The Free Library is thrilled to welcome librarians, authors, publishers, businesses, and educators to Philadelphia this weekend for the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting!

This annual conference gathers professionals from all corners of the library world to learn about, discuss, and shape the future of our field. It’s held in a different city every year, so we’re especially excited that it is Philadelphia’s turn to host—which hasn’t happened since 2014.

From today through Tuesday, January 28, ALA Midwinter will take place at the Philadelphia Convention Center. During these next five days, dozens of panels, presentations, and discussion groups will explore important topics for contemporary libraries, such as sustainability, creating safe spaces, developing services for refugees and immigrants, and promoting diversity and inclusion within the library industry. Publishers, advocacy groups, and library-oriented businesses will exhibit their resources and products throughout the conference, and a few very special speakers—including In the Time of the Butterflies author Julia Alvarez and anti–sexual assault advocate Chanel Miller—will give keynote addresses.

We encourage out-of-town visitors attending the ALA conference to stop by neighborhood libraries around the city. We also highly recommend checking out the Our 5 Senses exhibition at our beautiful Parkway Central Library and the American Voyager: Herman Melville at 200 exhibition at The Rosenbach.

From our Free Library family to yours—Welcome to Philadelphia!