Can you believe how quickly this year has gone by? I feel like it was only last week that I was thinking about LibLearnX 2023, and here we are in December 2023 gearing up for LibLearnX 2024!
Author: ALSC Membership Committee
Spreading Book Joy All November Long
Book joy! Yes…I know you are thinking…at the end of every library…there is book joy. These familiar lyrics are from the theme song of Reading Rainbow, a children’s television series featuring stories from around the world. From 1983 to 2006, Reading Rainbow was dedicated to encouraging the love of books, reading, and exploring the world through books. As November arrives with falling leaves, changing temperatures, and picturesque landscapes, society’s tumultuous relationship with books stays at the forefront of our minds. It behooves us to continue to stand together in celebration and praise for all libraries are, have been, and will continue to be. Check out these November events to reclaim the joy in libraries by partaking in these literary celebrations. National Author’s Day (Nov. 1) originated in 1928 but has been formally acknowledged since 1949. Readers use this day to show appreciation for the authors that color their bookshelves with…
Banned Books Week: Keep on Keepin’ on in the Fight for the Freedom to Read
In 1964, Len Chandler, an African American folk singer and activist recorded, “Keep On Keepin’ On,” a song that encapsulates the idea of persevering in the face of challenges. Chandler’s song was popularized during the civil rights movement but has continuing relevance today as challenges to books in schools and libraries surge, and librarians come under attack. The theme for Banned Books Week 2023 (October 1-7) is “Let Freedom Read.” A nod to the civil rights era, this theme also serves as a rallying cry for those who believe that defending the freedom to read is an essential part of safeguarding our broader freedoms of thought, expression, and creativity. Since its inception in 1982, Banned Books Week has highlighted the resilience and enduring spirit of those voices who refuse to be silenced. Moreover, Banned Books Week serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggles against censorship. It is crucial…
What Does Your Volunteer Form Say About You?
As we kick off the ALSC year, and the school year, it’s time to fill out the all important volunteer form.
Back to School? Back to ALSC
As students around the country prepare to go back to school, it’s time to think about beginning our new ALSC year together.
Catching Up with a Previous Bechtel Fellow
Applications for the 2024 Louise Seaman Bechtel Fellowship will open shortly, making summer an excellent time to think more about a research topic in children’s literature that might interest you.
ALSC Meet-Up at ALA
Last summer I attended my first ALA Annual Conference. I was excited but immediately felt adrift in a sea of conference-goers representing every field and aspect of librarianship. How did I find the children’s librarians? At the ALSC Meet-Up event! On Friday afternoon, 40 ALSC members took a break from the conference bustle and hoofed it to Planet Word, a literary museum in D.C. We reunited with old friends, made new connections, and had a blast playing and learning together in this interactive museum.
Camaraderie & Connections
Despite their atrociousness, book bans are on the rise in school districts and libraries across the United States. In these times of uncertainty and volatility, I believe now more than ever in the importance of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the American Library Association (ALA). Organizations like these, and especially their members, are invaluable to those serving children and their caregivers. Besides just being an excellent resource, ALSC is a community that supports library staff who work with the youth. Being a part of ALSC has been a huge help for me to grow and succeed as a children’s librarian.