2024-2025 Programming

21st Century Religion and Culture in Youth Literature Programming

Publishers Roundtable: Tuesday, September 24, 9:00 AM CST

Participants:

–  (9-10 am CST): PJ Library, Black Bears and Blueberries, Shadow Mountain Publishing

– (10:15-11:15 am CST): Lee and Low, Heartdrum, Salaam Reads, We Need Diverse Books

Format: Virtual via Zoom. Register for the event here!

Description: Two roundtable discussions featuring representatives from various publishing firms will discuss how religion and culture factor into their work with diverse communities.

Gryphon Lecture: Date and Time TBD

Guest Speaker: Anastasia Ulanowicz, Associate Professor of English at the University of Florida

Format: Hybrid (Virtual via Zoom and In-Person)


Public Libraries and Communities of Faith: Date and Time TBD

Format: Virtual via Zoom

Description: Public librarians from various communities will discuss how aspects of religion play into children’s and young adult programming and collection development, as well as the larger LIS field.

Religion and Culture in Fantasy

Tuesday, February 18, 12:00 PM CST – Authors

Participants: Aden Polydoros, Kwame Mbalia, Radiya Hafzia

Format: Virtual via Zoom. Register for this roundtable here!

Wednesday, February 19, 12:00 PM CST – Scholars

Participants:

– Taylor Driggers (Tutor in English Literature, School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow)

– Michelle Chan (Associate Professor of English Language and Literature, Hong Kong Shue Yan University)

– Sarah Winters (Associate Professor of English Studies, Nipissing University)

Format: Virtual via Zoom. Register for this roundtable here!

Description: Exploring how fantasy genre allows space for exploration of new religious sensibilities and how children’s culture can be a surprising source of creativity in this area.

ALA and Communities of Faith: Date and Time TBD

Participants:

– Cara Bertram (Archives Program Officer, University Archives and American Library Association Archives, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)