I attended ALA Annual in San Diego from June 28 through July 1, 2024. I had some committee assignments to finish up (I am rolling of ACRL’s New Roles and Changing Landscapes space planning subcommittee) but the majority of my time was spent skipping from large auditorium to large auditorium to catch all the headliners that were there. ALA had lined up some superlative talent for their keynoters and presidential addresses. Here are the favorites:

Trevor Noah:

Trevor Noah was the opening Keynote for ALA Annual. He was there discussing his new children’s book Into the Uncut Grass which will be released in October, 2024. Described as “a gorgeously illustrated fable about a young boy’s adventure into the magical landscape where he discovers the secrets of solidarity, connection and finding peace with the people we love,” Trevor was inspired to write about the complicated relationship that exists between parents and children as he noted that, in the minds of a kid, the one that is tasked with caring for you is also the one that prevents you from doing the things that you think will allow you to reach your potential. Children have their own reality. The book is dedicated to the imagination that lives in all of us. Some of my favorite moments in his very entertaining talk was when he noted that as kids, our imagination allows us to create whole worlds full of sentient beings and narrows, as adults, into feeling like you can beat that time home when you pull up directions on your Waze app. As you grow you lose your ability to imagine because things you imagine don’t happen. He also encouraged everyone to write our own children’s book because you see how much of your younger self you have had to let go of. He was also a huge fan and supporter of libraries. On book bans, perhaps my favorite quote of the whole conference, he said “So: you think your kids are a few pages away from being gay?”

On Workplace belonging:

Michael Flier from Ohio State University gave a very compelling talk at the ACRL President’s Program entitled “Workplace Belonging Matters: Key Insights for Library Professionals”. He noted that “belonging” occurs when expectations=experiences. To foster belonging we must design programs and services to meet needs and provide users with the feeling of safety and security to enable them to ask for them. He used the basic example of students desiring the ability to plug in devices when they are at a seat! (I shouted “Yes!” Since we just completed a project to get closer to that goal, I was right there with him!) He also spoke about how intimidating academic libraries can be, especially for first gen students, so providing information early and often about customs, practices, traditions, and rules, is important. As Library Professionals we should not assume that everyone “knows.” He then spoke about his own Grandmother’s influence on him and how her work in the community she grew up in made such a mark. He is a black man, and his grandmother, a teacher, stood her ground in ensuring, in the 1950s, that she received the services that were promised to her. Growing up, she frequently said to him “Love many, trust few. Learn to paddle your own canoe.”. When he returned to the town she grew up in, he was surprised to find that that motto was emblazoned on the outside of the town’s bank. When he inquired, he learned that yes, it was a motto she had said it to her classes over the years, and one of her students became the head of the bank, and insisted that the motto be added to the bank’s edifice. We all left with a lump in our throat.

Kwame Alexander

Kwame Alexander, author of many bestselling books including Why Fathers Cry at Night and Solo has written a new children’s book called Black Star, the second book in the Door of No Return series. The book is set during the beginning of the “Great Migration” with a female heroine called Charlie. Kwame spent much of his time on the stage talking about his process of writing, and the things that inspired him. Interesting to note that Trevor Noah, Michael Flier and Kwame Alexander, all black men, referenced the importance of their moms and grandmothers in making them the men they are today.

Connie Chung:

Connie Chung was an invited speaker sponsored by United for Libraries. She was the first Asian woman to host the evening news. In the 1970s she was the only woman in the cadre of reporters covering the impeachment of President Nixon. She adapted her personal style in order to be seen as “one of the guys” including having to accept racist and sexist jokes, and cultivating a “potty mouth.” Her influence went beyond the newsroom. Many Asian female babies in the US in the 70s through the 90s were named Connie after her. The New York Times did a portrait on these women. Connie noted how important it is to have role models that look like you. Connie talked a lot about the state of journalism and the increase in bias in news. The solution, she said, will be one station, one magazine, one reporter at a time, determining that truth is more important than ratings.

Taraji P. Hansen

Taraji Hansen, whom many might know from “Empire”, “Hidden Figures” or the 2023 version of “The Color Purple” has also written a new children’s book called “You Can Be A Good Friend, (No Matter What).” She has founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, named after her father and dedicated to providing mental health services and finding pathways to healing for black communities. Her Foundation works to eradicate the stigma around mental health.

TJ, the main character in this book, helps give tools to readers for how to deal with bullies and foster understanding. Her characters allow other people to be different. (She also noted that her grandmother was a big influence in both the creation of her book and her life.) She said: “People will live up to or down to your expectations.” So foundational change is necessary. The book is the first in a series that she will write. Her session was inspirational. Everyone left laughing and hugging and full of hope.

In addition to hearing from all of these great speakers, I also spent some time with my long-time partners on the Sustainability Round Table (ALA SustainRT) by participating in a plogging event. Plogging is a term coined in Sweden and means jogging while picking up trash. We never managed to get any faster than a brisk walk, but we did pick up some trash! And caught up with each other. It was a lovely way to say farewell.

There were a few of these Short Edition short story dispensers around the Exhibit Hall. You could choose from 1 minute, 3 minute or 5 minute reads.