Heather Turner, CLRC Professional Development Award Recipient, Talks About the 2025 ALA Conference

Attending ALA Annual was an unforgettable experience filled with inspiration, connection, and learning. One of the most powerful moments was hearing Brené Brown speak about her deep love for libraries and librarians. She shared that when she was young, the stacks were her safe place, where she lived by two rules: if you have a question, find a librarian, and if you are scared or lost, find the stacks. I had no idea how strong her personal connection to libraries was, and it was incredible to witness. I recorded a portion of her talk and shared it on my TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@techylibgrl/video/7522102450807901470). I only wish the fireside chat had lasted longer.

Another true fangirl moment for me was hearing George Takei speak. He said, “I want to thank all librarians, because you guys are the pillars of our democracy.” That statement was powerful and humbling, and I hope that we can live up to his belief in the critical role we play.

I also attended a meeting of the Games & Gaming Round Table (GameRT), which was a highlight for me. As someone passionate about integrating games into education and libraries, connecting with others who share this vision was energizing. GameRT supports librarians who use games for engagement, literacy, and learning, and it offers incredible resources like networking opportunities, program ideas, and grants to help libraries build sustainable gaming collections. I left the session with new ideas, fresh inspiration, and plans to collaborate with colleagues who are using games to foster creativity and community in their spaces. If you are interested in learning more about GameRT, you can find it here (https://www.ala.org/gamert).

Of course, no ALA experience would be complete without talking about the bag game, and yes, it is absolutely real. You can see one of the best bags I received in the images, and honestly, who does not love a good bag? They are so fun and creative, and there are never enough to hold the countless ARCs and newly released books we are lucky enough to grab early. Deciding which sessions, signings, books, or keynotes to attend was nearly impossible, and the struggle is real when there is so much to see and do. You can see some of the titles I was able to procure in the images!

And finally, a personal highlight outside of the conference itself was enjoying an authentic Philly cheesesteak at the Reading Terminal Market. It was the perfect way to top off an already incredible experience. I am returning with renewed inspiration, fresh ideas, and deeper connections that will benefit our community. Thank you so much to CLRC for supporting us and making it possible to continue learning and growing at national conferences.