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ALA Annual 2023 Programming of Interest to AJL Members
Many of you will be attending ALA Annual in Chicago beginning on June 22. Below is a selection of programs that might be of interest. (All times are Central Daylight Time.)
Saturday, June 24
11:00 am–noon
Main Stage Speaker: Idina Menzel and Cara Mentzel
Location: McCormick Place, W375c-e/Skyline
1:00–3:00 pm
Community Engagement Around 3 PBS Programs: The U.S. and the Holocaust | Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories with David Rubenstein | The American Buffalo
Location: W471A
The U.S. and the Holocaust explores America’s response to one of the greatest humanitarian crises of the 20th century. Inspired in part by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s “Americans and the Holocaust” exhibition and supported by its historical resources, the film tackles a range of questions that remain essential to our society today.
Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories with David Rubenstein explores America’s 400-year history through a close examination of iconic national symbols: indelible artifacts, places, and archetypes. Each episode tells the story of an American symbol to reveal its origins, significance, and the arc of its resonance. Episode subjects include the Hollywood Sign, Fenway Park, American cowboys, Gadsden Flag (“Don’t Tread on Me”), American Bald Eagle, Stone Mountain, Statue of Liberty, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Rubenstein invites historical experts and community members to examine myriad ways the American public engages with these subjects.
The American Buffalo tells the dramatic story of how America’s national mammal, once numbering in the tens of millions and sustaining the Native people of the Great Plains for untold generations, was driven to the brink of extinction. The film recounts the collision––and tragic consequences––of two opposing views of the natural world.
2:30–4:00 pm
We Need Diverse Books and ALA Present: How to Fight Book Bans: Authors on Speaking Up and Fighting Back
Location: McCormick Place, W183a/Digital Experience
Includes author Kyle Lukoff
4:00–5:00 pm
Americans and the Holocaust: Bringing Holocaust History to Local Communities
Location: McCormick Place, W181b
Hayley Prihoda (she/her/hers), Program Coordinator, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
Sunday, June 25
10:30–11:30 am
A Novel Idea: Jewish Identity in Genre Fiction
Location: McCormick Place, W183b
The AJL President's Program, A Novel Idea: Jewish Identity in Genre Fiction, is co-sponsored by AJL and the Ethnic and Multicultural Exchange Round Table (EMIERT). This moderated panel of authors from four different genres—fantasy, mystery, romance, and science fiction—will discuss how and why they include Jewish characters and traditions in their writing while appealing to a wide audience (not just Jewish readers).
2:30–3:30 pm
Expanding the Diversity Umbrella: Libraries Are for Everyone
Location: McCormick Place, W181b
Organized by AJL’s Sally Stieglitz; panelists include Michael Twitty
Through a moderated panel discussion, this program reflects on identities and communities that are often overlooked and underserved in diversity conversations, outreach, and programming in librarianship. Panelists bring “their own voices” insights to conversations about disability, religion, and socio-economic status. Outcomes will include increased understanding of the diversity umbrella and practical suggestions on how to incorporate fuller inclusion in library programs, services, and collections.
4:00–5:00 pm
Association of Jewish Libraries' A Little Schmooze. A Little Nosh. (A Little Chat. A Little Food)
Location: Palmer House, Lockwood Bar
Join AJL President Michelle Margolis and other AJL representatives for a fun gathering at the Palmer House hotel bar. AJL will provide a little nosh (food), while you take care of what you want to drink. RSVPs requested, but not required. RSVP link coming soon.
Monday, June 26
9:30–10:20 am
WNDB Presents Books Save Lives: BIPOC + LGBTQ voices in solidarity
Location: Exhibit Hall–PopTop Stage (end of 1600 aisle)
As an act of solidarity with librarians facing BIPOC + LGBTQ book bans, authors Eliot Schrefer, Rachel Elliot, Keah Brown, Federico Erebia, Donna Barba Higuera, Sacha Lamb, and others answer two questions: "What banned book changed your life?" and "What strategy do you use to cope with the stress and pressure of working in a time of extreme censorship?" Moderated by David Saia, attendees are encouraged to share their strategies. Sponsors: WNDB, LQ, HarperCollins Childrens.
Authors/Speakers:
Dave Saia (he/him) is the librarian at Heim Middle School, part of the Williamsville Central Schools. He is the chair of the 2023 Stonewall Book Award’s Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children's & Young Adult Literature Award and served on the 2019 and 2022 committees as well. He lives in Buffalo with his husband and is an active member of the bear community. He’s on Instagram as “thelibearian.” Please send him cat videos.
Eliot Schrefer (Queer Ducks), Sacha Lamb (When the Angels Left the Old Country), Keah Brown (The Secret Summer Promise), Federico Erebia (Pedro & Daniel), Rachel Elliott (The Real Riley Mayes), Donna Barba Higuera (The Last Cuentista)
10:30–11:20 am
Dark Fantasy and Jewish Folklore in YA Fiction
Location: Exhibit Hall–Diversity in Publishing Stage (Booth 5240)
Frankenstein meets Inglourious Basterds in Wrath Becomes Her, Aden Polydoros's stunning Jewish historical horror novel. In conversation with TBA, Aden will also discuss his Sydney Taylor Award–winning novel, The City Beautiful, and Bone Weaver.
Aden Polydoros is a trans author of YA dark fantasy and horror novels. His queer gothic fantasy novel, The City Beautiful, won the Sydney Taylor Book Award and was a finalist for the Lambda Award, the National Jewish Book Award, the South Carolina Young Adult Book Award, and the 2022 World Fantasy Award.
1:00–2:30 pm
Arab Israeli Dialogue/Imagine Peace
Location: W471A
Arab Israeli Dialogue (1974) is the passionate final documentary from Lionel Rogosin (On the Bowery, Come Back Africa), in which Palestinian poet Rashed Hussein and Israeli writer Amos Kenan seek dialogue toward a possible solution to the never-ending conflict. Never before have both sides discussed a mutual problem so frankly, and so willingly. Rogosin provides an open forum for two formidable intellects to discuss the fates of their nations, and the ever-receding possibility of peace. Imagine Peace (2022) is Michael A. Rogosin’s moving and thought-provoking film about his father’s Arab Israeli Dialogue. He screened the original film on the wall of the Palestine-Israel Journal offices in East Jerusalem, the only joint Israeli-Palestinian publication, and heard the editors, some of whom knew both Kenan and Hussein, make observations about the 1974 documentary and about where we are today. Arab Israeli Dialogue was restored by Fondazione Cineteca di Bologna from the original 16mm reversal film and magnetic soundtrack, preserved and made available by Anthology Film Archives. This film was restored under a project for the recuperation and promotion of the complete works of Lionel Rogosin, developed by Cineteca di Bologna and Rogosin Heritage. DVD only.
In the Library Marketplace, Saturday, June 24
10:00–10:30 am
Ami Polonsky, author of World Made of Glass
Location: Booth 3217
Ami Polonsky is signing copies of World Made of Glass. Books are being sold for $5.
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/ami-polonsky/world-made-of-glass/9780316462044/
10:30–10:50 am
Anna Bliss: Bonfire Night
Location: Exhibit Hall–Author Autographing Station 1
Spanning from England's anti-fascism protests of 1936 through the aftermath of WWII, this moving, intricately wrought historical novel brings together a young Irish Catholic photographer and a British Jewish medical student, each discovering the price of love, art, and ambition.
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