School librarians and district library leaders from across the country ­gathered at the Loudermilk Conference Center in Atlanta, GA, for the 2023 SLJ Summit from December 1 to 3.

Saturday’s highlights included a panel on the fight for intellectual freedom, presentations and a workshop on talking to stakeholders, a nonfiction author and illustrator discussion, and more.

On Sunday, best-selling author Jeff Kinney provided the keynote ­address, and breakout sessions allowed attendees to share stories and ideas on ­topics including collaborating with classroom teachers, finding the joy in the ­profession, adapting to AI, strategizing against book challenges, and more. 

Above, in circle: SLJ editor in chief Kathy Ishizuka with “How to Talk to Stakeholders” presenters Becky Calzada, district library coordinator for Leander (TX) ISD; and Kevin Washburn, DC Public Schools director of library programming. Right: “Wimpy Kid” author Jeff Kinney, in a Sunday keynote, shared the books that shaped his childhood and the titles that opened his mind as an adult, and honored the “sacred work” of librarians who get books into kids’ hands and amplify the words of authors everywhere.

Photo of Jeff Kinney: Courtesy of Becky Calzada

2022 School Librarian of the Year K.C. Boyd (center, in red) gathered the Black librarians in attendance for a picture.

SLJ reviews editor Shelley M. Diaz (far left) moderated a panel of children’s nonfiction creators: (from left) illustrator R. Gregory Christie; and authors Candace Fleming, Joanna Ho, Steve Sheinkin, and Lee Wind. The discussion centered on research, artifacts, and primary sources that influenced the creators’ work.

Left: Cicely Lewis (left) and Donna Gray at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights on a tour organized by SLJ; Top right: SLJ news editor Kara Yorio (left) and EveryLibrary executive director John Chrastka during the “Empowered in the Fight for Intellectual Freedom” panel; Columbia (MO) Public Schools library media coordinator Kerry Townsend (center) discusses ideas with attendees during the “How to Talk to Stakeholders” workshop.

Photo of Cicely Lewis and Donna Gray: Courtesy of Donna Gray