Librarian and literacy advocate Mychal Threets with SLJ Summit attendees.

The 20th SLJ Summit saw 250 school librarians gather in Raleigh, NC, for a weekend of professional development, networking, and important conversations.

The weekend kicked off with an energetic keynote from author and Bookelicious children's librarian John Schu, who provided booktalks and giveaways of some his favorite titles before discussing the importance of sharing stories and the writing and goal of his novel in verse, Louder Than Hunger.

“Books can be the perfect ­prescriptions that let us know that we’re going to be OK,” he said. “That’s why I wrote Louder Than Hunger—to show kids who are struggling with their saboteurs that there can be, there’s not always, [but] there can be a path through, and there can be a path forward.”

SLJ editor in chief Kathy Ishizuka with author and keynote speaker John Schu

The two-day program included full-conference sessions on successful strategies for combating attacks on the profession, the use of AI in the library, helping students overcome reading trauma, an author panel discussing family in middle grade and YA, and more.

The room was filled with support, but tough conversations were met head-on.

“We cannot run our school libraries on good intentions,” 2023 School Librarian of the Year Julie Stivers said during her presentation with Denver librarian Julia Torres on reading trauma. “Impact matters more than intent—every time, every day, in every moment, and every context.”

Smaller breakout discussions centered on topics including weeding and collection development, marketing your library, advocacy, cell phones in schools, the science of reading vs. the joy of reading, edgy YA, and mentoring up-and-coming school librarians.

Librarian, literary ambassador, and social media’s biggest library star Mychal Threets delivered the keynote address on Sunday.

“Thank you for everything that you all do,” Threets told the group of school librarians. “It means the ­absolute world to me. . . . Every one of us has the opportunity to learn to be the best version of ourselves, and I think the best version is a library version.”

Mental health was a topic of conversation throughout, from Schu and Threets sharing their personal experiences, to educators discussing how to best manage their struggles and those of their students in difficult times, with more challenges expected in the coming year.

Bob Gogel, president and CEO of Media Source Inc., SLJ’s parent company, reiterated the company’s commitment to school librarians when he addressed Summit attendees.

“We support your mission, not because that's our business; it's a privilege, and it's our responsibility to do so,” he said. “We're committed to providing not just books and resources, but partnership and advocacy. We stand with you because we've seen the magic that happens when dedicated librarians have the tools they need to thrive.”

The event was made possible by the sponsors: platinum sponsor Mackin; silver sponsors Beanstack, Junior Library Guild, Kids Discover, Lerner, and TLC; author sponsors Scholastic, Penguin Young Readers, and Random House Children’s Books; and supporting sponsor Rosen Publishing.