Greetings from Buffalo, the location of this year’s Morris Seminar and National Institute–yay, #alsc26! Outside, it’s a little wet and overcast but inside, it’s a-buzz with talk about books for youth and innovative ways to serve them. This Institute’s theme is “Play. Learn. Connect.” And it’s happening all around me. We connect at home with our library patrons and colleagues. Here it’s about meeting up with librarians from around the country to boost our energy and go home with new ideas whether it’s for how to reorganize your collection by genres, work against book bans, or promote play as a vital tool for learning.
The day began with the origin story for Reading Rainbow, which began right here in Buffalo. Many of us sang along to the iconic theme song, then reveled in how it developed over the years, with the goal of increasing a love for reading and preventing reading loss particularly over the summer. It’s an example of trial and error, assessing and revising, and finding the right mixture of elements. Today, it’s being revived with Mychal Threets as host; some pilot episodes are available online.
My library is one of several in our system that hosts a monthly Preschool Play and Learn, designed to simulate a classroom and teach some school readiness skills that caregivers can replicate at home. The session “Innovative Play Programs for Babies & Toddlers” led by staff from NYPL, Brooklyn PL and Queens PL provided some excellent ideas to take home, particularly their educational talking points to share with caregivers.
Sharing happens outside the sessions as well, and that’s one of the best parts of attending any conference. One librarian from Michigan shared a great idea for a “Teddy Bear Repair” event, where community members brought their well loved stuffies in for needed restitching. I hope to extend this into teaching the skills needed to do so, perhaps to tweens and teens.
And a good day for me always includes a dog, so here is Rosebud, a therapy dog who was on-hand to offer some moments of bliss to anyone who came her way.
Today’s conference blogger is Judy Ehrenstein (she/her). Judy is a seasoned children’s librarian with Montgomery County (MD) Public Libraries but this is her very first National Institute. She is looking forward to seeing friends, hearing inspiring talks and sharing some good laughs. Outside of work she is an avid baker, British cozy mystery watcher, and petter of all dogs that come her way. She will likely be found drinking too much coffee and probably eating Dot’s seasoned pretzels.
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.
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