My Sunday morning at #alaac22 started with the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Interest Meet Up facilitated by incoming ALSC President Amy Koester. Always a good sign when you note for next year to have more chairs.
This interactive Meet Up involved lots of business cards, slips of paper, and abundant conversations connecting members’ needs and interests. It was great to spend time with everyone and meet the incoming ALSC Vice President/President-Elect Jonda McNair. The organization is in great hands.
I thought I would share a few of the links that I jotted down. I am sorry if I missed any. Please feel free to post additional items I missed in the comment section.
- Sharon Verbeten, the editor of the ALSC journal Children & Libraries (CAL), is always looking for writers and peer reviewers for the journal. https://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/cal
- I was thrilled that so many members plan to submit their volunteer form. If you are interested in getting involved in ALSC here is good place to find information on volunteering: https://www.ala.org/alsc/aboutalsc/coms/volunteer
- Being on the ALSC Board is a lot of work, but absolutely rewarding. I noted that Anna Taylor who is chairing the ALSC Nominating, and Leadership Development 2023 committee mentioned that the committee is still looking for governance candidates for the 2023 Slate
- Toolkits – WOW! ALSC has some fabulous toolkits. Check out the Library Service to Underserved Children and their Caregivers committees toolkit. This committee has had many iterations of names and many people at the Meet Up had served on this wonderful committee but each under a slightly different committee name. It made me remember at one time we had an evaluating filmstrip committee.
- The Intellectual Freedom committee toolkit link.
- Are you interested in research? https://www.ala.org/alsc/publications-resources/research-agenda
- Want to be a mentor? ALSC Mentorship program link
- Looking for an intimate continuing education environment? Consider coming to Kansas City for ALSC Institute.
- A member of the Revenue Streams task force gave the reminder not to forget that we offer great ALSC merchandise https://alagraphics-gift-shop.myspreadshop.com/alsc
There are a lot of opportunities to be involved with ALSC, but I so appreciated when Amy Koester said, “We are here for you, when it is a good time for you.” I hope that the ALSC Meet Up continues as a regular conference event.
Conference guest contributor Paula Holmes (she/her/hers) has served in a variety of volunteer capacities for the Association for Library Service to Children (a division of the American Library Association) and is currently the Co-Chair for ALSC 2023 President’s Program and a member of the ALSC Budget Committee. She also serves on the USBBY 2023 Dorothy Briley Lecture Committee and is a contributing blogger to World Kid Lit. Paula is currently taking ballet to improve her interpretative dancing, creating tiny collage art, reading translations of children’s literature, and attempting to learn Finnish. She’ll be munching on Mango Fruit Leather at Conference but Twizzlers are her favorite. You can follow her on Twitter at @qsprite.
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.