Sarah Weinman is an author, journalist, and crime fiction expert widely regarded as one of the leading voices in crime and mystery writing. On June 28, 2025, she delivered the keynote address at the American Library Association’s annual convention. Drawing on her lifelong relationship with books and research, Weinman described libraries as formative sanctuaries and essential resources that have shaped both her personal and professional life.

"Libraries and archives hold so much knowledge within their sacred confines. I will never lose sight of the awesome responsibility for those tasked with curating, maintaining, and presenting the information so that researchers and authors like me can make meaning of these documents. The librarian is a seeker and keeper of truth, and that makes her a dangerous figure in the eyes of those who fear the fullest, most comprehensive, and most uncomfortable truths emerging."

Her talk stands as a powerful tribute to the persistence and courage librarians demonstrate in defending access to information, even in the face of political pressure and government overreach.

"It is a lot to absorb, but librarians have had so much practice at being buffers between vulnerable visitors and the might of an overreaching government, at state and at federal level. We saw this after the September 11 attacks when the Patriot Act gave carte blanche to the government to obtain patrons’ library records, and librarians stepped up to hold the tide, often at great personal peril."

And just as I felt my anger rise at those who censor and suppress the truth, Weinman closed with an exhilarating reminder—to never stop fighting for access, and to take joy in the struggle.

"Let me leave you with the words of Molly Ivins, one of the sharpest columnists of the 20th century, who had this sage advice in the spring of 1993 that feels like the clarion call, and the confirmation, of what librarians across the country are doing every single moment:

"'So keep fightin’ for freedom and justice, beloveds, but don’t you forget to have fun doin’ it. Lord, let your laughter ring forth. Be outrageous, ridicule the fraidy-cats, rejoice in all the oddities that freedom can produce. And when you get through kickin’ ass and celebratin’ the sheer joy of a good fight, be sure to tell those who come after how much fun it was.'”

Fighting, and joyful words.

ARTICLE: In Praise of Librarians in Dangerous Times

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