Experience MLA 23

If you have some time this month, check out Experience MLA 23.  It's a great opportunity to get to know the various MLA Caucuses (communities) and what they offer as far as programming and support.  Many sessions are recorded for later viewing, and if you are not already an MLA Member, there's a free trial option, too.  

How to Experience MLA

Find Your Community. Your Education. Your Advocacy.

From February 1-28, 2023, Experience MLA and all that membership has to offer. MLA's diverse and robust communities have created more than 30 different activities to share with you. Take a look at the calendar below and set aside some time to get a glimpse of what we have to offer.

All you need to do is be an MLA member—or register for an Experience MLA trial membership at any time in February. There is no charge and no obligation to pay membership dues after your February trial month. Sign up now to meet new colleagues and explore MLA Communities.

Make your professional journey more meaningful. Experience MLA.

Q: Wait, what? How do I attend these sessions?

A: If you're a member, log in—or join as a trial member in February. Once you're "in," the full list of calendar invitations will be visible to you. Each calendar listing provides a description of the session and also allows you to add the event to your personal calendar. A few events may require separate registration. For these events, the session registration links are noted below.

Check out the recordings of last year's sessions and up to date recordings for this year below!

More questions? Contact Jim, Kate, or Tomi!

Drag Queen Story Hour: Part of Experience MLA

“Tall Tales with True Queens” is a short film directed by Kristina Budelis and Leandro Badalotti that offers a taste of Drag Queen Story Hour from our NYC chapter. As  9-year-old attendee Lilli says in the film, “Drag queens should go on and never stop, because I think it’s a really cool program.” The film was scheduled to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival (canceled due to the pandemic) and premiered on the LGBTQ news site them.

As part of Experience MLA this February, The Hospital Library Caucus sponsored a session on Drag Queen Story Hour, in an effort to foster diversity and inclusion.

• If you are already a member of MLA, you can watch the Experience MLA recordings.

Who doesn't love being read to?

The program was lead by Per Sia, who did the very first Drag Queen Story Hour ever in 2015 in San Francisco.  By day, she is a teacher where reading is an important part of her job.  She understands the importance of reading to children.

The last part of the hour, Ms. Amanda Lynn read 3 stories to us over Zoom (What a treat!)  DQSH has a favorite list of books that focus on inclusion and diversity.  Ms. Amanda is a big fan of books from the APA's Magination Press that tackle identity and not fitting in.

• DQSH's Black Voices Reading List
• DQSH's Women's Herstory Resource List

Ms. Amanda's day job is a Pediatric Cardiology Nurse in Chicago, so she, too, works daily with kids.  It's a natural tie in to have a program like this in the pediatrics dept. of a hospital.  Not just for public libraries!

Quotes from the Queens:

"We're like clowns, only prettier!"

"Drag is not how you identify. It's about bringing a character to life!"

-- Posted by Ms. Wasabi Pearl  

[As part of the program, the Ladies tell how you can choose your own Drag Queen name!  Join the fun!]