NASA experts to present at American Library Association 2026 conference
The space agency’s detailed schedule for the ALA Annual Conference highlights interactive sessions on heliophysics, Earth science exhibits, and citizen science projects from June 25 to 29.
NASA experts will present at the American Library Association Annual Conference, held from June 25 to 29, 2026. The agency’s presentations will take place in the Exhibit Hall at Booth #2243, where staff will lead Hyperwall Storytelling sessions. These sessions are designed to visualise complex scientific data and narratives for library professionals and the public.
The schedule features a range of topics including the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, Earth science exhibits, citizen science projects, and heliophysics. Interactive elements such as quizzes, children’s book readings, and demonstrations of open science resources and data form a core part of the programme. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between space science and community education through these engaging formats.
Key sessions include the "Roman Space Telescope Quiz!" presented by Peter Sooy and "NASA's Next Flagship is Launching Soon! Share in the Excitement with Roman Community Events" presented by Martha Irene Saladino. Other presentations cover "Open Science Resources for Libraries" by Amanda Adams and "Launching NASA Earth Science Exhibits in Libraries Across America" by Eleanor Stokes.
Further sessions include "NASA Citizen Science Projects" presented by Sarah Kirn and "Heliophysics Jeopardy!" presented by Erin Mahoney. The schedule also features "Nancy Grace Roman: The Person" presented by Courtney Lee and "Cosmic Canvas: Exploring the Process of Science Through Art and Astronomy" presented by Tim Rhue.
Children’s literature readings are scheduled throughout the conference, including "Our Friend Orion" by Lane Polak, "The Adventure of Echo the Bat" by Ginger Butcher, "There and Back with EGS" by Lane Polak, and "Hooray for SLS" by Lane Polak. Additional activities include "Bring a NASA Solar System Ambassador to YOUR Library!" presented by Danielle Diamond and Mark Benson, and "Journey Through the Heliosphere: The Sun-Earth System in Color" presented by Christine Milotte.
The programme also features the "Webb Space Telescope Quiz!" presented by Peter Sooy, the "Science Explorer (SciX) Demo" presented by Daniel Chivvis, and the "NASA Data and Open Science Quiz!" presented by Adam Farragut. The final session, "Real NASA Research Projects Open to Everyone," will be presented by Sarah Kirn.
All sessions are part of NASA’s strategy to utilise its Exhibit Hall presence to engage with library professionals. The agency’s outreach focuses on positioning libraries as hubs for scientific literacy and public engagement through these structured and interactive presentations.
