As you may know, on September 1, 2026, ALSC will re-unify with YALSA! This is a huge organizational endeavor. Watching the work from the Managing Children’s Services Committee, we can see all the skills that have gone into making this shift a success: disseminating information, holding space for processing, gathering feedback, leaving ample time for work to get completed, and encouraging a sense of cohesion throughout it all! We think it’s safe to say that all of us know this – no matter the change, we are members, we will stay connected, and we will keep investing in our field.
As members of a committee that is sunsetting and changing to an interest group, we wanted to reflect on our experiences and share some thoughts in our final formal blog post:
- Resources live on! Search the ALSC Blog by keyword or by contributor to look for ideas and answers.
- MCS Committee Members Mary Fellows, Lisa Mulvenna, and Uma Nori presented at ALSC Institute 2024 on Climbing the Leadership Ladder: What You Need to Know Before Starting and How to Decide Where to Stop, available here (click register to be directed to the page with the recording, handout, and slides!)
- MCS Committee Members Amanda Murphy, Chelsea Arnold, and Marybeth Kozikowski wrote “Failure IS an Option” for Children and Libraries, Summer 2025 Issue, Vol 23, No 2 (2025)
- We have built a career-long network! We see each other at conferences, chat through email, and encourage each other in our careers.
- We have celebrated each other’s wins, encouraged through tough times (multiple building projects and a tornado disaster), and recently celebrated the retirement of a past committee member.
- Serving on this committee has reinforced the value of a national perspective to enhance personal and professional growth. Unmatched in their experience and enthusiasm, committee members from across the country encourage us to break out of our local “four walls,” seek innovative ideas, and embrace change.
We are proud to have worked with our amazing committee members. And we are so proud to be part of this affirming and ambitious national organization!
Today’s blog post was written by Alex Bell, Lisa Mulvenna, and Marybeth Kozikowski on behalf of the ALSC Managing Children’s Services Committee.
This blog relates to ALSC Core Competencies of VI. Administrative and Management Skills and VII. Professionalism and Professional Development.