Every month, I partner with a local business and head to their gymnastics studio to lead a brief storytime that kicks off an hour of free play. From its inception, this program has been a smash hit, with some months reaching the capacity of the studio space! The genesis of Gymnastics Storytime? Jealousy. When trying to reschedule storytime to better align with staffing needs, I was running into a bit of a problem. Families are busy, and almost everyone was busy on the same day. As I spoke with folks about dates and times, it became clear that everyone was doing gymnastics, and they were doing it for free, in the town over, with a story-reading included. Our town has its own gymnastics studio, but I’ve never heard it mentioned in the busy schedules of younger children. Well, that seemed like a big opportunity to me! I reached out to…
Category: Committees
A Sunrise Breakfast at #alaac26
As the sun came up over Chicago, I headed to the Marriott for the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table’s (CSKBART) 57th annual Breakfast and Awards event.
Reunification in Action
Suggestions from merging committees ALSC Organizational Effectiveness and YALSA Organization and Bylaws
My Journey Through ALSC: From Less-Than-Stellar to a Life-Changing Experience
I’ve been an ALSC member since I was a student in 2014 and when I first joined I wasn’t the most engaged member. Shortly after landing my first job as a Children’s Librarian, I got involved with the children’s book award committee in my state. I also wanted to get more involved on a national level–but how?
The Benefits of an ALSC Membership from the Perspective of a Longtime YALSA Member
I have been a Teen Services Librarian for over 15 years, and a member of YALSA for 13 years. Recently I decided to expand my youth services knowledge and joined ALSC. I have found the resources in ALSC to be helpful in my professional growth. In honor of ALSC and YALSA’s reunification, here are three amazing resources available to ALSC members that have helped me as a Teen Librarian! Online Course and Webinars Just like YALSA, ALSC offers exclusive free access to webinars and online courses. While the content of these recordings are more focused on children’s services, there are many that are relevant to teen services as well. Webinars I found helpful include Training Frontline Staff to Deal with Book Challenges Effectively and Out-of-School Time: How to Plan STEAM Programming in Your Library. Notable Children’s Book List and Recommended Book Lists ALSC’s Notable Children’s Books is a curated list…
Evaluating Books About Youth with Disabilities
Did you know that December 3rd is International Day of Persons with Disabilities? This observance was prompted by the United Nations beginning in 1992 to highlight and promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. As librarians, it is essential to highlight individuals with disabilities in our programs and our collections. However, it is also necessary to critically evaluate titles that are in your collection or that you are considering adding to the collection to ensure that they portray people with disabilities in an appropriate manner. Below, is a list of some ideas for evaluation from several different sources and further resources for deeper research.
So You Want to Co-Chair an ALSC Committee
One of the most rewarding aspects of my time as an ALSC member has been the opportunity to serve as committee co-chair. I have served as co-chair of what was once the Public Awareness Committee, then stayed on as the committee merged with Advocacy, now known as the Public Awareness and Advocacy Committee. I am now in my second year as co-chair of the Membership Committee. Committee chairing is not for everyone. You can get so much out of ALSC membership without stepping into a leadership position. Webinars, We Are ALSC chats, and committee work are all incredibly beneficial. For those interested, here are some things I have gotten out of my time as co-chair. Co-chairing a committee is a great way to gain professional leadership experience. When applying for my current management position, I was able to use my ALSC experience to prove my leadership abilities. Duties such as…
Building Connections and Fostering Leadership: How ALSC Members Can Get Involved
At the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC), we’re committed to fostering connections, creating valuable resources, and developing new leaders in the field of children’s library services. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a newcomer, there are countless opportunities for ALSC members to get involved, grow their skills, and contribute to our mission! The Membership Committee’s goal is to ensure that we’re supporting new members and also nurturing the active engagement of our existing ones. Here are a few ways you can take part in ALSC’s vibrant community and make a lasting impact. 1. Volunteer for a Committee or Task Force ALSC is powered by the energy and dedication of its member leaders. Volunteering for a committee or task force is an excellent way to contribute to the development of programs, resources, and initiatives that support children’s librarians and the children they serve. By volunteering, you’ll not only help…