Highlights of this year’s conference include:

• ERT/Booklist Author Forum
  In an unmissable ERT/Booklist Author Forum at 2014 ALA Midwinter Meeting, five acclaimed children’s book creators—Tonya Bolden, Brian Floca, Kadir Nelson, Steve Sheinkin, and Melissa Sweet—join fellow author and Booklist Books for Youth Senior Editor Ilene Cooper as she moderates the discussion about award-winning nonfiction for youth.
• Ribbon Cutting & Exhibits Opening Reception
  The Exhibit Hall opens immediately following the Author Forum, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring a brief welcome by ALA and Philadelphia dignitaries
• ALA Masters Series
  Hear and talk to experts from across library specialties describe their latest in-house innovations in these 45-minute fast-paced sessions. Grab lunch or a snack and join an ALA Masters session to get insights into the hottest trends and how your colleagues are stepping up to them.
• Auditorium Speaker Series
  A rare opportunity to hear leading authors, thought-leaders, and experts from adult and youth fiction, technology, and popular culture at these stimulating general sessions at key points throughout the Midwinter schedule.
• ALA President’s Program
  High-demand speaker and energetic activist Andrew Slack offers you an outstanding opportunity to learn more about his work and how he sees it relating to libraries and their role in the community.
• News You Can Use Updates
  Experts from across library-related fields again offer the latest updates on policy, research, statistics, technology, and more, based on recent research, surveys, reports, legislation/ regulation, projects, beta trials, focus groups, and other data.
• Community Engagement
  ALA’s ongoing commitment to increased engagement between libraries and the communities they serve is highlighted in several related sessions and opportunities.
• Youth Media Awards
  Each year the American Library Association honors books, videos, and other outstanding materials for children and teens. Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, the ALA Youth Media Awards, including the prestigious Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and Coretta Scott King Book Awards, guide parents, educators, librarians, and others in selecting the best materials for youth. Selected by committees composed of librarians and other literature and media experts, the awards encourage original and creative work in the field of children’s and young adult literature and media.
• Arthur Curley Memorial Lecture
  Don’t miss the opportunity to be inspired and moved by human rights advocate and bestselling author Ishmael Beah whose first book A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier has been published in over thirty languages and has helped shine an international spotlight on critical issues related to children and war.
• Book Buzz Theater
  Come hear the latest “Buzz” about the newest titles from your favorite publishers all in one easy-to-find location on the Exhibit Hall Floor. Find out who is presenting and when.
• Discussion Groups
  The Midwinter Meeting features more than 200 Discussion Groups—more loosely organized sessions on broad and timely topics, each sponsored by an ALA division, round table, or office.
• Meetings
  Committee meetings are held during Midwinter to do the business of the association
• ALA Store
  Find the ALA Store near the registration area, offering products that meet the widest range of your promotional and continuing education/professional development needs. With plenty of new and bestselling items available, make sure to carve out some time in your schedule to stop by!
• ALA Membership Pavilion
  A favorite stop where you can learn how membership can enhance your career, connect with colleagues, and get information to help you improve library services to your community.
• Networking Uncommons
  Make the connections you want at the Networking Uncommons space in the Convention Center. It’s a dedicated area where you can gather in small groups to have a quick meeting, polish your presentation, follow up on a discussion, or just recharge your batteries.
• Unconference and Midwinter Library Camp
  Join the Unconference on Friday and Library Camp on Monday afternoon to ask questions, explore options, make recommendations, examine ideas, and reflect on the implications of updates, conversations, and what you’ve learned at Midwinter.
• Think Fit Philadelphia
  Visit Innovative at Midwinter Booth #1631
• Dine Around Philadelphia
  The program has been revamped and put into your hands!
• ALA Joblist Placement Center
  Provided by the ALA Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment (HRDR), the ALA JobLIST Placement Center will be open Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
• Exhibits Closing & Wrap Up/Rev Up Celebration
  Wrapping up Midwinter and revving up for Annual Conference, bestselling author James McBride and his gospel quintet will have you on your feet with their mix of exuberant spirituals and jazz renditions of classic gospel music.
• Get Excited About Philadelphia
  Philadelphia has lots to offer! Visit the Convention and Visitors website for ideas to help you plan.

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