Written by Joe Lee, APALA ALA Travel Grant Recipient
During this period of emotional turbulence and unrest, where libraries and immigrant communities are under attack and the foundations of librarianship are being scrutinized, disparaged, and dismantled, many of us gathered at the 2025 ALA Conference from June 26-July 1 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to draw strength and find inspiration from one another. Celebrating our successes and coming together as a community was not only critically necessary—it served as a reminder of the role we play as stewards of information during an era when education, in addition to critical thinking and literacy, are regarded as inconveniences by those currently in power.
I was honored to have heard esteemed actor, writer, activist, and avid supporter of libraries, George Takei, speak about “learning to live as a rhyme.” Takei reflected on the trauma that he and his family suffered after being inhumanely imprisoned in internment camps during WWII, as well as his experiences living and working as a gay
man in Hollywood. Takei had no choice but to mask his queer identity and stayed closeted to survive in the acting industry until he turned sixty-eight. The echoes of the past are, unfortunately, still reverberating as many of us in the immigrant and LGBTQIA+ communities are facing illegal and unjust detainment without due process. Takei acknowledged this, emphasizing how crucial it was for Asian Americans to be visible and involved in activism after being suppressed and marginalized while living in the U. S.
Takei closed his session by expressing his gratitude to librarians and those of us in the audience with backgrounds in libraries and educational institutions, recognizing us as “pillars of democracy”—that we play a vital part now more than ever in ensuring a society that is “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
Between attending a panel discussion celebrating the re-publication of The Whale Rider by beloved Māori author, Witi Ihimaera, (along with panel speakers, Dr. Loriene Roy, Lessa Kananiʻopua Pelayo-Lozada, Nicky Andrews, and Kaylin Melia George), and a very informative, highly educational presentation by members of the Library Freedom Project on the ethics of AI and the library, my time at the ALA Conference was enriching and full of renewed appreciation for the work that librarians—and educators—strive to accomplish.
Ending the Conference day at the APALA banquet by honoring AANHPI authors, who were recipients of the APALA Literature Awards, could not have been more fitting. It was incredibly humbling to be in a room full of APALA librarians, publishers, and writers who—despite our various backgrounds—had come together to celebrate our shared connections, cultures, accomplishments, and, of course, the beautiful stories interweaving our collective experiences that will resonate with many for years to come.
I am beyond grateful to the APALA Scholarship and Awards Committee for granting me this amazing opportunity. Attending the ALA Conference has reminded me of the importance of community and the power of our unique voices, especially through the written word—now, more than ever. Many, many sincere and heartfelt thanks once again, and Happy New Year to my fellow APALA members!