In the best way possible! SPCA’s PAWS FOR LOVE was an In-Kind sponsor of the Institute, which means we had dogs visiting us at the Hyatt. Every. Day!! For attendees, speakers, or staff having a RUFF, stressful, or exhausting day, a team of amazing, adorable pooches were on standby to give us their PAWSITIVELY unconditional love. It was so restorative to pop over between tasks and soak up a bit of the love, joy, and serenity that was radiating from Violet and Rosebud. (I regret that I was unable to spend any quality time with Trixie!) The furry and feathered friends from the PAWS FOR LOVE therapy pet visitation program travel all across Erie County (NY), bringing their special brand of comfort and delight to assisted living facilities, courts, group homes, children’s facilities, and other locations where they are needed. And, these pet volunteers aren’t just of the canine variety….
Author: Laura Schulte-Cooper
My First Galley Giveaway at #ALSC26
I’ve worked my share of ALA conferences and ALSC Institutes. But today I was able to experience something NEW and especially fun! Teen Services Development Day (TSDD) featured a Galley Giveaway to close out a great day of sessions. Books, Books, Books! The Galley Giveaway is not new — just new to me. Various publishers shipped hundreds of galleys to Buffalo. About 30 different titles were on display for the taking! TSDD attendees were able to grab up to six books, and they really pored over the selection, making sure they took the titles that really spoke to them. Here are some photos from before, during, and after the event. The Set-Up Browsing the Stacks Post Giveway And now I’m done with the bad puns! What an awesome feeling to give away great books! Laura Schulte-Cooper (she.her) is senior program officer for communications in the ALSC office. She started her…
Call for Program and Poster Proposals – 2027 ALA
Do you have a great idea for serving children, teens, or families? Here’s your chance to share it with the greater library community in New Orleans next June! The Call for Program and Poster Proposals for the ALA 2027 Annual Conference is now open.
Play. Learn. Connect. Save! – Early Bird Rates End July 10
Your chance to save on 2026 ALSC National Institute registration ends this Friday, July 10! Join children’s, teen, and school librarians from across the country for three days of professional development, networking, and inspiration in Buffalo, New York, October 1–3.
2026 Summer Reading Lists: Summer Fun Starts Here!
ALSC’s 2026 Summer Reading Lists are available for free download. Compiled by ALSC’s Quicklists Consulting committee, the lists provide an easy way to share recommended reads with parents and caregivers during the busiest time of year. The lists not only recommend fun and exciting stories but also a variety of apps, podcasts, and websites to help kids discover new and broaden current interests.
It’s January! What’s Coming Up at ALSC?
Now that the holidays are behind us and we’re getting back up to speed with regular routines, it’s a great time to highlight a couple events ALSC has coming up.
2026 National Día Program Registry Open
The 2026 National Día Program Registry is now open, and ALSC invites libraries, schools, and community organizations to register their upcoming programs and events. By using the national registry, program planners help build a searchable database that showcases all types and sizes of programs that highlight El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) and Diversity In Action. The program registry is a great way for planners to share diversity programming ideas and best practices with colleagues nationwide. As participants share their events to the database, the searchable Día program map and data table grow! Use this form to enter your programs. Why Celebrate Día? Día is a nationally recognized initiative that champions the importance of literacy for all children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. It’s a daily commitment to linking children and families to diverse books, languages, and cultures. Free Resources To help participants…
Quick Professional Development Wins: CAL Committee Columns
ALSC members are a creative, knowledgeable, and generous bunch! Our committee, task force, and other working group members work to deliver valuable resources like professional development, reading lists, toolkits, and more to support their fellow library workers. As I mentioned in my May post, several committees are active in Children and Libraries (CAL), ALSC’s digital journal, sharing their know-how, perspectives, and practical tips and information. Regular committee columns in CAL cover a range of subjects such as public awareness, research, and children’s services management. In case you missed them, here are a few columns from recent CAL issues. Check Out These Quick Reads Leadership Lessons: The Messages Picture Books Bring Us (Summer 2024) ALSC member Brandy Sanchez shares three picture books that offer unexpected lessons in library leadership, pairing each with an adult title with a corresponding theme. Professional development reading suggestions with a fun twist. Going Outside Your Comfort…