I love August. Nice and hot so that dip in the pool or lake feels refreshing and invigorating, not cold once we slip into September. Not a whiff of the melancholy I feel once the hot weather leaves for another year. I hope you are enjoying August as well and looking forward to the conclusion of another successful Summer Reading/Learning.
In case you think ALSC sits back and relaxes in August, I wanted to be sure to tell you about some exciting news and upcoming events.
ALSC Awarded IMLS National Leadership Grant
ALSC has been awarded an IMLS National Leadership grant to convene a Welcoming Spaces National Forum in June 2020 to discuss removing barriers and improving the experiences of people who recently immigrated to or sought refuge in the United States. ALSC will partner with the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) and invite representatives from 12 libraries, 12 museums, and up to 24 of their partnering organizations to compile a set of best practices derived from their work serving immigrants and refugees. Following the forum, ALSC and ACM will share preliminary findings through a webinar and publish a white paper that identifies strategies that can be replicated by children’s museums and libraries. These resources will help children’s museums and libraries further understand the challenges faced by immigrant and refugee families and how to create more welcoming spaces for immigrants and refugees in their communities.
Sign Up Now for ALSC Fall Online Courses!
Summer will be over and it’s not only time for students to go back to school, but also ALSC members! What better time to gain new skills you, your colleagues and your patrons can use right away. Four new courses will be offered: Contemporary Issues in Fiction: Ethics for Librarians; Full STREAM Ahead: How to Take Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to the Next Level with Maker Kits, Postmodern Picturebooks: Changing Minds for Life; and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Programs Made Easy.
Until next month, I wish you the best of the remainder of the summer, hopefully some time off, and a big thank you for your service to children, families and caregivers each and every day.
Please send an email and let me know what’s on your mind! mcgowanalsc@gmail.com
This post addresses the following ALSC Core Competencies: I. Commitment to Client Group and VII. Professionalism and Professional Development.