (Sloppy, Penguin Random House), Elyse Myers (That's a Great Question, I'd Love to Tell You, HarperCollins), and Paula Poundstone (The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness).

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

SOLD OUT - Gala Author Tea sponsored by OverDrive
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).

Authors include: Lily King (Heart the Lover, Ingram), Catherine Newman (Wreck, HarperCollins), Sarah Penner (The Amalfi Curse, HTP Books), Mary Roach (Replaceable You, W.W. Norton & Co.), Kiran Desai (The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, Penguin Random House), and Sam Sussman (Boy from the North Country, Penguin Random House).

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

All programs are listed in Eastern Time (ET).

Friends/Foundations/Trustees/Boards Discussion Group
Sat., June 28  |  9:00-10:00 a.m.

Friends of the Library, Foundation Board Members/staff, library Trustees/Board Members, and those with them are invited to participate in idea-sharing, networking, and roundtable discussions. Learn and connect with colleagues from across the country.

All programs are listed in Eastern Time (ET).

United for Libraries President's Program - CANCELLED

Updated 6/18/25. Unfortunately, the United for Libraries President's Program has been cancelled.

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.

Authors include: Danielle Allen (Plus Size Player, Macmillan), Xio Axelrod (Girls With Bad Reputations, Sourcebooks), Laura Piper Lee (Zoe Brennan, First Crush, Hachette), and Susan Lee (Julia Song Is Undateable, HTP Books).

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.

Authors include: Sasha Bonet (The Waterbearers, Penguin Random House), Keira D’Amato (Don’t Call It a Comeback, Macmillan), Kate Swenson (Autism Out Loud, HTP Books), and Michael Thomas (The Broken King, Ingram)

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.

Authors include: Char Adams (Black-Owned, Penguin Random House), Irin Carmon (Unbearable, Simon & Schuster), Elizabeth R. Hyman (The Girl Bandits of the Warsaw Ghetto, HarperCollins), and Rhacel Salazar Parreñas (The Trafficker Next Door, W.W. Norton & Co.).

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. 

Authors include: Daphne Fama (House of Monstrous Women, Penguin Random House), Liz Gotauco (F*cked Up Fairy Tales, W.W. Norton & Co.), Ken Jaworowski (What About the Bodies, Ingram), and Polly Stewart (The Felons’ Ball, HarperCollins). 

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.

Authors include: Jeannine A. Cook (It’s Me They Follow, HarperCollins), Jaquira Díaz (This is the Only Kingdom, Hachette), Maddie Martinez (The Maiden and Her Monster, Macmillan), and Eshani Suryaa (Ravishing, Ingram).
 

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

Donors have a multitude of causes they can support, so how can your library resoundingly stand out to get the funding you need? Often, it’s your impact in your community that resonates. In this panel discussion, experienced fundraisers, library advocates, and supporters will discuss what impact is, why it matters to donors, and how libraries can communicate their impact in a meaningful way. The program will begin with audience members sharing their experiences with impact-driven fundraising. Then panelists from a variety of different library types will add their perspectives on how data and stories surrounding library activities, collections, and services can be used to make the case for government and donor funding. The session continues with questions from the moderator about how libraries can extend the echo of their impact through community partnerships, and then concludes with questions from the audience.

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 individuals 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.

United for Libraries: Ask an Expert about Trustees, Friends, Foundations
Mon., June 30 | 10:30 am-11:30 am

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, and more. If you are in a United for Libraries statewide access state (CO, IL, MD, MI, MN, ND, NE, NV, OR, SC, VA), find out how to access the United for Libraries resources available in your state.