The American Library Association’s Annual Conference and Exhibition took place June 22–27 at McCormick Place in Chicago, bringing together librarians and library staff, educators, authors, publishers, and exhibitors for a chance to discuss the evolving role of libraries. Here are some photo highlights from the event, including author signings, in-booth appearances, panels, and more.

Adi Alsaid signs his new book North of Happy (Harlequin Teen) with hot sauce at a group YA event at Anderson’s Bookshop in La Grange, Ill. on June 22, as E. Lockhart (r.) documents.

Sibert Award-winner Congressman John Lewis (March: Book Three) (second from r.) and Sibert Honor-winner Caren Stelson (Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor’s Story) (r.) celebrate with Top Shelf editor and marketing director Leigh Walton (l.) and Millbrook Press editorial director Carol Hinz (second from l.) at the award ceremony.

Katherine Paterson (My Brigadista Year, Candlewick) (l.) shares a moment with Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden.

Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray), celebrates 50 Years of YA at Booklist's booth.

Ian Falconer signs Olivia the Spy (S&S) for a fan.

Allen Say (r.) records an episode of The Yarn podcast about his new book Silent Days, Silent Dreams (Scholastic/Levine) with librarian Travis Jonker.

Rita Williams-Garcia chats with fans at a signing for her new novel, Clayton Byrd Goes Underground (HarperCollins/Amistad).

Greg Pizzoli shows off his 2017 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book Award for Good Night Owl (Disney-Hyperion, 2016) with his wife, Kay Healy (l.), and his editor, Rotem Moscovich.

With the help of his daughter Song, poet Bao Phi signs ARCs of his debut picture book, A Different Pond (Capstone, Aug.).

The We Need Diverse Books Panel: Spooky Tales for Middle Grade Readers featured panelists including William Alexander (A Properly Unhaunted Place, S&S/McElderry) (second from l.), Tracey Baptiste (The Jumbies, Algonquin), Ellen Oh (Spirit Hunters, HarperCollins), Dan Poblocki (You Can’t Hide, Scholastic Press), and Ronald L. Smith (Hoodoo, Clarion).

Jason Reynolds (As Brave as You, S&S/Dlouhy) is ready to accept his award at the Coretta Scott King breakfast.

Graphic novelist Jennifer L. Holm is interviewed by a Scholastic Kid Reporter.

Adele Griffin greets fans and signs copies of her new YA novel, Be True to Me (Algonquin).

Renee Watson (second from l.) with fans at her signing for Piecing Me Together (Bloomsbury).

Erin Entrada Kelly (far l.), winner of the APALA children’s award for her novel The Land of Forgotten Girls (HarperCollins), celebrates with fellow honorees Margaret Dilloway, Vanessa Hua, Marina Budhos, and Stacey Lee at the Asian Pacific American Awards Banquet.

Kerri Maniscalco signs copies of Hunting Prince Dracula (Little, Brown/Jimmy Patterson), the sequel to Stalking Jack the Ripper.

Christopher Lassen (l.) of the New York Public Library and Jason Wells of Rodale Kids demonstrate their Taekwondo moves in honor of the new series Team Taekwondo.

Tundra celebrated its 50th anniversary at ALA. (From l.): Vikki Van Sickle, Tara Walker, and Sylvia Chan of Penguin Random House Canada Young Readers.

Carol Weston chats with librarians at the Sourcebooks booth signing for her novel Speed of Life.