General Sessions

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 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."

Hofstetter is the author of Ginger Kid and the newly released Grape Expectations, a bright and funny adventure about Burt Grapington who wants to change the system and be the first ever grape dancer. In addition to providing the conference keynote, Hofstetter is donating copies of Grape Expectations to conference attendees, ensuring that children across the country gain valuable lessons on inclusion, resistance, and support.

[Photo Credit: Taylor Reschka]

Mychal Threets, the Mr. Rogers of school librarians, will conclude the 2025 AASL National Conference. Threets will record a live session of the Reading Culture podcast hosted by Jordan Lloyd Bookey.

"We [librarians, library workers, library supporters] always fight together. 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."

“The Reading Culture Podcast is where stories come to life, and the love of reading becomes a movement - one conversation at a time,” said Jordan Lloyd Bookey, Beanstack co-founder and host. “We are thrilled to bring Mychal Threets to the AASL National Conference to share his book joy and self-care with school librarians from across the country.”

The closing general session is sponsored by Beanstack, a web and mobile app that helps schools and families track independent reading and foster a strong culture of reading in the classroom and at home. Learn more at www.beanstack.com.