Comedian, actress, and author Tiffany Haddish will present at the 2022 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition in Washington, D.C.

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) today announced that comedian, actress, and author Tiffany Haddish will present at the 2022 Annual Conference & Exhibition in Washington, D.C., June 23-28, 2022.

Registration is open.

Haddish will discuss her debut picture book, “Layla, The Last Black Unicorn,” co-written by Jerdine Nolen and illustrated by Jessica Gibson. Inspired by Haddish’s own life, it is a hilariously heartwarming story about a lovable but awkward unicorn who doesn’t quite fit in with the other unicorns. Layla’s so sure there’s something wrong with her that she doesn’t realize that what makes her different is also what makes her special. It is a story about self-acceptance, and a story that Haddish hopes will inspire kids to be ready to step up and stand out.

“It’s no secret that when I was growing up, I had a lot of difficulties learning to read,” Haddish says. “Like many kids, more than anything, I wanted to see myself in the books I read.”  She adds: “Layla is incredibly close to my heart, and I can’t wait to share this book with the world, and I hope it encourages more kids to read.”

The health and safety of conference attendees and vendors is our priority. ALA is carefully tracking the latest health and safety guidance for large group gatherings from the CDC, the DC Department of Health, as well as the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, which is working with suppliers in environmental services, health and safety technology upgrades, food and beverage and other services. See the American Library Association Annual Conference 2022 Health Protocols page that will be regularly updated should changes occur.

The ALA Annual Conference invites library professionals in all levels of their careers and from all library types to engage in top quality professional development opportunities, including more than 160+ education sessions, and have access to the latest insights from experts on policy, research and technology at the News You Can Use sessions. There will be 12+ memorable thought leaders and celebrity speakers who will share their unique insights on the main stage.

The Preliminary Scheduler includes a variety of education sessions and programs organized by ALA Divisions and Units. It will be updated with new agenda content as we move toward the conference.

New this year at the ALA Annual Conference is The Digital Experience. Registrants forf this virtual offering will have access to 42 education sessions, 14 News You Can Use sessions, and four main stage speakers. These sessions will be live-streamed directly from the conference in Washington, D.C. Registration for the Digital Experience includes on-demand content for the total of 60 sessions through August 31, 2022.

The Library Marketplace will host many of the popular exhibits and activities from past conferences. More than 550 knowledgeable exhibitors will provide access to innovative products and services, and publishers will host more than 80 presentations from established and new authors on nine genre-specific stages. Other onsite favorites include Meet the Authors, Poster Sessions, the Live at the 25 Podcast booth, free advanced reading copies (ARCs), and more.

Get updates on the 2022 Annual Conference & Exhibition and follow #ALAAC22 and social media: ALA Twitter, ALA Facebook, and Instagram. 

Media interested in registering for the session may contact [email protected].

About the American Library Association
The American Library Association (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, the ALA has 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 ala.org.