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CHICAGO — The ¾«¶«´«Ã½ (ALA) today announced that Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University, founding director of the BU Center for Antiracist Research, and bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi and bestselling young author Nic Stone will open the in New Orleans, January 27-30, 2023.

The Opening Session will be in conversation as the co-authors discuss their collaboration on "How to Be a (Young) Antiracist," a reimagining of Dr. Kendi’s international bestseller, "How to Be an Antiracist," that speaks directly to the experiences and concerns of younger readers. Using anecdotes that put young adulthood front and center, "How to Be a (Young) Antiracist" encourages and inspires readers to think critically and build a more equitable world in doing so.

Ibram X. Kendi is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University and the founding director of the BU Center for Antiracist Research. He is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a CBS News correspondent. He is the author of many books including "Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America," which won the National Book Award for Nonfiction, and five #1 New York Times bestsellers, including "How to Be an Antiracist;" "Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You," co-authored with Jason Reynolds; and "Antiracist Baby," illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky. His latest books are "How to Raise an Antiracist" and "Goodnight Racism," illustrated by Cbabi Bayoc. In 2020, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He was awarded a 2021 MacArthur Fellowship, popularly known as the “Genius Grant.”

Nic Stone is an Atlanta native and a Spelman College graduate. Her debut novel for young adults, "Dear Martin," and her debut middle-grade novel, "Clean Getaway", were both New York Times bestsellers. She is also the author of "Odd One Out," which was an NPR Best Book of the Year and a Rainbow Book List Top Ten selection; "Jackpot;" "Shuri: A Black Panther Novel," and "Dear Justyce," the sequel to "Dear Martin," recently published. She is one of the authors in the New York Times bestselling book, "Black Out," which was recently optioned as a new anthology program for Netflix by Barack and Michelle Obama's production company, Higher Ground.

and registrants can save with advance rates through January 15.

LibLearnX is a four-day learning conference that invites ¾«¶«´«Ã½members and non-members to participate in collaborative and engaging education, networking, and celebrations. Designed as an active learning experience, LibLearnX will offer a diverse selection of more than 110 education sessions, created by library professionals for library professionals. The sessions will be offered in nine primary content areas including Advocacy, Books and Authors, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility, Career Development and Leadership, Community Outreach and Engagement, Library Programs and Services, Mental Health, Readers' Advisory, and Technology Innovation.

From hands-on workshops to bite-sized presentations, participants will be able to create a calendar of sessions based on their preferred learning styles through four available learning formats. View the to find a preliminary list of offered education.

The LibLearnX main stage will host thought leaders and ¾«¶«´«Ã½leadership who will discuss topics that are important to library professionals and the future of libraries.

The will host 200 exhibitors offering the newest titles, leading technologies, and core services for libraries. Creative and collaborative activation zones will include Ideas Xchange sessions where attendees will share creative projects and enjoy peer-to-peer conversations, and ShopTalk sessions that will offer practical knowledge, tips, hot topics, and trends in bite-sized presentations. On the LLX Studio stage, subject-matter experts and thought leaders will inspire and challenge attendees with bold, out-of-the-box thinking. .

LibLearnX attendees can expand their networks in collaborative sessions and varied social activities including Ideas Xchange sessions, ShopTalks, the I Love My Librarian Awards, the ¾«¶«´«Ã½Youth Media Awards, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunrise Celebration, and more. The Book and Media Awards and Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction will be streamed virtually to conference attendees and those watching through the LLX Digital Experience.

The is a virtual-presentation model that offers access to a curated selection of sessions, including the Opening and Closing sessions, author speakers on the LLX Studio stage, education sessions, the ¾«¶«´«Ã½Youth Media Awards, and the Book and Media Awards and Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction. .

Find updates on the and follow the hashtag and social media: , , , and .

Media interested in registering for the session may contact the ¾«¶«´«Ã½Communications and Marketing Office at cmomedia@ala.org.

About the ¾«¶«´«Ã½

The ¾«¶«´«Ã½ (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, ¾«¶«´«Ã½has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit .