Friday, June 27STAR Net presents: Don’t Wing it--Bring Local Bird Science to Your Library9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 125 In this free pre-conference session, STAR Net and Tangled Bank Studios will provide an intro to their new partnership and the first big project focused on bird conservation! During this session participants will receive access and hands-on experience with activities related to birds with a local twist, facilitation strategies for any library program, and a crash course in community conversation. Storytelling Advocacy Jumpstart: Essential tools for building your library story10:30 am - 11:30 am Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 103 A Learn and apply the building blocks of effective library advocacy storytelling. Attendees will have the opportunity to review and break down examples of effective storytelling, develop and workshop their own library stories, and learn about current avenues to get their story in front of decision makers. Open to advocates of all levels of experience and fields. The Librarians Screening and Discussion1:30 pm - 3:30 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 114 (Nutter Theater) Join us for an exclusive screening of “The Librarians,” a powerful new documentary from Oscar-nominated and Peabody Award-winning director/producer Kim A. Snyder.The film follows librarians on the front lines of the fight for democracy, truth, and free access to information. A panel conversation with the filmmakers and featured film participants will follow the screening. Public and Cultural Programs Advisory Committee Meeting2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Location: Philadelphia Marriott, Room 304 The Public and Cultural Programs Advisory Committee's annual in-person meeting. Past, present, future and interested members are welcome to attend. Opening General Session featuring Governor Gretchen Whitmer4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Terrace III & IV Ballroom The young adult edition of the unconventionally honest, deeply personal, and sharply funny account from Michigan governor and rising Democratic star Gretchen Whitmer is packed with remarkable insights for young people wishing to make a difference in the world. Intellectual Freedom Awards7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Location: Philadelphia Marriott, Salon E Join the Intellectual Freedom Round Table and Freedom to Read Foundation for a celebration of intellectual freedom heroes! This ceremony will honor the recipients of the John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award, given annually for notable contributions to intellectual freedom and demonstrations of personal courage in defense of freedom of expression; the Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award, honoring a literary work in the area of intellectual freedom; and Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award, recognizing an intellectual freedom focused organization that has developed a strong multi-year, ongoing program or a single, one-year project that exemplifies support for intellectual freedom, patron confidentiality, and anti-censorship efforts. We will also honor the recipient(s) of the Freedom to Read Foundation Roll of Honor, which recognizes those individuals who have contributed substantially to the work of FTRF. The ceremony will include a keynote and short reception. |
Saturday, June 28BCALA President's Program: Political crises, information justice, and Black librarianship8:30 am - 10:00 am Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 112 A B Join us for a President's Program for the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA)! All are welcome For in-depth dialogue on the current political climate and policies that penalize Black communities. The panelists will discuss the harms posed by federal measures, including but not limited to the censorship of classic Black literature; the defunding of Black-centered libraries, archives, and museums; and the discrediting of information professionals. This overt targeting is combined with tacit abuses such as heightened surveillance, data misuse, the abandonment of information fact-checking practices, and more. Moderating the session is 2025 iBlackCaucus Fellow, Leight Walters. Creating Inclusive Library Spaces: Strategies for Implementing Sensory-Inclusive Programs and Resources9:00 am - 10:00 am Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 103 B C Consider how you can incorporate elements of sensory inclusion in your academic library’s outreach programming during this practical and solution-based program. While high attendance and lively engagement can be seen as markers of a successful library event, this quick assessment normalizes a specific experience, excluding students who may have sensory processing sensitivities. Students with these sensitivities may struggle with lights, sounds, smells, and textures which can leave them feeling anxious and overwhelmed during high energy events. However, academic libraries can create sensory inclusive environments by creating spaces with dimmable lighting and soft furniture, or loanable sensory processing kits, with items like weighted lap pad and noise canceling headphones. This program will describe strategies for providing sensory processing tools for events and discuss various ways to directly engage and empower student communities with various sensory processing needs in library programming. Foster Connections and Engage Your Community with a Pen Pal Program for All Ages9:00 am - 10:00 am Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 118 A B A pen pal program engages patrons while alleviating loneliness, inspiring new connections, strengthening literacy skills, embracing a more mindful pace, encouraging empathy and promoting creativity. Go international like we did or go local and partner with a neighboring school, county or state. Allow patrons of all ages to participate or tailor it for a particular demographic. A pen pal program is the perfect way to involve patrons of varied interests from all socio-economic backgrounds. Free Expression in 2025: Challenges for Libraries9:00 am - 10:00 am Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 126 A B 2025 has already been a watershed year in terms of threats to free expression, including removal of goverment support for diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, targeted attacks on marginalized communities, and disruption of access to longstanding information resources. How do we respond to these threats? What resources should we purchase or promote? What programs do we plan? Who should be allowed to make exhibits or displays? How do we find information when trusted goverment sources have gone missing? Knowing that some of these questions may be difficult to answer, we will look for solutions together as we discuss the issues facing libraries through case studies from public and academic libraries of how they've navigated displays, programs, and speech-related issues. We will also invite participants to share their own experiences so that we can learn from each other. Indigenous Writing and Resistance: Storytelling in a Time of Censorship10:30 am - 11:20 am Location: Diversity in Publishing Stage (Booth 2411) As book bans and censorship target diverse voices, Indigenous writers push back with stories that challenge dominant histories and imagine new futures. Patty Krawec, Weyodi OldBear, and Lee Francis discuss Indigenous writing, subversive literature, and storytelling as resistance. Exploring Indigenous futurism, non-linear narratives, and erasure, they share how they preserve and amplify Indigenous perspectives in a literary landscape under attack. Join us for an urgent conversation on why these stories matter—and how to protect them. Main Stage Speaker: George Takei10:30 am - 11:30 am Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Terrace III & IV Ballroom Following the award-winning bestseller "They Called Us Enemy", George Takei’s new full-color graphic memoir, "It Rhymes With Takei," reveals his most personal story of all—told in full for the first time anywhere! George Takei has shown the world many faces: actor, author, outspoken activist, helmsman of the starship Enterprise, living witness to the internment of Japanese Americans, and king of social media. But until October 27, 2005, there was always one piece missing—one face he did not show the world. There was one very intimate fact about George that he never shared…and it rhymes with Takei. Now, for the first time ever, George shares the full story of his life in the closet, his decision to come out as gay at the age of 68, and the way that moment transformed everything. Cultivating Community Through Critical Indigenous Librarianship Programming: Creative Expression to Language Immersion to Research11:00 am - 12:00 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 120 B C As the library profession strives to welcome diverse communities, what does meaningful and sustained inclusivity look like for Indigenous peoples? How do library systems plan to address the historic dismissal of Indigenous knowledge systems that lingers in their lack of tribally-focused services and resources? Are library systems prepared to pursue collaborations and partnerships with Indigenous peoples rooted in the “6 R’s” (respect, relationship, relevance, reciprocity, responsibility, and representation)? Are public and academic library systems ready to address the information needs of Indigenous peoples beyond Native American Heritage Month? Free Children Read Freely: Banned Books in Story Times for Young Children11:00 am - 12:00 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 113 B C Young children and families are deeply impacted by growing attempts to ban and challenge books for young readers, so it’s essential we include them in the Freedom to Read movement. Picture books comprise an increasing percentage of school and library book bans, impacting access to diverse books and even reading outcomes. According to Pen America, most banned and challenged picture books present LGBTQ+ themes, feature characters of color, or discuss racism. We know young children need diverse books to see themselves represented, feel empowered, develop a sense of belonging, and grow their understanding of our diverse world. The books being removed from schools and libraries are arguably the books young children need most. Teaching an Old Library New Tricks: Developing Inclusive and Engaging Library Anniversaries11:00 am - 12:00 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 105 Does your library have an upcoming anniversary that you would like to celebrate? Not sure how to involve your community in a library-centric event? This presentation will detail effective strategies for celebrating library milestones, drawing from the presenters' experience in organizing a successful 75th anniversary event at a mid-size public library. Attendees will explore the promise, perils, and pitfalls of planning, developing, and executing a multi-faceted anniversary program, as well as opportunities for community engagement alongside it. You will leave with practical insights and actionable ideas for creating and promoting a comprehensive year-long celebration tailored to your library's unique needs. A Practical Guide to New Digital Accessibility Requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 118 A B Revised Americans with Disabilities Act rules published in April 2024 stipulate that all local and state governmental entities — which includes 85% of all libraries nationwide — must make their websites, mobile apps, and online documents accessible by spring 2026/27. These new federal rules will impact the totality of libraries’ online services — we will need to ensure everything from our websites and databases to online instructional materials and discovery services become accessible. In this session we will give an overview of what libraries need to know about the rule; discuss strategies for prioritizing accessibility in your library in line with the updated regulations; and share resources to support libraries in staying focused on the common goal of providing access to information, rather than getting bogged down by concerns about compliance. ALA’s forthcoming Accessibility website will be a hub for these and other resources. Autism-Ready Libraries: Designing Inclusive Early Literacy Programs1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 119 A B Are you a youth services librarian interested in neuroinclusive library programs? This introductory education program will offer guidance for librarians wishing to provide autism-inclusive early literacy programs. We will present best practices designed in collaboration with families of autistic children and youth-serving library staff. We will present ways to address common barriers autistic children face in programs like story times while incorporating activities that support their early literacy development. We will identify ways to make small but mighty changes to current early literacy programs to increase inclusivity and engagement for autistic children and their families. Bringing a Multicultural Community Together through Food: How Culinary Programming Transformed a Public Library1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 120 B C Learn how to build a teaching kitchen and community garden in your library, even if you are sure you don’t have the right space for it. We will provide the blueprints for our collection of cooking classes for kids, culinary skills workshops for adults, and vegetable gardening lessons for all ages, including a live demonstration of how to make homemade butter. Enhancing Library Services for Deaf Individuals: Best Practices and Resources1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 105 In an increasingly diverse world, libraries play a crucial role in fostering inclusive environments. This talk aims to equip librarians, educators, and experts with practical strategies for effectively engaging with deaf individuals, including deaf children and their hearing parents. Participants will gain insights into providing tailored resources and understanding preferred communication styles. They will also explore the richness of deaf literature collections that go beyond a focus on hearing ability. By adopting these strategies, libraries can create welcoming spaces that celebrate the deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, and late-deafened community and promote inclusivity for all. Findings and Implications from the National Survey on Black History Month Programming in Public Libraries2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 111 A B There has never been a systematic study of Black History Month (BHM) programming in public libraries. Learn about the current state of BHM programming in the United States. For those currently conducting BHM programming, you will learn what others are doing around the country and be inspired by new ideas. For those not presently conducting BHM programming and unsure how to start, you will leave this session with six steps to create your first BHM program and know how to use the BHM Toolkit. Infant Programming Reimagined: Connecting Caregivers and Communities through Libraries2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 122 A B How do we best serve our youngest patrons and new caregivers? Learn how to intentionally plan programming for infants and their caregivers, plus effective outreach methodologies to bring new families into your library! Our session will dive into simple solutions to make infant programming accessible from board book bundles to infant play and art. Learn about how to host infant programs that cultivate community essential to new parenthood. We will also delve into how to build meaningful connections with outreach partners that support infants and new caregivers. Building a Welcoming Initiative at Your Library4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 126 A B Discover how Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has reimagined its services for international newcomers since launching the "WelcomeCLT" initiative in 2017. This engaging session will explore the library’s journey, sharing valuable lessons learned and showcasing how the program has grown to be more focused, intentional, and community-driven. Presenters will reveal innovative strategies that include forging strong partnerships, designing impactful programs, and delivering tailored services to meet the unique needs of newcomers. See how these efforts come together to create welcoming spaces, build meaningful connections, and empower newcomers as they embrace their new community. Main Stage Speaker: Angeline Boulley4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Terrace III & IV Ballroom From the instant New York Times bestselling author of "Firekeeper’s Daughter" and "Warrior Girl Unearthed" comes a daring new mystery about a foster teen claiming her heritage on her own terms. Turning the Page: The Role of Libraries in Re-entry4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 105 Interest in providing library services for people who are returning to their communities after incarceration has been growing in recent years with libraries offering re-entry guides and other programs to support this demographic. And yet, these services are insufficient in reaching system-impacted patrons when they are most in need. In most situations, those who are incarcerated are left to fend for themselves in preparation for release, leaving them completely unaware of the services and resources they can, should, and will have need of before, during and after their transition. Even once released, multiple obstacles can stand between a person and their ability to visit their public library. To lessen these barriers to access, targeted, in-person outreach efforts and community partnerships must be utilized. Our panel of presenters will draw from lived experiences and recent research to explore both the gaps in service and opportunities to reach patrons proactively and ensure that they are aware of and able to access library resources in rural and urban settings. |
Sunday, June 29Librarian and Educator Collaborations with Latinx KidLit Book Festival9:00 am - 10:00 am Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 111 A B Have you wondered how to deepen your programming for the Latinx community, expand your advocacy beyond Latinx Heritage Month, and amplify Latinx literature for all? You will leave this session with examples from four case studies highlighting collaborations with the Latinx KidLit Book Festival. Learn how to integrate live festival content, including interactive conversations with authors, illustrators, and young readers. You’ll hear from a public librarian on how their planning with LKBF began with Latinx Heritage Month and extended across the academic year. A bilingual children’s literature researcher and former educator will guide you in interactive activities to design programming. Libraries as Transformational Spaces: Creating Comprehensive Services for Underserved Populations in Today’s Political Climate9:00 am - 10:00 am Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 120 B C In today's challenging political climate, libraries nationwide face increasing scrutiny from both politicians and the public. This panel will explore how Wicomico Public Libraries, located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, is transforming into a vital community hub that meets the diverse needs of its patrons. Within our county, many underserved populations exist, including older and rural residents with transportation challenges, unhoused individuals lacking integrated services, English Language Learners, and racially and ethnically diverse school-aged children who lack access to varied reading materials. Additionally, young parents often seek support. With the backing of the Board of Trustees and Library Director, our Branch Manager and staff have made significant strides to address these needs. Key initiatives include establishing a Community Support Center, acquiring a mobile unit with integrated STEM learning materials, and creating community programs that reflect the experiences of various racial and ethnic groups. We have also installed book lockers in remote areas and developed bilingual reading programs for children. Outreach and Engagement Poster Session9:00 am - 10:30 am Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Ballroom A Explore posters related to the topic of Outreach and Engagement. Librarians Assemble: Supercharging Your Library Mini Comic Con on a Shoestring Budget10:30 am - 11:30 am Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 120 A Have you wanted to put on a mini comic con at your library but you don’t have the funding to host an event that includes typical comic con offerings, like panels with voice actors or other celebrities, board game libraries filled with elaborate and expensive table top games, or big ticket give-aways? Fear not, in this presentation The Graphic Novel and Comics Round Table and The Games and Gaming Round Table will cover activities you can include in your mini comic con that won’t break the bank. We will also discuss other programming you can offer to appeal to the comic, gaming, and pop-culture nerds in your community, be it a public library, college, or university, even if you don’t have the staffing or space to hold a whole mini-con. Adaptive Arcade at the Library: Video Games are for Everyone11:00 am - 12:00 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 121 B C Are you enthusiastic about video games and excited to share that passion with others? Do you feel committed to ensuring your patrons with disabilities can also experience the joy of connecting through video games? Learn how the Deerfield Public Library in Deerfield, IL partnered with a prominent gaming accessibility organization to put on an Adaptive Arcade at the Library event. Hear from renowned disability advocate Steve Spohn about why gaming accessibility is so important and how gaming accessibility organizations like these can work with public libraries to help bridge the divide. Discover some of the latest advancements in assistive technology, including adaptive video game controllers and 3D-printables you can use for library programming and even circulation. Leave with programming tips and tricks for seamlessly highlighting your library’s collection, services, and resources, all while providing a safe and welcoming space for everyone to game. Practical Puppetry for Powerful Programs: Amplify Early Learning, Social Emotional Learning, and Inclusive Experiences1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 107 Adding puppetry to library programs can amplify early learning, lift up diverse stories, and engage learners. But who has time for memorizing lines, the budget for exotic supplies, or the opportunity to implement long-term lesson plans? You can do it all without complicated puppet stages, formal scripts, expensive materials, or midnight oil! See demonstrations of practical puppetry styles and activities in action. Learn what types of puppets work best with what types of stories and activities. Return to your own library inspired and prepared to add puppetry to your own programs. Demonstrations at this session are specific to children’s programs but can be adapted for use with teens and adults. Pride is 365: Providing Year-round LGBTQIA+ Programming and Services1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 121 B C Join Jordan Ostrum, LGBTQIA+ Services Specialist at Dayton Metro Libraries, for a discussion on the importance of LGBTQIA+ services in public libraries. He will explore the creation of the LGBTQIA+ Services Specialist role and share programming ideas for library workers nationwide. This session will be information-driven and include time for questions and discussion, making it a valuable opportunity for library professionals interested in enhancing their services. Community Book Gardens: Helping the Underrepresented Write and Publish Their Own Stories2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 122 A B This panel discussion will introduce the concept of a Community Book Garden and an easy to implement toolkit as a resource to develop one in your own library. First developed through a collaborative partnership between libraries, First One Hundred Institute, and Unite for Literacy, the Community Book Garden concept empowers librarians, staff, volunteers, and community leaders to create and sustain flourishing and dedicated spaces within libraries and neighborhoods that promote literacy, self-expression, and a sense of belonging among underrepresented communities. This includes helping communities write and publish their own stories, creating culturally resonant spaces in the library to access and enjoy these works and other aspects of their culture, and to support curation and circulation of these works both as a part of the permanent collection and also through the use of little free library book sharing boxes. ALA Awards Presentation & President’s Program featuring Brené Brown3:30 pm - 5:30 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Terrace III & IV Ballroom Join ALA president Cindy Hohl for the ALA Awards presentation celebrating noted authors, distinguished members and outstanding library programs followed by the President’s Program featuring Brené Brown. |
Monday, June 30Libraries Transforming Communities: Enhancing Accessibility for People with Disabilities in Small and Rural Libraries9:00 am -10:00 am Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 115 B C Join us to hear success stories from small and rural libraries transforming their offerings to better serve individuals with disabilities. This program will showcase the impact of ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities initiative, which empowers libraries to enhance accessibility in their facilities, services, and programs. Through this initiative, small and rural libraries received support to create accessible environments tailored to the needs of their communities. Attendees will learn how these libraries identified specific barriers to access and implemented effective strategies to overcome them. The session will feature presentations from three grantee libraries, each sharing their unique journey. From incorporating adaptive technology to redesigning physical spaces and enhancing community connection through accessible programming, these libraries have made significant strides in serving individuals with disabilities. By attending this session, participants will gain valuable insights into practical approaches for improving accessibility within their own libraries. Food for Thought: A Model for Food Justice in Public Libraries10:30 am -11:30 am Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 111 A B Food insecurity affects over 47 million Americans, and public libraries are adapting to meet the needs of their communities. Arkansas has the highest rate of food insecurity in the nation, and the Central Arkansas Library System is filling the gap by serving USDA meals, providing supplemental groceries, facilitating transportation access, and instructing patrons of all ages on a range of nutrition education topics. These efforts are made possible by leveraging partnerships with municipalities, local farmers and growers, and community organizations. Be Mighty Little Rock served 47,895 meals to students in 2023 and surpassed 61,000 meals served in 2024, in addition to over 45,000 pounds of food distributed through eleven little free pantries and community refrigerators, and approximately 3,000 individuals reached through nutrition education programs. Beyond the hype: how 2 urban libraries are approaching AI1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 108 AI is dominating conversations everywhere, with predictions ranging from over-hyped speculation to world-changing impacts. How can libraries navigate this complex landscape and determine if—and how—AI should shape their policies and practices? Two leading urban libraries, Edmonton Public Library (EPL) and Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML), will share their distinct approaches to AI. CML’s cross-functional task force assessed the risks and opportunities of AI for their organization, focusing on AI awareness and training. Meanwhile, EPL has taken a project-based approach, partnering with a local AI institute to leverage AI for customer churn prediction. Both libraries will reflect on their experiences, lessons learned, and offer recommendations for other libraries considering AI initiatives. Attendees will leave with practical insights and strategies for taking the next step in AI exploration, regardless of where their organization currently stands. Improving Accessibility @ Community Events1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 121 B C Libraries play a vital role in community engagement and ensuring community events are accessible to people with disabilities is critical. In this session, you’ll learn best practices for planning inclusive events that meet the needs of all participants, how to advocate for accessibility, and what to do when a new need arises. We’ll explore how to find community partners who can support your inclusive efforts and discuss common challenges in creating truly welcoming spaces. Accessible event planning guides will be shared to help you apply these strategies effectively. Join us to ensure your library’s community events are both welcoming and accessible to everyone in the community. Lights, Camera, Community: Empowering Voices Through Video Storytelling1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 111 A B Are you looking for new ways to engage your community? You will leave this session with a comprehensive set of resources to support you in implementing your own video-based storytelling program. Video storytelling is a powerful approach not only for engaging patrons, but for empowering them to learn new skills, tell their stories, and promote their community and library. Storytelling and video creation are also inherently social and collaborative activities that provide exciting opportunities to build connections across generations. We will describe how public libraries in Texas and Washington developed and implemented their own video storytelling programs through which their patrons told stories that matter deeply to their communities. The libraries then used these videos to host broader community conversations and educational programs about the topics highlighted within the films. Working with these libraries, our project has produced a broad range of resources for other libraries to implement similar programs, including training materials, program facilitation guides, camera equipment suggestions, and more. These resources are designed to be flexible and customizable, so that libraries of varying sizes and capacities can tailor a program to their own needs and interests. You will leave the session with all of these resources, alongside new ideas for developing your own program. Freedom Walk - Celebrating Our Students' Freedom to Read2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 115 B C Create your own Freedom Walk, an innovative school library program designed to engage and enlighten a school community to the challenges faced by censorship attempts. Using five interactive stations, The Freedom Walk emphasizes the fundamental rights of students to access a diverse range of information and literature in their school library. In this session you will learn about the five stations of the Freedom Walk and explore ways you can adapt this award winning program to your community's needs. Poetry Stacked: Building 21st Century Programming in the Library2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 120 B C Tasked to enrich and academically engage the University of Cincinnati campus and community in a novel way, University of Cincinnati Libraries and Elliston Poetry Room partnered to create Poetry Stacked, a multimodal reading series staged in the stacks of UC’s Langsam Library. The series is curated with 21st century values of collaboration, community building, equity, inclusion, accessibility, diversity, and belonging. Faculty, staff, student, and community poets together in-person and via livestream. Poets are frequently paired with other creative artists from the campus and community, including dancers, artists, and musicians, to create unique experiences that elevate poetry readings to cross-disciplinary cultural events. Closing General Session featuring Geena Davis4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Terrace III & IV Ballroom In this beautiful and humorous book about taking up space, Academy Award-winning actor and producer and women’s rights advocate Geena Davis encourages readers to find the confidence to stand tall and be who they are unapologetically. In the tale, we meet Sheila--a girl who lives inside a book, and knows people are reading about her. She learns to walk, says her first words, starts school and makes friends… but sometimes wonders if she could possibly be interesting enough to have a whole book written about her! Then one summer, something very interesting indeed happens - she grows so much she no longer fits on the page! What should she do now? |