For those of you at ALA Annual in New Orleans, you can probably relate when I say we were all moving full steam ahead. With temperatures in the 90s and high humidity, most everyone you met had a bit of a glow and varying degrees of moisture clinging to them from the steamy, long days spent running to meetings that seemed miles apart. ALSC Committee Work While the Fahrenheit was certainly high, it was the steam of ALSC’s hardworking members and their various committees that kept us moving forward. During the convention, process committees were meeting to make important decisions and plan next steps for exciting projects. Some of the children’s book and media award committees were discussing new titles under consideration for various honors. At the same time, other committees such as the 2018 Pura Belpré Award selection committee were celebrating their winning authors and illustrators. Exciting ALSC co-sponsored…
Category: ALA Annual 2018
How am I gonna get all this stuff home from #alaac2018?
Business was hoppin’ at the Post Office set up in the Convention Center as attendees rushed to mail home the many ARCs, catalogs, booklists, buttons, posters, informational pieces, and general swag – along with a few New Orleans souvenirs – which simply would not fit in their carry-ons.
Fun After Hours! #alaac18
While the sessions, exhibit hall, and committee meetings are invaluable to my experience of ALA Annual… there is a lot to be said for after-hours events and networking moments that happen spur of the moment just by looking up from your phone and connecting to someone for a few moments. Taking a conference bus, talking to people online, or saying hello to the table next to you at Starbucks can be a way to connect to another librarian! It is one of the most underrated and yet amazing experiences that can come from Annual! Lots of librarians seize on this by planning late-night dinners and social events– and one that had been popping up my twitter over the years was Drunk Story Time! To me that combined lots of things that I love– drinking, story time, and connecting to other librarians! And yet– it was so intimidating! @MelissaZD (twitter) or Mel’s…
#alaac18 And the author said…
It was my first Coretta Scott King Breakfast so I didn’t realize how many tissues I would need. Here are some of the amazing comments from the award-winning authors and illustrators who spoke at the breakfast: “I know what it’s like to feel invisible. I needed all the pieces of me to be seen.” Renée Watson “I now carry poetry in my purse because you never know when you might need one.” Ekua Holmes “Children need to see in books beauty, courage and ingenuity.” Eloise Greenfield “You are built to be impenetrable. But you can’t be impenetrable if you are being ignored.” Angie Thomas “Love is our light.” James Ransome “You know I’m usually the coolest dude in the room.” Derrick Barnes ( As he took the napkin from Jason Reynolds to stop up the tears.” A standing ovation followed him back to his chair.) “I try my best…
The Inclusive Makerspace #WeNeedDiverseMakerspaces #alaac18
It’s been another jam-packed, amazing day at the 2018 ALA Conference! This afternoon I attended The Inclusive Makerspace #WeNeedDiverseBooks session led by Gina Seymour, a School Library Media Specialist. She offered some great advice on making your Makerspace or hands on learning activities accessible for a wide variety of youth, including those with disabilities or language barriers. Gina provided many simple tips with big impact, like providing triangular anti-roll crayons, instruction sheets with a visual cue for each step, and printing instructions in both English and Spanish. Other suggestions included labeling all craft materials used in making with not only a word but an image of what is inside. She emphasized how making can promote the 3 E’s: Equity, Education and Excitement. This session made me think of how my library could reassess our own maker-based activities and programming so that everyone can be successful and feel welcome. Thinking of…
Wolves, alternative universes and legacies, Banquet #alacc18
From howling like wolves, to laughing at Erin E. Kellys illustrious illustration career, to bonding over the state of the world- the 2018 Newbery-Caldecott Legacy Banquet was a historic night to remember. ALA President Jim Neal told some jokes and even added five additional commandments about books and reading! ALSC President Nina Lindsay shared the groundbreaking news of changing the name of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Lifetime Achievement Award to the Children’s Literature Legacy Award. The food was delicious, the vibe was electric and it truly was a library prom. Many generous sponsors supported the banquet and many individuals were recognized on the big screen for their contributions to ALSC. The committees that selected the 2018 Caldecott, Newbery and Legacy Award Winners were also recognized. Without question, the highlight of the banquet was the phenomenal speeches by the award winners. The order of the speeches is Caldecott chair, Caldecott winner,…
A Night of Children’s Book Excitement #alaac18
I feel like a fancy librarian for attending the Newbery, Caldecott, and now- Children’s Literacy Legacy Award (YAY!!!) for all five ALAs that I have attended. I also felt fancy for wearing a giant sheer bow fascinator that was an instant conversation piece! But– this awards reception remains a staple for my conference (sorry wallet) because of the pure joy that is expressed there– something all the award winners and ALA/ALSC presenters reminded us over and over. So really, I attend for the glamour and speeches (although you can do this all for free by just sitting in the chairs on the sides after dinner!) As a librarian, I book talk daily– sometimes it even spills into my personal time with RA to my hair stylist, barista, and anyone who happens to cross my path. And as we all know– you may never know the impact of handing a book to a…
Tech Talk at #alaac18
As children’s librarians, we’re constantly asking ourselves what’s best for the young patrons we serve day-to-day. After all, though we’re not their primary caregivers, we carry some responsibility for their growth and development. Some things are easy: No, you can’t have ten pieces of candy – your mom/uncle/grandma will kill me; yes, we can absolutely read Mr. Tiger Goes Wild again – it’s my favorite, too. But when the question of technology comes up, things can get a little… heated.