Librarians, break out those tote bags! Starting today, thousands of library and publishing professionals are converging on Chicago for the American Library Association’s Annual Conference. For anyone attending the conference who has a particular interest in comics and/or intellectual freedom, we’ve pulled together some highlights they might want to check out.
Saturday, June 24
- The Rise of Graphic Novels for Kids in Europe and the USA (9:30 – 10:20 am, Graphic Novel/Gaming Stage)
- Intellectual Freedom 101 (10:30 – 11:30 am, McKormick Place W180)
- Growing Readership Through Diversity (1:00 – 2:30 pm, McKormick Place W190a)
- Creator Spotlight: Jessica Abel (2:30 – 3:20 pm, Graphic Novel/Gaming Stage); Abel was featured in our book She Changed Comics!
- Our Voices: Strengthen Your Collection with Diverse Narratives (3:00 – 4:00 pm, McKormick Place W185a)
- Running a Library Presence @ Fan Conventions, Festivals, and Events (3:00 – 4:00 pm, McKormick Place W474b)
Sunday, June 25
- How to Write for Children (9:30 – 10:20 am, Graphic Novel/Gaming Stage)
- Comics at the frontier of a new literary movement (10:30 – 11:20 am, Graphic Novel/Gaming Stage)
- Comics for Teens: Discovery in the Library (12:30 – 1:20 pm, Graphic Novel/Gaming Stage)
- Fandom Programs for Tweens, Teens, and Adults (1:00 – 2:30 pm, McKormick Place W187c)
- Comics Roundtable: What does the future of comics librarianship look like? (3:00 – 4:00 pm, W476)
- Liberties at Work and Creator’s Ownership (3:30 – 4:20 pm, Graphic Novel/Gaming Stage)
Monday, June 26
- Champion of the Graphic Novel: Will Eisner at 100 Years (9:30 – 10:20 am, Graphic Novel/Gaming Stage)
- Banned Abroad: Stories of International Censorship (1:00 – 2:30 pm, McKormick Place W178a)
- Telling Their Stories through Graphic Novels – Views from Behind the Fence (3:00 – 4:00 pm, McKormick Place W176b); pre-recorded presentation on Eisner Grant to South Carolina’s Birchwood School, located inside a juvenile detention facility
These are just the highlights! Check out all of the intellectual freedom-related events here and all events at the Graphic Novel/Gaming Stage here.
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Contributing Editor Maren Williams is a reference librarian who enjoys free speech and rescue dogs.