LibLearnX is coming up in just a few weeks this year and the ALSC Blog will be offering updates about what is happening at the conference with a team of conference guest bloggers. If YOU are interested in writing brief updates about the programs you attend, the speakers you hear, or the information you are learning, please let us know by filling out the Conference Blogging Interest Form.
Some of the opportunities for growth and learning at this LibLearnX conference include:
Speakers
- Jacqueline Woodson will be discussing her new books for children including “The World Belonged to Us” and “The Year We Learned to Fly.”
- Kelly Yang, author of the Front Desk series, will be discussing her newest middle-grade novel, “New From Here.”
- Angeline Boulley, a a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, will speak about her debut novel “Firekeeper’s Daughter,” a thriller about a Native teen rooting out corruption in her community.
- And MORE!
Educational Opportunities
- Creating Mindful Moments During Story Time – This Learning Lab will introduce ways to bring mindfulness into youth services–specifically through a mindfulness storytime and lead participants through a demonstration of such a program that will leave them feeling significantly calmer and ready to tackle the day.
- Adding “Kid Voice” Into your Reader’s Advisory Practices – Learn how you can use Bookopolis.com, a social network made especially for readers 13 and under, to find children and YA books based on young readers’ reviews and recommendations. Explore interactive discovery tools such as BookQuest, curated lists based on genre and grade level, and how your young patrons can add their own reviews.
- Designing Storytime for the Whole Child – Learn about how Virginia Beach Public Library updated storytime to include activities that incorporate a “whole child” approach to learning. The discussion will highlight resources and lessons learned, and participants will receive a tool kit that can be used to advocate for the development of more inclusive “whole child” programming and to kickstart a similar project for those interested in replication.
- Join the Molly of Denali Library Initiative! – Molly of Denali is a PBS television program developed for young viewers and their families. It features ten-year-old Molly Mabray, her family and friends in the town of Qyah, living every day lives as Alaskan Native/First Nations people. The Library Initiative provides eight games for young viewers and their families and ideas on how libraries can engage their patrons through the games.
- And MORE!
Collaboration, Networking, and Information Exchange
- LLX Marketplace – an engagement-proving ground designed for creative collaboration within the exhibit space. Prepare to meet with knowledgeable exhibitors to discuss innovative tools and technologies for your library
- Foundation & Formation: Literacy Outreach to Black Boys & Young Black Men – Seeking to eradicate the deficit narrative of the ‘Preschool to prison pipeline,’ this learning and idea exchange will share research, practice, programming, and leadership perspectives of facilitating single-gendered literacy models for Black boys and young Black men for libraries. This session will identify the gaps in services, policies, and leadership within the library profession to encourage asset-based approaches to operationalize outreach from storytime to teen programs, creating nurturing literacy spaces for young Black males. Insight about the Black male identity, the ‘library as place,’ leadership development, and culturally responsive programming is included and a timely, necessary discussion for libraries.
- Nonboring Nonfiction: Using Hands-on Activities to Engage Young Readers – Get ready to get creative — and maybe a little messy! We’ll try our hands at some fun (and affordable) activities designed to pair with some new STEM and STEAM books to life. Let’s examine some scat, eat some crickets, and put our engineering skills to the test with a paper airplane flying contest. Perfect for drawing kids back to the library, or you can take these programs on the road. Participants will leave with ideas for at least a dozen new nonfiction programs.
- And MORE!
And, of course, we can’t forget the Youth Media Awards at which the ALA honors books, videos, and other outstanding materials for children and teens. Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, the ALA Youth Media Awards, including the prestigious Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and Coretta Scott King Book Awards, guide parents, educators, librarians, and others in selecting the best materials for youth.
If you are interested in joining our team of LibLearnX bloggers, please let us know by filling out the Conference Blogging Interest Form. We look forward to having a great team of people informing all of us on the LibLearnX experience through the eyes of children’s librarians!
Mary R. Voors is the ALSC Blog Manager. In her spare time she loves reading picture books, early chapter books, YA fiction & nonfiction, and the occasional book written for adults.