by Gretchen Wronka, Consultant, ALSC Priority Group VIII
As the group of committees and discussion groups charged to identify and investigate issues relating to children’s services and to recommend and initiate action to improve those services, Priority Group VIII: Professional Development is well-positioned to implement a primary goal in the ALSC Strategic Plan, “to lead the way in forging excellent library service for all children, envisioning that through the association, members have grown in their knowledge and leadership skills in order to reach their full potential.”
Committee chairs and discussion group conveners describe how PGVIII activities contribute to this outcome.
Children and Libraries is the official journal of ALSC. Chair Roseanne Cerney describes Children and Libraries Editorial Advisory Committee as “trying to present a lively mix of research for Children’s Librarians to be aware of; best practices to adapt for your library; section news; interviews and to give our members a chance to see their own work in print. We welcome submissions from Committees, members and friends of Children’s Services.” Cerny emphasizes that “our Advisory Board meetings are always open to those of you with fresh ideas!”
Christopher J. Borawski, Chair, Children & Technology Committee, is enthusiastic about committee activities! “The Children & Technology Committee members are currently becoming superb survey creators (look for more at Mid-Winter), professional program planners (look for our “Gaming & the Elementary Age Child” program at the 2008 Annual Conference), and avid advertisers of our wiki (visit wikis.ala.org/alsc and click on ChildTech).”
Lively conversations, facilitated by Marion Creamer and Melissa Yurechkko during the Children’s Book Discussion Group sessions, gratify ALSC members who relish every aspect of children’s literature!
Hot new trends in children’s collections is the topic for the Children’s Collection Management Discussion Group at Midwinter. “Reading blogs is an integral part of many librarian’s lives but do they have as much influence as the traditional print review journals?” is a question Discussion Group Convener, Wendy Woodfill, will ask participants to consider.
The Education Committee, chaired by Emily Chandler, is working with ALSC Deputy Director Aimee Strittmatter to develop and deliver online courses addressing popular topics in children’s services including programming, technology, etc. The courses will be geared towards library staff working with children from birth through age 14. These courses will be delivered utilizing Moodle, an open source course management system.
After a very successful program at Annual 2007, “Communicating Up & Down; The Yo-Yo Effect,” and the article, “Jumping in Feet First: Six Tips for First Year Managers,” published in the Summer/Fall 2007 issue of Children and Libraries, the Managing Children’s Services Committee is looking forward to 2008. During Annual, don’t miss its program, “How to Influence Your Director with Skill and Finesse.” Committee Chair Leslie Molnar emphasizes that “The committee is dedicated, as you are, to providing educational leadership opportunities for children’s librarians.” She and committee members welcome (lmolnar@cuyahogalibrary.org) any ideas for future programs or articles.
The Managing Children’s Services Discussion Group, convened by Carol Phillips and Alison O’Reilly, is the venue to discuss issues and concerns related to managing children’s services, to provide an opportunity to share management expertise, and to lend support to children’s specialists, especially those new to ALA/ALSC.
The Storytelling Discussion Group, currently facilitated by Mary Morgan Smith and Mary Ann Gilpatrick, sponsored a success Storytimes for Saturday Evening at ALA Annual in D.C. last summer and keeps up lively dialog on the ALSCSTORY electronic discussion list.