Why We Show Up

As the United States prepares for its 250th anniversary and the American Library Association nears its 150th next year, more than 14,000 library workers, advocates, and allies gathered in Philadelphia this summer—the birthplace of the First Amendment—to affirm that our values are not negotiable.

As library professionals, we often traffic in the timeless—in books, archives, and community memory. But this year’s ALA Annual Conference reminded us that timing matters, too. At a moment when the core tenets of librarianship—intellectual freedom, the right to read, equitable access to information—are under direct attack across the country, gathering in Philadelphia felt as much like a profound act of civic engagement as it did impactful professional development. There was an unmistakable sense that showing up mattered.

Throughout the conference, we experienced moments that crystallized why our work remains essential amid censorship, disinformation, and threats to public service infrastructure. One of the most powerful was a program featuring Carla Hayden, our 14th Librarian of Congress, who addressed growing political pressure on her office—and our field—with conviction and grace. Her steadfast leadership anchored the values of truth, access, and democratic service.

Keynote speakers echoed that urgency too. Actor and civil rights activist George Takei shared his personal story of being a Japanese American incarcerated during World War II, a reminder of the consequences when truth is silenced and communities are marginalized. Bestselling author Brené Brown challenged us to lead with courage and vulnerability. Actor and comedian Roy Wood Jr., with incisive wit, offered a sharp, necessary lens on power, culture, and what it means to serve divided communities.

More than 500 sessions tackled the biggest challenges and opportunities facing our field—from navigating artificial intelligence and fostering mental health to strengthening library funding and upholding intellectual freedom.

Annual Conference was a laboratory of ideas, a haven of solidarity, and a rallying ground for solutions. Again and again, we witnessed library workers leading with creativity and care, even when their presence is politicized or their resources stretched.

The exhibit hall was also alive with purpose. Start-up companies that are helping to advance accessibility shared space with legacy publishers reimagining discovery and engagement. Librarians who have defended the freedom to read stood beside authors whose books have been widely banned. Our profession does not operate in isolation—we are part of a larger ecosystem: educators, authors, technologists, publishers, organizers, artists, and residents working toward a more informed, just society.

I was especially moved by those who traveled from places where attending a professional event like ALA is viewed as controversial. Your presence was courageous. It reminds us that the right of assembly remains intact and that efforts to silence this profession will not succeed.

To every attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, and staff member who made this conference not just possible but extraordinary: Thank you. You reminded us that our work is urgent—and our movement unstoppable. We return to our libraries not only renewed but resolved.

We assembled in Philadelphia because we could—and because we must. Because even 150 years in, our story is still being written. And it is worth sharing. Let’s keep showing up. Let’s keep writing this story together.