ALA Midwinter 2016

ALSC helps YOU with advocacy #alamw16

Aside from checking out great new titles, sitting in on book discussions, and listening to speakers, I had the opportunity to meet with the members of my virtual committee who were attending ALAMW too.  Bonus! The ALSC Advocacy & Valuation Task Force is a two year task force focused on advocacy and valuation using outcome/output measurement. One of our most shocking take-aways so far is that many members don’t know about or use the Everyday Advocacy website and newsletters, created specifically to help YOU with advocating for youth services.  Take a few minutes today to check out the important work Jenna Nemec-Loise is doing and participate in her January 5 challenge to set a 2016 advocacy goal for yourself.

ALA Midwinter 2016

ALA Youth Media Awards 2016

#alaYMA @ #ALAmw16 It is always a highlight of my midwinter ALA journey to attend the Youth Media Awards Press Conference, and this year was no exception. The excitement was palpable in the Boston Convention Center ballroom as hundreds of librarians and other children’s literature aficionados excitedly heard the announcements of the Youth Media Awards. As the winners were announced, they were greeted with (sometimes raucous) applause, hoots of delight, and gasps of surprise. Tremendous thanks go to all the committee members who worked and read so diligently throughout 2015 to bring us this stellar collection of winners! Here is a complete list of the winners announced this morning: John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature: “Last Stop on Market Street,” written by Matt de la Peña, is the 2016 Newbery Medal winner. The book is illustrated by Christian Robinson and published by G. P. Putnam’s…

ALA Midwinter 2016

ALSC Process & Program Committees May Not Be Glamorous on Monday Morning, but are Super Worthwhile #alamw16

Everyone knows about ALSC committees like Newbery & Caldecott, but there is a galaxy of other committees full of dedicated librarians that make ALSC tick and support us all in our work. Serving on a process committee like Membership, Grants Administration, or Organization and Bylaws provides opportunities to build relationships with other librarians, while also building leadership skills, looking at ALSC: The Big Picture, and guiding how ALSC operates and serves us all. Not all of these groups require attending a conference, there are virtual committees too. These can be really excellent for finding mentors and building a librarian community if you’re feeling isolated. Check out the roster of opportuntities on the ALSC Committees page & fill out your volunteer form today!  Join us!

ALA Midwinter 2016

#alamw16 Doors open in two hours and 15 minutes

I wonder if the phones have already rung? It’s 5:15am EST and today is the day when the Youth Media Awards will be announced here in the Boston Convention Center at 8:00am. Someone will learn she or he has won the Newbery Medal or the Caldecott Medal or the Schneider or any one of the amazing 19 awards to be announced today.   Lives changed forever. Last year I had goosebumps as the Newbery winner was announced….goosebumps. My dream is that the day will come when America joins us in our goosebumps. My dream is that the awareness of this day will spread and families will know that on this day the most distinguished contribution to literature for children in the U.S. was honored. Boston with all of its memories of revolution and change and determination to create a place where everyone could be free to carve out a life…

ALA Midwinter 2016

Sessions, meetings, exhibits — Oh My!

Wow, my brain is starting to hurt!   #alamw16 has offered some amazing opportunities, of that you can be sure–you’ve read about many of them here.   But don’t forget to take a break too! I like to hop into the Pop Top or Book Buzz areas to hear authors, illustrators, and editors talk about their work.  Today, my “must read” pile grew by leaps and bounds. I loved Charlesbridge’s- The Art of Storytelling: How Illustrators Construct Stories event yesterday.  These illustrators shared their processes, where they start and the responsibility of bringing stories to life.   Which of these events have you attended? What was your favorite? Share your pictures!