Beginning this year’s ALA Annual with the Notable Children’s Books Committee discussions was the perfect prelude to a well-rounded conference experience! As the conference continued, I was able to apply the framework used for high-quality children’s book evaluations to view the subsequent sessions through a lens of relevancy to children’s publishing. And it was a delightful highlight for me to recognize authors and illustrators during the conference whose work had been discussed in the Notables!
Category: ALA Annual Conference 2021
Concluding our 2020-2021 service year! #alaac21
The end of ALA’s Annual Conference usually marks the end of ALSC’s governance and committee service years, with the next one beginning July 1. We’ve had a year like no other. ALSC’s division report to council can be found on the ALA website. It covers ALSC activity through May 2021. It’s a long one, but I hope you’ll take an opportunity to browse it and learn about our accomplishments and challenges faced as a division. You can also check out the recording from our membership meeting or view the slides that provide a brief overview of what ALSC has been up to (During our meeting, Liz McChesney, our 2021 Distinguished Service Award recipient gave her acceptance remarks! Check it out!) THANK YOU to Kirby McCurtis for leading ALSC with confidence and flair! THANK YOU to our outgoing Board members: Cecilia McGowan, Elisa Gall, Africa Hands, and Sujei Lugo for their…
Highlights from Liz McChesney- Distinguished Service Winner #alaac21
In todays ALSC membership meeting, 2021 ALSC Distinguished Service winner Liz McChesney made a beautiful speech. I am inspired. I already knew she was great (quick disclaimer that I was a member of the committee that picked her) and she did give a shoutout to my child. But her speech inspired me as a children’s librarian to serve the children and their families to the best of my capabilities. Her speech highlighted some of the many things she cared about (and everything she cares about is very meaningful and important) including equity, collaboration and fellow people in librarianship). She helped me think about WHY I am a children’s librarian and HOW I can make sure my population is receiving the services they need. My blog post does not do her speech justice. I strongly encourage you to listen to the recording when it is posted (her speech is the beginning…
Own Monday, Own ALSC Day at #alaac21
It’s Monday of ALA Annual Conference 2021 or as I like to call it- ALSC Day! Today is when the big ALSC meetings are happening: in a mere nine minutes (10 a.m. CST) we have the 2021 ALSC Awards Presentation and at 2 p.m. CST is the ALSC Membership Meeting. The Awards Presentation features 2021 award winners that were not highlighted at last nights banquet: the recipients of the 2021 Batchelder, Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media, Geisel, and Sibert Awards. This afternoons membership meeting is themed: “Strategizing Youth Services in Time of Transition. President Kirby McCurtis will have her last hurrah as our fearless leader and members will hear from the 2021 Distinguished Service Award recipient, Liz McChesney, learn about division news and accomplishments, and engage in a member facilitated discussion. A recording from the meetings will be available at a later time, but I hope to see you there.
#Newbery and #Caldecott Virtual Banquet at #alaac2021
Usually, on this night, I am dressed up and sitting with a group of librarians to celebrate the #Newbery and #Caldecott Awards. This year, I still wanted it to be special. So, I treated my family to Yogurtland. I wore my “This Is How I Roll” t- shirt featuring a book truck. And, I got to visit the homes of amazingly talented authors and illustrators and listen to their inspiring words from my living room. I loved every minute of it. I encourage you to watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPOrSDaxsaE There are so many favorite moments, but a few highlights… In her Caldecott acceptance speech, illustrator Michaela Goade was truly an inspiration as the first indigenous/BIPOC woman to win a Caldecott. I want to listen to her speech over and over from her beautiful description of her home in Alaska to her discussion of her illustrations for “We Are Water Protectors”…
52nd Annual Coretta Scott King Book Awards at #alaac21
I was excited to attend the premier broadcast of the 52nd annual Coretta Scott King Book Award celebration this morning. While this event hosted on YouTube did not equal the excitement of an in-person gathering, it was wonderful to share the experience virtually, and to hear the winners offer not only their thanks for having their books recognized with a Coretta Scott King award, but also offer personal stories as to why they wrote the book or issues of societal impact related to their titles. Passionate and powerful, affirming and challenging, filled with both calls to action and personal statements… I was profoundly moved by the sincerity and truth of their words. I tried to think of how I could encapsulate this ceremony and the words spoken, and decided I really just wanted to encourage you to watch and enjoy the speeches yourself. It is available to view at https://youtu.be/0bFLbnvSc7c….
Poster Sessions for Children’s Services at #ALAAC21
I have always loved to take a little bit of time to peruse the poster sessions at in person ALA Annual Conferences. Most of the presenters are from the academic world and usually have nothing to do with my job as a children’s librarian in a public library. However, I still like talking to people who are passionate about their work. There is usually something I can learn and use in work as a public librarian. Once in a while the subject relates directly to serving children. So, I explored the virtual poster sessions this year. While I missed being able to ask questions, it was still fun to see how excited the presenters are about their work. Here are a few projects that can be useful to us working in children’s services. “A Bibliography of Children’s Literature to Celebrate Multilingualism and Facilitate Translanguaging Pedagogies” by Grace Enriquez, Ed.D. and…
At #ALAAC21, Beanstack Offers Connection between School and Public Libraries
Attendees at past, in-person ALA conferences know that one of the best ways to learn about new programs or software offerings is by walking the exhibit hall floor. You may not have arrived that day looking for a new summer reading incentive program or a unique tool to facilitate community engagement, but the vendors are there to show you exactly that!