{"id":3536,"date":"2021-04-06T10:44:24","date_gmt":"2021-04-06T14:44:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/libraries\/?p=3536"},"modified":"2021-04-06T10:45:34","modified_gmt":"2021-04-06T14:45:34","slug":"american-library-association-midwinter-conference-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/libraries\/2021\/04\/american-library-association-midwinter-conference-recap\/","title":{"rendered":"American Library Association Midwinter Conference Recap\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

American Library Association Midwinter Conference Recap\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

by Chelsea Barrett<\/a><\/strong>\"Chelsea<\/p>\n

The <\/span>2021 <\/span>ALA Midwinter Conference<\/span><\/a> which took place<\/span> virtually<\/span> January 22-26 <\/span>was full of amazing presentations and presenters!<\/span> There were engaging talks, revelations and <\/span>roundtables focusing on various areas of librarianship, <\/span>on topics ranging from<\/span> antiracism and women\u2019s suff<\/span>rage<\/span> to algorithmic bias<\/span> and gaming<\/span>. <\/span>Some of the talks included high-profile names such as Ziggy Marley<\/strong>, Ruby Bridges<\/strong>, Dr. Jill <\/strong><\/span>Biden<\/strong>,<\/span> Ibrahm X. Kendi<\/strong>,<\/span> and the late, great C<\/strong><\/span>icely Tyson<\/strong>.<\/span> Here<\/span> are a few highlights<\/span> from <\/span>conference<\/span>:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fri<\/span><\/b>day, <\/span><\/b>Jan<\/span><\/b>uary<\/span><\/b> 22<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Natalie Baszile<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bazile, the author of the <\/span>book \u201cQueen Sugar\u201d which has since been made into a television series, spoke on the <\/span>desire to shift the narrative on agriculture, farming, and labor.<\/span> In her new book \u201cWe are Each Other\u2019s Harvest\u201d, <\/span>Bazile discusses land ownership and land stewardship from a nonfiction lens, seeking to include the <\/span>complicated history of black farmers and agriculture into the perception of farming and land. This was an engaging talk steeped in history and cultural context which makes her new book <\/span>must-read<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Recommended Read: <\/span>\u201c<\/span>We Are Each Other\u2019s Harvest: Celebrating African American Farmers, Land, and Legacy<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Ruby Bridges<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Civil rights activist<\/span> Ruby Bridges<\/span>,<\/span> spoke of her new book \u201cThis is Your Time\u201d which<\/span> speaks on her experience as<\/span> the first black student <\/span>in a desegregated<\/span> elementary school, all at the age of 6 years old. <\/span>In the telling of her story, Bridges speaks on how her recently passed mother gave her the determination, <\/span>inspiration,<\/span> and strength to get through the hateful and <\/span>impassioned situation she was <\/span>placed. Some of the pertinent themes <\/span>were<\/span> the protection of Bridges<\/span>\u2019<\/span> innocence by her parents as well as the protection and support given to Bridges by one of her white<\/span>, female<\/span> teachers. This was a very inspired talk <\/span>and alludes to the deep <\/span>messages embedded in this work.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Recommended Read: <\/span>\u201cThis is Your Time\u201d<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Sat<\/span><\/b>urday,<\/span><\/b> Jan<\/span><\/b>uary<\/span><\/b> 23<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ibrahm X. Kendi<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Keisha N. Blain<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

#1 New York Times bestselling author Ibrahm X. Kendi and award-winning historian, professor and writer Keisha N. Blain <\/span>discussed <\/span>a new book they both co-edited titled<\/span> \u201cFour Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America 1619-2019<\/span>\u201d. This work involved the bringing<\/span> together <\/span>of <\/span>80 <\/span>black writers<\/span> to write about <\/span>the <\/span>history of community, regardless of gender, immigration, <\/span>and other factors<\/span>. <\/span>Of the <\/span>80 different writers<\/span>,<\/span> who wrote 5 years of African <\/span>American history (400 years), <\/span>there are<\/span>10 poets <\/span>who<\/span> wrote poems<\/span> as interludes<\/span> In <\/span>the process of writing this book<\/span>, the <\/span>writers<\/span> not only reflected<\/span> history but also <\/span>made<\/span> history in the process.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Recommended Read: <\/span>\u201cFour Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America 1619-2019\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Ziggy Marley<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Eight-time Grammy Award winner, author, <\/span>philanthropist,<\/span> and reggae icon Ziggy Marley spoke at the ALA Conference and shared two <\/span>up and coming books<\/span>\u2014 \u201c<\/span>My Dog Romeo\u201d and <\/span>\u201cMusic is in Everything\u201d<\/span>. He explained that many of the ideas for these books came from encounters with nature and his children, showing the organic nature of his <\/span>thought<\/span> process. If that <\/span>was not<\/span> enough of a treat, Ziggy Marley then proceeded to <\/span>grace us with a <\/span>musical <\/span>performance of <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Music is in Everything<\/span>\u201d<\/span>!<\/span> These children\u2019s books are ones to place on your shelves!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Recommended Reads:<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMy Dog Romeo\u201d<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMusic is in Everything\u201d<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Sun<\/span><\/b>day,<\/span><\/b> Jan<\/span><\/b>uary<\/span><\/b> 24<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cicely Tyson<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was an honor to hear<\/span> the legendary<\/span> Cicely Tyso<\/span>n <\/span>speak at the ALA Midwinter Conference<\/span>, <\/span>4 days before her passing<\/span>. <\/span>Throughout her illustrious career she has taken on roles which served a purpose to her personal philosophy on advocating for <\/span>Black women and promoting positivity in the midst of a tortured history. <\/span>During her talk,<\/span> Mrs. Tyson spoke on the release of her autobiography \u201cJust As I Am<\/span>: A Memoir<\/span>\u201d, a timely release for such a sensational woman. <\/span>She <\/span>spoke on her experience as an actress, highlighting issues for Black women actresses, economic issues that impacted the industry and <\/span>offered inspirational and enlightening advice to the audience. <\/span>She spoke with an earnest tone, wanting to uplift those who read her <\/span>memoir <\/span>to not be swayed by her experiences but rather motivated to combat these challenges and rise above any obstacle life may <\/span>bring<\/span>. Again, it was an honor to hear <\/span>Mrs. Tyson speak and it is a privilege that her legacy lives on in her wonderful memoir.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Recommended Read: <\/span>\u201cJust As I Am<\/span>: A Memoir<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Ian Kitajima<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Ian Kitajima, the <\/span>Oceanit<\/a> Director of Corporate Development<\/span>,<\/span> “Corporate Intrapreneur of the Year” <\/span>(2017<\/span>) and \u201c<\/span>Social Impact Enterprise of the Year<\/span>\u201d <\/span>(2018)<\/span> spoke on Artificial Intelligence as it currently exists and the implications <\/span>of AI <\/span>going forward.<\/span> One of the highlights of this talk was the presentation of a video which show<\/span>ed a Google Assistant making an actual haircut appointment for the user in <\/span>real-time<\/span>! It was using Google Duplex which is something that may be worth exploring. <\/span>There was also talk of the changing landscape where data can be a superpower skill for students and the overall community. Other examples shown were <\/span>how Artificial Intelligence can be used to measure social distancing by honing into how far apart <\/span>people are from one another and a video game where the person is the controller. Clearly, the world of AI is continuing to grow and as Mr. Kitajima pointed out, we must evolve with it!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Recommended Viewing: <\/span>SHU Libraries Data Ethics and Literacy Guide<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Mon<\/span><\/b>day,<\/span><\/b> Jan<\/span><\/b>uary<\/span><\/b> 25<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Jill Biden<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>closing<\/span> speaker for the conference was <\/span>First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden, a lifelong educator<\/span>, community college professor, <\/span>author<\/span>, and advocate for the rights and welfare of women, girls, and people with disabilities<\/span>. <\/span>During her talk she focused on the importance of reading and learning, specifically <\/span>homing in<\/span> on her love of reading a<\/span>nd the joy and beauty found in books. Dr. Biden stated that loving to read means loving to learn and through that learning process comes connection, understanding, compassion and wisdom from those who came before us. <\/span>Through <\/span>learning, who we are and who we can become are revealed<\/span> and what a better place to discover yourself than within a library! Libraries fulfil a purpose as a place of information for all, a place for community and a place where expertise and education are offered<\/span>. Utilize this space for exploration and develop critical information skills and you will be on your way!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Recommended Reads:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Where the Light Enters: Building a Family, Discovering Myself<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>JOEY: The Story of Joe Biden<\/span>\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

For more information on <\/span>up-and-coming<\/span> events, please <\/span>continue to<\/span> visit this blog and follow <\/span>@<\/span>SHU<\/span>_<\/span>Libraries <\/span>on Instagram<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

American Library Association Midwinter Conference Recap\u00a0 by Chelsea Barrett The 2021 ALA Midwinter Conference which took place virtually January 22-26 was full of amazing presentations and presenters! There were engaging talks, revelations and roundtables focusing on various areas of librarianship, on topics ranging from antiracism and women\u2019s suffrage to algorithmic bias and gaming. Some of … Continue reading “American Library Association Midwinter Conference Recap\u00a0“<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3083,"featured_media":3539,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3536","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-library-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/libraries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3536","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/libraries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/libraries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/libraries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3083"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/libraries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3536"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/libraries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3536\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3542,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/libraries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3536\/revisions\/3542"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/libraries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/libraries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3536"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/libraries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3536"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.shu.edu\/libraries\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}