Earlier this week, the American Library Association concluded the 107th and final ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits, which was held entirely online, reports Andrew Albanese, Publishers Weekly senior writer.

The event attracted more than 7,100 participants, featured more than 30 educational sessions and many peer-to-peer live chat opportunities as well as presentation of the prestigious Caldecott and Newbery winners. Guest speakers included Dr. Jill Biden, who spoke for the first time in public as First Lady of the United States.

“The First Lady, an educator, said right up front that the Biden Administration recognizes what libraries bring to the table, and that the Biden administration is ready to work with libraries,” Albanese tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally.

“Five days into the new Administration, that was a huge moment,” he says. “Dr. Biden showed that she understands what libraries do.”

While Midwinter Meetings are ending, the ALA shared plans for a reboot that will kick off in January 2022 in San Antonio.

“ALA President Julius C. Jefferson, Jr. announced the long-awaited new meeting concept called LibLearnX (LLX)—the library learning experience,” Albanese notes.