Schedule At-a-Glance
We’re excited to bring TLA 2021 to you! This fully virtual event, April 22 – 24, will include special author events, lots of social networking with peers and experts, educational programming taught by your fellow librarians and leaders in the field, a vibrant exhibit hall, and many opportunities for you to learn, grow and enjoy time with one another.
In addition to live general sessions each day, TLA 2021 includes outstanding education sessions for all types of libraries. There are multiple, concurrent prerecorded education programs, and many will include a live chat session with speaker(s). Visit with exhibitors as you discover the latest books, products and services offered in the Exhibit Hall. Connect with colleagues and make new connections in live chat rooms which are open during show hours. Download the TLA 2021 Program
Schedule At-A-Glance*
Thursday, April 22
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Daybreak (health event, special author visits, and chat rooms)
General Session I, LIVE! 8:30 -10 a.m.
FREDERICK JOSEPH is an award-winning marketing professional, media representation advocate, and writer who was recently selected for the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. He’s also the winner of the 2018 Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, given by Comic-Con International: San Diego, and was selected for the 2018 Root 100 List of Most Influential African Americans. He will discuss his latest book, The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person.
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open
10:15 – 11:15 a.m. Education Sessions
11:30 a.m. – 12:3o p.m. Author Spotlight Session featuring Matthew McConaughey
12:30 – 12:45 p.m. TLA President’s Welcome & Exhibits Grand Opening
1:00 – 1:45 p.m. Visit the Exhibit Hall
1:45 – 2:45 p.m. Black Caucus Round Table Author Session, LIVE!
1:45 – 2:45 p.m. Education Sessions
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Education Sessions
4:15 – 5:15 p.m. Education Sessions
5:15 – 6:00 p.m. Networking in chat rooms and social events
6:30 p.m. TLA After Hours
Friday, April 23
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Daybreak (health event, special author visits, and chat rooms)
General Session II, LIVE! 9-10 a.m.
ISABEL WILKERSON, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Humanities Medal, has become a leading figure in narrative nonfiction. She is the author of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, a #1 New York Times bestseller and an Oprah’s Book Club selection, which is long-listed for the National Book Award.
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open
10:15 – 11:15 a.m. Education Sessions
11:15 a.m. – Noon Visit the Exhibit Hall
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Director’s Symposium
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Library Friends, Trustees & Advocates Author Session, LIVE!
GARY PAULSEN is the renowned author of Hatchet and the upcoming Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood. He has written a wealth of published works for both children and adults.
DWAYNE REED is America’s favorite rapping teacher from Chicago who spreads his message of inspiration and empowerment to more than 50,000 followers, subscribers, readers, listeners, and fans.
1:00 – 1:45 p.m Visit the Exhibit Hall
1:45 – 2:45 p.m. Education Sessions
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Education Session
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Education Sessions
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Visit the Exhibit Hall, Chat Rooms
6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Black Caucus Round Table Reception
Saturday, April 24
8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Chat Rooms
8:30 a.m – 4:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. General Session III LIVE!
General Session III, LIVE! 9-10 a.m.
LINDA SUE PARK is the author of the Newbery Medal-winning A Single Shard and the best-seller A Long Walk to Water. Linda Sue will discuss her latest novel, the highly praised Prairie Lotus.
10:15 – 11:15 a.m. Education Sessions
11:15 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. Visit the Exhibit Hall
12:15 – 1:00 p.m. Texas Bluebonnet Award Author Sessino
1:45 – 2:45 p.m. Education Sessions
Closing Keynote/All Conference Read, LIVE!, 3-4 p.m.
ATTICA LOCKE is a novelist, screenwriter and Edgar Award winner for Bluebird, Bluebird. Her latest novel Heaven, My Home is its sequel. All Conference Reads will focus on her Highway 59 series.
4:15 – 4:30 p.m. TLA Prize Drawings & Closing Ceremony
All sessions and the exhibit hall will be available on demand through June 22.
*The schedule will be updated as more events are finalized.