LibLearnX is the future.

One of my favorite library conferences in my 20-plus years in the industry has been the ALA midwinter conference. But according to a December 2021 Publisher Weekly article, “The ALA Midwinter Meeting is history, LibLearnX is the future.” Unfortunately, last year’s first-ever LibLearnX event was completely virtual due to the Covid19 pandemic.

Did I mention it’s my favorite conference?

The highlight of the conference and the reason it has always been my favorite was the live announcement of the Youth Media Awards. Of course, any year I could not make it in person, I would watch the stream, and before streaming was the norm, I closely followed Twitter posts to see which books and authors had earned the prize. The atmosphere at the awards is thrilling. So many times, the committees will dress alike, and there is such camaraderie. I recall one year when Walter the Giant Storyteller leaped up at the announcement of his committee and ran around the auditorium. To my delight, this year, there will be an in-person Youth Media Awards at LibLearnX, and I plan to attend!

Youth Media Awards

Youth Media Awards 2017 in Atlanta

What is LibLearnX

I am still trying to understand the format changes from Midwinter to LLX, but I have registered and am planning my schedule. Unfortunately, as with any conference, I have bookmarked far more sessions than I can attend.
Here are some tracks or categories if you are on the fence:
And if you cannot attend in person, there is a virtual option. The LLX Digital Experience has several on-demand sessions available through the end of February. But I hope you can attend in person because I hope to see other school librarians in New Orleans.

2018 Youth Media Awards Pajama Party we were streaming 2 years before it was a thing!