While many of our national leaders are choosing to be divisive, Michelle Obama is showing us what it means to be inspiring, compassionate, and a champion for children. During her conversation with Carla Hayden at the Opening General Session she spoke about the importance of fostering connections and helping children realize their full potential, especially those who may be experiencing challenges. She talked about a White House mentoring program for kids that helped build confidence and a sense of ownership. Her statement that resonated with me the most was about how we as adults have the opportunity to positively impact a child’s life every time we engage them. “This one interaction could be the one that changes this child’s life.” I find this to be so true. My mentor Thom Barthelmess always says, “Each visit to the library is a formative experience.” As librarians and professionals working with young people…
Category: ALA Annual 2018
Michelle Obama AND Carla Hayden…in the same room! #ALAAC18
After Trombone Shorty warmed up the crowd, ALA President Jim Neal welcomed First Lady Michelle Obama to the stage. She was as graceful, smart, and inspiring as you could imagine. I was trying to take notes and enjoy the moment. Here are some of the highlights from her conversation with Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. (Ms. Hayden is the 14th Librarian of Congress. She is the first female and the first African-American to hold the position.) Books and Reading Ms. Obama explained that reading has always been a part of her family. When she was little, she set up her stuffed animals and would read to them and show them the pictures. So, of course, she read to her girls when they were little. She claims to still know every word of Dr. Seuss by heart. Barack and Malia read the Harry Potter series together, and Michelle read “Life…
Welcome to New Orleans
I was really hoping my first blog would be about Michelle Obama’s talk but unfortunately life took over and I had to miss it. That’s the thing about having the annual conference in your home town, you can’t really get away. However I was able to start the festivities with two great vendor parties. Actually my conference started yesterday at the Book Buzz at the New Orleans public library. I was glad to hear the publishers’ book talks about the new fall books coming out. It’s also easier to tell a vendor what’s wrong with their product when you’re sharing blue crab beignets. The peripheral events around the annual conference are great ways to reconnect with old friends, meet new colleagues, and bond with your coworkers while also schmoozing with publishers and vendors. My consolation prize for missing Michelle was that I got to meet Trombone Shorty, New Orleans’ favorite…
ALSC New Member Dinner at #alaac18
The first new member dinner was coordinated by the ALSC Membership Committee in Denver at MW 2018! We were so excited to host another dinner here in New Orleans for the 2018 Annual Conference. A group of about 24 people met this evening at Outlaw Pizza Company at 6:30pm. A few thanks… Thank you to Outlaw Pizza Company for providing us with a nice private space and great customer service! The food was excellent! My second thank you goes out to our Membership Committee for coordinating this dinner again. Trying to find a big enough (affordable) space, make a flyer, reach out to new ALSC/conference members, get confirmations, and coordinate food is not always the easiest, but they made it happen here in New Orleans. My third thank you is for all who came, mingled, and took a slice of pizza home with them (there was a lot!). And finally my fourth…
Michelle’s Wise Words #ALAAC18
Michelle Obama and Doctor Carla Hayden’s conversation was filled with memories and words that would warm any librarian’s heart: The Obamas are readers. Barack shared the Harry Potter books with the girls — reading aloud all 7 books as a Father-Daughter thing. Michelle shared Life of Pi. And the whole family love Calvin and Hobbs. She loves everything by Zadie Smith and loves getting lost in books away from her many responsibilities as First Lady. She recalled getting her first library card at age 4 and feeling mighty proud and how libraries are the community spaces. Her memoir, entitled, Becoming, will be released this November and the conversation centered on her relationship with her parents & her own children. Immersed in writing her memoir. The family values are passed down: honesty, trust, honor, and simply being good people, compassionate and kind. One thing I found most important as an educator is…
#alaac201 Why do authors write for children?
Why do writers choose to write for young people? Because they need me! Sharon Draper [contact-form][contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Website” type=”url” /][contact-field label=”Message” type=”textarea” /][/contact-form]
Trombone Shorty In The House #ALAAC18
Eat a lot. Listen to a lot of music. Help young people in your city. ALA president specifically recognizes the Louisiana region native American tribes and invites all to check out more information about these tribes and cultures. First woman Mayor of New Orleans LaToya Cantrell thanks ALA for being the first Conference back to New Orleans after Katrina. She stresses the intentionality of library work and the focus on building, rebuilding, and supporting communities.
#alaac18 Let’s Do This!
Registration, check. Waiting in the surprisingly fast line for the Opening General Session, check. Great seat, check! I’m so excited for this year’s featured speakers and moderator, Carla Hayden, Trombone Shorty and Michelle Obama! Despite it being the length of a football field, the line moved quickly and there were plenty of things to look at while in the queue. I loved seeing the multilingual “Welcome” poster displayed at the ALA store and the amazing Biblioquilts that were donated for the ALA Silent Auction. I gave a loud cheer when the large screens projected the upcoming addition of the American Indian Library Association, the Association of Jewish Libraries and the Asian Pacific American Library Association awards to the 2019 Youth Media Awards. So much positivity and inclusivity to kick off #alaac18 and the Opening General Session hasn’t even started yet!