
Don't miss these great sessions at the 2017 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition in Chicago.
Soon, 20,000 librarians and book-lovers will gather in Chicago for the 2017 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition. In addition to headliners like Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sarah Jessica Parker and Brené Brown, the conference will offer an array of sessions about programming for all interests and library types.
Check out our recommendations for not-to-be-missed programs below. All events are free with conference registration, unless specified.
What’s on your conference schedule? Share your suggestions in the comments.
Friday, June 23
An Evening with Nikki Giovanni at the American Writers Museum
American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago
7-10 p.m.
Tickets are $75 for ALA members and $90 for nonmembers. Reserve your ticket when registering for the conference online. (We are ticketed event "ALA3.") Questions? Trouble registering? Contact us at publicprograms@ala.org.
Thanks to the American Writers Museum for their generous support of this event! (Can't make the reception, but still want to check out the American Writers Museum? The museum will be open on Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; admission is $12.)
Saturday, June 24
Program Speed Dating: Programming Librarian Interest Group
8:30 - 10 a.m.
Hyatt Regency McCormick, Grant Park/CC 12AB
Spotlight On: Library Artist Residencies
1 - 2:30 p.m.
Palmer House, Chicago Room
Libraries and arts organizations are often the first things to be cut when budgets get tight. They're also often on the same page: exposing people to creative ideas in a public space where synergy and exciting accidents can happen. Library Artist Residencies combine the best of both worlds, bringing expert artists, writers, and creators into the library space as living resources that can help showcase the artistic process.
1 - 2:30 p.m.
Hyatt Regency McCormick, Jackson Park/CC 10C
Daytime Astronomy at Your Library
1 - 2:30 p.m.
Hyatt Regency McCormick, Grant Park/CC 12AB
Celebrate science with fun, hands-on and multimedia activities that you can use immediately in your library to explore the Sun and Moon. Get ready for the the celestial event of the century, the August 21, 2017 Solar Eclipse. During this national event, the shadow of the moon will sweep across the United States in a narrow band from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean in a spectacle that hasn't occurred in decades. In fact, the last total solar eclipse for the United States was nearly 40 years ago. It is aptly named the Great American Eclipse. The rest of the U.S. and North America will see a partial eclipse, with the Moon covering up only part of the Sun. Receive tips for hosting a safe solar viewing event and learn to use astronomy tools for engaging your community in science all year long.
Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation
3 - 4 p.m.
McCormick Place, W185d
In 2009 the W.K. Kellogg Foundation launched its America Healing initiative, supporting racial equity/racial healing projects in over 100 communities. Building on this initiative, the Foundation has launched a Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation enterprise (TRHT) designed to uproot the myth of a hierarchy of human value based on race. As a framework, it has prepared case studies on several America Healing communities. This session will examine principles employed, activities that have proven most effective, cross-sector collaborations, successes and challenges, and lessons learned. A question and answer period will explore how library workers can be engaged in the TRHT process.
Sunday, June 25
Libraries Foster Community Engagement Member Initiative Group
8:30 - 10 a.m.
Hilton Chicago, Marquette Room
Creating Dynamic Programs & Events at Your Academic Library
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
McCormick Place, W194b
High-Impact Events to Foster Collaboration
1 - 2:30 p.m.
McCormick Place, W196c
Film Programs with The Vietnam War, a Film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick
3 - 4 p.m.
McCormick Place, W184d
Library Takeover: Or, How Madison Public Library Relinquished Control of Community Programming to ... Wait for It ... Actual Community Members
3 - 4 p.m.
McCormick Place, W187b
STEM in Libraries Member Initiative Group (link coming soon)
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Hyatt Regency McCormick, Burnham CC/23 A-C
If you’re interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programming, networking and grant opportunities, this is the place for you. Share your ideas in the round-table discussion and participate in hands-on STEM activities. Make sure you join the STEM in Libraries Facebook group to stay updated.