On October 7, 2023, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Meg Medina launched a new series inviting families to have special in-person conversations at the Library of Congress. The quarterly initiative was a first for the National Ambassador program and offered families direct access to the nation’s preeminent children’s literature expert.
In each 20-minute Meet Meg Medina session, children, teens and their loved ones talked about their favorite books, asked questions about writing and the writing process, and heard a master “book talker” suggest ways to connect young readers’ interests to books they may enjoy.
Medina also made sure to share her favorite Library of Congress resources for children and teens, many of which can be accessed after families leave the Library. Families were introduced and encouraged to return to the Young Reader’s Center and Programs Lab, a dedicated kids’ space with activities based on Library collections.
Each 20-minute session was informative, moving and unique. Students and young readers demonstrated their passions, their book joy and their pride in reading and learning. Medina was right there with the families and shared their enthusiasm for reading and learning. In fact, Medina described her favorite spots and collections at the Library of Congress to further families' learning. Her sessions also included a “tip session” that demystified the Ambassador position and introduced families to books by previous National Ambassadors. Medina warmly welcomed everyone and ensured that each family had an engaging and fun experience!
Official Family Office Hours Dates
Medina held Office Hours once a quarter on the below dates.
