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Be sure to stop by the ALA Lounge to find information and the latest news and resources from across the association.  

  • Connect with fellow attendees to discuss issues facing library workers and share stories and ideas with our 20 Minute Huddles (see the schedule below) 
  • Meet volunteers and members from across the Association to find out what ALA Divisions, Offices, and Round Tables are working on – and how you can get involved! 
  • Connect with staff from the ALA Member Relations and Services team – staff will be available in the booth during set hours to answer your questions about ALA. 
  • Find materials and information from across the association, including resources and tools for you and your library. 
  • Find out how ALA membership can help enhance your career and gain information that will help you improve library services to your community. 

ALA Lounge Hours:  

  • Friday, June 24th – 9:00am – 6:00pm 
  • Saturday, June 25th – 9:00am – 5:00pm 
  • Sunday, June 26th – 9:00am – 5:00pm 
  • Monday, June 27th – 9:00am – 2:00pm 

What’s going on in the ALA Connect Lounge?  

Unite Against Book Bans at the ALA Connect Lounge! 


Learn about the ways in which Unite Against Book Bans is fighting censorship and supporting communities from Unite staff, national partners, and volunteers! Unite leaders will be on hand at the ALA Connect Lounge (McCormick Place, Grand Concourse) to talk about intellectual freedom, the work of the initiative, and how our communities can help support libraries and library workers.   

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ALA Annual 2023 Bingo 


Grab a card and get bingo by meeting people, attending sessions, exploring the exhibit hall, and more! Bring your BINGO back to the ALA Connect Lounge and win a prize (while supplies last). 

20 Minute Huddles 


Pop into one of our 20 Minute Huddles scheduled throughout the weekend. Find a topic that interests you and join an intimate discussion group to generate ideas. All ideas welcome! 

Saturday, June 24th 

  • 11:30am – 11:50am: Have you experienced a challenge, of any form, at your library? What tools worked in navigating the challenge, that you would like to share with others? What additional support would have helped? (Office for Intellectual Freedom / Freedom to Read Foundation) 
     
  • 12:00pm – 12:20pm: Since the pandemic, how has library/staff capacity impacted your teen programming? How has teen/young adult engagement shifted? How can libraries better reach teens with programs? (Public Programs Office) 
     
  • 1:00pm – 1:20pm: Let's talk comics metadata and cataloging, Graphic Novel labeling and shelving! (Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table) 

Sunday, June 25th 

  • 9:30am – 9:50am: As Horror is increasing in mainstream popularity and sales (up 79% over the last 2 years), what can libraries do to support Horror fans of all ages? (ALA Editions | Neal-Schuman) 
     
  • 12:00pm – 12:20pm: What kind of resources would be (or have been) the most valuable to you in dealing with intellectual freedom issues at your library? 
     
  • 12:30pm – 12:50pm: How can board games be used to strengthen soft skills and employability? (Games & Gaming Round Table) 
     
  • 1:00pm – 1:20pm: What are some best practices for processing board games for circulation (supplies, how to label, what to count, etc.)? (Games & Gaming Round Table) 
     
  • 2:00pm – 2:20pm: What are the implications of Generative Artificial Intelligence programs like ChatGPT on reference and instruction? (RUSA)
     
  • 3:00pm – 3:30pm: What would folks want from a potential Graphic Novel award? What will make such an award useful to you as library workers?  What elements need to be considered in the creation of such an award? (Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table) 

Monday, June 26th 

  • 9:30am – 9:50am: How can library programming promote a mindset shift toward sustainable living? (ALA Editions | Neal-Schuman) 
     
  • 10:00am – 10:20am: Have you experienced a challenge, of any form, at your library? What tools worked in navigating the challenge, that you would like to share with others? What additional support would have helped? (Office for Intellectual Freedom / Freedom to Read Foundation) 
     
  • 11:00am – 11:20am: What is the name of your favorite book title that received the Coretta Scott King Book Awards (author or illustrator)?  Why? (Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table) 
     
  • 12:00pm – 12:20pm: What are the mental health and well-being benefits of running Dungeons and Dragons in your library? 
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ALA Lounge Volunteer Spotlights 


Throughout the conference volunteers from our Divisions and Round Tables will be taking over our ALA Connect Lounge reference desk. Stop by and talk with them about what projects they are working on and how you get involved. 

Friday, June 23rd  

  • 11:00am – 1:00pm: Games & Gaming Round Table (Plus they’ll be hosting board games in the Lounge! Stop by and play!)  
  • 1:00pm – 3:00pm: Association for Library Service to Children 
  • 3:00pm – 5:00pm: Sustainability Round Table 

Saturday, June 24th 

  • 9:00am – 11:00am: Government Documents Round Table 
  • 11:00am – 1:00pm: Young Adult Library Services Association  
  • 2:00pm – 3:00pm: Library History Round Table 
  • 3:00pm – 5:00pm: Reference & User Services Association 

Sunday, June 25th 

  • 11:00am – 1:00pm: Public Library Association  
  • 1:00pm – 3:00pm: Library Research Round Table 

Monday, June 26th  

  • 9:00am – 11:00am: Film and Media Round Table
  • 11:00am – 1:00pm: Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table
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