Hands down, my favorite part of an ALA conference is the ALSC Collection Management Discussion Group. Whether you select children’s books for your branch, a small military library, a school library, or an entire library system, you are welcome to join this open discussion group to talk about the issues unique to this part of librarianship. Popular topics include comparing vendors, the challenges of collecting self-published books, how floating collections work at public libraries across the country, or how to deal with Common Core. E-books? DVDs? Cataloging issues? The topics run the gamut and are really vital to compare and discuss with people who are dealing with exactly the same issues. Like so many things in our division, finding colleagues to share the load is great for moral and for saving yourself the time & effort of re-inventing the wheel. Join us!
Category: ALA Midwinter 2015
My First ALSC Awards Committee Experience at #alamw15
Today I attended my first meeting as an official member of an awards committee. When I found out I chosen for the Geisel Award Committee I was very honored and excited. And nervous. I was excited to have an excuse to read lots and lots (and lots) of books for beginning readers. I’m looking forward to gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of this art form through repeated readings and thrilling discussions. I was nervous because they’ll be lots and lots (and lots) of books to read in just a year! Where will I put all those books in my teeny, tiny house? Will my notes be detailed enough? Thankfully, this first meeting calmed my nerves, and simultaneously raised my excitement level. Our chair was so friendly and supportive. She talked about the suggestion and nomination process, as well as logistical elements (deadlines, meetings, etc.). We also discussed ways to…
Librarians stop for no snow @ #alamw15
Another early morning began with the leadership of all the divisions meeting with ALA leadership for breakfast bonding and strategic planning. This was soon followed by the ALSC All-Committee meeting where folks have the opportunity meet, work together, and consult with ALSC Board members. (See Dan Bostrom’s blog on that very topic earlier today). Soon I was off to join a committee I’m serving on, the ALSC Budget Committee. This is a great group that advises the ALSC Board on money matters and is led by chair Paula Holmes and benefits greatly from all of the wisdom of ALSC Fiscal Officer Diane Foote. We’re so fortunate to have a superb Executive Director in Aimee Strittmatter and ALSC is in a strong financial position to support our work. Award seal sales are a major source of revenue for ALSC and all of the copies of The Giver which sold with the recent…
Young Children, New Media, & Libraries @ #alamw15
This afternoon I attended a session called “Young Children, New Media, & Libraries Survey” presented by Amy Koester and J. Elizabeth Mills. Back in August of 2014, ALSC, LittleeLit.com, and the iSchool at the University of Washington conducted a survey where they asked public librarians how they use new media with youth in their libraries. To put the survey into perspective, the definition of new media is technologies and the definition of young children is age 0 to 5. We each received an infographic with the results and some were pretty surprising! Here are some of the highlights: A total of 415 libraries participated and user populations ranged from less than 5,000 to over 1,000,000 Of those libraries, 71% use at least one type of new media in programming with young children The most popular type of new media used are tablets, 91% of which are iPads 58% of those…
Doin’ Business at All-Committee #alamw15
In my position at ALSC I work with many of the 60 committees that move ALSC forward. These committees range from the Membership Committee to the Advocacy & Legislation Committee to the Liaisons with National Organizations Committee. Each has its own function and purpose within the organization. Most of these committee came together this morning at the ALSC All-Committee meeting. When people ask me, “what do committees do?” I often point them the All-Committee session. This when committees come face-to-face to talk about the business of the association. They talk what’s happening in their libraries, how to connect with new members, how to best serve our current membership, i.e. the things that drive us as a profession. To do so, each committee reviews the ALSC Strategic Plan and evaluates whether their current/future actions fall within this document. I should also add a big shout-out to our virtual committees who meet…
Giving Blood at #alamw15
Meetings, networking, the serendipity of meeting old colleagues, visiting exhibits, talking to vendors, learning, reflecting… they are all part of the Midwinter Conference. This year there was also an opportunity to give back by donating blood. January is national blood donor month. I did my part by donating blood at the bloodmobile conveniently located at the back of the exhibit hall. Thanks to Libraries Build Communities, an ALA membership initiative group, for this opportunity to “give back” to the community at large — and maybe save some lives — through LifeSource.
Caught up #alamw15 #odulibs
I have gotten caught up in all the excitement and forgotten to post! The sessions I have attended have been great. The YALSA Quick Picks For Reluctant Readers meeting was entertaining. I loved listening to their discussions of the books and whether they liked them or not. There were some unique perspectives! I might volunteer for this committee in the future. Today I went to see LeVar Burton and he brought me to tears. He read his book The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm to us. It is such a beautiful story! During question/answer time so many commented how much he impacted their lives with Reading Rainbow. This was so inspirational and touching. Afterwards at the book signing, he took time to not only personalize books, but also speak with each person. Now with the blizzard we are snowed in and trying to reschedule our flight home. The silver lining to it…
#alamw15 LeVar Burton’s Words of Wisdom
Full of nostalgia from a Reading Rainbow childhood, LeVar Burton’s voice carried me away as he read his book The Rhino Who Swallowed A Storm. The story contains a lovely message of love and support from friends and families in a world of chaos. Levar wants to become a resource for children that face tragedy in honor of one of his heroes, Mr. Fred Rogers. LeVar learned to use television as a part of a larger ministry devoted to making a better place for children. Fred Rogers also taught him to be true to himself. LeVar said the “idea (for his new book) sprang from the headlines of the day.” He wanted to create a new myth about recovery from depression and anxiety caused by the world we live in. He felt that children didn’t have many examples or role models to help them deal with their feelings and fears. With the stigma that…