(via the Illinois Library Association)
Registration for the 2025 ILA Annual Conference opens in less than two weeks! This year’s meeting will take place from Tuesday, October 14, to Thursday, October 16, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. It’s time to start planning your time off work, organizing your schedule, and getting ready for what promises to be a memorable event!
This year’s conference is all about inclusivity and belonging, celebrating the theme “You Belong Here”. You’ll explore how libraries create welcoming spaces, build strong relationships with diverse communities, and address their unique needs. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on how library workers can support one another within the profession.
Featured speakers include:
- Dr. Terrell Strayhorn, President and CEO of Do Good Work Consulting Group, a leading scholar in education, psychology, and the academic study of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).
- Shermann Thomas, a Chicago historian also known as Dilla, who blends history, culture, and content creation in fascinating ways.
- Wendy Xu, a bestselling illustrator and comic artist based in Brooklyn.
- April K. Anderson-Zorn, associate professor and University Archivist at Illinois State University.
- Roy Kinsey, a Chicago-based rapper and librarian, and founder of Rapbrary, a platform that preserves hip-hop as a literary art form while advocating for literacy, banned books, and marginalized voices in literature.
The Conference will also include a community project supporting Anew: Building Beyond Violence and Abuse, a South Suburban Chicago organization providing vital services to victims of domestic violence.
And, don’t miss the ILA Awards Ceremony and Luncheon, Trustee Day, Unconferences, an exhibit hall, and much more!
Mark your calendar for Monday, July 21, and be ready to secure your spot at #ILAAC25!