Opening General Session & Keynote

Thursday, October 16 | 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

[credit: Taylor Reschka]

Steve Hofstetter, celebrated comedian, acclaimed author, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee for his impactful charity work within the comedy community, will headline the opening general session of the 2025 American Association of School Librarians (AASL) National Conference.

“The school library was a refuge for me. It’s where I learned my love for the written word, for clever phrasing, and for a good plot twist. It’s where I explored fictional worlds and researched history to learn more about the one we live in. I want to thank AASL for trusting me with such an important platform." - Steve Hofstetter

Closing General Session 

Saturday, October 18 | 4:30 p.m. 

Mychal Threets, the Mr. Rogers of school librarians, will conclude the 2025 AASL National Conference, which will take place October 16-18 in St. Louis, Missouri. Host Jordan Lloyd Bookey of the Reading Culture podcast, sponsored by Beanstack, will offer attendees a unique live recording of the podcast.

"We [librarians, library workers, library supporters] always fight together," Threets said. "We hear about these things happening all over and we're all in this fight; we're all here to meet this challenge. We all believe everyone has the right to read, and the right to see themselves in that book on the library shelf. Libraries are meant for anyone and everyone."