Chicago, IL -- June 12, 2025. Dr. Carla Hayden, former Librarian of Congress, will be in conversation with Kwame Alexander, Emmy Award winner and New York Times besting selling author, at the 2025 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition June 26-30 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.

The conversation will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. EST June 28.

Hayden and Alexander will discuss the current state of libraries and the challenges library professionals are facing not only in America but across the world, from book bans to library funding. Attendees can look forward to an informative discussion on the importance of libraries as cornerstones of democracy.

The ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition will bring together over 10,000 people in the library community, including authors, publishers, educators and exhibitors for the largest library event in the world.

Get updates from the 2025 Annual Conference & Exhibition and follow #ALAAC25. Follow ALA on social media at ALA BlueSky, ALA Facebook, ALALinkedIn, Instagram, and Threads.

Media interested in registering for the conference may contact the ALA Communications, Marketing & Media Relations Office at cmomedia@ala.org.

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association (ALA) is the only non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated entirely to America's libraries and library professionals. For almost 150 years, ALA has provided resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. The ALA serves academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.