National Institute 2026

This is a ticketed event. Only registered Teen Services Development Day attendees will be able to attend. 

Each year, the Alex Award honors ten outstanding books published in the past year for adults but with high teen appeal; there is also a "longlist" of an additional twenty vetted titles. While the award is intenteded to help librarians recommend adult books for more mature teen readers, it is also worth mining for Readers' Advisory for discerning grown-ups. This workshop will examine the history of the award, highlight some of its outstanding recent recipients, and include discussion of its more controversial recommendations. The presenter has been an Alex Award chairperson.

Registrants will be added to this event in SCHED based on ALA registration data and will be sent details accordingly. If you are not registered for this event but would like to be, please email Sarah Polen at spolen [at] ala.org.