LTL Podcast Episode 33: Libraries and the Communities that They Serve: A Conversation with ALA President Emily Drabinski

Happy New Year! This is the first episode in 2024 and it’s a fun one! In today’s episode, I am speaking with Emily Drabinski, who is the current President of the American Library Association. The American Library Association is hosting an event this month – LibLearnX in Baltimore, and Emily is here to talk about what to expect at this event.

She talks about the different sessions and the authors who will be speaking at LibLearnX – spoiler alert! Kate DiCamillo is one of the authors who will be speaking! There are many great interactive sessions being held at the conference, so check them out! Emily talks about the different options to attend. There is an in-person option as well as a digital option.

One of my favorite parts about this conversation is hearing about how invested libraries are in the communities that they serve. Emily has been traveling around the country and visiting libraries and librarians. She shares some of the unique services that libraries provide – and they do not include books. She also gives an update on what is happening with book banning in the U.S. and some of the wins that have happened recently.

Check out this episode! It’s truly a fun conversation that has many great take-aways!