We spent a mind-blowing three days at the 2023 American Library Association Conference in Chicago this June. This extraordinary gathering was well worth making the trip from Portland, Oregon. Literally thousands of librarians, publishers, authors, vendors and support staff convened at the massive McCormick Place on Chicago’s south lakefront.
At the conference, we helped staff the Independent Book Publishers Association booth. The huge IBPA display featured over 250 independently published titles, including children’s books, YA and adult fiction and nonfiction, and several well-attended book signings.
Keynote speaker Judy Blume kicked off the show, celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of her landmark YA book Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. She spoke about her bookstore in Key West, FL and condemned the recent rash of controversial book bannings. Other notable speakers included authors Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro, actress Idina Menzel, poet Amanda Gorman, and FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel.
The annual six-day conference hosts the largest library-oriented trade exhibition in the world. Exhibitors included traditional and independent publishing houses, booksellers, information and library science education programs, high-tech innovators, and a world of services for library professionals and anyone else who cherishes books and the written word.
Next year’s ALA Conference will be held in San Diego, June 27 through July 2, 2024. We look forward to attending this remarkable annual event!
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