Get Ready for ALA Annual Even If You Are Not Attending: Including Becky's Blogging Schedule and ALA Coverage Plan

ALA Annual starts Friday and I know not everyone who reads this is going, but (and I tell you from experience when I missed the conference) the conference provides resources that can be used even if you are staying home. And I am here to help everyone, but especially those who are not going to be there to get the most out of ALA Annual and the opportunities it makes available. 

I will have a series of posts--today, tomorrow, and then the blog will be off while I attend ALA but back early next week with in-depth recaps leading up to the July 4th Holiday. (Plus my Horror Genre Preview which will go live July 1.)

It all begins today with me sharing resources.

First up, PW has extensive previews. Go here and then scroll to the bottom for more preview links. And then keep following PW all conference long by using their "libraries" tag. They will have recaps throughout. I love the coverage because I cannot be everywhere myself and I use the recaps to see what I missed. But, if you are busy, especially if you are covering for others who are attending ALA Annual, don't worry, I will have a roundup of all the PW coverage as well.

Library Journal also has coverage. Use their ALA Annual 2026 tag to see it all. Of special note however is their Aisle by Aisle Guide of the Exhibit Hall. Even if you are not at ALA you can see the deals, coupons, and get to know some vendors you might not be aware of. You can shop from home-- literally. Browse what is available and being promoted and get in touch with the vendors. I know for a fact that they honor the conference specials even if you did not go, as long as you tell them you were browsing from afar during the conference.

Also, Sourcebooks and LJ always provide a Galley Guide for ALA Annual. From the guide's intro: 

"Highlights of attending the ALA Annual conference this year include a multitude of books to discover on the exhibit floor. Library Journal’s Galley Guide lists the many ARCs on offer. It also includes an In Booth signing schedule arranged by day and time, so attendees can keep up with author visits across the conference. LJ’s Galley Guide includes adult titles but be sure to check in with all the publishers for YA and children’s book giveaways and signings. Thank you to Sourcebooks (Booth No. 3021) for sponsoring this catalog of titles to know, read, and share."

I have written extensively about how EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU can use the ALA Galley Guide as a RA Tool. Here is my post about it from last year. I use this guide more for planning, displays, and collection development than I do for using it to run around and get free books. Speaking of, if you are attending, don't be that person with the wagon or multiple tote bags hoarding all the books. Here is a post I wrote ten years ago about this disgusting habit (and it still holds true). But back to the Galley Guide as a resource, please read my post from last year where I outline 4 ways the guide is an amazing and useful resource, all of which nothing to do with being there.

And again, click here to access this year's Galley Guide. This is the number one best resource for all library workers who do collection development and RA that comes out of ALA Annual each year.

That's all for today, but here is the schedule of what you can expect going forward through 7/6:

• 6/25: Becky's Schedule so you can know where to find me, including my specific appearances
• Also the #HorrorForLibraries giveaway on the horror blog. I am giving away 2 books a week (to one winner) for the next month (at least).
• 6/26 and 29: Blog is off while I attend ALA but check bluesky for updates
• 6/30 and 7/1: Detailed recaps of what I saw and learned plus links to reports others on things I missed.
• 7/2: Come back before the July 4th holiday because I will be linking to my LJ Horror Genre Preview in the July issue and I will have a giveaway of the upcoming second Never Whistle at Night anthology (on both blogs).
• 7/3: That is the July 4th Holiday observed so RA for All is off
• 7/6: This one is exciting-- I will be posting and writing about NoveList's brand new RA Competencies. They were released last week, but I want to give it the eyes it deserves and that means waiting until AFTER ALA Annual and the July 4th Holiday.

As you can see, I have a lot planned. I hope you come back and check it all out. Please don't forget, I have a link to "Feedrabbit" in the right gutter over my logo on every page of the blog. You can use that to get an emailed version of every post. It is the best way to stay up to date.

It is going to be a gauntlet over the next 10 days, but I've got you. Back tomorrow with Becky specific information.